A reprinting of author Chris Scott ThompsonÕs Highland Martial Arts trilogy (Highland Knife Fighting, Highland Broadsword, and Highland Martial Culture), with a new and updated introduction from the author that corrects and clarifies the text with new information.
HIGHLAND KNIFE FIGHTING
In this entertaining and informative look at the Highland dirk, author Christopher Thompson examines a number of Scottish historical and oral sources to document the role of the knife in Gaelic society. Although worn by all classes of society, the dirk was the primary weapon of the common clansmen, and since it was worn indoors as well as outdoors, it was the favored weapon for acts of revenge and self-defense.
HIGHLAND BROADSWORD
The lessons in Highland Broadsword are designed to help you learn the fundamentals of broadsword fighting, with an emphasis on developing practical skills, not on exploring the esoteric details of broadsword fencing theory.
HIGHLAND MARTIAL CULTURE
The revival of interest in historical Western martial arts has focused a great deal of attention on the weapons of Scotland, especially of the Highlanders. Yet, despite all this enthusiasm for the martial arts of the Highland, few of those practicing have experienced genuine Gaelic culture a and without a cultural context, no practice of martial arts can be considered complete.
ÒHighland Martial CultureÓ examines the nature of the Gaelic warrior class and its martial training; the Gaelic duel and how it differed from the duel in continental Europe; the phenomenon of wandering swordsmen in Highland society; the Highland conception of honor; internal aspects of martial arts practice such as mental tricks, traditional charms and spells used in warfare; unusual skills such as the fast draw; and health practices associated with the warrior class.
This is your chance to find out more about the rich cultural heritage associated with the practice of Highland weapons.