Virtue and Steel

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>Nothing conjures our idea of strength and skill in the age of knighthood and chivalry quite like the longsword.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>The fighting art of Maestro Fiore dei Liberi is at once graceful and appropriately brutal for the age in which he lived. A master-of-arms mercenary and knight of the Holy Roman Empire Fiore's skill with a sword was sought after by nobles and the fighting class of the time - and also today by many of us who want to learn historical martial arts. His is a holistic and accessible fighting system that can be applied practically in training or in tournaments by even the newest of fencers.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>Within this book is an exploration of Fiore's system by examining the Four Virtues of his art: Fortitude Speed Prudence and Audacity. These are cardinal assets for any martial artist but what do they truly mean?</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(68 68 68 1)>This book not only outlines the fundamentals of Fiore's techniques (cuts thrusts body mechanics footwork covers measure and timing) but also explores some of the more complex of his plays (grappling joint locks trips takedowns and disarms) in clear detail with some humorous stories from the author's own journey with this martial art.</span></p><p></p>