There is some evidence on historical fencing as practised in Scotland in the Early Modern Era, especially fencing with the Scottish basket-hilted broadsword during the 17th to 18th centuries.
Most of our current knowledge of these arts derives from various combative treatises or Martial arts manuals, as well as written anecdotes (i.e. battle accounts, folklore, etc.) and artistic representations from different periods and locations in Scottish history (see Penicuik SketchesHighland Swordsmanship: Techniques of the Scottish Sword Masters, by Mark Rector (editor) and Paul Wagner (editor), Published by Chivalry Bookshelf (15 November 2001)).
Scottish fencing masters The following is a list of fencing masters that were very influential in their day, and have contributed to our current knowledge of the martial practices of Scotland (see Combat Treatises below):
William Machrie – a Scottish fencing master who taught in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, Scotland in the late 17th, and early 18th centuries. He was also known as "Judge and Arbitrator of all who make any publick Trial of Skill in the Noble Art of the Sword, within the Kingdom of Scotland". Sir William Hope (1660–1724) – a Scottish fencing master who wrote a number of books on fencing, his most important works being the "New Method" (dedicated to William Keith, 9th Earl Marischal of Scotland), and the "Vade-Mecum". Donald McBane (1664–c.1730) – Born in Inverness, Donald joined the British Army, fought in the Highlands and in Europe where he opened a number of fencing schools. Donald later wrote a book on his extensive experience in swordsmanship and his life in the army. Captain James Miller – a Scottish fencing master who dedicated part of his treatise of 1735 to John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll. Thomas Page – an English shop owner who served in the Norwich Artillery Company, raised in January 1746 for the defense of the City against possible invasion during the Jacobite Rebellion in 1746. He dedicated his Broadsword treatise to John Hobart, 1st Earl of Buckinghamshire, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk.The Use of the Broad Sword, by Thomas Page (1746), http://sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Page/ Donald McAlpine – A Sergeant in Captain Archibald Campbell's Company in the 78th Fraser's Highlanders during the Seven Years' War. In 1769 he moved from Scotland to Boston, Massachusetts and there established a fencing academy. Among his students were the likes of Robert Hewes (cousin to George Robert Twelves Hewes), an early American revolutionary. Captain G. Sinclair – An officer in the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot, or Black Watch, during the late 1700s. He wrote two treatises on the Broadsword or Singlestick, "Anti-Pugilism" in 1790, and a later revision/renaming of the same treatise under the title 'Cudgel-Playing Modernized and Improved' in 1800. Archibald MacGregor – Archibald MacGregor was a Paisley fencing master who toured Scotland in the late 1700s giving lectures and instruction on the sword. One of his lectures was published under the name MacGregor´s Lecture on the Art of Defence, published by J. Nielson (1791). [PDF] Henry Angelo (c.1760–1839) – Son of Italian fencing master Domenico Angelo, Henry and his son (also Henry) were Broadsword masters to the Light Horse Volunteers of London and Westminster at the time he wrote his treatise in 1799, which they dedicate to Colonel Herries. John Taylor – Served as Broadsword Master to the Light Horse Volunteers of London and Westminster. His ten lesson system is shown in the works of Henry Angelo (1799) and Charles Roworth (1804). Thomas Mathewson – an Englishman who taught the art of Scottish Broadsword. He wrote his treatise in 1805.
Fencing manuals
Scottish fencing manuals detailing the use of the basket-hilted Scottish broadsword (besides other disciplines including the smallsword and spadroon and, to a lesser extent, the targe, dirk and quarterstaff) were published throughout the 18th century, with early and late examples dating to the late 17th and early 19th centuries, respectively:
The Scots Fencing Master (the Complete Smallswordsman) – Sir William Hope (1687)The Scots Fencing Master, The Art of Defence and Pursuit, With the Small-Sword. Described in a Dialogue between a Scholar and a Master, of that Art. By William Hope, Gentleman, http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/ScotsFencingMaster/ Advice to his Scholar from the Fencing Master – Sir William Hope (1692) Complete Fencing Master – Sir William Hope (1691–1692) The Swordsman's Vade-Mecum – Sir William Hope (1692) New Short and Easy Method of Fencing (1st Edition) – Sir William Hope (1707) New Short and Easy Method of Fencing (2nd Edition) – Sir William Hope (1714) A Few Observations upon the Fighting for Prizes in the Bear Gardens – Sir William Hope (1715)A FEW OBSERVATIONS UPON THE Fighting for PRIZES IN THE BEAR-GARDENS, https://sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/Observations/Observations.html A Vindication of the True Art of Self-Defence – Sir William Hope (1724)A Vindication of the True Art of Self-Defence. With a PROPOSAL to the Honourable Members of Parliament, for the Erecting A Court of Honour in Great-Britain. Recommended to all Gentlemen, but particularly to the Soldiery. To which is Annexed, A Short but very useful Memorial for Swordmen. By Sir William Hope, Bart, http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/Vindication/ Expert Swords-man's Companion – Donald McBane (1728) A treatise on backsword, sword, buckler, sword and dagger, sword and great gauntlet, falchion, quarterstaff – Captain James Miller (1737)A treatise on backsword, sword, buckler, sword and dagger, sword and great gauntlet, falchion, quarterstaff, by Captain James Miller (1735), http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Miller/ The Use of the Broad Sword – Thomas Page (1746)The Use of the Broad Sword, In which is shown, The True Method of Fighting with that Weapon as it is now in Use among the Highlanders; deduc'd from the Use of the Scymitar; with every Throw, Cut, Guard, and Disarm, Thomas Page, Norwich, Printed by M. Chase in the Cockey-Lane, 1746, https://linacreschoolofdefence.org/Library/Page/Page.html A Dictionary Explaining the Terms, Gards and Positions, used in the Art of the Small Sword – Hary Fergusson (1767)A Dictionary Explaining the Terms, Gards and Positions, used in the Art of the Small Sword, by Hary Fergusson, 1767 The Sword's-man – John Ferdinand (1788)Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics, Presented by Maestro Jared Kirby, Introduction and Historical Essays by Maestro Paul MacDonald and Ben Miller, Hudson Society Press, New York, First Edition (November 2018)The Swords-man, A Series of Observations on the Use of the Sword: In Three Parts, By John Ferdinand, Teacher of Fencing, Edinburgh, Printed by A. Robertson for the Author, 1788 Anti-Pugilism – Anonymous (Captain G. Sinclair, 1790)Highland Broadsword:Five Manuals of Scottish Regimental Swordsmanship, by Paul Wagner (editor) and Mark Rector (editor), Published by Chivalry Bookshelf (July 2004)Anti-Pugilism, or The Science of Defense Exemplified in Short and Easy Lessons for the Practice of the Broad Sword and Single Stick Illustrated with Copper Plates, By a Highland Officer, London, Printed for J Aitkin, NO 14, Castle-street, corner of Bear Street, Leicester Fields 1790, www.hroarr.com/manuals/boxing-pugilism/Anti-pugilism.doc Lecture on the Art of Defence – Archibald MacGregor (1791) Treatise on the New Sword Exercise, for Cavalry – Sholto Sorlie (1797)Treatise on the New Sword Exercise, for Cavalry, by Sholto Sorlie, of the Seventh (or Queen's Own) Regiment of Light Dragoons The Art of Defence on Foot with Broad Sword and Sabre, by C. Roworth (1798)Art of Defence on Foot, by Charles Roworth (author) Ben Kerr (Facsimile Creator) and Keith Farrell (Facsimile Editor), 1st edition, Fallen Rook Publishing (14 October 2014)The Art of Defence on Foot with Broadsword and Saber, by C. Roworth, 1798 (First Ed.) The Guards of the Highland Broadsword – Henry Angelo, art by Thomas Rowlandson (20 January 1799)The Guards of the Highland Broadsword, by Thomas Rowlandson, 1799, http://www.davidrumsey.com/amica/amico820629-47674.html Hungarian & Highland Broadsword – by Henry Angelo and Son (12 February 1799)Hungarian & Highland Broadsword, by Henry Angelo and Son, 1799, http://www.thearma.org/pdf/HungarianHighlandBroadsword.pdf Ten Divisions of the Highland Broadsword – Henry Angelo (20 June 1799)Ten Divisions of the Highland Broadsword, by Henry Angelo, 1799, https://columbiaclassicalfencing.com/2016/10/19/restored-h-angelos-print-highland-broad-sword-1799/ Cudgel Playing Modernized and Improved; or, The Science of Defence, Exemplified in a Few Short and Easy Lessons, for the Practice of the Broad Sword or Single Stick, on Foot – Captain G. Sinclair (1800)Cudgel Playing Modernized and Improved; or, The Science of Defence, Exemplified in a Few Short and Easy Lessons, for the Practice of the Broad Sword or Single Stick, on Foot, by Captain G. Sinclair of the 42nd Regiment, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433066623228;view=1up;seq=7 Lecture on the Art of Defence – Archibald MacGregor (1791) The Art of Defence with Broad Sword and Sabre, by C. Roworth (1804 & 1824) Fencing Familiarized; or, a New Treatise on the Art of the Scotch Broad Sword – Thomas Mathewson (1805)
Techniques The Highland Broadsword texts of the 1700s portray 7 cuts and numerous guards. The footwork is sword leg forward (usually right leg) with the other leg behind, similar to modern fencing. Traversing footwork allows one to step off the center-line of attack, either to right or left. The following Guards are listed in these texts:
Inside Guard: Defends the left side of your face (or if you are left handed, the right side of your face) Outside Guard: Defends the right side of your face (i.e. sword arm side). Typically one's default guard. Medium Guard: A stationary position that defends cuts from neither outside or inside one's line of defense, but is in wait to shift to either Inside or Outside Guard. Tip is usually facing up, but in Mathewson's treatise, the tip is aimed at the opponent, and the body is in a lunging position. Hanging Guard: Another default guard that defends the head, but can also shift easily into other guards. Hilt is held above head, with tip facing diagonally down to the left side. St. George Guard ( "Cross Guard"): A horizontal guard defending the top of one's head. Half-Hanging Guard: Similar to the hanging guard, but held lower to defend a cut 4. Half-circle Guard (a.k.a. "Spadroon Guard"): Similar to Half-Hanging guard, but the tip hangs to the right, and defends against a cut at the wrist (i.e. Cut 3). One may also hold the guard above the head and defend a cut at the right side of the head, similar to the regular Hanging Guard. Inside Half-Hanger: Defends a cut at the belly (i.e. Cut 5), and the tip hangs straight down, hilt held to the left side. Outside Half-Hanger: Defends a cut at the ribs on one's back (i.e. Cut 6), and the tip hangs straight down, hilt held to the right side.
The Cuts are as follows:
Cut 1: Diagonal downward cut aimed at the left side of an opponent's face Cut 2: Diagonal downward cut aimed at the right side of an opponent's face Cut 3: Diagonal upward cut aimed at the left side of an opponent's wrist Cut 4: Diagonal upward cut aimed at the right side of an opponent's wrist or knee Cut 5: Horizontal cut aimed at an opponent's belly from their left side Cut 6: Horizontal cut aimed at an opponent's ribs from their right side Cut 7: Vertical cut aimed straight down at an opponent's head (note: this cut doesn't appear in all of the Scottish fencing manuals)