Chapter 1 — Carrying and Holding the Montante
How the Montante Must Be Carried, and How It Has to Be Held
Source Text
There are many obligations a person must keep when handling and battling with a montante. We see in battles that many come to lose by lacking these methods; neither from dropping it from being badly wounded, nor from perhaps tripping and falling, nor from other unfortunate events that a man cannot resist, but by being over-taken by opponents armed with only a sword, and others with a sword and shield. I have seen an opponent with sword and dagger, after having his sword broken, gain the montante with only the dagger. It was and is the reason why, in place of true rules, they make flourishes, which are necessary only for masters, while the rules for the players are as follows.
For he that will learn the montante in order to defend his person and injure his enemy or enemies, does its rules at the time of battle with much sense and caution, making each one in its necessary place (which is why they are called "rules"); for instance, he does not do the withdrawing rule when surrounded, nor the surrounded rule when having opponents in front, nor with too much speed, except when pressed. If you would strike advantageously, do your rule with heavy and measured step, and not like those who dance. Nor is there a place for too much speed.
If you leave at night, carry the montante without a sheath, or at least with the sheath removed. When you will hold of the montante in the beginning of the battle, the fingers don't have to pass out to the thirds. Adhere to the other conditions previously mentioned in this chapter. Be sure that the cloak, hat, or sheath doesn't remain in the street, so that no one comes to know of the person who has been there. Because of that, I suggest that at night, the montante is carried without a sheath, and the wielder without a cloak, and the montante in the left hand, tilted diagonally, and not on the back as many carry it.
Summary
The passage outlines essential guidelines for effectively handling and fighting with a montante. It emphasizes that many lose battles not due to injury or accidents but because they fail to apply proper techniques, even being defeated by opponents with lesser weapons. The text stresses the importance of following specific rules during combat, performing each technique in its appropriate context, and avoiding unnecessary flourishes meant for masters. It advises using deliberate, measured steps rather than overly fast movements, reserving speed only when necessary. The passage also provides practical advice for carrying the montante at night: without a sheath and held in the left hand, to avoid leaving evidence and to maintain readiness.
Two Montantes
Source Text
When one has a battle against another montante, one should not make use of rules, but of established battle (as two swords), being defended and injuring with thrusts. In no case are tajos or reveses played (which is counter to many opinions), because in doing them, there will not fail to be great trouble; they will only be established in the middle of the body, testing or not testing. The thrusts that have to be committed or defended on the right side have to be nails-down, and those on the left side nails-up, keeping in all to the general rule of the first chapter of single sword.
Summary
When facing another opponent with a montante, one should avoid using the typical rules of montante combat and instead treat the encounter like a battle between two swords. Defense and attacks should be carried out using thrusts rather than cuts (tajos or reveses), as cuts can lead to significant difficulties. Thrusts should be aimed at the center of the opponent's body. For thrusts on the right side, the nails should be facing down, and on the left side, the nails should be facing up, following the principles outlined for single sword combat.