English Backsword (cont.)

The backsword curriculum of Academia della Spada is based upon the treatises of George Silver. Silver's sword fight is comprised of a system of four principle wards and relies heavily upon the careful control of measure.

Backsword based upon George Silver emphasizes cut over thrust although encourages the use of both in practice, avoids blade engagement - sword removed better able to deliver a cut thrust, while valuable and necessary, is deprecated because it can be so easily set aside.

The sword curriculum of Academia della Spada focuses upon the backsword fight of George Silver, an English gentleman who penned his two treatises at the turn of the 17th Century. Silver's fight emphasizes the cut over the thrust, hearkening back to a more traditional, "Medieval" style of swordplay. In practice, Silver's fight emphasizes the cut over the thrust, arguing that the thrust can be easily displaced by an opponent who remains at safe distance while the cut allows for a definitive strike which will end the fight. His fight similarly discourages blade engagement, advocating swords be held removed in a position from which they can reasonably strike or defend against either edge blow or thrust.