The Medieval Longsword

REVIEWS

Guy Windsor is not just one of the finest HEMA instructors publishing today, in my opinion he’s one of the best martial arts teachers full stop. There’s everything you need here to train yourself and a friend in the basics of medieval European swordsmanship. Guy takes an exceptionally thorough approach with guidance on proper training equipment, an explanation of the biomechanics involved in the art of the sword, before moving on to footwork, fundamental blows and some of the most lucid instruction in Fiore’s system you’re ever likely to find. The book wraps up with material on freeplay, the organisation of Fiore’s system for use with medieval memory methods, and an overview of warmups, mobility and stretching for classes. – B. W. Ford

The book is written in an extremely logical and clear order. I don’t in fact think I have ever seen a martial arts manual that would be as easy to follow. It gives you one piece at a time to chew and practice and does not try to explain everything at once. What’s even better, it puts you in contact with the original source from the very beginning. – Jaakko Tahkokallio

I found it particularly useful as an instructor, especially since Guy’s spent years refining both his interpretations of the sources and his teaching method. There’s a lot to learn about how to teach, how to structure a curriculum, and how to get students ready for freeplay, all cunningly disguised as straightforward, easily read and understood instructions. – Roland Cooper

This book (and Guy’s other books) really provides an accessible gateway to the Italian system of combat arts. Not only is it a great book for people new to the art, but also for experienced swordsmen. As someone who has taught Eastern martial for many years and currently teaches longsword and rapier, I still find new perspectives from which to consider the art of the sword, new drills, and new ways to teach. – James Wran

This book by Armizare instructor and writer Guy Windsor is a fantastic book for those new to the art or a seasoned veteran. It is laid out very well and is clear and concise. I run an Italian swordfighting club and use parts of this book in my own classes. Guy’s way of laying out the fundamentals and techniques of the plays of Fiore dei Liberi are easily understood and can easily be performed via partner drills. Buy this book and others by Guy. You will not be disappointed. – Tracy Mellow

Practicing swordsman and novelist M Harold Page has a short review here, in which he calls it “probably the most significant book on longsword since AD1600”!