Memorial

Of the Practice of the Montante

by
Diogo Gomes de Figueyredo
A transcription and translation by Eric Myers
and a history by Steve Hic
Copyright 2009 by Eric Myers and Steve Hick. Subject to Fair Use in the Copyright ct o! the United States o! "erica.
Users "ay# $ithout !urther per"ission# disp%ay# save# and print this $ork !or persona%# non co""ercia% use# provided that
the copyright notice is not severed !ro" the $ork. &ibraries "ay store this "ateria% and non co""ercia%%y redistribute it to
their patrons in e%ectronic or printed !or" !or persona%# non co""ercia% use# provided that the copyright notice is not
severed !ro" the $ork.
2
Table of Contents
'berian Fencing..........................................................................................................................................(
)he *eapon................................................................................................................................................+
)he uthor and Historica% Conte,t............................................................................................................+
)he Manuscript..........................................................................................................................................-
.otes on the )rans%ation............................................................................................................................/
.otes on 'nterpretation.............................................................................................................................../
ckno$%edge"ents..................................................................................................................................../
0Me"oria% o! the 1ractice o! the Montante2 )rans%ation...........................................................................9
0Memorial da Prattica do Montante2 )ranscription................................................................................34
5
)his artic%e presents a !u%% trans%ation o! the
Memorial of the Practice of the Montante# a
"anuscript on the use o! the t$o6handed s$ord
preserved in the juda &ibrary in &isbon# 1ortuga%.
*ritten in 3-+3 by 7iogo 8o"es de Figueyredo# a
reno$ned genera% and one o! 1ortuga%9s nationa%
heroes# this $ork o!!ers the "ost co"p%ete
discussion kno$n regarding the use o! the montante#
or 'berian t$o6handed s$ord. Far !ro" being a "ere
curiosity# the Memorial o!!ers i"portant c%ues to the
nature o! 'berian !encing be!ore the advent o! the
rapier.
Iberian Fencing
)here is a %engthy tradition o! !encing#
especia%%y $ith the t$o6handed s$ord# $ithin the
co"pass o! 'beria : Casti%e# ragon# Cata%onia# the
;a%earic 's%ands# .avarre# &eon# and 1ortuga%. Ear%y
evidence o! the e,a"ination o! "asters supports the
i"portance o! !encing "asters to 'berian society.
'"portant personages $ere o!!icia% $itnesses !or the
e,a"ination o! candidates !or various teaching ro%es#
inc%uding that o! "aster<
i
roya% !encing "asters can
be docu"ented !ro" the ='>th
ii
century# to the
='=th<
iii
and !ro" the =>th century# the Spanish
kings appointed senior "aster e,a"iners ?maestro
mayor y examinador@#
iv
$ho oversa$ the
e,a"ination o! a%% !encing "asters $ithin the
kingdo". Aecords o! those e,a"inations# $hich date
!ro" the ear%y =>th century unti% the =>''th
century# pro"inent%y !eature the t$o6handed s$ord.
*ithin 'beria# the tradition o! !encing can be
divided into t$o periods# dating be!ore and a!ter a
sing%e author and a sing%e $orkB 7on Ceroni"o de
CarranDaEs Filosofa de las Armas ?3+/2@. CarranDa
!ounded the geo"etrica% schoo% o! s$ords"anship
kno$n as la Verdadera Destreza ?)rue Ski%%@# a
tradition that %asted !ro" the %ate =>'th unti% the "id
='=th century. ;e!ore hi"# there $as Esgrima
Antigua ?F%d Fencing@. Fn%y !rag"ents o! $orks that
precede CarranDa survive< $hat $e kno$ o! the"
co"es !ro" e,cerpts contained in his $ork# and that
o! his i""ediate successor# 7on &uis 1acheco de
.arvaeD. 7uring CarranDaEs %i!eti"e and a!ter$ard#
la Verdadera Destreza ec%ipsed a%% e%se< ne,t to
nothing $as pub%ished o! the o%d $ays# no$ ca%%ed
la Esgrima Vulgar or la Esgrima Comn ?>u%gar or
Co""on Fencing@. Ae!erences to this dis!avored
syste" o! !ence occasiona%%y crop up $ithin the
$orks o! the !o%%o$ers o! CarranDa and 1acheco# and
but a sing%e "anuscript and one printed $ork
docu"ent the sty%e# a%though it e,isted in para%%e%
$ith the geo"etrica% schoo% !or perhaps a century
"ore in Spain and 1ortuga%.
)here is so"e evidence that the montante
"ay have been the centra% $eapon o! Esgrima
Antigua prior to the "id6=>'th century. Aoya%
"asters $ho taught the use o! this $eapon can be
docu"ented !ro" the =>th century on$ard# such as
the maestro de jugar la esgrima con es!ada de dos
manos ?"aster o! the !encing6p%ay $ith the t$o6
handed s$ord@ present at the court o! the Ging o!
.avarre in 3(3(.
v
Evidence !ro" !encing treatises
o!!ers so"e support !or this theory as $e%%B
ccording to 1acheco# Francisco Ao"HnEs treatise o!
3+52
vi
indicates that the montante $as regarded as
the !oundation $eapon# as does 1ietro Monte in his
Collectanea# pub%ished in 'ta%y# in 3+09.
vii
Fro"
other re"arks in 1achecoEs "ue#a $ciencia ?3-52@#
$e kno$ that 1edro de %a )orre treated the es!ada de
dos manos ?t$o6handed s$ord@ a%ong $ith other
$eapons in his no$6%ost $ork o! 3(4(.
%% o! this changed $ith the advent o!
CarranDa. Fther than the "anuscript that !or"s the
subject o! this artic%e# there is no $ork a!ter 3+/2
that treats the montante or t$o6handed s$ord as the
pri"ary $eapon o! the syste"< that ro%e $as
assu"ed by the s$ord a%one# as it $as in the rest o!
Europe# both !or la Verdadera Destreza and : so !ar
as $e kno$ : !or Esgrima Comn. *ithin the
!or"er# it genera%%y is subordinate to the s$ord
a%one# is treated in an orthodo, $ay and inherits
!ro" the s$ord "ost actions. %together# it !or"s a
"inor e%e"ent o! the schoo%# and is genera%%y treated
on%y in the "ost cursory !ashion. So"e authors treat
it as a%so having a specia% ro%e# and inc%ude so"e
p%ays o! the $eapon# and recogniDe the di!!icu%ty o!
dea%ing $ith a doub%e6handed $eapon# or doub%e
$eaponsB
'ts doctrine is "ore i"portant than
that o! the sing%e s$ord or the other
$eapons# since on%y the mangual
?!%ai%@ can eIua% its great rigor< and
as !or its "anage"ent# in one o! the
preceding assertions# it is said that
the s$ord is not the Jueen o! a%% the
others# because i! one had to choose#
it $ou%d not be pre!erred to the
montante# since this can dea% $ith a%%
(
K$eaponsL# even i! they are doub%e
K$eaponsL# $ith $hich one can
oppose t$o or three at a ti"e#
$hether they are o!!ensive or
de!ensive in nature.
viii
The Weapon
montante
ix
is# strict%y speaking# a t$o6
handed s$ord o! speci!ica%%y 'berian origin#
so"e$hat s"a%%er and %ighter than the stereotypica%
8er"an %&eihaender o! the =>'th century. 't has
straight or s%ight%y do$nturned Iui%%ons# and
so"eti"es side rings# $ith or $ithout a secondary
guard# and %ends itse%! easi%y to the use o! $hat the
8er"an schoo% ca%%s 0ha%!6s$ord2 techniIues in
$hich the b%ade is gripped $ith the %e!t hand. )he
ter" montante $as born in the =>'th century# $hen
this type o! s$ord started to co"e into use.
Ae!erences to it can be !ound in !encing "anua%s o!
the =>''th century# not on%y as a s$ord actua%%y
taught in the schoo%s# but a%so as the 0badge s$ord2
!or Spanish !encing "asters. ccording to ;aron
&eguina#
,
the Spanish "asters $ore a %arge# red
montante as their badge o! charge# e"broidered on
the %e!t side o! their shirt or doub%et. )hey used it
both as a sy"bo% and as a too% to contro% !encing
bouts by putting it bet$een the contenders. s $i%%
be seen# there is a p%ay $ithin the "anuscript
trans%ated in this artic%e $hich covers precise%y this
scenario. Fro" this ancient custo"# "odern Spanish
retains the e,pression meter el montante< %itera%%y#
0to interpose the montante'# but "eaning to
intervene in a dispute a"ong other individua%s in
order to stop it.
'n 'berian "i%itary %iterature $hen there is
"ention o! the montante# it is usua%%y in the hands o!
an o!!icer or an ad#anturer ?!or$ard6dep%oyed
so%dier@ rather than troopers $ho had to !ight in
!or"ation# $here the ter" is usua%%y escuadron
#olante(
xi
)he montante $as considered best# 0'! a
"an is co"pe%%ed to de!end his %i!e# and to ensure
that he is ab%e to secure his person $ithout having
regard !or anyone e%se. For this purpose# it is good#
or !or c%earing space Kin a cro$dL.2
,ii
;aron
&eguina
,iii
te%%s a story about Francisco Masco# a
!encing "aster o! the Esgrima Comn $ho chose
that $eapon in one instance $hen he !ound hi"se%!
con!ronted $ith "u%tip%e opponents< the !or"idab%e
nature o! the $eapon he%ped hi" to Iuick%y scatter
his assai%ants.
typica% Spanish montante is possib%y
so"ething %ike the one attributed to 8arcia de
1aredes at Aoya% r"ories in Spain. )his $eapon
has a b%ade %ength o! 33(0 "" and a hi%t %ength
?inc%uding po""e% and cross guard@ o! 590 ""#
giving an overa%% %ength o! 3+50 "". )he cross
guard $idth is 2/0 "" and the $idth o! the
secondary guard is /0 "". )he b%ade $idth is
50""# $ith the edges !air%y para%%e%# giving an
average b%ade $idth up to $here the point starts. )he
distance bet$een the secondary guard and the point
is 30-0 ""# and the "a,i"u" section ?dia"eter@ o!
the cross guard is 3+ "". )he tota% $eight o! the
$eapon is 2.2+0g# and the point o! ba%ance !ro" the
cross guard is 350 "".
,iv
The Author and Historical Context
)he "anuscript begins $ith the tit%e#
Memorial of the Practice of the Montante) *ncluding
$ixteen $im!le +ules) and $ixteen Com!osed, -i#en
in Alcantara to the Most $erene Prince Dom
.heodozio /May -od Protect 0im1 2y Field
Marshall Diogo -omes de Figueyredo) his Master
*n the $cience of Arms) on May 34th) 3563(
x#
7o" )heodosio $as the cro$n prince o!
1ortuga%# the prince o! ;raDi%# and the son o! the !irst
?though not undisputed@ king o! 1ortuga% a!ter the
Spanish interregnu"# 7o" CoNo '> ?3-(0 6 3-+-@.
7o" )heodosDio un!ortunate%y died short%y a!ter the
Memorial $as $ritten and prior to the death o! his
!ather in 3-+5. His brothers ascended to the throne o!
1ortuga% instead.
)here are t$o historica% !igures $ith the
na"e 7o" 7iogo 8o"es de Figueiredo# a !ather and
son# both natives o! &isbon# $ho o!ten are con!%ated.
)he author is the !or"er. He $as %ike%y born around
the turn o! the =>''th century# the son o! CoNo
8o"es Juares"a# and died in 3-/+. )he son# $ho
died in 3-/(# $as genera% o! arti%%ery o! the kingdo"
and dedicated hi"se%! to studies o! genea%ogy. Fur
author# 7o" 7iogo senior# served various%y in the
$ars o! 1ortuguese restoration as !ie%d "arsha%% and
genera% o! arti%%ery. 7o" 7iogo senior $as "uch
estee"ed by his conte"poraries# eIua%%y !or his
"i%itary Iua%ity as !or being a "an o! %etters.
s a pro!essor o! !encing# 7o" 7iogo $rote
t$o $orks on the use o! ar"sB the Memorial# $hich
is the subject o! this artic%e# and the 7!loso!hia e
Verdadeira Destreza das Armas ?3-2/@#
,vi
recent%y
recovered in p%ain sight. ;arbosa Machado
,vii
says
+
that 8o"es de Figueiredo had !rom!ta ?per"ission@
!or printing it# ntonio ;arbosa ;ace%%ar dedicated a
song to it# and 7o" Francisco Manue% de Me%%o in
his .res Musas del Melodino# in the part tit%ed .u2a
de Calio!e# has a sonnet entit%ed 0Eu%ogy to a ;ook
o! the Ski%% at r"s# co"posed by 8enera% 8o"es de
Figueiredo.2
&ike%y it $as not pub%ished due to the
restoration o! 1ortuguese se%! ru%e !ro" the Spanish#
as in it# 7iogo 8o"es revea%s hi"se%! as a !o%%o$er
o! 7on Ceroni"o CarranDa# and an opponent o! 7on
&uis 1acheco<
,viii
such e,pressions $ou%d not have
been popu%ar in a ne$%y6!ree 1ortuga% strugg%ing to
assert its o$n identity.
7espite Figueiredo9s adherence to the
princip%es o! CarranDa in his ear%ier $ork# the
Memorial contains !e$ technica% detai%s dra$n !ro"
la Verdadera Destreza# and appears to have "any o!
the ha%%"arks o! the so6ca%%ed Esgrima Vulgar. s
such# it represents an about6!ace# turning a$ay !ro"
a sty%e o! !ence supported by the cro$n o! Spain.
)he genera% $as $e%% kno$n as a %iterary
!igure# and even reno$ned as a poet# though rare%y
pub%ished. Manue% do 8a%hegos# in .em!lo da
Memoria app%auds hi" as such to ce%ebrate the
7ukes o! ;raganOa. ;arbosa Machado cites one ode
that co"es !ro" Memorias Fune2res dedicated to 7.
Maria de thaide and a song in Panegyrico $hich
pays tribute to the death o! Fie%d Marsha%% ndrP de
%buIuerIue. 't is no surprise that a "an $ho
co"bined such ta%ents $as se%ected to be the Master
o! r"s !or the young cro$n prince o! 1ortuga%.
,i,
Fur authorEs %ong "i%itary career %asted !ro"
3-2-# $hen he e"barked $ith the roya% ar"ada that
%e!t &isbon and ship$recked on the coast o!
8ascony# through the batt%e o! Montes C%aros# !ought
on Cune 34th# 3--+# $hich $as the c%osing batt%e o!
the 1ortuguese restoration.
,,
)he 0-uerra da
+estaura89o2 ?*ar o! Aestoration@ %asted 2+ years
!ro" 3-(0 to 3--+ and restored the kingdo" to
1ortuguese ru%e# $resting it !ro" the kings o!
Spain.
,,i
)he $ar consisted o! !ive "ajor batt%es and
nu"erous skir"ishes. 7o" 7iogo certain%y
participated in three o! the"# and %ike%y a%% !ive.
,,ii
7o" 7iogo is given credit !or the victories
at Montijo and &inhas de E%vas# and it is recorded
that he took part in "any other s"a%% encounters
such as the de!ense o! the to$n o! %"eida. !ter the
batt%e o! Montes C%aros# Spain o!!icia%%y recogniDed
7o" 1edro ''# the brother o! 7o" )eodosDio as the
successor to the 1ortuguese throne. &itt%e is kno$n
o! his %i!e a!ter the $ars# e,cept that he died on
Septe"ber 50# 3-/+ and $as buried in the convent o!
)rindade. )here does not appear to be any painting
kno$n that depicts this i"portant !igure.
)hus# at the ti"e he $rote the "anuscript
$hich !or"s the subject o! this artic%e# 7o" 7iogo
$as in the "id6point o! an active "i%itary career#
operating at the highest %eve%s o! co""and. 'n
addition# he had been active as a !encing "aster !or
at %east 25 years. His co""ents on the montante are
thus o! great interest# since he $as c%ear%y in a
position to kno$ the va%ue o! this $eapon and the
detai%s o! its practica% use on both the streets and the
batt%e!ie%ds o! his ti"e.
The Manuscript
)he origina% "anuscript is in the ;ib%ioteca
da juda in &isbon# 1ortuga%# signature (96'''6206
nQ23. 't is an / %ea! ?4 $ritten@ "anuscript in Iuarto#
$ritten in good =>'' century hand$riting $ith very
s"a%% !ont and !aded ink# a%though easi%y readab%e.
)he te,t is arranged in t$o co%u"ns# the !irst $ith
regras sim!les ?si"p%e ru%es@# the second $ith regras
com!ostas ?co"posed ru%es@ $ith a cover o! di!!erent
paper "arked $ith ='= century script. 't $as
subseIuent%y transcribed# $ith so"e errors# by
Francisco >iterbo in 3/94. ?Francisco >iterbo#
MarIues de Sousa# Esgri"a e" 1ortuga%#
)ypographia Universa%# &isbon# 3/94. second
edition $as printed Manoe% 8o"es# &isbon# 3/99@.
8oog%e ;ooks no$ provides access to a scanned
version o! the 3/99 reprint on the internet.
i
8abrie% &%o"part Moragues# *deal Ca2alleresco y
Escuela de Esgrima en Mallorca en el $iglo :V#
Aevista de Historia CerRni"o Surita# .Q 29650# 394-6
3944 # pp. 3(963-2.
ii
1eter# nna Cortade%%as # Cr;nica# Edicions -2# 399+.
iii
&eguina y >ida% # EnriIue# <i2liografa y historia de
la esgrima es!a=ola> a!untes reunidos# Fortanet#
390(.
iv
1PreD de 1astor# Cristoba%# Maestros de Armas)
Memorias de la +eal Academia Es!a=ola# &a
cade"ia# 393(# 'te" notesB v. 33.
v
Tanguas y Miranda# CosP# Diccionario de
Antig?edades del +eino de "a#arra con adicionesh#
3/(0# 'te" notesB v. 3.
vi
Ao"an# Francisco# .ratado de la esgrima con figuras
!or Francisco +oman natural de Carmona# Sevi%%e#
3+52.
vii
Monte# 1ietro# Exercitiorum At@ue Artis Militaris
Collectanea# Mi%an# 3+09.
viii
0Es su doctrina mas im!ortante) @ue la es!ada sola)
-
ni las dems armas) @ue solo le iguala !or su mucho
rigor el mangual) y !or su manejo) En una Assercion
de las antecedentes se dize no ser la es!ada +eyna de
todas ellas) !or@ue si lo hu#iera de ser) no la
!refiriera el montante) @ue este lo haze con todas)
aun@ue se #algan de las do2les) e se le o!ongan con
ellas dos) A tres a un tiem!o) aun@ue sean ofensi#as) u
de co2ertura(' 1PreD de MendoDa y Juijada# Migue%#
+esumen de la #erdadera destreza de las armas en
treinta y ocho asserciones > resumidas y ad#ertidas
con demonstraciones Practicas > deducido de las
o2ras !rinci!ales @ue tiene escritas su Autor(..#
Madrid# 3-4+.
i,
Marc 8ener# persona% correspondence.
,
EnriIue 7e &eguina# <i2lografia e 0istoria de la
Esgrima Es!anola# 390(# reprinted by Mans!ie%d
Centre# Martino 1ub%ishing# 2000# p. 5+65-.
,i
Cavier Aa"os# persona% correspondence.
,ii
0B assisino es un hom2re arestada a defender su #ida)
y #er si !uede tomar seguro de su !ersona sin tener
res!eto a nadie( Para esto es 2ueno) o !ara hazer
!la8a(' Daz de Viedma) Cuis) Metodo de ense=anza
DsicE demaestros en la ciencia filosofica de la
#erdaderadestreza matematica de la DsicE armas)
<arcelona) 35FG(
,iii
EnriIue 7e &eguina# o!( cit( p. 52.
,iv
Marc 8ener# persona% correspondence.
,v
0Memorial da Practtica do Montante @ue inclue
dezasis regras sim!lez) e dezaseis com!ostas dado em
Alcantara ao $erenissimo Princi!e Dom .hodozio @(
Ds g(de !ello Mestre de cam!o Diogo -omes de
Figueyredo) seu Mestre na ciencia das Armas( Em 34
de Mayo de 3563(' <i2lioteca da Ajuda) M$ A#( HGI
***IJ4) n(o J(
,vi
cade"ia das CiUncias de &isboa# "anuscrito
>er"e%ho nQ 93.
,vii
;arbosa Machado# 7iogo# ;ib%iotheca &usitana#
Coi"bra# t%antida Editora# 39-+6-4.
,viii
Ga$ata# >iviane da CruD# Manual de Cortesia e
Destreza das Armas em Portugal> estudo da o2ra
7!loso!hia de Diogo -omes de Figuereido /35F4I
35K41# )hesis : 7ept. o! History : FF&CHVUS1.
,i,
;arbosa Machado# o!( cit(
,,
-rande Enciclo!edia Portuguesa e <rasileira#
Editoria% Encic%opedia# &td 6 &isboa# 39-4.
,,i
)his situation resu%ted !ro" the !ai%ure o! the House
o! viD to provide a successor in 3+/3# as the %ast t$o
kings $ere c%erics ?7o" HenriIue# 3+4/ 6 3+/0# 7o"
ntRnio# 3+/0@. Ging Fe%ipe '' o! Spain# o! the
r"ada !a"e# inherited through the "aterna% %ine#
beco"ing Ging Fe%ipe ' o! 1ortuga%. )he Spanish
kings ru%ed 1ortuga% !or three generations unti% the
death o! Ging Fe%ipe ''' o! 1ortuga% ?Ging Fe%ipe '> o!
Spain@ in 3-(0. t that point# 7o" CoNo# 7uke o!
;raganOa# seiDed the throne and began the strugg%e !or
1ortuguese independence. )he house o! ;raganOa
descended !ro" an i%%egiti"ate scion o! the house o!
viD# the !or"er ru%ers o! 1ortuga%.
,,ii
Conde da Ericeira# 0istAria de Portugal +estaurado#
vo%. ''# 1orto# &ivraria Civi%iDaONo# ;ib%ioteca
HistRrica 6 SPrie APgia# 39(+# p. +- : 40.
4
Notes on the Translation
'n trans%ating this $ork# ' have tried to !ind a
ba%ance bet$een severa% occasiona%%y con!%icting
goa%s. First# ' have stuck very c%ose to the gra""ar
and verbage o! the origina%# $ith the principa% ai" o!
interjecting as %itt%e as possib%e o! "y o$n
interpretation o! the "oves described by the author.
)his has he%ped preserve the sty%e and !%o$ o! the
origina%# but has occasiona%%y sacri!iced so"e
readabi%ity. s a reader in the origina% %anguage# '
enjoyed $orking through the occasiona% puDD%e to
better divine the author9s intent# and hope!u%%y the
reader o! this trans%ation $i%% derive so"e p%easure in
the sa"e $ay : there are "any detai%s that are
si"p%y not e,p%icit in the te,t# and "y hope is that '
have preserved the origina% puDD%es $ithout adding
any ne$ ones.
Second# ' tried to "ake this a %itt%e "ore
readab%e !or the "odern audience. Most%y this
consisted o! adding punctuation# and standardiDing
the occasiona% stray verb tense. %so# ' chose to use
the "ore direct second person rather than the "ore
distant third person o! the origina%.
Fina%%y# ' have tried to identi!y $here
idio"atic phrases are used# and trans%ated the
"eaning rather than the %itera% $ord6!or6$ord
trans%ation. *hi%e this is !air%y standard practice !or
trans%ators# ' have not "ade a study o! "id 34th
century 1ortuguese idio"atic phrases# and this
shortco"ing "ay be re!%ected in the trans%ation. '! '
discover ' have "issed any# ' $i%% "ake an updated
trans%ation avai%ab%e.
)here are a !e$ ter"s $hich ' chose to %eave
in the origina% %anguage# not because they are
di!!icu%t to trans%ate# but because so "any peop%e are
a%ready accusto"ed to using these ter"s in !oreign
%anguages. Here is a brie! g%ossary o! the these
ter"s. talho is a !orehand cut# that is to say any
cut $hich trave%s !ro" right to %e!t# and is ana%ogous
to the Spanish tajo and the 'ta%ian mandritto.
re#ez is a backhand cut# or any cut $hich trave%s
!ro" %e!t to right# and is the sa"e as the Spanish
re#es or the 'ta%ian ri#erso. n alti2axo is a
descending b%o$# akin to the Eng%ish 0do$nright
b%o$2# the Spanish alti2ajo# or the 'ta%ian fendente.
?)he origina% occasiona%%y uses the spe%%ing
alta2axo# but ' standardiDed on the "ore !reIuent
spe%%ing.@ Fina%%y# a montante negro is a b%unt
version o! the montante used !or training.
Notes on Interpretation
*hi%e this paper is not intended as an
interpretive $ork# the authors rea%iDe that "any
readers $i%% $ish to $ork through the Memorial $ith
montante in hand. *ith those readers in "ind# $e
o!!er the !o%%o$ing advice. First# and !ore"ost# this
$eapon is very dangerous# and $as practiced either
so%o or bet$een !u%%y ar"ored partners# in $hich
case it $as sti%% considered very dangerous and
injury prone< $e suggest# in the strongest possib%e
ter"s# that you avoid a%% physica% contact bet$een
the montante and any practice partners. Second#
there are "any changes in direction $hich are not
"entioned by the origina% author< i! you can9t get a
ru%e to "ake sense or !%o$ s"ooth%y in practice# %ook
at the possibi%ity o! turning around and !acing a ne$
direction. Fina%%y# Figueiredo "akes use o! so"e
ter"ino%ogy !ro" la Verdadera Destreza# and
!a"i%iarity $ith the !o%%o$ing ter"s $i%% he%p you
better understand this $ork. *hen the montante is
he%d 0in obtuse ang%e2 it is he%d $ith the point higher
than the po""e%# and $hen he%d 0in acute ang%e2 the
point is %o$er than the po""e%. ny do$n$ards
b%ade "ove"ent is a 0natura%2 "ove"ent# $hi%e a
rising "ove"ent is ter"ed 0vio%ent2. 07ispositive2
"ove"ents prepare the strike# and 0e,ecutive2
"ove"ents strike the adversary. step a%ong the
0%ine o! in!inity2 is step side$ays# and a step a%ong
the 0diagona%2 is a step !or$ards ang%ed (+ degrees
to the %e!t or the right.
Acknowledgements
He%p!u% Iuestions# ans$ers# and !eedback
ca"e !ro" "any peop%e# but $e $ou%d particu%ar%y
%ike to thank the !o%%o$ingB Matt 8a%as# $ho is
rea%%y a !u%% co%%aborator in this e!!ort $ith his
interpretive $ork# editoria% !eedback# %inguistic
abi%ities# and ninja6%ike research ski%%s< ntRnio
Franco 1reto and Migue% &a%or '"biriba !or their
patient and gracious ans$ers to Eric9s di!!icu%t
%anguage Iuestions< 7r. Manue% >a%%e !or sharing
transcription di!!erences bet$een the Sousa >iterbo
edition and the origina% "anuscript< 1uck Curtis and
Ca"es .ordstro" !or their continuing invo%ve"ent in
interpreting this and other re%ated $orks< and a%so
Craig Cohnson and the Fakeshott 'nstitute !or taking
a chance $ith us# and then sticking $ith it.
/
Memorial
Of the Practice of the Montante
Including sixteen simple rules, and sixteen composed
Given in Alcantara
To the Most Serene Prince Dom Thodozio Ma! God Protect "im#
$! %ield Marshall
Diogo Gomes de %igue!redo, his Master
In the Science of Arms&
On Ma! '(
th
, ')*'&
$im!le +ules Com!osed +ules
I
)his !irst ru%e is the one $hich "ost revea%s
the e%egance o! the montante# and $hoever
per!or"s it $e%% $i%% be ab%e to per!or" the" a%%.
Tou $i%% p%ace your body straight $ith the %e!t !oot
in !ront# the montante $ith the point on the
ground# taken by the cross in the right hand $ith
the thu"b do$n# and you $i%% tap it !or$ard $ith
the right !oot# turning the montante to set it in
p%ace. )hen you $i%% give a talho !ro" behind#
!ro" %o$ to high# "oving the right !oot !or$ard at
the sa"e ti"e# and stopping $ith the montante in
an upright posture in !ront o! the !ace. Fro" there
you $i%% re"ove the montante to give a re#ez
cutting !ro" behind $ith the other edge o! the
montante# a%so !ro" %o$ to high# and at the sa"e
ti"e "oving the %e!t !oot !or$ard# and stopping
a%so $ith the montante in !ront o! the !ace. Tou
$i%% undo the ru%e re"oving back$ard the %e!t !oot
$ith a talho eIua% to the !irst# and the right !oot
$ith a re#ez# and take heed that the body "ust
a%$ays turn to$ard $here the montante cuts. t
the end o! the ru%e# $hi%e standing sti%%# you $i%%
give a talho to the %e!t shou%der and return the
montante to again p%ace the point on the ground as
at the beginning# and a%% the ru%es having to do
$ith the montante negro $i%% have this ending.
I
%% the co"posed ru%es are counterpoint to the
si"p%e# and these the basis o! the co"posed. nd
thus# p%anting the body $ith the %e!t !oot !or$ard#
you $i%% give a talho !ro" %o$ to high# $hich $i%%
be acco"panied !or$ard by the right !oot# stopping
$ith the montante in !ont o! the !ace. )hen you $i%%
%et !a%% the montante to the right to give an alti2axo
putting in the %e!t !oot# and !ro" $here the
montante co"es to a stop you $i%% give a talho !ro"
%o$ to high acco"panied by the right !oot $hich
you $i%% "ove !or$ard# stopping $ith the montante
in !ront o! the !ace. nd then you $i%% give a re#ez
!ro" %o$ to high acco"panied by the %e!t !oot
$hich you $i%% "ove !or$ard# stopping $ith the
montante in !ront o! the !ace. )hen you $i%% %et !a%%
the montante to the %e!t crossing the right ar" over
the %e!t# and you $i%% give an alti2axo re#ez "oving
the right !oot !or$ard# and !ro" $here the montante
co"es to a stop you $i%% give a re#ez !ro" %o$ to
high acco"panied by the %e!t !oot $hich you $i%%
"ove !or$ard# and stop $ith the montante in !ront
o! the !ace. .e,t# you $i%% undo this ru%e $ith the
sa"e b%o$s# actions# and steps# retreating back$ard
unti% you p%ace your body as it began the ru%e.
II
Tou $i%% p%ace the body $ith the %e!t !oot
!or$ard# and putting in the right !oot you $i%% give
a talho# such that the montante ends up $ith the
II
Tou $i%% raise the montante $ith the point
!or$ard in !ront o! the right ear# $ith the %e!t !oot
!or$ard. )hen you $i%% "ove the right !oot
9
point !or$ard and the hands high in !ront o! the
eyes. )hen !irst putting in the %e!t !oot you $i%%
give a re#ez# and pu%%ing back$ard the sa"e %e!t
!oot you $i%% give a talho# stopping again $ith the
montante high# and re"oving the right !oot you
$i%% give a re#ez# and a talho to the shou%der# and
return the montante.
!or$ard# and at the sa"e ti"e you $i%% give a talho
!or$ard# bringing the montante high in !ront o! the
!ace in order to pass it over the head and behind the
shou%ders# such that it !a%%s over the %e!t ar" to give
a circ%ing re#ez# and then a talho in a "anner that
you return the montante to its position high in !ront
o! the !ace. nd !ro" there# !irst "oving the %e!t
!oot !or$ard# you $i%% give a re#ez !or$ard# ending
$ith the montante high $ith the point !or$ard# and
passing it over head you $i%% give a circ%ing talho
and a re#ez# returning the montante to the position
in $hich you began the ru%e# $hich you $i%% undo in
the !o%%o$ing "annerB Tou $i%% !irst re"ove the %e!t
!oot and give a talho !or$ard# ending $ith the
montante point !or$ard in !ront o! the !ace# and then
a talhoW# and a circ%ing re#ezW# and ending $ith the
montante in the sa"e p%ace. )hen you $i%% re"ove
the right !oot back$ard $ith a re#ez !or$ard that
$i%% stop $ith the montante high# and then a talho
and a circ%ing re#ez# rep%acing the montante ho$ it
started the ru%e.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
W)his is the order o! the origina%# but they are %ike%y
transposed# and shou%d be re#ez and talho instead.
III
Tou $i%% p%ace the body $ith the %e!t !oot
!or$ard# and give a talho !ro" behind $hi%e
standing sti%%# and another !or$ard putting in the
right !oot< then a re#ez !ro" behind $hi%e
standing sti%%# and another !or$ard putting in the
%e!t !oot. Tou $i%% undo the ru%e $ith a talho !ro"
behind $hi%e standing sti%%# and another !or$ard
re"oving the sa"e %e!t !oot# and then a re#ez !ro"
behind $hi%e standing sti%%# and another !or$ard
re"oving the right !oot# to end ho$ you began the
ru%e.
III
)his ru%e serves to drive your adversaries be!ore
you. Tou $i%% start by giving a talho !ro" behind
$hi%e standing sti%%# and another !or$ard putting in
the right !oot and "aking ready the thrust over the
right ar"# $hich you $i%% give !or$ard $hi%e
standing sti%%# then putting in the %e!t !oot $ith a
re#ez# and one and another successive talhos to the
right side# putting in the %e!t !oot# and then the right.
1roceed in the ru%e readying the sa"e thrust again#
going !or$ard as necessary unti% you !inish $ith
your adversaries.
I!
Tou $i%% p%ace the body $ith the %e!t !oot
!or$ard# and give a talho !ro" behind $hi%e
standing sti%% and another !or$ards putting in the
right !oot# readying a thrust over the right ar"#
$hich you $i%% give $hi%e standing sti%%. )hen you
$i%% put in the %e!t !oot $ith a re#ez# and re"oving
back$ard this sa"e %e!t !oot $ith a talho# you $i%%
ready another thrust that you $i%% give $hi%e
standing sti%%# and re"oving back$ard the right
I!
)his ru%e is !or !ighting $ith peop%e in !ront and
behind< do it by giving a talho !ro" behind $ith the
opposite !oot $hich is the %e!t# and another !or$ard
putting in the right !oot# readying a thrust over the
right ar" $hich you $i%% give to the rear# re"oving
again the right !oot. )hen the %e!t !oot $i%% go $ith
a re#ez# turning the body to$ards $here you gave
the thrust. .e,t you $i%% give a talho !or$ard $ith
the sa"e opposite !oot# and another putting in the
30
!oot you $i%% give a re#ez to end in the state in
$hich you began the ru%e.
right !oot readying the sa"e thrust# $hich you $i%%
give $ith the right !oot to the rear# and successive%y
a re#ez entering $ith the %e!t !oot# and then the t$o
talhos starting again $ith the opposite !oot# a%%
corresponding to the opposition against you.
!
Tou $i%% ready a thrust over the %e!t ar"
p%anting the body $ith the right !oot behind# and
a!ter re"oving it $hi%e standing sti%%# "oving the
right !oot !or$ard you $i%% give a talho# !or"ing at
the end o! it another thrust over the right ar".
)hen you $i%% put in the %e!t !oot $ith a re#ez# and
$hi%e standing sti%% you $i%% give another thrust
readying it over the %e!t ar" ?!or that is $here a%%
those that originate !ro" re#ezes are !or"ed@. Tou
$i%% e,it back$ard $ith the %e!t !oot $ith a talho#
ending it $ith another thrust# that you $i%% give
$hi%e standing sti%% ?and a%% those that are !or"ed
!ro" talhos are readied over the right ar"@# and
e,iting $ith the right !oot you $i%% give a re#ez# to
end $ith your body as it $as at the beginning o!
the ru%e.
!
1%acing the body a%"ost pro!i%ed $ith the %e!t
!oot !or$ard# you $i%% ready a thrust over the %e!t
ar"# $hich you $i%% give $ithout taking a step.
)hen a talho !ro" behind $hi%e standing sti%%# and
another !or$ard putting in the right !oot# readying a
thrust over the right ar"# $hich you $i%% give $hi%e
standing sti%%. )hen in the sa"e "anner a re#ez
!ro" behind and another !or$ard putting in the %e!t
!oot# readying the thrust to e,it $ith a talho !ro"
behind and another !or$ard re"oving the %e!t !oot#
!ro" $hich $i%% originate another thrust. Tou $i%%
!inish $ith a re#ez !ro" behind# and another
!or$ard re"oving the right !oot.
!I
)his ru%e is ca%%ed the ;att%e o! the Montante#
and is just one entry that you can use $hen
encountering another montante. Tou $i%% give a
talho !ro" behind $hi%e standing sti%%# and another
putting in the right !oot to end in position# and
$ith this stance you $i%% a%$ays "ove to$ards the
adversary# de!%ecting the opposing montante $ith a
re#ez to the outside# assisted by a step that you
$i%% give !or$ard# you $i%% give a talho to the
c%osest %eg# recovering once again the stance. nd
thus advancing# you $i%% again de!%ect to the sa"e
side to give a talho b%o$ on the right ar" o! the
adversary recovering again the stance o! the !eet#
taking heed that a%% these re#ez de!%ections are
done $ith the !a%se edge.
!I
%though rare%y does one montante "eet $ith
another# $hen it happens# you shou%d va%ue your
kno$%edge about the nature o! a%% "ove"ents# both
the steps o! the !eet as $e%% as the b%o$s o! the
montante# a%% o! $hich are derived !ro" the
"ove"ents o! the s$ord. ;ased upon those o! the
s$ord# you can kno$ the Iua%ities o! those !or the
montante# their $eakness or their strength# $ith the
sing%e di!!erence that a%% the de!%ections# parries and
attacks o! the montante "ust be he%ped by the
"ove"ents o! the body. 'n responding to the
adversary# you "ust be prepared to act in
accordance $ith the greater !orce reIuired by the
b%o$s o! the montante. )his genera%iDation $i%%
su!!ice !or those $ho have the kno$%edge o! the true
ski%% o! the s$ord# $hich is the !oundation o! a%% the
ar"s that have been invented.
!II
)his ru%e serves to deter peop%e in a street and
i"pede the" "oving !ro" one end to another.
8ive a talho !or$ards in the direction $here the
peop%e are# $ith a step !or$ards# in such a "anner
that you cross the road# and $a%king !orth# $hen
!II
Tou $i%% give a talho $ith the %e!t !oot !ro" %o$
to high# and a re#ez a%so to$ards the sa"e end o!
the street# and !ro" %o$ to high putting in the right
!oot# and then another talho and re#ez in the sa"e
"anner# and a%$ays you $i%% stop the montante in
33
"oving the sa"e !oot !or$ard you $i%% give
another talho %ike the !irst. )urning to cross back
over the road# you $i%% !ace the sa"e direction
again# giving a re#ez $ith the right !oot# and $ith
the sa"e !oot !o%%o$ing it $ith another. '! the
road is $ide# in order to take it a%%# you $i%% give
"ore re#ezes or "ore talhos in the sa"e "anner.
!ront o! the !ace. nd i! you $ant to turn about to
the sa"e p%ace !ro" $here you started the ru%e# you
$i%% ?a!ter giving the %ast talho@ give in the sa"e
direction a re#ez $ith the right !oot# and then a
talho $ith the %e!t !oot# and in each step you "ust
give a b%o$# a%$ays !ro" %o$ to high# a%ternating
talho and re#ez# unti% the peop%e stop.
!III
)his ru%e serves against shie%ds"en. *hi%e
standing sti%%# you $i%% give a talho !ro" behind
%eaning the body# and another !or$ard putting in
the right !oot and circ%ing $ith the montante such
that the !ace ends up turned to$ards $here you
gave the !irst talho# and then giving a re#ez $hi%e
standing sti%% and another putting in the %e!t !oot#
circ%ing around to the right side $ith the montante#
and $ith the !ace to$ards $here it $as at the
beginning. Tou $i%% undo the ru%e e,iting $ith a
talho and another re"oving the %e!t !oot# circ%ing
in turn# then $ith a re#ez and another re"oving the
right !oot. .e,t you $i%% give a talho !ro" behind
$hi%e standing sti%%# and another putting in the
right !oot# and another re"oving back$ard the %e!t
!oot and a re#ez $hi%e standing sti%%# and another
putting in the right !oot and another re"oving the
sa"e right !oot in return back$ard. )hese !ina%
b%o$s are o! the si,teenth co"posed ru%e# $hich
a!ter given# you can a%so insert into this ru%e the
!ourteenth si"p%e ru%e.
!III
Tou $i%% give a talho !or$ard putting in the %e!t
!oot# and another putting in the right !oot# and
circ%ing# then a re#ez putting in the right !oot# and
another putting in the sa"e right !oot and circ%ing
a%so. .e,t a talho putting in the %e!t !oot# and
another putting in the right !oot and circ%ing# then a
re#ez putting in the right !oot and another putting in
the %e!t !oot and circ%ing# then a talho putting in the
%e!t !oot# and another putting in the right !oot# and
successive%y another putting in the sa"e right !oot
to turn around $hen you $ant to return to the other
direction# starting the ru%e again# $ith the steps $ide
and !ast.
I"
)his ru%e serves to !ight in a narro$ street.
Tou $i%% do it by giving a talho !ro" %o$ to high
"oving the right !oot !or$ard# and then %etting the
montante !a%% to the sa"e right side you $i%% give
on that side an alti2axo# co"ing to situate a thrust
$ith the po""e% o! the montante on the right
shou%der# $hich you $i%% give putting in the right
!oot# and you $i%% co""ence the ru%e again# !acing
the other direction# $ith the sa"e b%o$s unti% it
beco"es necessary to turn about.
I"
1%acing the body pro!i%ed $ith the %e!t !oot
!or$ard you $i%% give a talho !ro" %o$ to high
putting in the opposite !oot $hich is the right# and
ne,t# $ith the opposite !oot $hich $i%% then be the
%e!t# a re#ez. )hen $ith the right !oot you $i%% "ake
a talho attack !ro" %o$ to high# co"ing to ready a
thrust over the right ar"# $hich you $i%% give
re"oving the right !oot back$ard to$ards $here
you started the ru%e# and ne,t you $i%% ready a thrust
such that the po""e% is on the right shou%der# $hich
you $i%% give "oving the right !oot !or$ard. nd
$ith the !ace turned you $i%% start the ru%e again in
the other direction i! necessary# $ith the sa"e
postures# b%o$s# steps# and thrusts that have been
sho$n.
32
"
)his ru%e is ca%%ed the &ady 8uard# presu"ing
that she hides behind your shou%ders# and you $ish
to de!end her. Tou $i%% p%ace the body sIuare $ith
the co"pass o! the !eet a %itt%e $ide# and you $i%%
give a talho "oving the %e!t !oot one pa%" $idth
!or$ard# %ooking in the direction the montante
goes# and stopping $ith in in !ront o! the !ace< and
you $i%% give a re#ez "oving the right !oot the
sa"e $ay# and a talho "oving the %e!t !oot# and
then a re#ez "oving the right !oot according to the
sa"e theory. )hen you $i%% give a talho $hi%e
standing sti%% and a re#ez re"oving the right !oot#
and a talho re"oving the %e!t !oot# and another
re#ez re"oving the right !oot. Here cou%d co"e
into p%ay the t$o talhos and t$o re#ezes that are
given $hi%e standing sti%% and $ith the %e!t ar"
he%d !ir"%y against the body# $hich are co""on%y
ca%%ed F%y6S$atter and be%ong to the thirteenth
co"posed ru%e.
"
Tou $i%% p%ant the body sIuare and you $i%%
give a talho !or$ard "oving the %e!t !oot !or$ard
and ang%ed to the %e!t side# and !ro" there you $i%%
turn to ready a thrust over the right ar" that you
$i%% give $ith a step o! the right !oot to$ards the
right side a%ong the diagona% o! the sIuare. Fro"
there you $i%% give a talho %ike the !irst "oving the
%e!t !oot a%ong the %e!t diagona%# and you $i%% give a
re#ez !ro" %o$ to high# "oving the right !oot a%ong
the right diagona%# and in a "anner that !ro" it you
prepare a thrust over the %e!t ar"# $hich you $i%%
give it to the %e!t side "oving the %e!t !oot a%ong the
%e!t diagona%# then you $i%% turn to give a re#ez !ro"
%o$ to high "oving the right !oot a%ong the right
diagona%. Tou $i%% undo this ru%e re"oving the
right !oot $ith a talho readying a thrust over the
right ar"# that you $i%% give $hi%e standing sti%%# and
$hi%e standing sti%% another talho# and then a re#ez
%aunching out$ards the %e!t !oot to ready a thrust
over the %e!t ar" $hich you $i%% give $hi%e standing
sti%%# and then a%so $hi%e standing sti%% a re#ez# and a
talho %aunching out$ards the right !oot# and a re#ez
re"oving the %e!t !oot.
"I
)his ru%e is ca%%ed 8a%%ey 8ang$ay# and you
do it giving !or$ard a horiDonta% talho $hi%e
standing sti%%# and another putting in the right !oot
stopping $ith the montante in !ront o! the !ace
$ith the !eet in the sa"e position as at the start o!
the ru%e. .e,t you $i%% give a horiDonta% re#ez
$hi%e standing sti%%# and another putting in the
right !oot. )hen $ith the %e!t !oot !or$ard# you
$i%% ready a thrust on the right shou%der# that you
$i%% have to give "oving the right !oot a%ong the
gang$ay# such that you end up !acing the other
direction# and you $i%% start the ru%e in the
opposite direction.
"I
Tou $i%% p%ace the right !oot !or$ard# and you
$i%% give a horiDonta% talho to$ards the %e!t side#
"oving the %e!t !oot !or$ard# and you $i%% co"e to
ready a thrust over the right ar"# $hich you $i%%
give "oving !or$ard the right !oot< then you $i%%
give another horiDonta% talho %ike the !irst "oving
the %e!t !oot !or$ard and another thrust %ike the !irst
"oving the right !oot !or$ard $ith it. )hen you
$i%% put in the %e!t !oot $ith a circ%ing horiDonta%
re#ez# $hich you $i%% give $hi%e standing sti%%# and
!ro" it you $i%% give a talho "oving the %e!t !oot#
and starting the ru%e in the other direction# $ith the
sa"e "ove"ents a%ready "entioned.
"II
)his ru%e serves to !ight $ith peop%e in !ront
and behind# and thus you $i%% give a talho $ith the
contrary !oot# $hich is the %e!t# readying a thrust
over the right ar"# $hich you $i%% give $hi%e
standing sti%%. )hen you $i%% put in the %e!t !oot
$ith a re#ez# and a!ter circ%ing through the right
side $ith it# you $i%% give a talho $hi%e standing
sti%%# readying in the sa"e "anner as the !irst
"II
Tou $i%% p%ace the body sIuare# and you $i%%
give a talho "oving the %e!t !oot a %itt%e !or$ard#
acco"panied by the right !oot such that the stance is
"oderate# and you $i%% ready a thrust over the right
ar"# $hich you $i%% give "oving the right !oot
a%ong the %ine o! in!inity on the right side#
acco"panying it $ith the %e!t. )hen you $i%% put in
the %e!t !oot $ith a circ%ing re#ez# and you $i%% give
35
another thrust# and a!ter giving it $hi%e standing
sti%%# you $i%% again put in the %e!t !oot $ith a
re#ez# and you $i%% !o%%o$ the ru%e starting $ith
the talho# "oving a%$ays over the right !oot $hen
turning around.
a talho $hi%e standing sti%%# and another re"oving
the %e!t !oot back$ard# and another "oving !or$ard
the right !oot. )hen you $i%% ready a thrust over the
right ar"# $hich you $i%% give "oving !or$ard the
%e!t !oot# and a circ%ing re#ez re"oving back$ard
the right !oot< and $hen circ%ing a%$ays "ove
!or$ard the %e!t !oot# and i! necessary you can start
the ru%e again as described.
"III
)his ru%e is ca%%ed the C%oak 8uard# because it
is used to de!end one $ho has !a%%en to the ground
or $ho has de%iberate%y cast the"se%ves at your
!eet so as not to hinder you. Tou $i%% p%ant the
body in a $ide stance# and give a talho $hi%e
standing sti%%# then another putting in the right
!oot# and another again putting in the sa"e right
!oot# $a%king %ike a scre$ over the %e!t. Tou $i%%
undo the ru%e by giving a re#ez $hi%e standing
sti%%# another putting in the %e!t !oot and another
a%so putting in the sa"e %e!t !oot. For the re#ezes
you $i%% "ove a%$ays over the right !oot# $hich
you $i%% not re"ove !ro" its p%ace# %ike$ise $ith
the %e!t $hen you give the talhos# $hich then
serves as an a,is !or the body.
"III
)his co"posed ru%e is done in the sa"e "anner
as the si"p%e# on%y a!ter you give the !irst three
talhos turning about the %e!t !oot# $ith the body
stopped and !ir"# you "ust add a circ%ing re#ez and
a circ%ing talho# and successive%y another re#ez and
talho a%so circ%ing %ike F%y6S$atter. nd at the end
o! the three re#ezes that you give turning about the
right !oot# add again a circ%ing talho and a circ%ing
re#ez# and successive%y another talho and another
re#ez# $ith the %e!t hand %o$ and against the body to
be "ore !ir"# and so the b%o$s $i%% be e,ecuted
$ith "ore !orce.
"I!
)his ru%e serves against thro$n $eapons# or
against ha!ted $eapons !or t$o hands. 1%anting
the body !ir" $ith the montante in obtuse posture#
the body a %itt%e inc%ined# and ready to give a talho
on the $eapon that is hur%ed at you or that is thrust
at you# you $i%% de!%ect it to the %e!t side. )hen
giving a %arge ju"p $hi%e turning around# another
talho that reaches the person $ho thre$ it< or e%se
de!%ect $ith a re#ez# according to $hich side the
opposing $eapon is ai"ed# to give another re#ez
$ith another ju"p $ith the body turning around
and "aking a circ%e# in such a "anner that you
o!!end the adversary $ith a b%o$.
"I!
)his ru%e has t$o universa% postures# the !irst is
to p%ace the body sIuare $ith the right !oot in !ront#
the montante in obtuse ang%e a%ong the right
diagona%# such that the right hand rests in !ront o!
the be%t to de!%ect the thrust ai"ed at the %e!t breast
$ith a talho# and i""ediate%y another $ith a ju"p#
as described in the si"p%e ru%e# and !inish $ith a
re#ez< or a!ter you de!%ect $ith the !irst talho# ready
the thrust over the right ar" and give it "oving the
%e!t !oot !or$ard and then the right# and !inish
putting in the %e!t !oot $ith a re#ez. )he second
posture is to p%ace the right !oot !or$ard# and the
montante in obtuse ang%e a%ong the %e!t diagona% to
de!%ect by re#ez the thrusts ai"ed at the right side#
and successive%y give another re#ez $ith the ju"p
as described in the si"p%e ru%e< or e%se a!ter
de!%ecting the thrust $ith the re#ez# to ready the
thrust $ith the po""e% on the right shou%der# $hich
you $i%% give "oving the %e!t !oot !or$ard !o%%o$ed
by the right# and then !inish putting in the %e!t !oot
$ith the re#ez. 'n the !irst posture# i! the
adversaryEs b%o$ is ai"ed be%o$ the be%t# you $i%%
3(
de!%ect it $ith the montante "oving in acute ang%e
a%ong the %e!t diagona%# shi!ting the body $ith a
"oderate step a%ong the %ine o! in!inity to$ards the
right side# and %etting !a%% the montante to the %e!t
side $ith the hands e,changed# you $i%% put in
successive%y the %e!t !oot# and !o%%o$ing it the right
!oot $ith an alti2axo to ready the thrust over the
right ar"# and give it "oving the %e!t !oot !or$ard#
to !inish giving an alti2axo re#ez.
"!
)his ru%e serves to separate peop%e $ho are
!ighting. Tou $i%% p%ace the body a%"ost sIuare
$ith the %e!t !oot a %itt%e !or$ard# and you $i%% give
a talho to the %e!t side !ro" %o$ to high# ending
$ith the montante e,tended in !ront o! the !ace#
and "oving the right !oot !or$ard< then you $i%%
give a re#ez !ro" %o$ to high# to the right side
putting in the %e!t !oot# such that the montante
again ends in !ront o! the !ace. Tou $i%% proceed
giving a talho in the sa"e "anner as the !irst# and
a re#ez in the sa"e "ethod as the !irst# and then a
talho "oving the right !oot# such that the body
ends up !acing to$ards the %e!t side# and
successive%y another talho turning the body to
$here you started the ru%e putting in the right !oot#
and ending $ith the montante in !ront o! the !ace
on the %e!t side. Tou $i%% continue in the sa"e
$ay you began# i! necessary.
"!
Tou $i%% p%ace the body $ith the %e!t !oot
!or$ard# and you $i%% give a talho !ro" %o$ to high
"oving the right !oot !or$ard# bringing the
montante to stop high in !ront o! the head on the %e!t
side# in obtuse %ine a%ong the diagona%# and !ro"
there you $i%% give an alti2axo a%ong the sa"e %e!t
side circ%ing the montante by the %e!t shou%der< !ro"
there you $i%% give a re#ez !ro" %o$ to high to the
right side "oving the %e!t !oot !or$ard and ending
$ith the montante high a%ong the right diagona% in
an obtuse %ine# then !ro" there you $i%% give an
alti2axo circ%ing the montante $ith the right ar".
)hen you $i%% again give a talho %ike the !irst $ith
your alti2axo in the sa"e !or"# and a re#ez %ike the
!irst $ith your alti2axo o! the sa"e "ethod# and
"oving the !eet in the sa"e "anner as the !irst
steps< and $anting to turn about you $i%% give a
talho putting in the right !oot# and another talho
again putting in the right !oot to$ards the side !ro"
$hich you began the ru%e# and begin it again $ith
the !ace turned as at the beginning.
"!I
)his ru%e is !or !ighting in a $ide road $ith
peop%e in !ront and behind. Tou $i%% give a talho
!ro" behind $hi%e standing sti%% and another
!or$ard putting in the right !oot# readying the
thrust over the right ar"# $hich you $i%% give
!or$ard $hi%e standing sti%%. )hen sensing peop%e
behind# you $i%% ready !ro" the thrust that you
gave another $ith the po""e% o! the montante on
the right shou%der# $hich you $i%% give putting in
the right !oot to$ard the direction !ro" $here you
started the ru%e. )his gives rise to a re#ez $hich
you $i%% give putting in the %e!t !oot# and circ%ing
$ith the montante you $i%% re"ove the right !oot#
and you $i%% start the ru%e again.
"!I
Tou $i%% p%ant your %e!t !oot !or$ard and you
$i%% give a talho raising the montante over the head
to co"e to circ%e on the right side and you $i%% give
it $hi%e standing sti%%< and then another talho putting
in the right !oot and another re"oving back$ard the
%e!t !oot. )hen you $i%% ready a thrust over the right
ar"# $hich you $i%% give $hi%e standing sti%%# and
another thrust $ith the po""e% on the right
shou%der $hich you $i%% give "oving the right !oot
!or$ard. )hen the %e!t !oot $i%% go $ith the re#ez#
$hich you $i%% give re"oving back$ard the right
!oot# and another re#ez "oving the %e!t !oot !or$ard#
!ro" $hich $i%% originate a thrust over the %e!t ar"
$hich you $i%% give $hi%e standing sti%%# and !ro"
that a re#ez re"oving back$ard the right !oot#
3+
ending in the !irst state in $hich you began the ru%e#
and so you "ay proceed again# i! necessary.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
)hese 1ractices o! the Montante are training !or the rea% thing# !or these thirty6t$o ru%es $i%% not on%y
!aci%itate a%% the "ove"ents o! the body# but in a "anner they $i%% cu%tivate an agi%ity eIua% to a natura% one in a%%
!ights. Fne $ho is $e%% e,ercised in the" cou%d never !ind strange the p%ace o! the !ight or the opposing ar"s#
or even %ess the nu"ber o! adversaries# assu"ing he has va%or# ski%%# and !itting strength !or the montante. *ith
the ad"onition that no s$ords"an necessari%y shou%d do this or that ru%e# but rather he shou%d take !ro" the" a%%
$hat he best understands and that serves hi" to de!eat his adversaries# %inking one ru%e to another $ith such
prudence that neither haste $i%% con!use the "e"ory he shou%d have o! the"# nor %ack o! vigor reduce the
activity $ith $hich he shou%d per!or" the".
nd to better achieve this per!ection in practice# it is necessary that the s$ords"an kno$s ?as a universa%
ru%e@ that a%% the b%o$s o! the montante have to be given such that the body is steady at the end o! the natura%
"ove"ent# $hich is the one used !or o!!ense# and the "eans o! e,ecution# because i! the body is "oved ?since
this $eapon is used $ith t$o hands# and thus reIuires you to app%y a certain !orce because o! its $eight@ you
cou%d dangerous%y !a%%# either !or not being $e%% and !ir"%y p%anted# or by "issing# due to a de!%ection# the object
to $hich you directed the e!!ect.
%so you shou%d kno$ that a%% the thrusts $hich are readied over the right ar" originate !ro" the end o!
talhos< and !ro" re#ezes a%% that are readied over the %e!t ar"# and a%so !ro" re#ezes a%% those that are !or"ed
$ith the po""e% on the right shou%der.
nd that !ro" the thrusts readied over the right ar" can a%so originate those that are readied on the right
shou%der# and originate the re#ezes putting in the %e!t !oot or the talhos re"oving it. nd !ro" the thrusts that are
readied over the %e!t ar" can originate those that are readied over the right ar"# or the talhos putting in the right
!oot# or the sa"e talhos re"oving the %e!t !oot# and a%so the re#ezes !ro" %o$ to high re"oving the sa"e %e!t
!oot. nd that u%ti"ate%y !ro" talhos are born other talhos# and !ro" re#ezes other re#ezes# and !ro" these#
talhos< and !ro" talhos# re#ezes( %% o! this is he%ped by the steps "ade $ith the !eet# so as not to create "ishap
during the transition !ro" one ru%e to another $hen it "atters# initiating at the end o! any ru%e# be it si"p%e or
co"posed# the one you $ish to per!or" ne,t. nd $ith these ad"onitions $hich you shou%d keep in "ind# !ro"
a%% these thirty6t$o ru%es you can $eave together one as genera% proo! o! the per!ection o! so e,ce%%ent# grace!u%#
and superior a $eapon as the montante.
3-
Memorial
Da Prattica do Montante
+ue inclue dezaseis regras simples, e dezaseis compostas
Dado em Alcantara
Ao Serenissimo Principe Dom Theodozio ,& Ds& G&
de
Pello Mestre de -ampo
Diogo Gomes de %igue!redo, seu Mestre
.a ciencia das Armas
/m '( de Ma!o de ')*'
+egras sim!lez +egras com!ostas
I
Esta pri"eyra regra he a Iue "ais descobre o
ayroso do Montante# e Iue" be" a obrar se pode
pro"eter conseguir os ter"os de todas# e assy se
porH o corpo direyto co" o pP esIuerdo diante# o
Montante co" a ponta no chNo# to"ado na cruD
co" a "No dereyta co" o dedo po%egar para ba,o
e se tocarH para diante co" o pP dereyto# tornando
o a assentar# e se darH hY ta%ho por detras# de ba,o
para si"a# "etendo no "es"o ser para diante o pP
dereyto# e parando co" o "ontante e" postura
recta de!ronte do rosto. E da%i se tirarH para dar hY
reveD cortanto por detras co" o outro gu"e do
Montante# e de ba,o para si"a# e no "es"o ser
"etendo o pP esIuerdo diante# e parando ta"be"
co" o "ontante de!ronte do rosto. E des!aDerseha
a regra tirando para tras o pP esIuerdo co" hY
ta%ho igua% ao pri"eyro# e o pP direyto co" hY
reveD# e advirtasse Iue se ha o corpo de virar
se"pre para a parte por onde corta o Montante# no
!i" da regra se dH a pP Iuedo hY ta%ho para o
ho"bro esIuerdo e hua vo%ta ao Montante para o
tornar a por co" a ponta no chNo co"o ao
principo# e este re"atte terNo todas as regras
!aDendosse co" o "ontante negro.
I
)odas as regras brigadas sNo contraponto das
si"p%eD e estas o !unda"ento das co"postas# e assi
p%antado o corpo co" o pP esIuerdo diante se darH
hY ta%ho de ba,o para si"a# a Iue aco"panharH o pe
dereyto diante# parando co" o "ontante de!ronte do
rosto# e %ogo se dey,arH cair o Montante pe%a parte
dereyta para dar hY a%taba,o "etendo o pP
esIuerdo# e da parte donde veo o Montante a parar
se darH hY ta%ho de ba,o para si"a aco"panhandoo
o pP direyto# Iue se "eterH para diante parando co"
o "ontante de!ronte da cara. E %ogo se darH hY reveD
deba,o para si"a aco"panhando o co" o pP
esIuerdo# Iue se "eterH para diante parando co" o
Montante de!ronte da cara# e %ogo se dey,arH cair o
"ontante pe%%a parte esIuerda cruDando o braOo
deryeto sobre o esIuerdo# e se darH hY a%taba,o de
reveD "etendo para diante o pP dereyto# e da parte
donde !icou o "ontante se darH hY reveD de ba,o
para si"a# aco"panhado do pP esIuerdo Iue se
"eterH diante# e parando co" o Montante de!ronte
da cara. E %ogo se des!arH a regra co" os "es"os
go%pes# acOZes# e co"paOos# saindo para traD atP por
o corpo co"o se principiou a regra.
II
1orseha o corpo co" o pP esIuerdo diante# e
"etendo o pP direyto se darH hY ta%ho# desorte Iue
!iIue o "ontante co" a ponta para diante co" as
"Nos a%tas de!ronte dos o%hos# e %ogo "etendo
pri"eyro o pP esIuerdo se darH hY reveD< e tirando
para tras o "es"o pP esIuerdo se dara hY ta%ho#
II
&evantarseha o Montante co" a ponta para
diante de!ronte da ore%ha direyta co" o pP esIuerdo
diante< e %ogo se "eterH diante o pP direyto# e no
"es"o te"po se darH hY ta%ho por diante traDendo a
situar o Montante a%to de !ronte do rosto para o
passar por si"a da cabeOa as espa%das de sorte Iue
34
parando ta"be" co" o Montante a%to# e tirando o
pP direyto se darH hY reveD# e hY ta%ho ao ho"bro#
e vo%ta ao Montante.
caya sobre o braOo esIuerdo para dar hY reveD
cingido# e %ogo hY ta%ho de "aneyra Iue se torne a
situar o "ontante a%to de!ronte do rosto# e da%i#
"etendo pri"eyro diante o pP esIuerdo# se darH hY
reveD por diante situando o "ontante a%to co" a
ponta para diante# e passandoo por si"a da cabeOa
se darH hY ta%ho cingido e hY reveD tornando a situar
o "ontante co"o se co"eOou a regra# Iue se des!arH
na "aneyra seguinteB tirarseha pri"eyro o pP
esIuerdo e se darH hY ta%ho por diante# a situar o
Montante co" a ponta para diante de!ronte do rosto#
e %ogo hY ta%ho# e hY reveD cingido# e tornar a situar
o "ontante na "es"a parte# e %ogo se tirarH o pP
direyto para tras co" hY reveD por diante Iue pararH
situando o "ontante a%to# e %ogo hY ta%ho e hY reveD
cingido# tornando a por o "ontante co"o se
co"eOou a regra.
III
1%antarseha o corpo co" o pP esIuerdo diante#
e se darH hY ta%ho por detraD a pP Iuedo# e outro
por diante "etendo o pP direyto< %ogo hY reveD por
detraD a pP Iuedo# o outro por diante "etendo o pe
esIuerdo# e des!aDerseha a regra co" hY ta%ho por
detras a pP Iuedo# e outro por diante tirando o
"es"o pP esIuerdo# e %ogo hY reveD por detraD a
pP Iuedo# e outro por diante tirando o pP direyto#
para !icar co"o se principiou a regra.
III
Serve esta regra para %evar os contrarios por
diante. 1rincipiasse dando hY ta%ho a pP Iuedo por
detras e outro por diante "etendo o pP direyto
ar"ando a estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue ser
darH para diante a pP Iuedo# "etendosse %ogo o pP
esIuerdo co" hY reveD# e hY" e outro ta%hos
sucessivos para a parte dereyta# "etendo o pP
esIuerdo# e %ogo o dereyto# e proseguir a regra
tornando a ar"ar a "es"a estocada# indo para
diante o Iue !or necessario atP acabar co" os
contrarios.
I!
1orseha o corpo co" o pP esIuerdo diante# e
se darH a pP Iuedo hu" ta%ho por detras# e outro
por diante "etendo o pP dereyto# ar"ando hYa
estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH a pP
Iuedo# e %ogo se "eterH o pP esIuerdo co" hY
reveD# e tirando para tras este "es"o pP esIuerdo
co" hY ta%ho# se ar"arH outra estocada Iue se darH
a pP Iuedo# e tirando para tras o pP dereyto se darH
hY reveD para !icar no estado e" Iue se co"eOou a
regra.
I!
He esta regra para brigar co" gente por detraD e
por diante# obrasse dando hY ta%ho por detras co" o
pP contrario Iue he o esIuerdo# e outro por diante
"etendo o pP direyto# ar"ando a estocada sobre o
braOo direyto Iue se darH para tras tornando a tirar o
pP diretyo# e irH %ogo o pP esIuerdo co" hY reveD
virando o corpo para onde se deu a estocada e %ogo
se darH hY ta%ho por diante co" o "es"o pP
contrario# e outro "etendo o pP dereyto ar"ando a
"es"o estocada# Iue se darH co" o pP dereyto para
traD# e sucessiva"ente hu" reveD entrando co" o pP
esIuerdo# e entNo os dous ta%hos co"eOando outra
veD co" o pP contrario# con!or"e a oposiONo Iue se
!iDer ao Iue tras o Montante.
3/
!
r"arseha hYa estocada sobre a braOo
esIuerdo p%antado o corpo co" o pP direyto de
tras# e depois de retirar a pP Iuedo# "etendo o pP
direyto diante se darH hY ta%ho !or"ando do !i"
dEe%%e outra estocada sobre o braOo dereyto< e %ogo
se "eterH o pP esIuerdo co" hY reveD# e a pP
Iuedo se darH outra estocada ar"andoa sobre o
braOo esIuerdo ?Iue ne%%e se !or"No todas as Iue
nace" dos reveDes@ e sairseha co" o pP esIuerdo
para tras co" hY ta%ho# nascendo de%%e outra
estocada Iue se darH a pP Iuedo ?e todas as Iue se
!or"are" dos ta%hos se ar"No sobre o braOo
dereyto@ e saindo co" o pP dereyto se darH hY
reveD# para !icar o corpo co"o no principio da
regra.
!
1osto o corpo IuaDi pro!i%ado co" o pP
esIuerdo diante# se ar"arH hYa estocada sobre o
braOo esIuerdo# Iue se darH estando !ir"e co" o
co"paOo# e hY ta%ho por detras a pP Iuedo# e outro
por diante "etendo o pP dereyto# ar"ando a
estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH a pP
Iuedo# e assi hY reveD por detras e outro por diante
"etendo o pP esIuerdo# ar"ando a estocada para
sair co" hY ta%ho por detras e outro por diante
tirando o pP esIuerdo de Iue nacerH outra estocada
e acabarseha co" hY reveD por detras# e outro por
diante tirando o pP dereyto.
!I
Esta regra se cha"a a ;ata%ha do Montante< e
he sR hYa entrada do Iue se pode obrar topandosse
co" outro# para o Iue se darH hY ta%ho por detras a
pP Iuedo# e outro "etendo o pP dereyto para !icar
e" postura# e co" e%%a se irH se"pre partindo para
o contrario# e desviando de reveD o "ontante
contrario pe%a parte de !ora ajudado de hY
co"paOo Iue se darH para diante se darH de ta%ho#
na perna "ais chegada reco%hendo outra veD o
co"paOo# e indo assi partindo se tornarH a desviar
pe%a "es"a parte para dar hY go%pe de ta%ho no
braOo dereyto do contrario reco%hendo outra veD o
co"paco dos pPs# advertindo Iue todos estes
desvios de reveD se !aDe" co" o !io !a%so.
!I
inda Iue raras veDes se encontra hY "ontante
co" outro# para Iuando succeda# se deve va%er o
Iue tiver o "ontante do conheci"ento da natureDa
de todos os "ovi"entos# assi dos co"paOos dos pPs
co"o dos go%pes do "ontante# Iue se a%canONo pe%%a
subordinaONo Iue te" a todos os "ovi"entos da
espada# para conhecer por estes a ca%idade
daIue%%es# sua !raIueDa ou "ayoria# sR co" hYa
di!erenOa Iue todos os desvios# ata%hos e
aco"eti"entos do "ontante hNo de ser ajudados
co" os "ovi"entos do corpo# con!or"e o contrario
se dispuDer para obrar# e" raDNo do "ayor i"pu%so#
Iue pede" os go%pes do "ontante# e esta
genera%idade basta para Iue" tiver conheci"ento da
verdadeyra destreDa da espada# Iue he o !unda"ento
de todas as ar"as inventadas.
!II
Serve esta regra para deter gente e" hYa rua e
i"peder Iue nNo passe de hYa parte para a outra.
7asse hY ta%ho por diante para a parte donde estH a
gente# co" hY co"paOo para diante de "odo Iue
se atravesse a rua# e indo andando ao %ancar o
"es"o pP se darH outro ta%ho na con!or"idade do
pri"eyro# e para a "es"a parte se virarH tornando
a atravessar a rua dando hY reveD co" o pP
dereyto# e co" o "es"o pP segundando co"
outro< e se a rua !or %arga para a aver de to"ar
toda# se darNo pe%o "es"o "odo# "ais reveDes# ou
"ais ta%hos.
!II
7arseha hY ta%ho co" o pP esIuerdo deba,o
para si"a# e hY reveD ta"be" para a "es"a parte e
deba,o para si"a "etendo o pP dereyto# e %ogo
outro ta%ho e reveD da "es"a "aneyra# e se"pre
pararH o "ontante de!ronte do rosto< e se se IuiDer
virar para a "es"a parte donde se co"eOou a regra
terH ?depois de dar o u%ti"o ta%ho@ de dar para a
"es"a parte hY reveD co" o pP deryto# e %ogo o
ta%ho co" o pP esIuerdo# e e" cada co"paOo se ha
de dar hY go%pe# se"pre deba,o para si"a
a%ternativa"ente ta%ho e reveD# atP Iue a gente se
detenha.
39
!III
Esta regra serve para contra Aode%yeros< e assi
se darH a pP Iuedo hY ta%ho por detras Iuebrando o
corpo# e outro por diante "etendo o pP dereyto e
cingindo co" o "ontante de "aneyra Iue !iIue o
rosto virado para a parte donde se deu o pri"eyro
ta%ho# e %ogo dando hY reveD a pP Iuedo e outro
"etendo o pP esIuerdo cingindosse para a parte
dereyta co" o "ontante# e co" o rosto para onde
!icou a pri"eyra veD. E des!aDerseha saindo co"
hY ta%ho e outro tirando o pP esIuerdo e tornando a
cingir# e co" hY reveD e outro tirando o pP
dereyto# e %ogo se darH hY ta%ho por detras a pP
Iuedo# e outro "etendo o pP dereyto# e outro
tirando pe%%as costas o pP esIuerdo# e hY reveD a
pP Iuedo e outro "etendo o pP dereyto# e outra
tirando o "es"o pP dereyto e" vo%ta por detras#
cujos u%ti"os go%pes sNo da regra deci"a se,ta
brigada# Iue despois de dados se pode ta"be"
"eter nesta regra a deci"a Iuarta singe%%a.
!III
7arseha hY ta%ho por diante "etendo o pP
esIuerdo# e outro "etendo o pP dereyto# e cingindo#
e hY reveD "etendo o pP dereyto# e outro "etendo o
"es"o pP dereyto e cingir< Hu" ta%ho "etendo o
pP esIuerdo# e outro "etendo o pP dereyto e cingir#
hY reveD "etendo o pP dereyto# e outro "etendo o
pP esIuerdo# e cingir# hY ta%ho "etendo o pP
esIuerdo# e outro "etendo o pP dereyto# e outro
succescivo "etendo o "es"o pP dereyto para virar
Iuando se Iuerya vo%tar para a outra parte#
co"eOando de novo a regra co" os co"paOos
%argos# e apreOados.
I"
Serve esta regra para brigar e" rua estreyta#
7ispoe" se dando hY ta%ho deba,o para si"a
"etendo diante o pP dereyto# e %ogo dey,ando cair
o "ontante pe%%a "es"a parte deryeta se darH por
e%%a hY a%tiba,o# para vir a situar hYa estocada co"
a "aON" do "ontante no ho"bro dereyto Iue se
darH "etendo o pP dereyto# e co"eOarseha de novo
a regra co" o rosto para a outra parte# co" os
"es"os go%pes atP tornar a virar se !or necessario.
I"
7arsehH pondo o corpo per!i%ado co" o pP
esIuerdo diante hY ta%ho de bai,o para si"a
"etendo o pP contrario Iue he o dereyto# e %ogo
co" pP contrario Iue entNo serH o esIuerdo hY
reveD# e co" o pP dereyto se !arH deba,o para si"a
hY aco"eti"ento de ta%ho# para vir a situar hYa
estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH
tirandosse para tras o pP dereyto para donde se
co"eOou a regra# e despois se ar"arH hYa estocada
de "odo Iue !iIue a "aOa" do "ontante no
ho"bro dereyto# Iue se darH "etendo o pP dereyto
para diante# e co" o rosto virado se tornarH a
principiar a regra para a outra parte se necessario
!or# co" as "es"as posturas# go%pes# co"paOos# e
estocadas Iue se te" "ostrado.
"
Esta regra se cha"a a guarda 7a"a#
supondosse Iue anda pegada Hs espa%das de Iue"
te" o "ontante# e a Iuer de!ender. Se porH o corpo
e" coadro co" o co"paOo dos pPs hY pouco
%argo# e se dara hY ta%ho "etendo para diante hY
pa%"o o pP esIuerdo# vendo por donde vay o
"ontante# e parando co" e%%e diante do rosto# e
darseha hY reveD "etendo na "es"a !or"a o pP
dereyto# e hY ta%ho "etendo o pP esIuerdo# e %ogo
hY reveD "etendo pe%%o "es"o teor o pP dereyto<
"
1%antarsehH o corpo e" coadrado e se darH hY
ta%ho por diante "etendo o pP esIuerdo para diante
inc%inado [ parte esIuerda# e de%%e se virH a ar"ar
hYa estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH co"
hY co"paOo co" o pP dereyto para a parte dereyta
pe%%a diagona% do coadrado# e de%%a se darH hY ta%ho
co"o o pri"eyro "etendo o pP esIuerdo pe%%a
diagona% esIuerda# e se darH hY reveD de ba,o para
si"a# "etendo o pP dereyto pe%%a diagona% dereyta# e
de "aneyra Iue de%%e se situe hYa estocada sobre o
20
e entNo se darH hY ta%ho a pP Iuedo# e hY reveD
tirando o pP dereyto# e hu" ta%ho tirando o pP
esIuerdo# e outro reveD tirando o pP dereyto. Iui
pode" entrar os dous ta%hos e dous reveDes Iue se
dNo a pP Iuedo# co" o braOo esIuerdo !ir"e ao
corpo# e junto de%%e os Iuaes vu%gar"ente cha"No
dabana"osca e pertence" a regra deci"a terceyra
co"posta.
braOo esIuerdo# e se dU para a parte esIuerda
"etendo o pP esIuerdo pe%%a diagona% esIuerda# e se
tornarH a dar hY reveD de ba,o para si"a "etendo o
pP dereyto pe%%a diagona% dereyta# E se des!arH a
regra tirando o pP dereyto co" hY ta%ho ar"ando a
estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH a pP
Iuedo# e a pP Iuedo outro ta%ho# e %ogo hY reveD
%anOando !ora o pP esIuerdo para ar"ar a estocada
sobre o braOo esIuerdo Iue se darH a pP Iuedo# e
%ogo ta"be" a pP Iuedo hY reveD e hY ta%ho
%anOando !ora o pP dereyto# e hY reveD tirando o pP
esIuerdo.
"I
esta regra se cha"a co,ia de ga%P# e !asse
dandosse por diante hY ta%ho oriDonta% a pP Iuedo#
e outro "etendo o pP dereyto parando co" o
"ontante de!ronte do rosto !icando co" os pPs
co"o se co"eOou a regra# e entNo se darH hY reveD
a pP Iuedo ta"be" oriDonta%# e outro "etendo o
pP dereyto e Iue !iIue o esIuerdo diante# e
ar"arseha hYa estocada no ho"bro dereyto# Iue se
ha de dar "etendo o pP dereyto pe%%a co,ia# para
se !icar virando o rosto para a outra parte# e
principiarseha a regra pe%%o outro %ado.
"I
1orsehH o pP dereyto diante# e darseha hY ta%ho
oriDonta% para a parte esIuerda# "etendo o pP
esIuerdo para diante# e virseha a ar"ar a estocada
sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH "etendo para
diante o pP dereyto# e %ogo se darH outro ta%ho
oriDonta% co"o o pri"eyro "etendo o pP esIuerdo
para diante# e outra estocada se"e%hante H pri"eyra
"etendo co" e%%a para diante o pP dereyto# e %ogo
"etendo o pP esIuerdo co" hY reveD oriDonta%
cingido# Iue se darH a pP Iuedo# e de%%e hY ta%ho
"etendo o pP esIuerdo# e co"eOando a regra para a
outra parte# co" os "es"os "ovi"entos Iue estNo
ditos.
"II
Serve esta regra para brigar co" gente por
detras e por diante# e assi se darH hY ta%ho co" o
pP contrario Iue he o esIuerdo ar"ando hYa
estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH a pP
Iuedo# e "etendo o pP esIuerdo co" hY reveD
despois de cingir co" e%%e a parte dereyta se darH a
pP Iuedo hY ta%ho# ar"ando na "es"a
con!or"idade Iue a pri"eyra outra estocada# Iue
despois de se dar a pP Iuedo# se "eterH outra veD o
pP esIuerdo co" hY reveD# e seguirseha a regra
principiandosse co" o ta%ho# andando se"pre
sobre o pP dereyto ao redor.
"II
1orseha o corpo e" coadro# e se darH hY ta%ho
"etendo para diante hY pouco o pP esIuerdo# o Iue
aco"panharH o pP dereyto# para Iue o co"paOo seja
"oderado# e ar"arseha hYa estocada sobre o braOo
dereyto# Iue se darH "etendo o pP dereyto pe%%a
%inha in!inita do %ado dereyto# aco"panhandoo o
esIuerdo# e %ogo se "eterH o pP esIuerdo# co" hY
reveD cingido# e se darH hY ta%ho a pP Iuedo# e outro
tirando o pP esIuerdo para tras# e outro "etendo
para diante o pP dereyto# e se ar"arH hYa estocada
sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH "etendo para
diante o pP esIuerdo co" hY reveD cingido# tirando
por detras o pP dereyto# e cingindo se"pre "etendo
para diante o pP esIuerdo# e se poderH sendo
necessario tornar a co"eOar a regra co"o se disse.
"III
Cha"asse esta regra a guarda capa# por Iue se
!aD para de!ender a Iue acaDo se %anOa no chNo# ou
de proposito por nNo e"baraOar se poe" aos pPs.
"III
Esta regra brigada he da "es"o "aneyra Iue a
singe%%a# sR se %he ha de acrecentar despois de se
dare" os tres pri"eyros ta%hos ao redor do pP
23
1%antasse o corpo co" o co"paOo %argo# e dasse
hY ta%ho a pP Iuedo# outro "etendo o pP dereyto# e
outro tornando a "eter o "es"o pP dereyto
andando co"o e" para!uDo sobre o esIuerdo# e
des!asse dandosse hY reveD a pP Iuedo# outro
"etendo o pP esIuerdo# e outro "etendo ta"be"
o "es"o pP esIuerdo. 1ara os reveDes se andarH
se"pre sobre o pP dereyto Iue nNo tirarH de hY
%ugar# co"o o dereyto Iuando se dere" os ta%hos
Iue entNo serve de ei,o ao corpo.
esIuerdo# co" o corpo parado e !ir"e hY reveD e hY
ta%ho cingidos# e suceciva"ente outro reveD e outro
ta%ho ta"be" cingidos co"o dabana"osca< e no
!i" dos tres reveDes Iue se darNo ao redor do pP
dereyto# acresentar outra veD cingidos hY ta%ho e hY
reveD# e sucesiva"ente outro ta%ho# e outro reveD#
co" a "No esIuerda ba,a e junto ao corpo para
estar "ais !ir"e# e sere" os go%pes e,ecutados co"
"ais !orsa.
"I!
Serve esta regra contra ar"as de arre"esso# ou
contra as de duas "Nos Iue te" hasteas. E assi"
p%antando o corpo !ir"e co" o "ontante e"
postura obtuDa# o corpo hY pouco inc%inado# e
pronto para dar hY ta%ho na ar"a Iue se arre"essa#
ou Iue ve" a dar o bote# desviandoo para o %ado
esIuerdo# e dando hY sa%to %argo e" vo%ta outro
ta%ho Iue a%cance na pessoa Iue atirou ou desviar
de reveD con!or"e o %ado a Iue se dirigir a ar"as
contraria para se dar outro reveD co" outro sa%to
co" o corpo e" redondo e !aDendo co"e e%%e
circu%o# e de "aneyra Iue se o!!enda o contrario
co" go%pe.
"I!
7uas posturas universaes te" esta regra# seja a
pri"eyra# p\r o corpo e" coadro co" o pP dereyto
diante o "ontante e" angu%o obtuso na diagona%
dereyta desorte Iue !iIue a "No dereyta de!ronte da
sintura para desviar o bote Iue se tirar ao peyto
esIuerdo co" hY ta%ho# e %ogo outro co" o sa%to
co"o se disse na regra si"p%es# e acabar co" hY
reveD< ou despois de se desviar co" o pri"eyro
ta%ho# ar"ar a estocada sobre o braOo dereyto e da%%a
"etendo diante o pP esIuerdo# e sucessiva"ente o
dereyto# e acabar "etendo o pP esIuerdo co" o
reveD< e a segunda postura seja p\r o pP dereyto
diante# e o "ontante e" angu%o obtuso pe%%a
diagona% esIuerda para desviar de reveD os botes
Iue se tirare" ao %ado dereyto# e successiva"ente
dar outro reveD co" o sa%to co"o !ica dito na regra
si"p%es# ou despois de desviar o bote co" o reveD
ar"ar a estocada co" a "aOa" no ho"bro dereyto#
Iue se darH "etendo o pP esIuerdo diante#
seguindoo co" outro co"paOo o pP dereyto# e %ogo
acabar "etendo o pP esIuerdo co" o reveD. .a
pri"eyra postura se o go%pe contrario !or tirado da
sintura para ba,o# se desviarH co" o "ontante
"etendoo e" angu%o agudo pe%%a diagona% esIuerda#
recurrando o corpo co" hY co"passo "oderado
pe%%a in!inita do %ado dereyto# e dei,ando cair o
"ontante para a parte esIuerda trocadas as "Nos se
"eterH seccessiva"ente o pP esIuerdo# e tras de%%e o
dereyto co" hu" a%tiba,o para ar"ar a estocada
sobre o braOo dereyto# e da%%a "etendo diante o pP
esIuerdo# para acabar dando hY a%tiba,o de reveD.
"!
Serve esta regra para apartar gente Iue anda
brigando# para o Iue se porH o corpo IuaDi e"
coadro cZ o pP esIuerdo hY pouco diante# e se darH
"!
1orseha o corpo co" o pP esIuerdo diante# e se
darH hY ta%ho deba,o para si"a "etendo o pP
dereyto diante# %evando o "ontante a parar a%to
22
hY ta%ho para a parte esIuerda deba,o para si"a#
!icando o "ontante de!ronte do rosto tendido# e
"etendo o pP dereyto diante# e %ogo se darH hY
reveD debay,o para si"a# para a parte dereyta
"etendo o pP esIuerdo de sorte Iue ta"be" !iIue
o "ontante de!ronte do rosto# e proseguirseha
dando hY ta%ho da "es"a "aneyra Iue o
pri"eyro# e hY reveD do "es"o "odo Iue o
pri"eyro# e %ogo hY ta%ho "etendo o pP dereyto#
de "aneyra Iue !iIue o corpo virado para a parte
esIuerda# e sucessiva"ente outro ta%ho virando o
corpo para onde se principiou a regra "etendo o
pP dereyto# e !icando o "ontante de!ronte de rosto
para a parte esIuerda# e se proseguirH na "es"a
con!or"idade Iue se co"eOou se !or necessario.
de!ronte da cabeOa para a parte esIuerda# e" %inha
obtusa pe%%a diagona%# e da%i se darH hY a%tiba,o
pe%%a "es"a parte esIuerda cingindo o "ontante ao
ho"bro esIuerdo# donde se darH hY reveD deba,o
para si"a para a parte dereyta "etendo diante o pP
esIuerdo e !icando o "ontante a%to na diagona%
dereyta e" angu%o obtuso# para da%i dar hY a%tiba,o
para vir a cingir o "ontante co" o braOo dereyto# e
se tornarH a dar hY ta%ho co"o o pri"eyro co" seu
a%tiba,o na "es"a !or"a# e hu" reveD co"o o
pri"eyro co" seu a%tiba,o do "es"o "odo# e
"etendo o pPs na propria con!or"idade dos
pri"eyros co"paOos# e Iuerendo virarse darH hY
ta%ho "etendo o pP dereyto# e outro ta%ho tornando a
"eter o pP dereyto para a parte donde se co"eOou a
regra# e co"eOa%%a co" o rosto virado co"o no
principio.
"!I
Serve esta regra para brigar e" hYa rua %arga
co" gente por detras o por diante# para o Iue se
darH hY ta%ho por detras a pP Iuedo e outro por
diante "etendo o pP dereyto ar"ando a estocada
sobre o braOo dereyto Iue se darH para diante a pP
Iuedo# e %ogo sentindo gente por detras se ar"arH
da estocada Iue se deu outra co" a "aOa" do
"ontante no ho"bro dereyto Iue se darH "etendo
o pP dereyto para a parte donde se co"eOou a
regra de Iue nacerH hY reveD "etendo o pP
esIuerdo# e cingindo co" o "ontante tirandosse
!ora o pP dereyto e se co"eOarH outra veD a regra.
"!I
1%antarseha o pP esIuerdo diante e se darH hY
ta%ho %evantando o "ontante por si"a da cabeOa
para vir a cingir pe%%o %ado dereyto e se darH a pP
Iuedo# e %ogo outro ta%ho "etendo o pP dereyto e
outro tirando por detras o pP esIuerdo# e ar"arseha
a estocada sobre o braOo dereyto# Iue se darH a pP
Iuedo# e outra estocada posta a "aOa" no ho"bro
dereyto Iue se darH "etendo para diante o pP
dereyto# e %ogo irH o pP esIuerdo co" o reveD# Iue
se darH tirando para tras o pP dereyto# e outro reveD
"etendo para diante o pP esIuerdo# de Iue nacerH
hYa estocada sobre o braOo esIuerdo Iue se darH a
pP Iuedo# e de%%a hY reveD tirando para tras o pe
dereyto !icando no pri"eyro estado e" Iue se
co"eOou a regra para se tornar a proseguir# se
necessario !or.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ensayo sNo estas 1ratticas do Montante para as veras# porIue nesta trinta e duas regras nNo sR se !aci%itNo
todos os "ovi"entos do corpo# "as de "aneyra %he habituNo hYa co"o natura% age%idade e" todas as bata%has#
Iue nNo poderH nunca o Iue !or be" e,ercitado ne%%as# estranhar ne" os %ugares da pe%%eja# ne" as ar"as
oppostas# e "enos o nu"ero dos contrarios tendo va%or# destreDa# e !orsas convinientes ao Montante. Co"
advertencia Iue ne"hu" destro preciDa"ente deve !aDer esta# ou aIue%%a regra# senNo# tirar de todas o Iue "ais
entender Iue %he serve para vencer os contrarios# co" ta% prudencia# encadeando hYas nas outras# Iue ne" a
pressa con!unda a "e"oria# Iue se deve ter de%%as# ne" a re"issNo des"aye a actividade co" Iue se deve"
obrar.
E para "e%hor se conseguir esta per!eyONo prattica# conve" Iue o destro sayba ?co"o regra universa%@ Iue
todos os go%pes do "ontante se hNo de dar# achando o corpo !ir"e no !i" do "ovi"ento natura%# Iue he o da
o!!ensa# e o ter"o da e,ecuONo# porIue se o corpo !or "ovido ?co"o esta ar"a he de duas "Nos# e se %he ap%ica
naIue%%e ponto particu%ar !orsa por sua gravidade@ pode perigosa"ente cair# ou por nNo estar be"# e !ir"e"ente
25
p%antado# ou por %he !a%tar co" Iua%Iuer desvio# o objeto aonde se dirigio o e!!eyto.
)a"be" se deve conhecer Iue todas as estocadas Iue se ar"No sobre o braOo dereyto nace" do !i" do
ta%hos< e do reveDes todas as Iue se ar"No sobre o braOo esIuerdo# e dos reveDes ta"be" todas as Iue se
IuiDere" !or"ar co" a "aOa" no ho"bro dereyto.
E Iue das estocadas Iue se ar"No sobre o braOo dereyto pode" ta"be" nacer as Iue se ar"No no ho"bro
dereyto# e nacer os reveDes "etendo o pP esIuerdo ou os ta%hos tirando o. E das estocadas Iue se ar"No sobre o
braOo esIuerdo pode" nacer as Iue se ar"No sobre o braOo dereyto# ou os ta%hos "etendo o pP dereyto# ou os
"es"os ta%hos tirando o pP esIuerdo# e ta"be" nacer os reveDes de bay,o para si"a tirando o "es"o pP
esIuerdo. E Iue u%ti"a"ente do ta%hos nace" outros ta%hos# e dos reveDes outros reveDes# e destes# ta%hos< e dos
ta%hos# reveDes< tudo isto ajudado dos co"paOos dos pPs# para nNo !aDer novidade o entrar de hYas regras e"
outras Iuando i"porte# procreandosse do !i" de Iua%Iuer# ou seja si"p%es# ou co"posta aIue%%a Iue se IuiDer
proseguir. E co" estas advertencias Iue se deve" ter na "e"oria# de todas estas trinta e duas regras se pode
tecer huN Iue seja gera% para e,a"e de per!eyOaZ de ta" e,ce%%ente# ayrosa# e superior ar"a co"o he o
Montante.
2(