Anabaptists and the Sword (1972; revised edn. 1976) is the first book to challenge the consensus, dating from the seventeenth century, that sixteenth-century Anabaptists were nonresistants, or Christian pacifists. While recognizing the importance of the nonresistance tradition among Anabaptists, the book gives equal attention to more militant elements in Anabaptism. It is also pioneering in giving attention to Anabaptist practice as well as Anabaptist teaching on this subject.

This book offers a specialized and in-depth exploration of the use of the sword and shield, and polearm and shield. This book delves into the esteemed fencing techniques from the 16th-century masters such as Anonimo Bolognese, Manciolino, Marozzo, Agrippa, Di Grassi, Lovino, and Capoferro, showcasing the profound impact of these practices in European martial history. Focusing on the unique dynamics of the rotella, a distinctive shield of the Renaissance, this guide presents an array of combat techniques applicable in dueling, on the battlefield, and in self-defense scenarios. It bridges historical martial arts with modern combat needs, making the venerable strategies of the past relevant and practical for contemporary warriors. What sets this book apart is its dedication to the practical use of the arm-carried shield in combination with swords and polearms. The book revisits traditional techniques and adapts them for today’s martial artists, featuring detailed instructions, strategic insights, and exercises tailored to enhance understanding and skill in wielding these classical weapons. Ideal for HEMA enthusiasts, martial artists, and anyone with an interest in the historical and practical aspects of Renaissance combat, this book serves as a scholarly resource and a hands-on guide.

An exciting action adventure for both the young and old. The serenity of a spring morning encompassing Ebony Castle and its surrounding village suddenly becomes chaotic when out of a clear blue-sky comes a fire breathing creature of destruction. The creature none other than a fabled dragon, a myth made up through the years by the old ones to awe and thrill the children. Yet here is the dragon belching tongues of fire that shatter the hard stones of the castle like they are made of sand. ******* When I return to check my snares the sun's dwindling light is casting long shadows of the trees across the crystallized snow and to my dismay I find five of the snares empty, but when I approach the sixth and find a rabbit caught in it I hurry forward to claim my dinner. Suddenly a sound causes me to glance up and see a gray shape launch itself from a mound of snow, when with a terrifying growl an enormous gray wolf, of almost my own weight, strikes me with enough force to splay me face down in the snow and clamp its jaws onto my shoulder. Suddenly an unbearable pain courses through me as the wolf's fangs dig deep into my flesh, two into my chest and two into my back, my complete right shoulder deep inside the wolfs maw. With a quick motion of his head the wolf tries to tear the flesh from my bones, and if it had not bitten over the bone it surely would have succeeded. The fear of what is happening arouses a strength in me I don't know I had, as I push to my knees and grab the snout of the wolf's open jaw and yank the fangs from my chest. While with the other hand I reached over my shoulder to claw and pull on the wolf's ear until I feel my thumb in the jelly like softness of its eye and squeeze. With a howl of pain the wolf jumps clear of me, but before I can make a move I am aware of at least four other gray shapes bearing down on me. Almost instantly a howl of pain escapes my own lips when another of the gray shapes clamps its jaws onto the calf of my left leg causing a river of fire to run through me, its fangs deep into the flesh trying to tear the meat away. Now everything seems to be moving in slow motion and I see the wolf, with the eye I gouged, limping away, while the huge gaping jaws of another is hurtling towards my head. Behind me, over my shoulder, I also ss the other wolf savagely tearing at the calf of my leg while my blood sprayed out to cover the snow for a large area around me. Suddenly a beam of bright light, about the thickness of a good staff, shoots from the pouch I carry the crystal in and strike the wolf hurtling towards my head. In that instant the gray form disintegrates in a shower of sparks and is no more. Over my shoulder the wolf tearing at my leg also disappears as in succession the beam lash out until all the wolves are vanquished and silence fills the forest. Astounded by this sudden turn of events I fall forward onto the snow as the pain wells up in me until I lose consciousness. Some time later I awake to find my body shaking uncontrollably with cold, the blood in my veins like it's turned to ice. In the darkness of the forest I can see where my blood stains the snow and realize I lost a lot of blood and my body is racked with fever. No matter I know I must move away from this place where the scent of the blood will attract more wolves, and with all the strength I can muster I crawl to a nearby tree and pull myself up only to find I can't put weight on my left leg, however I do manage to hold on and break a good size branch from the tree to use as a staff, then in my delirium hobble forward using the staff to help drag me along. *****

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

A black fire lifted the mysterious veil of the Great Liang Mountain. An enormous, badly damaged sword that had cut through the ages of the Fiendgod continent. The young man who had lost his memory woke up in a daze. In that world where he could not see the light, he left countless breathtaking legends. Some people said that he was a demon, but he was only a swordsman, a lonely swordsman. 

Memorialized in countless books and movies, the history of Japan's fearsome samurai warriors is known all over the world. Who can forget these Japanese masters' skills with the sword? Today, samurai warriors no longer exist, but their legacy of swordsmanship endures. Now, the way of the samurai sword is learned in the martial arts Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu. This book is the perfect introduction to using this beautiful and ancient weapon. In Mastering the Samurai Sword, you'll learn the sword's fascinating history, its evolution, and the philosophy behind its use. You'll also learn practical guidance for mastering the sword itself. Full-color, step-by-step photographs detail many of the most useful and famous samurai moves, including: drawing the samurai sword guard positions, cutting blows, and blocking falling and rolling techniques, and evasive strategies standing forms and kneeling forms All of the martial arts techniques discussed in the book are performed for readers in the downloadable material to help you perfect your form. Beginners will learn everything from proper attire and behavior in the dojo to how they might practice at home, while more experienced samurai swords people will find a new appreciation for the deeper meaning and tradition behind the graceful way of the sword.

With the Stellar Transposition, his punch shattered the earth, and his gaze turned bright. This was an era of mystical cultivation. There were numerous sects, evil spirits, powerful individuals, and the survival of the fittest. The mysterious young man, Chen Yao, with a three-foot-long blade in his hand, started from a nameless service disciple. He became a genius, abused experts, became a divine beast, hunted delicate girls, broke through all spells with a single sword, and killed his way up to the ninth level of heaven to become an Eternal Sword Emperor. Close]

The Sword Form is an important aspect of the popular Chinese martial art, Tàijíquan. The 32-Posture Sword Form, from the point of view of the physical movements only, is not complex, but there is a significant amount of other information, relating to the applications, that is open to interpretation. Written by an experienced teacher of Tàijíquan, this book provides a detailed description of the Jian (the sword), its parts and how it should be held. Using photographs and illustrations, the author gives step-by-step instructions for the main 13 applications including sword strokes, stances and footwork techniques. This book contains a wealth of information on Sword Form technique and is an ideal resource for students of martial arts, experienced practitioners or anyone interested in learning about Tàijíquan.

An unknown sword with an unknown cultivation technique had achieved a breakthrough to the next realm. It was a useless weapon that could not be cultivated. He had unraveled the secrets of each continent and walked towards the Endless Planes. What kind of innate mission did he have? And how was he going to walk to the pinnacle step by step?

In the end, he had to use his sword and go straight up to the third heaven. How could the will of a lifetime compare to that of a great Dao? Close]