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Spada Press

Pre-order: The Art of Sword Fighting: A Companion Volume to the Spada Press Facsimile of De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi, by Philippo Vadi (Ebook)

Pre-order: The Art of Sword Fighting: A Companion Volume to the Spada Press Facsimile of De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi, by Philippo Vadi (Ebook)

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This is a pre-order. Buy now and your book will be delivered to you by email on the release date of 1 June 2026, if not before.

Written in the late fifteenth century for the Duke of Urbino, De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi is one of the most important surviving works on knightly combat. In this companion volume to the Spada Press facsimile, Guy Windsor presents the most comprehensive modern engagement with Philippo Vadi’s treatise to date.

This volume combines an English translation with detailed commentary, historical analysis, and practical interpretation of every play in the manuscript. Drawing on decades of full-time research, teaching, and embodied practice, Dr. Windsor examines not only what Vadi wrote, but what his words mean in action—and why his system works as a coherent, rational art of arms.

Situating the manuscript within its historical, intellectual, and martial contexts, the book explores Vadi’s relationship to Fiore dei Liberi and traces the development of Italian swordsmanship at the threshold of the Renaissance. Linked video demonstrations provide a rare bridge between text, image, and movement.

Whether read as a work of history, a guide to martial practice, or a study in Renaissance thought, this book offers a clear, rigorous, and deeply informed account of one of Europe’s foundational fighting systems.

Difficulty Level

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Which Weapon?

  • Dagger
  • Longsword

How will I get my ebook?

It's very easy!

When you buy an ebook from me, it will be delivered instantly in a separate email from BookFunnel. Look out for an email titled "Here's {book title} by Guy Windsor". Don't forget to check your spam.

You can download the book onto whichever device you like to use, whether that's a Kindle, Kobo, your phone, or computer.

If you have any problems at all with downloading or viewing your ebook, the folk at BookFunnel will be able to help you - just click on the help link in the email they send.

View full details

The Art of Sword Fighting includes

  • an English translation of Philippo Vadi's de Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi
  • detailed commentary
  • historical analysis
  • practical interpretation of every play in the manuscript
  • linked video demonstrations of every play

But it does not contain the manuscript itself.

However, we have the solution:

Download a full colour version of the facsimile and Guy's translation for FREE here:

Guy Windsor holding two books titled 'De Arte Gladiatoria' and 'The Art of Swordfighting' by Philippo Vadi.

Instructions for printing the free download

Your download will comprise a PDF for the interior and a separate PDF for the cover.

The document is formatted to be printed in full colour at 6x9 inches. This will give you the closest common print size to the actual manuscript. You can upload these files to any printing service (I use BookVault), with the accompanying cover file, and make as many copies as you want, so long as you don’t sell them.