MS2031

Various Discourses on the Most Noble Art of Fencing

MS 2031 is a tiny seventeenth-century Italian fencing manuscript—just ten folios—preserved in the Sächsisches Staatsarchiv in Germany and discovered by Chris Vanslambrouck.

And it is fascinating.

The anonymous author presents a coherent system of rapier fencing based on measure, finding and controlling the opponent’s sword, provoking predictable responses, and exploiting the resulting tempo.

I went through the manuscript line by line, checking the transcription against the scans, translating it, and—most importantly—working out what the instructions actually mean sword in hand.

The result is this 133-page critical and practical edition, including:

  • the complete corrected Italian transcription and English translation
  • transcription and translation presented side by side
  • detailed analysis of 43 reconstructed plays, with practical drills
  • analysis of the system as a whole
  • comparison with Fabris, Capoferro, and Alfieri
  • a detailed parallel-text comparison with Salvator Fabris
  • discussion of the manuscript’s body mechanics, provenance, and possible authorship

The comparison with Fabris is particularly intriguing. There are striking similarities in both tactical principles and physical actions—but also important differences. 

This is intended primarily for historical fencers who want to understand MS 2031 sword in hand, as well as researchers interested in seventeenth-century Italian fencing.

The facsimile, transcription, and translation are also available separately for free. What you’re paying for here is the full practical analysis, reconstructions, comparative work, and research.