George Silver's Brief Instructions

Below are links for a transcription of Silver's Brief Instructions upon My Paradoxes of Defense. This is a work in progress. At present, the goal is to offer

Facsimile of Original
Table of Contents

     
To the Reader
     Admonitions
     Chapter 1 - The four grounds or principals of that true fight at all manner of weapons
     Chapter 2- Certain general rules which must be observed in the perfect use of all kind of weapons.
     Chapter 3 - A declaration of all 4 general fights to be used at double or single weapons long or short...
     Chapter 4 - Of the Short single sword fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 5 - Of diverse advantages that you may take by striking from your ward at the sword fight
     Chapter 6 - The manner of certain grips and closes to be to be used at that single sword fight and co
     Chapter 7 - Of the short sword and dagger fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 8 - Of the short sword and dagger fight against the long sword
     Chapter 9 - Of the Sword and Buckler fight
     Chapter 10 - Of the twohand sword fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 11 - Of the short staff fight, being convenient length, against the like weapon
     Chapter 12 - Of the short staff fight against the long staff
     Chapter 13 - Of the fight of the forrest bill against the like weapon and against the staff
     Chapter 14 - Of the fight of the Morris pike against the like weapon
     Chapter 15 - Of the single dagger fight against the like weapon

Transcription
Table of Contents

     
To the Reader
     Admonitions
     Chapter 1 - The four grounds or principals of that true fight at all manner of weapons
     Chapter 2- Certain general rules which must be observed in the perfect use of all kind of weapons.
     Chapter 3 - A declaration of all 4 general fights to be used at double or single weapons long or short...
     Chapter 4 - Of the Short single sword fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 5 - Of diverse advantages that you may take by striking from your ward at the sword fight
     Chapter 6 - The manner of certain grips and closes to be to be used at that single sword fight and co
     Chapter 7 - Of the short sword and dagger fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 8 - Of the short sword and dagger fight against the long sword
     Chapter 9 - Of the Sword and Buckler fight
     Chapter 10 - Of the twohand sword fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 11 - Of the short staff fight, being convenient length, against the like weapon
     Chapter 12 - Of the short staff fight against the long staff
     Chapter 13 - Of the fight of the forrest bill against the like weapon and against the staff
     Chapter 14 - Of the fight of the Morris pike against the like weapon
     Chapter 15 - Of the single dagger fight against the like weapon

Interpretation
Table of Contents

     To the Reader
     Admonitions
     Chapter 1 - The four grounds or principals of that true fight at all manner of weapons
     Chapter 2- Certain general rules which must be observed in the perfect use of all kind of weapons.
     Chapter 3 - A declaration of all 4 general fights to be used at double or single weapons long or short...
     Chapter 4 - Of the Short single sword fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 5 - Of diverse advantages that you may take by striking from your ward at the sword fight
     Chapter 6 - The manner of certain grips and closes to be to be used at that single sword fight and co
     Chapter 7 - Of the short sword and dagger fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 8 - Of the short sword and dagger fight against the long sword
     Chapter 9 - Of the Sword and Buckler fight
     Chapter 10 - Of the twohand sword fight against the like weapon
     Chapter 11 - Of the short staff fight, being convenient length, against the like weapon
     Chapter 12 - Of the short staff fight against the long staff
     Chapter 13 - Of the fight of the forrest bill against the like weapon and against the staff
     Chapter 14 - Of the fight of the Morris pike against the like weapon
     Chapter 15 - Of the single dagger fight against the like weapon

Transcription and interpretation largely by the hand of Nathan Barnett with the gracious and patient assistance of students at Seattle's Academia della Spada and BWAHAHA and, most recently, Port Townsend's Embassy Arms Fencing Club. Commentary, criticism and fan mail may be addressed to nathan@ravenrook.com.