Centuries ago in Medieval Europe conflicts were often settled by dueling with handheld armaments other than swords. Such staff weaponry also proved useful in battle, and a variety of techniques for using them effectively developed and evolved over time. German fencing master Paulus Hector Mair (1517-1579) summarized and preserved these fighting traditions for future generations. Compiling and distilling knowledge from earlier texts on the combative arts of the Liechtenauer tradition, Mair produced a comprehensive reference compendium called Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica (or Ultimate Book of the Art of Athletics).

In this extraordinary modern work, authors David James Knight and Brian Hunt elaborate and expand on Mair's Opus. Following an introduction detailing Mair's life and his writing of the original manuscripts, there are chapters devoted to combat with specific categories of polearms, including:

• the spear
• shortstaff
• lance
• longstaff
• halberd
• poleax
• and other weaponry.

Restored illustrations provide readers with impressively rendered, easy-to-follow depictions of the fighting techniques. Along with the drawings, each skill description includes both the original German and Latin texts and a synthesized, easy-to-follow English translation. Literal translations are also included in appendices at the back, along with a full bibliography and glossary. This historical treasure belongs in the library of anyone studying or interested in Renaissance martial arts training.

This book is also available from Echo Point Books as a paperback (ISBN 1648371051).