Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics

"Scottish Fencing" is actually a compilation of five more obscure Scottish sources from the mid 1700s to early 1800s. Overall, the text has very interesting historical information and works as an excellent reference book when working with other sources of a similar era (especially the dictionary therein). However, there is very little information in this book about fencing on foot, and what is in the book is geared towards intermediate to advanced fencers over beginners. Despite this, the collection was a very interesting read because of the well researched biographies of each writer and the insights that it gives regarding the life of a fencing master. “Scottish Fencing” is an excellent book for it’s historical overviews regarding both the personal lives of masters and larger battlefield tactics of the time, however if you are looking for fencing techniques, you will only find it useful if you already know a contemporary European sword system. Below I’ll give a brief description of each of the texts in this collection. Examination and Vindication of the Highlanders - Anonymous The first text is an anonymous piece of writing from an English Soldier who fought against Scottish Highlanders during the Jacobite Risings. The author gives a first hand account of how the highlanders fought in open battle, continually lauding their excellent discipline and martial prowess. The description is of a fighting force that begins with muskets, advancing and firing until their enemy returns fire. Then they use the time when their enemy is reloading to charge in with their distinctive broadsword and targe combination. The author describes the general strategies and formations of both sides in a good bit of detail, giving the reader unique insights into the warfare of the late 1700s. The Sword’s-Man - John Ferdinand Ferdinand touts the only text in this collection that is really an instructional book on how to fence. He openly states that the pamphlet in question is intended for more advanced fencers and so descriptions of the fundamental guards and actions are completely omitted and no pictures are included in the book. His book is split into three sections: the small-sword, broad-sword, and the spadroon. Each section has little more than a numbered list of techniques. What is more interesting about this piece is the biographical description of John Ferdinand. It gives an in-depth view of how a fencing master of Ferdinand’s era would have plied his trade as a large number of personal letters by Ferdinand have managed to survive the passage of time. A Dictionary - Hary Fergusson As the title states, Fergusson’s book is a dictionary of important terms relating to fencing. This is a very useful text when looking at contemporary fencing manuals as it gives clear and concise definitions of terms that may be loosely defined in other texts. There are a few fencing tips scattered throughout the dictionary, but they are not anything that you would not find in any fundamental fencing text. A Treatise on the New Sword Exercise - Sholto Douglas Sorlie Sorlie’s text is a military drill book for fighting with a broadsword from horseback. As such, this text focuses more on describing military drills then teaching the ins and outs of a fencing system. Many of the cuts and parries are glossed over rather quickly and could leave a reader with little understanding of what needed to be done if they are not already aware of other horseback fencing techniques. Sorlie’s book is interesting, but lacking any depth to his techniques. Donald McAlpine The final text in this book is hardly even a text at all. It is, instead, the biography of one Donald McAlpine. This Scottish born man moved to America and taught fencing in Boston. He would fight as a royalist during the American Revolution. However, little is known about his fencing method as he left no text behind. All that exists are various descriptions of his fencing system that have been recorded by his students. One such student is Sir Benjamin Thompson who, in addition to his other accolades, left us one of the first pictures of fencing from the United States. Overall, this section is an interesting biography but gives little if any information about how McAlpine fenced, and so is only useful as a historical piece.

Interesting book . Worth having for anyone with an interest in historic fencing

Really enjoyed learning more about the lives, tactics, and strategies of various Highlanders and their works. The first treatise is quite dense but full of useful information if you wanted to know more about how Highlanders fought in formations and their tactics. Later texts cover a fencing dictionary of the 18th century, an advanced course of historical fencing instruction in broadsword, spadroon, and smallsword, a cavalry text, and some research on the life of Donald McAlpine who taught backsword during the American Revolution. Plenty here for the scholar looking for some first time publishing info and for the historical fencer wanting to learn more about the period that the treatises they study was like.

A quality first person reference of in my opinion neglected Western Martial Arts. A must read for history or martial arts buffs.

Fantastic collection of Scottish legends and period fencing literature. Highly recommended for any student in the art of defense. The British soldier's account of the Highlander's battle tactics sheds new light on the martial arts of the Highland clansmen, and is a valuable addition to the historical records!