Art-of-Defence-on-Foot-Fourth-Edition.pdf

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THE ART OF DEFENCE ON FOOT
WITH THE BROAD SWORD AND SABRE
FOURTH EDITION
BY CHARLES ROWORTH
1824
TRANSCRIBED. RESTORED AND INTRODUCED BY
NICK THOMAS
INSTRUCTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE ACADEMY
OF HISTORICAL FENCING (UK)
Presented below is a complete reconstruction of the fourth
edition of Charles Roworth's 'Art of Defence', or AOD as it is
sometimes now known. The AOD is one of the most important
references on British swordsmanship on foot in the Napoleonic
period, The British army did not adopt an official infantry
sword system until after war's end. However, when they did, it
was based on this style depicted by Charles Roworth, as well as
Henry Angelo Senior, whose son created the official system in
1817, based firmly on his father’s methods. Despite not being
an official system, these 'broadsword' methods were widespread
throughout the 18th century. In the case of Roworth's AOD
manual, it was recommended for purchase and use by British
officers in many publications of the time. They are also well
referenced to have been taught in many military units.
Roworth's manuals give the most in-depth insight into infantry
sword combat in this period, and likely served as the basis of
sword training for many in the army and militia of the day. As
well as a method for those elsewhere, such as in America,
where this edition was published.
The Art of Defence was first published in 1798. This second
edition was also published in the same year, and though very
similar, it features a number of changes to both text and
illustration. A third edition was published in 1804, which
further adapted the text to a greater extent, and changed the
plates (illustrations). A final fourth edition was published in
New York, USA, in 1824, which is presented here, and could
well be considered the most complete and easiest to read!
This manual was intended to teach a universal form of
swordsmanship for all military swords when used on foot. That
included the Spadroon (right) and Infantry Sabre (left), the
Scots Broadsword (Centre), the hanger (shorter infantry sword
like a cutlass), and cavalry swords when used on foot.
Charles Roworth was a serving member of the prestigious
Royal Westminster Volunteers. During the Napoleonic period,
many militia units were formed across the country due to the
risk of invasion. These were local troops designed to defend the
country, as well as to police and suppress local uprisings and
civil discontent.
The images (right) show some of the weapons that were
intended to be used according to this system. Though the AOD
manual extends beyond them to newer patterns too. The fourth
edition as presented here was published in the United States,
where many similar swords were in use at the time, and for
many years after.
The swordsmanship style depicted is predominately a linear one, and is characterised by a
parry-riposte style that primarily uses the lunge, recovery and slip system as means of attack
and defence. It mixes cut and thrust extensively. If you want to study this style, we would
highly recommend that you also make use of the Henry Angelo posters (below) regarding the
Taylor ten lesson system described in this manual. This is a simple and well-structured set of
solo and partnered drills that are very useful.
Both that and Angelo’s ‘guards’ posters can be found on the AHF resources page. You can
also find our sabre workbook there which delves in to the Taylor ten lesson system as depicted
in Roworth’s 1804 and 1824 editions, as well as a lot of additional information that you will
find useful.
You will notice that the ‘Highland’ or ‘Scotch’ methods are mentioned in these works. It was
common in the 18th century to use the term ‘Highland’ or ‘Scots’ to market swordsmanship at
this time. It was a strategy founded in the fearsome reputation of the Highlanders as strong and
brave swordsmen, especially after the Jacobite risings. In fact, this sort of broadsword combat
was not unique to the Scottish or the Highlanders, but was widespread throughout Britain. As
was the form of the basket hilt broadsword. The Austrian connection is due to John Gaspard
Le Marchant’s treatise on cavalry combat, published in 1796. He revolutionised cavalry
swords and combat after his experience beside the excellent Austrian cavalry in the Low
Countries campaign of 1793-96. His manual was adopted as the first official cavalry manual in
the British army, and clearly influenced the works of Angelo and Roworth.
La Marchant also left us with a very useful illustration (next page) on the grip used with sabre.
Varying from what we would call hammer grip, to handshake grip, depending on the action.
This is different to the thumb on the back being the norm with spadroon (as Roworth
explains), and later sabre styles.
Sword practice at this time period
was predominately done with a
'singlestick'. A wooden stave with a
leather basket hilt for the protection
of the hand. That can still be a
useful training tool today, though
we also have a range of synthetic
(nylon), and steel training swords
that can more realistically and
accurately represent the original
weapons. Whatever your choice of
training tool, be sure to wear
suitable safety equipment, have
respect for your opponent, and for
the weapon and the damage it can
cause, even when blunt and not
made of cold steel!
_____________________________
This transcription and restoration
was brought to you by the Academy
of Historical Fencing (UK). It is
freely available for non-commercial
use on the resources page of our
website, alongside many other
scans, transcriptions and workbooks
on European swordsmanship.
www.swordfight.uk
THE
ART OF DEFENCE ON FOOT
WITH THE
BROAD SWORD AND SABRE.

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