Buckler Shields.

[Matchlock]

And, ca. 1390:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckler

m

[broadaxe]

Fighting with buckler is very old and survived through some 500 years, in various forms (in Europe alone, not to mention the Turkish, Caucasian, Arab and Indo-Persian traditions). The I.33 is considered the oldest fechtbuch, dated to early14th century. Similar tactics deployed with an elaborated buckler can be seen in Talhoffer's fechtbuch, about 150 years later as well in other manuals. I believe the Scots kept on using bucklers up to the 18th century. The most famous honor duel (Jarnac and Châtaigneraye - France, 1547) was fought with military swords of the period and bucklers.
From personal experience: an excellent fighting tool for medium to close range, both defensive AND offensive. It travels most of the time - as vividly shown in I.33 - very close to the strong hand weapon in the same trajectory untill a parry, a blow or block is made. It developes upper-body phisics and coordination (of course basic coordination is needed). I prefer fencing with a cutlass, dussack or sinclair saber as a combination with a buckler.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams all~ Yes I have all the references from the web such as excellent info from wikipedia and so forth. It seems to have been an excellent fighting style and well worth the research which I now see beginning to be recorded on forum. Thanks to Broadaxe and Matchlock especially for the excellent pictures which takes time to set up... much obliged for that
Regards,
Ibrahiim.

PS. The Buckler Shield and sword combination is a style also developed by Omani swordsmen.

[broadaxe]

If you like, look up the web for Dave Rawlings of Boar's Tooth fighting school (London). He has done an excellent job interperting the I.33 and reviving it into modern videos. His approach is aggresive and to the point (met him in real life). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egwTkA1r57w

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by broadaxe

If you like, look up the web for Dave Rawlings of Boar's Tooth fighting school (London). He has done an excellent job interperting the I.33 and reviving it into modern videos. His approach is aggresive and to the point (met him in real life). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egwTkA1r57w

Salaams broadaxe ~ A very excellent video indeed. There is also a very good rendition on style and history on the ARMA WEBSITE. I quote~

The Sword & Buckler Tradition - Part 1
By J. Clements
Along with the longsword as a foundational weapon of training, the ARMA has always emphasized the sword and buckler as a vital tool of study. We now present here one of the most comprehensive looks at this system ever offered. The conclusions that can be drawn from the evidence are somewhat surprising and may lead students of the subject to reappraise the historical importance of this fencing method .
As a fencing tradition in Europe the sword and buckler method was one of the oldest and most continuous combative systems.[1] To a large degree however, its place in fencing has been overshadowed by both the popular image of sword and shield fighting in the Middle Ages and the later Renaissance idea of rapier and dagger duelling. But today, modern enthusiasts and students of historical European martial arts are once again acquiring respect for this effective weapon combination. The result is something of a re-evaluation of the familiar conception of this versatile fighting method.Unquote.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[broadaxe]

Sabah el-Heir Ibrahim
John Clements is the founder & head of ARMA, and one of today's leading (though controversial) historians of western martial arts & weapons. I met him in a seminar a few years ago and like his approach most of the time. One of his best known experiences was to refute the common belief that a sword must be razor sharp (2 vids): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR9k23U-P10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=fFQ4aanmupU

Here is a nice sword & buckler demonstration video - note: these are reconstructed techniques. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNF1bKo0v9k

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by broadaxe

Sabah el-Heir Ibrahim
John Clements is the founder & head of ARMA, and one of today's leading (though controversial) historians of western martial arts & weapons. I met him in a seminar a few years ago and like his approach most of the time. One of his best known experiences was to refute the common belief that a sword must be razor sharp (2 vids): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR9k23U-P10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=fFQ4aanmupU

Here is a nice sword & buckler demonstration video - note: these are reconstructed techniques. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNF1bKo0v9k

Salaams Broadaxe ... Sorry I missed that ... excellent info Shukran ... and greetings for the season and Happy New Year all !! I really like the mediaeval drawings and If I was in London I would join the Buckler Fighting Club for sure... Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi...