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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260326T100000
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DTSTAMP:20260515T132755
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SUMMARY:Putting Arms to Paper: Fighting Manuals as Pedagogical Texts in Italy and Germany\, c. 1380–1700
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Adam Peter Fretwell\nLanguage: English \nSummary: \nThis lecture examines European fighting manuals produced between approximately\n1380 and 1700\, focusing on Italian and German traditions and treating these sources as\npedagogical artefacts rather than merely repositories of technique. Beginning with late\nmedieval manuscript traditions – most notably Fiore dei Liberi’s Fior di Battaglia and the\nJohannes Liechtenauer’s Zettel – the talk traces how embodied martial knowledge was\nstructured and transmitted across both handwritten and printed media. Particular\nattention is given to the role of illustration\, verse\, and diagrammatic sequencing in\ncommunicating complex physical actions\, as well as to the interpretive limits imposed\nby their inherent abstraction. \nThe lecture then follows the transition into the early modern period\, where figures such\nas Achille Marozzo\, Joachim Meyer\, Ridolfo Capoferro\, and Francesco Antonio Marcelli\nincreasingly employed print culture and systematisation to address changing social\ncontexts of education in violence. Through comparative manuscript analysis\, including\ndirect engagement with original sources where possible\, the talk highlights both\ncontinuities and significant pedagogical shifts between medieval and early modern\nfencing literature. \nThe lecture will also offer a measured critique of modern engagements with these\nmanuals\, particularly within Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). While\nacknowledging the movement’s success in recovering and popularising neglected\nsources\, it argues that contemporary reconstructions often under-theorise issues of\npedagogy\, visual rhetoric\, alongside textual transmission\, treating manuals as\ntransparent technical guides rather than culturally situated teaching tools. By reframing\nfighting manuals as deliberate instructional compositions shaped by medium and\nintent\, this lecture advocates for a more historically grounded and critically reflective\napproach to their study and modern practice. \nAbout the Speaker:\n\nAdam Peter Fretwell is currently studying History and English at the University of Malta and is studying in Italy to become a Maestro d’Armi in the field of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). With a passion rooted in both academic inquiry and practical experience\, he has been actively involved in HEMA since 2007—beginning with archery in the UK\, and then in 2008 joining Show of Arms\, a School of Arms in Malta\, and currently is the head instructor teaching various techniques and weapon systems from 12th to 19th Century\, which he has also put to the test in various tournaments around Europe and the UK. In his free time\, he works in translating manuscripts from this historical timeframe into English. His interest lies in interpreting historical fencing manuals through the lens of modern body biomechanics\, offering fresh perspectives on how martial culture and technique have been informed by\, and adapted to\, the human body over time. His work invites readers and practitioners alike to embrace alternative views as a gateway to rethinking historical combat traditions. \nImportant Information \nEntrance is free but booking is required. Kindly book through this Eventbrite link.\nOnce you have successfully booked\, your name will be added to our guest list. There is no need to print your ticket(s). \nAttendees are kindly asked to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time. As the event is free and seating is limited\, any unoccupied seats may be offered to walk-ins once the lecture begins. \nPlease note that\, due to ongoing repairs to the lift\, the lecture hall is currently accessible only via three flights of stairs. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. \nPlease also note that our lectures are photographed and may be recorded for documentation\, archival\, and media purposes. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/putting-arms-to-paper-fighting-manuals-as-pedagogical-texts/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
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