Henry Angelo's Ten Lessons of the Highland Broadsword

[gollum740]

Hello, Like your drills. By the way what was the song if I may ask? I really liked it.

Thank you,

Paras

[gilbride100]

It's from "The Gaelic Album" by Runrig.

[gollum740]

Hello. Thank you. Do you think I would be able to practice Angelo's drill with a cavalry sabre? thank you.

regards,

Paras

[gilbride100]

Yes, it was taught that way by Angelo himself, even though it was designed for the broadsword.

[perplexitypeccable]

@gilbride100 How did Angelo himself teach you that way if he published the lessons in 1798AD? Just curious.

[gilbride100]

@perplexitypeccable Is this a serious question? I didn't say he taught me anything in person, what I said was that he taught how to use this system with a cavalry sabre, which you can see by looking at his manual.

[darkwolfe]

Nice work. I have a question about your broadsword competitions. I noticed that none of the participants use any footwork other than moving forward or back. With other historical fencing matches that I've seen, they attempt to circle and use angles. Is this not part of broadsword matches?

[gilbride100]

Most of the competition vids we have up show Angelo's style, which is more linear. Page's style, which we also practice, involves more circling. Circling can be used to control the space (what boxers call "ring control") in order to put the opponent in a bad position, or to get a sudden angle change for an attack, or to close in by degrees. Other than that, circling serves no tactical purpose, as the fencer being circled can always turn slightly and restore the straight line.

[shamusfion]

Wing Chun, Hapkido Japanese Kosan Ryu and Savate. I was taught the French Rapier when I studied Savate. I meant no insult. I have a Highland Broadsword in my collection of swords and it is considerably different from what you were using.

Shamusfion

[gilbride100]

Are you sure you're not thinking of a Highland two-hander? The two-hander is the very long sword with the down-sloping quillons. The Highland broadsword has a basket-hilt exactly like the weapons we're using in this video, but a much broader blade. The hilts of these weapons were stripped from broken Highland broadswords and re-mounted with cheap schlager blades. When you're poor, you work with what you can scrounge together. When a weapon breaks, it can be months before we can replace it.

[shamusfion]

Yes you are right it is two handed. I sure understand about having to replace them. By the way I thought you're techinique was quite good. I also wish to apoligize. I knew they were two different weapons. One of those momentary brain checked out things.

Shamusfion

[gilbride100]

No problem, please don't worry about it. And thank you. :)

[shamusfion]

I don't know guys, but those look like rapiers to me. They certainly aren't broadswords. I don't consider myself and expert; but I have been a practitioner for the last 45 years. It is good music tho.

Shamus Fionne

[gilbride100]

A practitioner of what, exactly? The historical fencing movement isn't 45 years old, unless you're counting the SCA, which is not, strictly speaking, "historical fencing." Genuine rapiers are very much longer than these weapons, which are schlager blades mounted in the hilts of Highland broadswords. We were using them because they were safe and inexpensive. We now have access to more accurate replicas. In any case, the form shown is accurate, and isn't that what matters?

[SuperSpoonishNess]

Nice vid!

What sort of art is this?

[Sickboy551977]

Looks like the basic battle of Escrima...

[MorangRus]

Nice play, although left fencer is a little off-screen. Pretty bad, he looks better than guy in black.

Didn't they use sixth guard in those times? (Against head cut - inside line counterpart of "St George Parry", which is quinte)?

By the way, music is awesome. What is it?

[gilbride100]

>he looks better than guy in black>

Then I suppose I should be pleased, as I am the guy in the black and he is my student. :)

>Didn't they use sixth guard in those times?>

Not in this particular system, no.

>By the way, music is awesome. What is it?>

Runrig. 70s Rock in Gaelic!

[MorangRus]

Well, I meant his clothes. Footwork in kilt looks beatiful, like a dance. Thanks for answer!

And what about thrusts? I saw "three thrusts" in "Basic exercises" (notably, no supinated thrust "in quarte" - two of shown are more or less pronated, while third is just medium...), but here thrusts aren't used.

And I saw no thrusts in sparring videos (Broadsword League). Are they excluded for safety concerns? Why weren't they included in Angelo's manual?

[gilbride100]

Thrusts are less-emphasized in broadsword. Our thrusts are from the writings of Sir William Hope, 1707 (a Scottish master). Angelo probably left them out for safety and simplicity reasons- the sparring weapon back then was simply a stick. They're optional in League play.

[entmage]

that looks like the Hungarian manual

[gilbride100]

Yes, it's from Angelo's "Hungarian and Highland Broadsword"- but this is the "Highland" part, the cavalry section is the "Hungarian" part.