Broad-Sword and Single-Stick

Broad-Sword and Single-Stick presents a compact yet richly varied exploration of late Victorian martial culture, uniting practical instruction, sporting ethos, and historical consciousness. Its pages move between technical exposition, tactical advice, and reflections on discipline, courage, and bodily training. The treatment of broad-sword play and single-stick is complemented by attention to related weapons and modes of self-defence, making the volume significant as both a manual and a cultural document of gentlemanly athleticism. Baron Rowland George Allanson-Winn Headley and Clive Phillipps-Wolley bring to the work the authority of accomplished sportsmen, writers, and advocates of physical education. Their collaboration reflects a period in which fencing, boxing, military drill, and recreational combat arts were being codified for modern readers. Together, they situate traditional British weapon practice within broader movements of imperial fitness, amateur sport, and the revival of older martial skills. Readers interested in martial history, Victorian sport, or the literature of self-cultivation will find this volume especially rewarding. It offers a rare opportunity to encounter multiple weapons, techniques, and attitudes toward combat within a single, accessible framework. As instruction and historical artifact alike, Broad-Sword and Single-Stick fosters a lively dialogue between practice, tradition, and the ideals of disciplined physical culture.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.