In the 17th century Italy was the place to learn the art of the sword. Travellers visited training salles and across Europe Italian works on fencing were translated and Italian schools sprang up. France was no exception. Francois DancieÕs 1623 treatise LÕEspee de Combat (The Sword of Combat) is therefore an anomaly.
DancieÕs views are blunt and acidic. He says that many who teach fencing are a Ôbunch of libertinesÕ. He has no truck with the geometry that had crept into fencing since AgrippaÕs work of 1553 and had contempt for that authorÕs use of illustration.
DancieÕs style follows an Italian form, but rather than following other authors by providing an explanation of tempo and measure, Dancie prefers to concentrate on what temperament is required in a confrontation. His is a direct, fighterÕs treatise, dedicated to a military man of similar temperament, his methods and descriptions speak more of the street than the salle.