Vincentio Saviolo
Encyclopedia
Fencing master Vincentio Saviolo (d. 1598/9), though Italian
born and raised, authored the first book on fencing in the English language.
He arrived in London from Padua in 1590. John Florio described Saviolo's fencing school being, in 1591, "in the little street where the well is...at the sign of the red Lyon." It was described by George Silver
as being "within a bow shot" of what was later the Bell Savage
or la Belle Sauvage
, at this time "Savage's inn
, otherwise called the Bell on the Hoop
" ( Inns and Taverns of Old London by Henry C. Shelley, 1909), on Ludgate Hill. His particular nemesis among the Masters of Defence of the English school was this George Silver, who wrote his own book to attack Saviolo's systems.
Vincentio Saviolo, his practise, in two bookes, the first intreating of the use of the Rapier and Dagger, the second of Honor and honorable quarrels. London, printed by John Wolfe, 1595, undertakes to instruct in the rapier
fencing
techniques of his day. The careful reader will notice the absence of the lunge
.
As was ordinary in that day, it was structured like a conversation between Saviolo and an imaginary student. Those of today, used to FAQs, find this easier to follow than readers twenty years ago did. The original version has the idiosyncratic spelling common to the age. The terminology is strange to those used to modern fencing, but the illustrated versions make it possible to reconstruct. He was, after all, writing for people unable to get to a fencing master like himself.
. In conjunction with this, fight arrangers or combat choreographers, for stage or screen, find it a guide to constructing authentic duels, since it gives long practice routines.
The book is revealing to the non-fencer for the courtesy
of the day, as expressed between the two characters, the stories of actual duel
s and either what caused them or how they came to be won or lost.
The author needing a quick duel can learn to decipher the practice bouts and use them as an authentic armature for the drama taking place in their story.
Artists can use the illustrations to develop their own drawings or paintings of rapier fights.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
born and raised, authored the first book on fencing in the English language.
He arrived in London from Padua in 1590. John Florio described Saviolo's fencing school being, in 1591, "in the little street where the well is...at the sign of the red Lyon." It was described by George Silver
George Silver
George Silver was a gentleman of England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, who is known for his writings on fencing. He is thought to have been the eldest of four brothers , and eleventh in descent from Sir Bartholomew Silver, who was knighted by Edward II...
as being "within a bow shot" of what was later the Bell Savage
Bell Savage Inn
The Bell Savage Inn was a former public house in London, England, from the 15th century to 1873, originally located on the north side of what is now Ludgate Hill, in the City of London. It was a playhouse during the Elizabethan Era, as well as a venue for various other entertainments. It was also...
or la Belle Sauvage
Bell Savage Inn
The Bell Savage Inn was a former public house in London, England, from the 15th century to 1873, originally located on the north side of what is now Ludgate Hill, in the City of London. It was a playhouse during the Elizabethan Era, as well as a venue for various other entertainments. It was also...
, at this time "Savage's inn
Bell Savage Inn
The Bell Savage Inn was a former public house in London, England, from the 15th century to 1873, originally located on the north side of what is now Ludgate Hill, in the City of London. It was a playhouse during the Elizabethan Era, as well as a venue for various other entertainments. It was also...
, otherwise called the Bell on the Hoop
Bell Savage Inn
The Bell Savage Inn was a former public house in London, England, from the 15th century to 1873, originally located on the north side of what is now Ludgate Hill, in the City of London. It was a playhouse during the Elizabethan Era, as well as a venue for various other entertainments. It was also...
" ( Inns and Taverns of Old London by Henry C. Shelley, 1909), on Ludgate Hill. His particular nemesis among the Masters of Defence of the English school was this George Silver, who wrote his own book to attack Saviolo's systems.
Vincentio Saviolo, his practise, in two bookes, the first intreating of the use of the Rapier and Dagger, the second of Honor and honorable quarrels. London, printed by John Wolfe, 1595, undertakes to instruct in the rapier
Rapier
A rapier is a slender, sharply pointed sword, ideally used for thrusting attacks, used mainly in Early Modern Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries.-Description:...
fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
techniques of his day. The careful reader will notice the absence of the lunge
Lunge (fencing)
The lunge is the fundamental offensive fencing technique used with all three fencing weapons: foil, épée and sabre. It is common to all contemporary fencing styles.-Background:A number of things happen at almost the same time during the execution of a lunge:...
.
As was ordinary in that day, it was structured like a conversation between Saviolo and an imaginary student. Those of today, used to FAQs, find this easier to follow than readers twenty years ago did. The original version has the idiosyncratic spelling common to the age. The terminology is strange to those used to modern fencing, but the illustrated versions make it possible to reconstruct. He was, after all, writing for people unable to get to a fencing master like himself.
Saviolo's Relevance Today
This is one of the basic texts for reconstructing Renaissance fencing, among students of historical European martial artsHistorical European martial arts
Historical European martial arts is a neologism describing martial arts of European origin, used particularly to refer to arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms...
. In conjunction with this, fight arrangers or combat choreographers, for stage or screen, find it a guide to constructing authentic duels, since it gives long practice routines.
The book is revealing to the non-fencer for the courtesy
Courtesy
Courtesy comes from old french 'courteis' is gentle politeness and courtly manners. In the Middle Ages in Europe, the behaviour expected of the gentry was compiled in courtesy books...
of the day, as expressed between the two characters, the stories of actual duel
Duel
A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two individuals, with matched weapons in accordance with agreed-upon rules.Duels in this form were chiefly practised in Early Modern Europe, with precedents in the medieval code of chivalry, and continued into the modern period especially among...
s and either what caused them or how they came to be won or lost.
The author needing a quick duel can learn to decipher the practice bouts and use them as an authentic armature for the drama taking place in their story.
Artists can use the illustrations to develop their own drawings or paintings of rapier fights.
External links
- An annotated version of Saviolo at ARMA.
- A non-annotated version, with an attached article explaining some of the terms used.
- An article on Saviolo in London
- A factual story out of Saviolo's career.
- 'the 1595', One of the only clubs to study Saviolo's techniques
- A demonstration of Saviolo's techniques by Master Chris Chatfield and Provost Gray Morris of the 1595 club