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Il Fior di Battaglia by Fiore dei Liberi
Il Fior di Battaglia, the Flower of Battle, was written by the great Italian master at arms Fiore dei Liberi around the year 1400. It covers knightly combat on foot and on horseback, in armour and without, in great depth and detail. The sections of the manuscript include an introduction, then plays of wrestling, the dagger, the sword in one hand, the sword in two hands, the sword in armour, the pollax, the spear, the lance on horseback, the sword on horseback, and wrestling on horseback.
It is lavishly illustrated with over 250 drawings, each with gold leaf insignia. The treatise exists in four manuscript copies, of which MS Ludwig XV at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles is the most complete, with the most clear and useful explanatory text.
This facsimile reproduces the Getty manuscript in its entirety, in full colour, and as close as possible to the size of the original.
The Flower of Battle, translated by Guy Windsor
The second half of this volume is a second reproduction of the manuscript with the original Italian text replaced by Dr. Guy Windsor's English translation. This recreates the experience of reading the original Italian as closely as possible. The book also includes an introduction to Fiore and his life and times, the provenance of the manuscript, and suggestions for further study.
This is a must-read work for all students of medieval knightly combat and medieval history, and a glorious addition to any library.
