Binding in I.33 - Sword and Buckler

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Hello! In this video I’ll share my take on the fighting philosophy of I.33. More precisely I will discuss if binding is the central point of the manuscript. This video is inspired by a very interesting suggestion of Herbert Schmidt from Ars Gladii for the Belgian Buckler Symposium, organized by Ex Cineribus – you can find the link here:
  / 877276302812472  


Herbert suggests that while many view I.33 as a system about entering the bind and fighting from there, it is more about leaving the bind. He argues that the bind is just something that naturally occurs in sword and buckler fighting and I.33 presents us ways to leave it – as many of I.33s concluding movements end without a blade bind.


While I like the approach, my take on I.33 differs quite a bit :)

I agree that I.33 actually teaches us how to fight (and that a few parts are missing unfortunately). Fighting or self defense means to control the opponent and there are different ways to achieve it. There is physical control, either via the sword (bind), the buckler or even a wrestling action. This is very prominent within i.33 as we observe it in almost every play. But there is also control in timing & position / geometry. After all we are not advised to take an obsessio and wait but not to hesitate and seize the opportunity.
So all in all while i.33 focuses a lot on binding situations (they are fairly easy and safe to teach) there are just means to an end, namely controlling & defeating the opponent.

Music: Witcher 3 OST

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