I have always fully understood HEMA researchers’ reasons for staying mostly away from the topic of outnumbered combat, an issue rarely approached by authors and, when talked about, done so in a vague manner.
At the same time, however, I thought that this situation was unfortunate and always hoped that it would eventually change, for Jogo do Pau’s preservation of both outnumbered and duelling has enabled:
- The preservation of a martial heritage in its whole,
- A more complete understanding of the tactics, in the form of the tactical purpose for which each technique was developed.
Recently though, I have been extremely pleased to witness a growing interest in the Montante, a long sword of the same length of the commonly used walking and combat staff.
On this topic, and for starters, as the following clip looks to demonstrate, the tactical constraints brought about by the need to confront multiple foes force these different weapons, staff & sword, to be used in the same manner.
Still, within outnumbered combat, the similarities do not stop here, as showcased by the following explanation of how to adapt to narrow locations. (please note that the clip was put together for demonstration purposes, and that the intended hand strikes were pulled back for obvious safety reasons)
The staff and the sword may not be brothers, but they are probably cousins at the very least, and close cousins capable of helping each other out … at least that is what I am hoping for and, in coherence with my Portuguese roots, hope the very last thing to die.
Kind regards,
Luis Preto
This seems like a great place to post that Reinier van Noort has recently put up a translation of Johann Pascha’s “hunting staff” from 1660 over at http://www.bruchius.com/docs/Pascha%20Hunting%20Staff%20by%20RvN.pdf
I bring this up because, unlike most other staff descriptions available, this one especially espouses the usefulness of the staff in dealing with multiple opponents, and features many swinging wide blows instead of the rapier like thrust play many other masters have usually shown with staff. Given the relationship between Spain, Portugal, and Germany of the 30 years war period, it is not inconceivable to think there was some idea transference going on. So if there is any relationship between Jogo do Pau and the older Renaissance fighting styles, it might be an interesting exercise to look here for elements. Or, if nothing else, this shows that people were thinking about this, even if in the minority with respect to one-on-one fighting.
First post of HROARR 🙂
-Brian