The Free Master of Arms

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>Published in 1653 Charles Besnard's </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>Le maistre d'arme liberal</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)> (The Free Master of Arms) was the fencing master's treatise of the theory of the art and practice of the single sword or the foil in which he also discussed the contemporary matter of duelling.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>Although apparently little known in its time by the 19th century the treatise was accorded considerable prestige by fencing historians as the first known work of the modern French school of fencing.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>This modern edition sees Besnard's treatise transcribed and translated in full complete with the original pictures as well as a detailed historical background.</span></p><p></p>