Customer Reviews

English Martial Arts

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"No man travelleth by the waie without his sword or somesuch weapon except the minister who commonly weareth none at all unless it is a dagger or a hanger at his side." - Aylward [English Master of Arms]

Terry Brown's `English Martial Arts' is an outstanding book about a little known topic. Beginning with an excellent overview of the background of English Martial Arts, we are then introduced to the weapons of the English man at arms:

>>Broadsword
>>Quarterstaff
>>Sword & Dagger
>>Sword & Dagger vs. Sword & Buckler
>>The Bill
>>Bear-Fist Fighting
>>Stances

Terry Brown then introduces us to the `Principles of True Fighting' and demonstrates the techniques of the weapons listed herein. A series of clear photographs demonstrates the effective application of techniques, allowing the student to develop sufficient basic skill to seek entry to `The Company of Maieters' [http://www.maisters.demon.co.uk/] as a Free Scholler.

Finally, English Martial Arts closes with "Words of Wisdom" from the English Masters of Defense such as Silver, Godfrey and Lonnergan.

For any Scholler of the Arts of Defense, English Martial Arts is a `must have' resource.

I found Terry Browns book, English martial arts to be the most informative book I have read concerning the English martial arts, and the western martial arts in general.

It is historically accurate, as well as telling the history from a martial artists point of view, as many so called martial arts books are written by people who are not martial artist.

The training section, although concerned with only a few of the weapons in the English martial armoury, it is covered thoroughly, and when practiced the techniques are 100% effective, they feel comfortable to execute, as well as leaving you in a safe position after the technique has been done.

All in all, Terry Browns book is an informative, historically correct, training manual, that will be in demand long into the future as the bible of English and Western martial arts.

How wrong could I be. Having practised re-enactment martial arts for 24 years I thought I'd seen it all... you live and learn.

The techniques described in the book are brutal to say the least. The knee stamp when the opponent is down is my favorite.

There are chapters divided into historical references for each weapon(including fists). Adding to this there are clear photographs of the strikes and blocks.

If you are re-enacting later european medieval history this is the book for you.

This is a delightful book. The photos are excellent and very informative. The writing is solid and clear, giving both history and technique to the reader. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Terry Brown is able to convey a true appreiciation of the depth of Western martial arts with both his words and his images. Anyone who seriously wishes to learn about these skills should seek out this book and add it to their collection.

I find 'English Martial Arts' to be very clear and sharp in its accuracy, presentation & applications. Also, it is greatly enhanced via traditional rational strategy and tactics. The photography and explanations are superb. With some imagination and practice, much of the book can be applied via cane or fist, as well as the great traditional [well-armed] usage. In any case, there is a great section on old English bare-knuckle boxing [no-rules using kicks, fists, cuffs, flips and turns]. Yet, this excellent book is quite streamlined. 'Simplicity is efficiency's best friend' +++

This guide is a perfect directive to historical combat. I use this book to instruct members of the Edmonton chapter of Knights of the Wild Rose. The day the book arrived from Amazon we started working on the quarter staff routines. Unlike the historical fecthbuchs (fight books) of the middle ages English Martial Arts provides clear photos to show stances, blocks and strikes. A hearty mix of weapons are covered within these pages allowing anyone to perform medieval combat. Since we focus on authentic combat in historical armour this resource is a vital component in our repetoire.

This work is an excellent source for anyone interested in pursuing studies in the Western martial arts. Mr. Brown covers the most popular weapons of the time, with a good deal of background information for each weapon. The techniques are clearly explained, and the accompanying photos are excellent. His no-nonsense approach to these studies will help dispell the MANY myths and misconceptions of the way these weapons were used in combat. A definate MUST read for any serious practitioner, as well as anyone interested in these subjects.

Steven Huff - Founder, Historical Martial Study Society smh318@hotmail.com

This book gives an introduction and brief history of English Schooles of Defense. The history was a fun read. The practical sections, which contain reconstructions of various CQC techniques as the records indicate they were taught, are presented in a clear pictorial format which makes them easy to learn and analyze. If you are interested in historical combat, this is a book you will reference again and again.

Terry Brown has created a masterpiece and the book is of a god like nature compared to others on the subject, he should be awarded for his work. I cant wait for a second publish when he tackles another part of western herritage which is that of English martial arts.