quarterstaff
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In 1711 Zachery Wylde wrote:
"Now according to order, I shall proceed to Quarterstaff. It is a true British weapon, of great antiquity, much practiced and admired in former days; to give it its due praise, ‘tis a most Noble Weapon,and very useful in several respects, ‘tis in the nature of a double weapon by reason when you exercise it, you make use of both hands: I wonder that it is not more in vogue in this nation, considering its excellency, for a man that rightly understands it, may bid defiance, and laugh at any other weapon, for it has a double advantage in many kinds of all others; the long pike, half pike, or pitch fork, may be termed fools to it, nay, they can’t in the least come in competition with it. As to the grounds and rudiments thereof, solely depends both of broad and small sword. Upon the broadsword, more in reference to the blows, chops, strikes, slips and traverses; It only borrows from the smallsword the long, thrusts and darts: No weapon is learnt or understood so soon as this, because there’s so little variety in it, and the method so easy and plain."
The quarterstaff is one of the best, if not THE best, weapon to learn for practical defence. It has been used by all cultures and people throughout history.
The British made a special study of it and it's use has survive into the 20th century through various militaries and Scouting organisations.
We teach quarterstaff from several sources, George Silver (1599), Joseph Swetnam (1620) and Zach Wylde (1711),
"Now according to order, I shall proceed to Quarterstaff. It is a true British weapon, of great antiquity, much practiced and admired in former days; to give it its due praise, ‘tis a most Noble Weapon,and very useful in several respects, ‘tis in the nature of a double weapon by reason when you exercise it, you make use of both hands: I wonder that it is not more in vogue in this nation, considering its excellency, for a man that rightly understands it, may bid defiance, and laugh at any other weapon, for it has a double advantage in many kinds of all others; the long pike, half pike, or pitch fork, may be termed fools to it, nay, they can’t in the least come in competition with it. As to the grounds and rudiments thereof, solely depends both of broad and small sword. Upon the broadsword, more in reference to the blows, chops, strikes, slips and traverses; It only borrows from the smallsword the long, thrusts and darts: No weapon is learnt or understood so soon as this, because there’s so little variety in it, and the method so easy and plain."
The quarterstaff is one of the best, if not THE best, weapon to learn for practical defence. It has been used by all cultures and people throughout history.
The British made a special study of it and it's use has survive into the 20th century through various militaries and Scouting organisations.
We teach quarterstaff from several sources, George Silver (1599), Joseph Swetnam (1620) and Zach Wylde (1711),