Bastone a due mani - Two handed stick

Italian tradition of the two handed long stick fencing

 

“but every one has to appreciate in the handling of the stick, is that it needs as scale of sabre and sword fencing…”

Maestro Giuseppe Cerri 1835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two handed stick was taught to the class of civil fencers and to the military troops and police force. The Cerri, Cajol, Falciani and the teachers of the War Minister were some of these 19th century Masters. Master Giuseppe Cerri wrote two interesting treatises: first on sabre and the other a large book on stick fencing entitled: “Trattato teorico pratico della scherma di bastone”(Milano1854).

In the preface Master Cerri writes: “The two-handed sword, which was used in the middle age was also used by the famous Marozzo di Bologna wrote a treatise, it is very similar to the two-hand stick in the handling”. So the Italian schools preserving its tradition taught the historic evolution of the weapons and of their use.

Maestro Cerri also explains how this fencing can be used also for personal defence and not just as a gymnastic exercise:

 

“do not believe that I inculcate the stick learning in order to abuse of it, but just for pastime, for gymnastic practice and for all the unpleasant encounters where we may have to use it in self defence of a unfair provocation”

 

In these treatises the various academic exercises argue a graceful and very formidable skills, which is mastered with care through the footwork and two-hand manipulation.

This elegant fencing is made up of various paces, 42 “mulinelli”(cuts) and strong parries with two hands. The length of the stick does not allow to avoid easily the opponent’s blows, therefore the parry became so very important to block the attacks, Cerri presents a total of 16 parries.

 

In this regard the F.Alfieri’s treatise (“Lo spadone” Padova -1653) represents a unique work on the basic two-hand manipulation of the sword.

Every two-handed stick fencer should study this treatise and train with the Spadone in order to improve the arms strength, the body’s flexibility and the speed of footwork. Together with Cerri, other masters presented the use of the two handed stick of the Italian school in publications and in teachings.