Bond“ di Mazo's La Spada Maestra was published in Venice in 1696. It thus affords a valuable insight into the culmination of the use of the Italian rapier before it was ultimately supplanted by the adoption of the smallsword and the development of classical fencing.
In this extensively illustrated work, di Mazo discusses and demonstrates a lively style of fencing characterized by dynamic use of measure, evasions such as the inquartata, use of both edge and point, and grips and disarms. From the single rapier, he moves on to provide advice and examples of fencing with the addition of the dagger, the targa (a form of buckler), and the cape.
This book is the first complete English translation of La Spada Maestra. Including a brief introduction with historical notes, and annotations in the form of footnotes, appendices, and glossaries, it is above all clearly written so as to be readily understood and usable to scholars and practitioners of the Western martial arts.