Gerard Thibault’s “Academie de l’Espée” (“Academy of the Sword”), generally considered the most lavish fencing treatise of its time, was published in 1630, approximately 2 years after Thibault’s death. It deals with the use of the single rapier in a manner which is remarkably similar to (and in my belief descended from) the Spanish tradition of La Verdadera Destreza.
Articles:
- Drafting the Circle
- Dimensions of the Sword, Cincture, and Hanger
- Gripping the Sword and Changing Grips
- Analysis of Chapter 5: Advantages o fthe Straight Line and Responding to Feints
- A Comparison of Thibault’s Mysterious Circle and the Leiden Circle
External Links, Resources, and Examples:
- Academie de l’Espee on Google Books
- Destreza Lecture Series: Episode 26 – The 2nd Howden Lecture (YouTube)
- Thibault -vs- Italian Rapier from Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium 2017 Gala demonstration bouts (YouTube)
- Thibault -vs- Italian Rapier from Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium 2026 Gala demonstration bouts (YouTube)
- Thibault and Science I. Measure, Distances and Proportions in the Circle by János Majár (PDF)
