FIOR DI BATTAGLIA (GETTY VERSION) TRANSLATION

SWORD TWO-HANDED - ATTACKS & SEGNO

The following is the English translation by Eleonora Litta and Matt Easton of the first part of the two-handed sword section of 'Fior di Battaglia', by Fiore dei Liberi de Premariacco (version kept by J.P.Getty Museum in L.A. USA). This is a third draft.

Images below are taken from Novati's 1902 facsimile of the Pisani-Dossi version of Fior di Battaglia, which is out of copyright.  These are not exactly the same as the Getty version, but should suffice for the purposes of this page. Microfilm or prints of the J.P.Getty Museum's version of Fior di Battaglia can be bought directly from them, and do not officially appear online.

A transcription of the original Italian text can be found here, courtesy of the Sala d'Arme Achille Marozzo and I have included the transcription from that site below, for ease of reference.  The transcription text is copyright of the Sala d'Arme Achille Marozzo.

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FENDENTE

Noy semo fendenti e in l'arte façemo questione de fender gli denti e 'rivar alo zinochio cum rasone. E ogni guardia che si fa terrena, d'una guardia in l'altra andamo senza pena. E rompemo le guardie cum inzegno, e cum colpi fazemo de sangue segno. Noi fendenti dello ferir non avemo tardo, e tornamo in guardia di vargo in vargo.

We are Fendente and in the art our function is to cut the teeth and go to the knee with reasoning.  And every guard which is done at the ground [low guard], of one guard to the we go without trouble.  And breaking the guards with intellegence and with the blows we make a sign of blood.  We, Fendente, will not wait to injure, and return to guard move after move.  

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SOTTANI

Gli colpi sottani semo noi, e cominzamo a lo zinochio, e andamo per meza la fronte per lo camino che fano gli fendenti. E per tal modo che noi intramo??? per quello camino noy retornamo, overo che noi remanemo in posta longa.

We are Colpi Sottani (Under blows), and we commence at the knee, and go for the middle of the forehead, for the path which is taken by the Fendenti. And for this way that we enter per this path we return, or we will remain in Posta Longa.  

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MEZZANI

Colpi mezani semo chiamadi perché noy andamo per mezi gli colpi soprani e sottani. E andamo cum lo dritto taglio de la parte dritta, e de la parte riversa andamo cum lo falso taglio. E lo nostro camino si è dello zinochio ala testa.

Colpi Mezzani (Middle Blows) we are called, because we go in the middle of Colpi Soprani (high/downwards) and Sottani (upwards).  And with the right edge/cut to the right side, and of the reverse [left] side we go with the false edge/cut. And our path is from the knee to the head.  

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PUNTE

Noy semo le punte crudele e mortale. E lo nostro camino si è per mezo lo corpo cominzando a lo petenichio infin a la fronte. E semo punte d'V rasone, zoè doy soprane una d'una parte l'altra de l'altra. E doy de sotta similemente un d'una parte e l'altra de l'altra, e una di mezo che esse di meza porta di ferro overo di posta lunga e breve.

We are the Punte (thrusts), cruel and mortal. And our path is for the middle of the body, commencing at the petenichio [basically the groin], finishing at the forehead.  And we are thrusts of V [5] reasons, which are two Soprane [high/downwards], one on one side, the other on the other. And two of Sotta [low/under] similarly; one on one side, the other on the other. And one in the middle, which is of Meza Porta di Ferro [Half Iron Door], or of Posta Lunga [Long Position] and Breve [Short Position].

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THE SEGNO

The image about is taken from the Pisani-Dossi version, but the text below refers to the Getty version:

Questo Magistro cum queste spade significa gli Setti colpi de la spada. E lli quattro animali significa quattro vertù, zoè avisamento, presteza, forteza, et ardimento. E chi vole esser bono in questa arte de queste vertù conven de lor aver parte.

This master with these swords signifies the seven blows of the sword. And the four animals signify four virtues, which are judgement, speed, fortitude and daring.  And he who wants to be good in this art, these virtues will tell of their part.

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[Above the head]

Avisamento

Meglio de mi lovo cervino non vede creatura. E aquello mette sempre a sesto e a misura.

Judgement

No creature sees better than me, the lynx.  And I always get the place and measure.

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[At the master's right]

Presteza

Io tigro tanto son presto a correr e voltare che la sagitta del cielo non mi poria avanzare.

Speed

The tiger, very much I am ready to run and turn, that the arrow from the sky [lightning?] will not overtake me.

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[At the master's left]

Ardimento

Più de mi Leone non porta core ardito, però di bataglia fazo a zaschun invito.

Daring

More than me, the lion, none carries as much daring, but I invite others to battle.

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[Under the master]

Forteza

Ellefante son e un castello porto per chargo. E non mi inzinochio nè perdo vargo.

Fortitude

I am the Elephant and I carry a castle for my charge.  And I do not go to my knees nor lose my footing.

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Translation copyright of Eleonora Litta & Matt Easton 2005.

This page was composed by Matt Easton - Last update: 20/04/2005

Contact: schola-gladiatoria@hotmail.co.uk