Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods and Techniques

As some reviewers note, Clements does dwell, probably excessively, on faulty re-enactments. If he had kept to that theme in a chapter or special indexes that would be fine, but he keeps coming back to it on seemingly every other page. On the other hand, repetition of basic concepts helps ensure that you remember them, and this is an introductory book on the topic after all, so he seems to want to address as fully as he can the only exposure most people have had to "swordsmanship" (media, fairs, etc...). Moreover, if I practiced swordsmanship for twenty years and wrote a book, I'd probably be pretty miffed too at all the misinformation and misconceptions perpetuated by those *who should know better*...

I would give it four-and-a-half stars if I could.


good, bad and indifferent...   February 10, 2004
 4 out of 7 found this review helpful

I bet he wishes he could re-write this without the bitching and winging. Some good work ruined by lack of focus and opinionated ideas. Re-worked, this could make a pretty good starters book. Tobler's book is much better I'm afraid. (Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship)


A little lighter on the diatribes please..   November 18, 2003
 10 out of 12 found this review helpful

A good introductory text for the field, which until very recently lacked any sort of instructional manuels. Since the time of its publication, and as research in the field has expanded, some of the information appears a bit dated and inadequate. A (further) revised edition would probably be in order.

My greatest complaint, however, is the amount of ink wasted lambasting "certain rattan-fencing groups." Well, by that he means the SCA, which is fine, their fencing is decidedly not historically accurate, but the paper spent criticising them could have been better spent on useful, instructional material. In places Clements' vitriol sounds like George Silver foaming at the mouth about Italian rapiers.

I'd love to see a new, updated edition, removing the diatribes about the SCA (which, to me, read like a defense or justification for this book...) and replacing that with solid, up-to-date, instructional materials.


Good resource for writers, but....   October 13, 2003
 17 out of 34 found this review helpful

This book obviously is written by someone full of passion for the techniques of Medieval Swordsmanship. However, the passion does not cover for some of the flaws. With a little more research worked into this and a correct of some of the faulty information, it would have been the bible for writers, reenactors and people interested in the historical technique of medieval sword fighting. Still when used with other historical works, it is an excellent resource.

He covers medieval swords, their making, swords use with shields and against shields. He discusses sparing methods, how to stage reenactments, then historical decline of the swords, and then how the sword has evolved in martial arts of today.

It's a good work, but due to glaring problems it just misses as being a great work. I would still think writers and reenactors - using it conjunction with other works - would find it a useful book and would not want to miss it.


Start Exploring Historical European Martial Arts Here   April 1, 2003
 9 out of 13 found this review helpful

With this work, Clements has brought to the forefront the world of Historical European Martial Arts, particularly the sword and shield. In a way never done before, he brings the works of the historical masters to light and breaks through the misconceptions to present realistic techniques for not only the sword but also the combination of sword and shield. Long lost behind the proliferation of Asian styles and the showmanship of stage-fighting and fantasy role-playing, the effectiveness and brutality of Medieval swordsmanship is revealed as a constantly changing and evolving style that takes in many facets experienced throughout the constantly changing style of warfare in the Middle Ages.

The basics of western swordsmanship are well-defined and displayed, with effective and useful illustrations that show the techniques Clements is describing clearly. Guards, strikes, and techniques against not only other swords but also polearms and other weapons are all shown with clarity and can be quickly learned and understood.

Many criticize this book as spending too much time debunking myths and explaining the most recent findings in the world of medieval swordsmanship, but given the misunderstandings about the art this is not only understandable but necessary.