Grassi: His True Arte of Defence

A freshly published, bibliophile-quality facsimile reprint of the first English edition from 1594.

"The true Art of Defence exactlie teachinge the manner how to handle weapons safelie, aswel offensiue as defensiue, With a Treatise of Disceit or Falsing", by Giacomo di Grassi. First written in Italian by the forfaid Author and Englished by I. G. Gentleman.

Giacomo di Grassi was a 16th century Italian fencing master. Little is known about the life of this master, but he seems to have been born in Modena, Italy and acquired some fame as a fencing master in his youth. He operated a fencing school in Treviso and apparently traveled around Italy observing the teachings of other schools and masters.
Ultimately di Grassi seems to have developed his own method, which he laid out in great detail in his 1570 work "Ragione di adoprar sicuramente l'Arme" ("Discourse on Wielding Arms with Safety"). In 1594, a new edition of his book was printed in London under the title "His True Arte of Defence"; this edition was orchestrated by an admirer named Thomas Churchyard, who hired I. G. to translated it, and I. Iaggard to publish it. 

It contains instruction on the single rapier, also with dagger, cloak, buckler, or shield, as well as double rapiers, two-handed sword, polearms, and pike.

HC, 184 pp. With 19 Illustrations.