--- product_id: 89314679 title: "Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics" price: "€ 88.54" currency: EUR in_stock: true url: https://www.desertcart.sk/products/89314679-scottish-fencing-five-18th-century-texts-on-the-use-small store_origin: SK region: Slovakia --- # Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics **Price:** € 88.54 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics - **How much does it cost?** € 88.54 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sk](https://www.desertcart.sk/products/89314679-scottish-fencing-five-18th-century-texts-on-the-use-small) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description The martial heritage of Scotland and its legendary swordsmen have captured the imagination of readers worldwide for centuries. Likewise, enthusiasts of swordsmanship have cherished classic Scottish fencing treatises by those such as William Hope and Donald McBane. However, up until now, a number of obscure Scottish treatises on the use of the sword have evaded the notice of authors, scholars and researchers. Presented here are five such texts, now published again for the first time in more than two centuries. They include: I. Examination & Vindication of the Highlander's Manner of Attacking and Fighting the Enemy in a Day of Action. -- Though not a fencing text, this is an unique early eighteenth century manuscript on battlefield techniques that has never before been published, and is now presented here with the permission of the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Authored by an anonymous Highland veteran, it includes a spirited defense of the native manner of fighting, and provides new insight into the use of the targe during the period of the great Jacobite conflicts. II. The Sword's-Man; Containing a Series of Observations on the Use of the Sword . -- This treatise, authored in 1788 by Edinburgh fencing instructor John Ferdinand, contains instruction in the use of the most popular side-arms of the period: the broadsword, small-sword, and spadroon. III. A Dictionary, Explaining the Terms, Guards, and Positions, Used in the Art of the Small Sword . -- This useful and interesting glossary on the art of fencing is embedded with numerous instructions, and was written by Hary Fergusson, a native of Aberdeenshire who taught fencing in Edinburgh and North America during the 1760s and 1770s. IV. A Treatise on the New Sword Exercise . -- This treatise on the use of the cavalry saber was first published in 1797, shortly after the widespread adoption of the 1796 pattern cavalry sword. Its author was Sholto Douglas Sorlie, a native of Edinburgh, Sergeant in the 7th Queen's Own Light Dragoons, and later a veteran of Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrennees, Navelle, Orthes, and the Peninsular War. V. This final chapter explores the life and career of Donald McAlpine, a soldier from Inverness and officer in the famed Queens Rangers (an early Special Operations unit), who taught the use of the back-sword in Boston during the American War of Independence. His student sketched what is currently the earliest known illustration of fencing technique in the American colonies. The full, original page containing the illustration of McAlpine's instruction is faithfully reproduced herein for the first time ever. CONTENTS Acknowledgments I. Introduction and Notes by Paul Macdonald II. Examination & Vindication of the Highlanders' Manner of Attacking and Fighting the Enemy in a Day of Action III. John Ferdinand by Ben Miller IV. The Sword's-Man by John Ferdinand V. Hary Fergusson by Ben Miller VI. A Dictionary, Explaining the Terms, Guards, and Positions, Used in the Art of the Small-Sword by Hary Fergusson VII. Sholto Douglas Sorlie by Ben Miller VIII. A Treatise on the New Sword Exercise by Sholto Douglas Sorlie IX. Donald McAlpine by Ben Miller About the Contributors ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #1,992,411 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #219 in Fencing (Books) #1,159 in Scotland History #2,660 in Conventional Weapons & Warfare History (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 84 Reviews | ## Images ![Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61R-Fe3V9zL.jpg) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sk/products/89314679-scottish-fencing-five-18th-century-texts-on-the-use-small](https://www.desertcart.sk/products/89314679-scottish-fencing-five-18th-century-texts-on-the-use-small) --- *Product available on Desertcart Slovakia* *Store origin: SK* *Last updated: 2026-07-26*