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Guy Windsor

The Swordman's Companion: A Modern Training Manual for the Medieval Longsword Paperback – January 1, 2010

by Guy Windsor (Author)

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How was the medieval sword used? Although many books have been released detailing techniques of the medieval swordmasters, none of them can really be termed easily interpreted manuals of technique. For the beginner, they are hard to decipher and interpret.The well-respected founder of the prestigious Helsinki School of European Swordsmanship, Mr. Windsor has offered a nuts-and-bolts approach to teaching Italian historical swordsmanship through drills, exercises. Based on the systems of Fiore dei Liberi, Fillipo Vadi, and others, this work should be one of the first books acquired by anyone wishing to explore swordsmanship as a practical art.

Print length

262 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Chivalry Bookshelf
Publication date

January 1, 2010
Dimensions

6.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1891448412
ISBN-13

978-1891448416
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Cambridge, England in 1973, Mr Windsor has studied many forms of European fencing. He has also studied Akido, T'ai Chi Chuan, and Okinawan Kobudo. Together with Paul MacDonald he is a founder of the Dawn Duellists Society and is the founder and director of the Helsinki School of European Swordsmanship.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chivalry Bookshelf; 1st edition (January 1, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1891448412
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1891448416
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,369,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,451 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #38,688 in Exercise & Fitness (Books)
- #117,088 in World History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
135 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		69%
4 star		21%
3 star		7%
2 star		2%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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aidanblake

Excellent Companion Material for New or Experienced Longsword Practitioners

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book is a great reference that I find best paired with Guy Windsor's "Mastering the Arts of Arms Volume 2 - The Medieval Longsword". Where the aforementioned book goes into technical detail and presents technique and guides for learning the technical aspects of longsword, this book goes into the philosophy of training and how to train with different types of fencers. It also has some technical detail and more drills/technique, however this book really nicely breaks down some of the more metaphysical or mental aspects of learning and fighting with a Longsword. Highly recommend this book, especially paired with Guy Windsor's Longsword book. As with his book on longsword, I recommend this book to anyone who is just starting or anyone that has been practicing for a while or even instructing. Whether learning on your own or already a member of a club or learning community, this book contains invaluable information that goes a long way to improving your understanding and mastery of the longsword material.

6 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

But.... the images in the Kindle release.

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2017

Verified Purchase

As with most things, there is always a "but". This book's "but" is that the images are of poor quality in the Kindle version regardless of the viewing device as I have the Kindle app on my smartphone, tablet, and a desktop PC that is a 3-month old graphical design and gaming powerhouse rig. The images do not allow the reader to zoom in and visually interpret what the author is describing.

Other than the issue regarding the images, the book is exactly what I was anticipating in an instruction manual for the novice swordsman with terminology, a foundation in its history, exercises, advice, and detailed instruction.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Thorsteinn Thorarensen

Very good introduction, but pictures were too small on my phone.

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

I have been practicing the longsword for about two years (but in the German/Liechtenauer way), and I found this to be an enlightening book. Some of it directly applicable to my practice, and some maybe not - I'll have to read and train from the book a lot more before really knowing. It's also interesting to see how the Italians were doing things.

A minor quibble, though: The pictures were way too small to be useful on my phone. Probably not a problem in the printed version or with a properly-sized screen, and maybe there's some way to enlarge the pictures that I haven't found.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ellell Bee

An author of strong, but well-justified, opinions, and great knowledge of his subject

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

Right smack in the introduction Mr. Windsor justifies every further second of time you will spend reading and learning from the rest of this book. He discusses the three types of swordsman, the competitior, the technician, and the spiritualist. He's taught long enough to know how these types of students progress. That knowledge alone is worth the price of admission.

Mr. Windsor has published a second edition of this book as well. Choose either one. You're in good hands.

13 people found this helpful

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Chris from GA

Very informative for beginners

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2015

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It was a very interesting book. It discusses a great deal about sword fighting theory. Also it introduces one to common terms and some simple techniques. You will not learn to sword fight with this book. Yet it will certainly point you in the right direction for learning. It's a good place to start, most especially if you are new to martial arts of any kind or swordsmanship.

2 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

A book by a real lover of the sword

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2014

Verified Purchase

I have a small collection of fencing books, although my primary interest is in the modern (XIX century) use of the sword and I do not see me swinging a long sword anytime soon, I found this book very interesting. I was thinking of returning it because of a small problem with the formating: it did not go to the notes because the button was inoperative, but I found it so interesting that I decided to keep it regardless. I find that the author writes in a user friendly way that is very clear, any one can see that that he LOVES the sword. I also bought Veni Vadi Vici, and in paperback (at considerable expense because I am in Caracas at the moment) the Duellist's Companion. The author also has a lot of very good free material in internet, please see FARFALLE DI FERRO in YouTube. If you love the sword give this book a try, I can assure you, that you will not be disappointed. Finally as a practitioner of Tai Chi I can say with shame that for a long time I was ignorant of the cornucopia of riches that we have in the western martial arts, if nothing else this book will show you that: THE WESTERN MARTIAL ARTS ARE FANTASTIC!
Peter

2 people found this helpful

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L. Putt

Well Written

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2007

Verified Purchase

The broadsword in s good place to start for anyone interested in learning Historic Swordsmanship. This book is well written for those who want to learn the basics. I personally found many new drills and new ways to teach my students.
Personally I have been in the martial arts for over 20 years and have been doing Western Martial Arts for about 8 and I really liked this book. It is always good to return to the basics and make sure they are solid.
I would recomend this book to anyone who is starting or thinking about getting into Historic Swordsmanship, also and well equiped sword library should have this book.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Michael P. Suszycki II

Helpful and to the point

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

A helpful, honest guide, that i found to be well written and practical. This is definitely a great book to use as a reference as you advance in the art.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Andrew Kelly

An excellent guide for beginners, experienced practitioners and enthusiasts alike

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2014

Verified Purchase

I am new to long sword and was looking for a book to complement my practice at a local club. I was referred to this by one of my colleagues, and I can say with confidence I was not disappointed.

Not only is this book written so that a complete notice can pick up a sword and practice (with the proper equipment, of course) it also gives historical background and citations for its assertions. Another feature that I am most impressed by is that revisions made since the first edition have been left for all to see, with footnotes to explain where changes have been made. I have not seen this level of transparency and detail outside of a white paper.

Whether you are new to longsword or looking to sharpen your skills, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Roger Newton

Excellent book for the new student of the longsword.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

While you can't learn longsword technique from a book you can learn about longsword technique from a book. Having been left mystified and confused by Liechtenauer, Dobringer, Ringeck, Pseudo von Danzig, Meyer, Sutor, dei Liberi and many others I found clear, comprehensible explanations and illustrations in this book. It offers instruction in the use of the longsword in plain modern english - though based largely on the italian tradition. It is intended for the newcomer to the study of the longsword and I found this book extremely useful. I actually felt I knew more about the longsword after I had read it than I did before I began. It is a book I expect to continue to refer to for several years while I learn how to use a longsword.

D

You will need an instructor

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

Excellent book by a leading expert. As always the frustrating thing is that if you do not have the face to face interaction with a real life instructor this book is not going to help you very much as a swordsman. Really difficult to find good instructors in the UK (unless you live in London). If you cant find someone to teach you, don't buy this book

Gordon Passmore

Best In Class

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2013

Verified Purchase

My first experience with Mr. Windsor was during the 2011 Vancouver International Sword Symposium. Although I did not have the good sense at the time to attend any of his lessons (I was, at the time, and largely still am, very novice), I was impressed with the snippets that I had over heard. Later during the event, I had the opportunity to witness Mr. Windsor demonstrate his knowledge of the art first hand. Needless to say, I was very impressed. Which lead me to question the approach to some of my previous teachings.

Almost immediately after the event, I picked up a copy of the author's "Duelist's Companion" (another first class manual for beginners), however waited what seemed like an eternity as the Swordsman's Companion. As it was "sold out" at the time.

Having come recently back in stock, and receiving the manual, I was not disappointed. As with his other work, I have found; both manuals to be very thorough and detailed. I find the recommended exorcises and incorporation of fitness extremely valuable. Most importantly though, I have enjoyed the objective based approach and candid writing styles. Compared to other training manuals I have read, I would say Mr. WIndsor's are the best available in the market. Or at the very least, appeals the most to my own personal beliefs and tastes.

I would strongly recommend this work for any one who does not only want best in class knowledge of working swordsmanship, however, people who also want to develop the physical ability to properly and effectively execute Mr. Windsor's interpretations. In the past, I have paid drastically more for less valuable information. I have also paid drastically less, for less valuable information. For the price of this manual, I consider it a must have for any swordsman.

One person found this helpful

Planet seeder

Needed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

It was just what was needed for the practices being done. Excellent