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Introduction to Godinho's Montante

Domingo Luis Godinho — Arte de Esgrima (1599)

Domingo Luis Godinho

Domingo Luis Godinho was a late 16th-century fencing master from Portugal. Little is known about his personal life, but his contributions to fencing are significant.

Historical Setting and Context

Late 16th Century Europe:

  • Dominance of Spain and Portugal through exploration, colonization, and trade.
  • Military conflicts like the Iberian Union (1580–1640) influenced martial practices.

Fencing Culture:

  • Fencing was crucial for both military and civilian life, with duels and personal defense being common.
  • Rise of Verdadera Destreza, a scientific approach to fencing developed by Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza.

Godinho's Context:

  • Arte de Esgrima reflects a blend of traditional esgrima común and newer influences.
  • His work catered to the needs of soldiers, nobles, and civilians in a time of evolving martial traditions.

Influences and Similarities

Godinho's fencing style shows connections to the teachings of earlier masters like Jaime Pons, Pedro de la Torre, and Francisco Román. His work also has some similarities with the fencing techniques of French master Henry de Sainct Didier, likely due to shared influences rather than direct contact.

Arte de Esgrima ("On the Art of Fencing")

Publication

Godinho's treatise, Arte de Esgrima ("On the Art of Fencing"), was written in 1599.

Content Overview

The book is comprehensive in its scope, covering various weapons and techniques:

  • Sword alone — Basic techniques and strategies for using a single sword.
  • Sword and shield — Combining a sword with a shield for defense and attack.
  • Sword and buckler — Using a smaller shield (buckler) in conjunction with a sword.
  • Sword and dagger — Dual-wielding a sword and a dagger for close combat.
  • Sword and cloak — Utilizing a cloak as both a defensive and offensive tool alongside a sword.
  • Double swords — Techniques for wielding a sword in each hand.
  • Montante — Instructions for the use of the montante, a large two-handed sword.

The montante section is the focus of this curriculum.