Alfieri's treatise
"The Art of Excellent Sword Ownership" aroused great admiration and respect among the masters of fencing, as it became one of the most popular fencing books. Even in the modern world of fencing, this treatise is considered to be one of fencing's best textbooks. One of the disciples described the treatise of his great
teacher: The treatise "
The Art of Excellent Sword Hold" reflects Francesco Alfieri's thoughts and opinions on
fencing.The
author described the complete basic set of ways and methods, and the advantages that a person can gain in combat and in everyday life from studying the Art of
Arms. Alfieri was one of the few authors to describe how the art of fencing can be made useful and how to become a master. The treatise is written in the language of the heart, as the followers of Alfieri say, in which the causes and
principles of fencing grow, as fear and insecurity in combat disappear. Alfieri is considered an unsurpassed master of fencing. His practice and experience in science led to the development of his new Mixed Martial position. The mixed combat position is a proportional position suitable for moving into the Counterblow position against the First, Second, Third, and Fourth combat positions. Also, here fencers can use a high position form, for example, to reject a blow in the Third position - outward or in the inner part. The fencer then needs to take the fourth battle position. The enemy will not be able to free himself, which is very important for striking. In this situation, it is harmful to perform direct movements, as they can be fatal. If the fencer doesn't want to be stabbed, they can find a way to change the shape, and then continue fencing. In this case, it is better to do everything in order to maintain a favorable position without any restrictions. When it is convenient, the fencer can attack a closer open part of the opponent's body. This Mixed martial position allowed Alfieri to end all fights with a
victory, so he preferred to use it more often than most others, and for protection and for striking the opponent. In addition, the author examined the main types of weapons that were most used at that time, and considered separately the features of their use, principles and true purpose, along with his observations and conclusions from practice. The weapons in question are a
sword, a
dagger, a dropon, a
kapa, a targa, a
broker, namely in a treatise such topics as: First part: • Basic principles of fencing. • On the formation of the knight. • On the forms of art. • Methods of determining the shape. • About time in art. • On the combat positions. • About moving the body and steps. • On the features of the first and second combat positions. • About the Third and Fourth Combat Positions and their advantages. • On deviations and their varieties. • About feints. • How one can understand the nature and art of the enemy. • What one needs to counteract the shock when the legs are still or in a step. • On the Counterboy Position. • Where one needs to be in combat. • Ways to strike and the nature of the blows. • How to deal with shy, reckless, phlegmatic and choleric. • The advantages between strength and weakness. • Advantages between big and small. • The choice between the movement in the fighting position and the waiting. The second and third parts of the treatise Francesco Alfieri are devoted to a detailed consideration of such topics as: • Formation of combat positions, attack and defense. • Inflicting various blows with a sword, a sword and a dagger, a dropon, etc. in different positions. • Separately examined the types of protective weapons and how to use them. • Controls from the dropdown, as well as the ways and methods of using this weapon in defense and attack, along with management features. The treatise contains illustrations with detailed explanations and demonstrations of combat positions and how attacks are struck, and how attack and defense are carried out. == Features and distinctive features in Italian fencing ==