Royal Armouries MS I.33 (“One Thirty-Three”, “Tower Fechtbuch”)
Seventh and Special Wards
Longpoint
Formed with blade extended forward
Defensive only
Highly susceptible to binds
Fiddlebow
Modification of Left Shoulder, with sword brought forward and laid across inside of elbow. All Left Shoulder plays flow from this guard
Priest’s Special Longpoint (lower right figure)
Though called a longpoint guard, it shares none of the traits of Longpoint
The author of I.33 says “The entire fight flows from this guard”; all cuts, binds, and thrusts can be launched from this guard in one tempo
Walpurgis (the figure on the left)
Modification of Right Shoulder, with sword held vertically in front of body
Assumes an appearance of weakness while maintaining a secure guard
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