Of the maner how to handle the Two hand Sword, in single combat

O thoſe, who would cunninglie handle the Two hand Sword in ſingle combat, it is principally neceſsarie that (as in other weapons) they be practiced and have the ſkill, to uſe the one hand aſwell as the other, and they both be active in bodie, and ſtrong in the armes, which are required in the managing of each weapon. And farther it is requiſite that they carie the principles of this Art, ſurelie fixed in their mindes and memories, by meanes whereof they may become bolde and reſolute, in as much as they have to do, either in ſtriking or defending.

They ought furthermore to conſider, how the two hand ſword is uſed, and how it ought to be uſed.

Touching the firſt, All men uſe to deliver thruſts, aſwell as edge blowes, down right, and reverſed, with both hands to the Sword which way albeit, it be profitable in the beſtowing of edge blowes, as being the better hable to ſuſtain the Sword, yet in the diſcharge of thruſtes it is hurtfull, for it cauſeth them to be much ſhorter, then they would be, if in the beginning, they were forciblie delivered with both the handes, and then by taking away one hand from the croſse, they were ſpringed as farre forth, as the pomel hand, foote, and all the bodie of that ſide, may be ſtretched out. For, being diſcharged in this maner, if they hit home they make great paſsage, and if they be voyded, yet the Two hand ſword may be quicklie had again, by the retyring of a pace, and of the hand and arme, placing the other hand there where it was, and ſo ſetling in the low ward. Therefore, when one findes himſelf to ſtand at the high ward, (the which at the two hand Sword, is framed, either with the right ſide towards the enemie, either with the left, in either of which waies, the arm would be borne aloft, and farre off from the bodie, cauſing the point ſomewhat to bend both towards the ground and the bodie, to the end it may defend both the length of the bodie, and cover it in a maner thwarting or croſsing, it being ſo farre off from the ſword.

Farther, in this ward, the hand that is towards the enemie, muſt take hold faſt of the handle neere the croſs, and underneath, the other hand above, and neere the pomell. I ſay ſtanding thus at the high ward, he may either deliver a thruſt, either a downe right blow of the edge.

The thruſt is diſcharged (as ſoone as the enemies ſword is found) as farre in the beginning as he may with both armes: Then, taking away the croſse hand, he ſhal force it farther on with the pomel hand, as much as he may ſtretch it foorth, alwayes in the diſcharge, increaſing a ſlope pace. And the thruſt beeing thus delivered, hee ſhall preſentlie retyre his ſaide pace, and returne his hand againe to the croſse, ſetling himſelf either in the high or low warde. But if he would deliver a down-right blow with the edge which I counſell him not to doe, becauſe he may eaſily be ſtroken under it, he ſhal firſt diſcharge a thruſt with both his handes, and then encreaſing a pace, ſhall turne the ſaide downright blowe, ſtretching out the arme as much as he maie. In the deliverie of which blowe, if he meete with the enemies ſword, he ſhall take awaie his hand from the croſse, & ſtretch out the pommel hand as much as he may, with the encreaſe of a pace. And farther, turning the ſaid hand which holdeth the ſworde upwardes, to the end, to lengthen the thruſt, he ſhall drive, and force it on, and preſently retire himſelfe in the manner aforeſaid.