It's been awhile since we posted, so I thought I'd give you an update on what is going on at Freelance Academy Press!
Heretofore we have published historical fencing manuscripts, but little on the cultures in which those manuscripts were produced. We are pleased to begin our foray into medieval martial culture with the first of a new series, titled "Deeds of Arms". Each volume brings to attention a specific deed or tournament with translations of the original, historical accounts, analysis, period artwork and bibliographies for future research in what we've joking called "Osprey books for the Eriudite".
The first volume in the new series is Royal Jousts at the End of the 14th Century http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/royaljousts.aspx from respected scholar Steven Muhlberger.
Few images of chivalry are stronger in the popular mind than that of two armoured knights in a joust, crashing together astride their chargers.
Yet, considering the importance of formal combat to the medieval aristocracy, we possess surprisingly few detailed accounts of tournaments, jousts or duels. As the great sporting event of its day, fans of feats of arms enjoyed hearing about them, but extensive descriptions of the actual events involving contemporary warriors were not what they were looking for. Sometimes, however, there was an upswing of interest that inspired poets and chroniclers to write more detailed descriptions of both combats and accompanying celebrations. One particularly rich time for source material are the years 1389-90, when diplomatic competition between Charles VI of France and Richard II of England inspired the kings to sponsor some of the most spectacular formal combats of the entire Middle Ages. These feats of arms attracted a great deal of attention from contemporary writers and they were not soon forgotten. As a result, we have valuable descriptions of how jousting was performed and appreciated at the highest social levels in the two great rival kingdoms of the West.
Bringing together some of the most important accounts of medieval jousting, especially those of the jousts at St. Inglevert, Royal Jousts http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/royaljousts.aspx is a direct look at the sources that have influenced our modern notion, and every modern reconstruction, of late medieval jousting. It is also the first entry in our new Deeds of Arms series a series of short, color-illustrated readers that make primary source accounts of famous displays of martial and chivalric prowess of the High and Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance accessible to a broad audience.
From the Freelancer Blog - "I say, my good man, it's far more than just a book..."
In writing Ancient Swordplay ]http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/ancientswordplay.aspx, Tony Wolf unearthed a bevy of rare newspaper illustrations, photographs, play bills and bookplates, many of which can be found in the book's gallery. However, there are many more, as well as some other rare works from the revivalists which will adorn the Freelancer Blog and our article page in the weeks to come. We have posted an article on Georges Dubois, Hutton and Castle's French counterpart and made three of his works,Cemment du Defendre, Le Point d’ Honneur et le Duel, and Essai sur l’Escrime: Dague et Rapiere freely available as downloadable PDFs:
Comment se Defendre (1916) presents a notably realistic fusion of Japanese and French self-defence techniques, reminiscent of Barton-Wright’s Bartitsu.
Le Point d’ Honneur et le Duel is a short history of the duel and the code of dueling, particularly as practiced in France.
Essai sur l’Escrime: Dague et Rapiere (1925) was Dubois’ presented an innovative system of competitive fencing with double weapons, which survives to this day.
You can find them all at this link: http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/articles.aspx
In Production Now
Deeds of Arms, Vol 2: Combat of the Thirty: series editor Steven Muhlberger, returns with a look at one of the most famous, and bloodiest, deeds of arms of the 14th century, the famed "battle of thirty French and thirty English", fought during the first phase of the Hundred Years War. Look for it next month!
We are also pleased to have Mastering the Art of Arms: The Dagger, by respected Armizare teacher Guy Windsor, in layout now. The first in a new series, Guy gives a fast, progressive method for immersing yourself in the principles of medieval knife-fighting with a crash-course in the principles and fundamental techniques of the system, combined with an easy to follow method of learning.
It will be a busy spring and summer for us, but we believe it will make for good reading over the summer and fall for you. Until then, best wishes and good reading!
The Freelancers
Freelance Academy Press: Interact with History
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