Dom Diogo Gomes de Figueyredo's work on the use of the Montante, the two-handed sword native to Spain and Portugal, is now available in English translation. This is a relatively short work dated to the 1650's, but represents almost half of the currently known material for this weapon from these two countries.
The article presents a full translation of the Memorial of the Practice of the Montante, a manuscript on the use of the two-handed sword preserved in the Ajuda Library in Lisbon, Portugal. Written in 1651 by Diogo Gomes de Figueyredo, a renowned general and one of Portugal's national heroes, this work offers the most complete discussion known regarding the use of the montante, or Iberian two-handed sword. Far from being a mere curiosity, the Memorial offers important clues to the nature of Iberian fencing before the advent of the rapier.
The written Iberian longsword tradition is different from other European traditions in that it focuses on complex solo drills. Figuereidos work includes everal of these drills and gives a simple and a complex version of each. Other hallmarks: It also focuses on fighting multiple opponents; has a heavy focus on multi-directional movement; and has techniques that give a specific tactical context (narrow street; on board a ship, bodyguard duty, escorting ladies; etc.).
the work, translated by Erik Myers and Steve Hick, can be found here:
http://oakeshott.org/Figueiredo_Montante_Translation_Myers_and_Hick.pdfIn GHFS, Asisstant instructor Scott Hellroth is working with this material.
