A 15th Century English Sword Text - MS 39564

This short, rare English text, known only as “Additional Manuscript 39564” (or MS. 39,564) in the form of a small handwritten velum roll was recently discovered in the British Library by Dr. Sydney Anglo. Presented here for the first time online, it reveals a number of characteristics similar to another short English treatise from the mid 1400s, Harliean Manuscript 3542 (the “Man Who Wol”). The text according to Dr. Anglo is on “great-sword” however, as has been pointed out, nowhere does it actually define the type of blade used, whether single or double-handed.  It could be applied to both but appears to work more easily with double-hand swords.

MS 39564 consists of approximately 40 paragraph entries, including 2 “Flourishes”, 14 “Chases”, a dozen “Poynts”, and a dozen other various techniques or actions. Like the Harliean, MS 39564 is cryptic and near indecipherable. Many of the words and phrases are quite difficult to grasp despite being in “English”. But it still sheds some light on methods of swordplay from the period and offers a different perspective from the exclusively Italian and German sources which understandably dominate study. As with the Harliean, the text is highly subjective and open to many interpretations. Yet there are several terms and phrases which bare fairly close resemblance to German sources.

MS 39564 includes a number of obscure but tantalizingly interesting terms and phrases, such as “ fallyng stroke”, “cros rake”, and the use of the word “voyding” to refer to slipping back the leg when striking. There is frequent reference to a “quarter” (perhaps referring to one of the traditional 4 target areas) as in repeatedly instructing to “smeyte a quarter” and “smyte bake a quarter”. Not surprisingly, there are also recurring instructions to “foyne” (thrust) including “bake foyne”, “bowe foyne”, doble foyne, fore foyne, and “brokyn foyne”.  Interestingly, used twice is the term “Florysth” in apparent reference to a short opening routine of a few cuts, thrusts, and steps. Noticeably there are a number of familiar terms which also appear in the Harliean manuscript (MS. 3542), such as “rakys”, “rownde”, “ye duble rounde”, and additionally includes the phrases “rakys”, “doubil rake”, and “spryng”. The Harliean also uses the terms, “Thy sprynys, thy quarters, thy rabetis”, which MS 3956 does as well. After “flourishes” the MS 39564 text also advises to end with “settyng the poynte sofftley before you on the grownde”. Similarly, the Harliean also mentions several times making a stroke followed by “settÿg dovne thy swerd by thy foete”.

 The text makes mention of feints (to “profur”), several thrusts, various foot steps, and not surprisingly, makes no mention of parries or blocking. However, curiously it does mention the term “rabet”, which may mean a form of deflecting strike or defensive closing action. The Harliean manuscript also includes “lyghtly pley a rabbet at his legge” and the “Rabett with a downe ryght stroke”. Surprisingly, the work seems reminiscent in many ways to 15^th & 16^th century German long-sword material. Some of these seem too close to be coincidental, given the contacts and trade that surely existed between the German lands and England isles. For example, MS 39564 includes a description of the “spryng” which is nearly identical with depictions of the action within German Fechtbuchs. At one point as well it states to “smyte a full spryng”. Then there is the very familiar “Rundstreich” and “Doppel Rundstreich. Also interesting are references to the familiar use of the left hand letting go of the sword and being used in strikes and apparent closing actions, such as “with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache” (seemingly indicating a single-hand technique) and “with the lyfte honde to hys head caste a foolle”. This, along with “ye poynt called ye fool”, also makes one wonder if it may have any relation to the German stance of Alber, “the fool”.

Given the brief nature of the material and the fact it was not written in verse form as was common, suggests it was merely a set of informal study notes, perhaps incomplete, and not a training guide. Yet, being produced in the mid to late 1400’s, the work may reflect a method of fighting going back a century earlier somewhat adopted to using larger blades and changing armors. While no overall method of English swordplay from the period can be reconstructed from the text alone, it is nonetheless another useful historical resource for today’s scholar-practitioners of Medieval fencing. Insights into MS 39564 can be gained from comparing and contrasting it with better-known German and Italian manuals as well as modern experimentation and practice. Yet, care must be taken in keeping our analysis broad. The temptation should be avoided to force a literal or “technical” mindset onto something that at the time may have been seen much more holistically or metaphorically.

Any thoughts, comments, and analysis on MS 39564 are welcome. NOTE: The text presented here was transcribed by Russell Mitchell from a copy of the original document. This translation is only as reliable as is so far known and we make no claim as to its accuracy.

The First Flourysh

A quarter fayre before you deliueryde at ??? hande voydyng baek the ryght fote yth an ??? quarter with both hands.  A downryght stroke voydyng bake the lyfte fote standyng styll play 3 rakys lythly ???yng by the elbows with a quarter fayre before you with both handys  And yet another with 2 turnes and ??? downright stroke voydyng bake the lyfte fote styll standyng playing smite 3 rakys with a quarter fayre before you  And 2 quarters after with 2 turnes.  A down rytht stroke setting forth your ryght foot as forward your lyfte with a broken foyne upon the lyfte syde an other on yore ryght syde turnyng yore sworde under yore rythe arm... yore same syde wyth a brokyn foyne uppon yore lyffte syde an other on the ryght syde turnyng yore sword fote the poynt soffte before you uppon the grownde.

The Seconde Florysth

A quarter fayre before you with wn hande standyng style ??? yore ryght loge witha dragonys tayle then sett the lyfte hande uppon yore sworde smytyng a quarter fayre before you with wn hande turnyng yore body sete in youre ryghte legge as fore as yore lyfte bryngyng the poynt of the sworde over yore hede sote he do ynd sofftly before you uppon yore grownde then stonde styll pley youre rakys uppon ony syde uppon as offte as you wyll restyng uppon youre ryghte arme then smyte a down rythe stroke voydyng yore loffte legge bryngyng after the ryght legge with a rake lyffte uppe yore sworde over yore hede bryng forthe yore ryght legge as fore as yore lefte pley a brokyn foyne uppon euyre syde turnyng the sworde over the ryght arme settyng the poynte sofftley before you on the grownde.

The Laying Down of Your Sword

A profur to hys face folowyng in with (a/your???) ryght legge with a rake stonding style smyte a quarter fayre before you with another after, voydyng bake the ryght legge then smyte a down ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyfte legge with a rake following in with the ryght leg, lyftyng up yore handys ouer yore ryght shulder turnyng a gayne sete in your ryght legge before youre lyft softly lay down youre sworde.

The Firste Chase

A full stroke a for foyne with a quarter lythly delyueryde  And yff hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayn to yore grounde

The Seconde Chase

A bouwble rownde wyth a bake foyne and a quarter lyghtly delyueryde And hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayne to yore grounde.

The Thyrde Chase

A dowble rownde forwarde an other bakwarde A down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye lyffte legge a bake foyne voydyng bake the ryght legge folowyng in wyth the lyffte legge smyte a quarter bakewarde And yff hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you to yore grounde.

The Fourthe Chase Callyd Ye Bewne Foyne

A dowble rowndys forewarde an other bakewarde a downe ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyffte legge A bake foyne with a bo(e?)w foyne voydyng bake with the ryghte legge lyghtly smyte a quarter

The Fyffte Chase Called Att Ye Rowndys

To doble rowndys forewarde and ther folowes contrary all to son/yon/yor man and yff you pley hyt a gayne hyt wyll bryng you to yore grownde.

The Sixte Chase Callyd Ye Tumblyng Chase

To doble rowndys forewarde with as mony badewarde all uppon the lyffte fote lythtly delyveryde then tumble forewarde rownde as a ball that ys to say wythe a downe ryght stroke sete forewarde the ryght fote bryngyng the sworde over youre hede voyde bake the lyffte fote with an other downe ryght stroke folowyde with the ryght fote then bryng bake the same fote with a bake foyne sete in the lyffte fote and smyte bake a quarter.

The Sevyneth Chase

A full stroke a for foyne folowed with a quarter pleyng a brokyn foyne uppon the ryght syde an other on the lyffte syde therste forth a for foyne folowyde with 2 quarters with the sayde brokyn foynes pleyde on euery syde throste forthe a for foyne at hys face voydyng bake with 2 quarters.

The Eghte Chase Callyde Ye Spryng

A full stroke a for foyne settyng forthe ye lyffte fote with the lyffte hande smyte a spryng voydyng bake ye same fote with a full stroke then pley a bake foyne with an other spryng voydyng bake the lyffte fote with a full stroke then voyde bake the ryght fote and pley a doble foyne with a spryng voydyng bake ye lyffte fote wythe a full stroke pleyng an other doble foyne with a spryng voydyng bake ye lyffte fote wyth a full stroke and a bake foyne.

The 9^th Chase Callyd Ye Four Poynts

A down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye lyffte legge sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght legge stondyng styll pley a quarter fayre before you then sete in the lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.

The 10th Chase Callyd the 2 Poynts

A down ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyffte fote sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght fote then voyde bake the lyffte legge wythe an other down ryght stroke and pley a bake foyne voydyng bake the ryght legge steppe in with ye lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.

The 11th Chase Callyd 3 Poynts

A rake uppon ye ryght syde stondyng styll smyte a quarter voydyng bake the ryght legge stryke an other after.

The 12th callyde ye poynts (???)

A down ryght stroke voydyng bake with the lyffte legge lythly pley a rake folowede wyth the ryght legge then foyde bake same legge sodenly pley a quarter

The 13th Callyde Ye Gettyng Chase

A quarter fayre before you with bothe handys standyng styll pley a profur at hsi face folowyng with yore rakys bakewarde smyte a spryng turnyng with a full stroke folowyng with yore rakys before you smyte a quarter turnyng youre body pley 2 quarters all upon ye lyffte fote.

The Fyrste Poynte Of Ye Cownter

A profur at hys face standyng styll then sett in ye ryght legge with a rake and a quarter voydyng bake ye same legge with an other quarter then voyd bake yore lyffte legge and stande at youre stoppe.

The Seconde Cowntyr Callyd Ye Full Spryng

A profer a rake with a quarter an other voyde lythly smyte a full spryng settyng in ye ryght legge with a quarter and an other voyde be at yore stoppe.

The Thyrde Countyr Callyd Ye Shorte Spryng With Fallyng Sty(???)

A profer a rake with a quarter an other voyde stondyng styll a short spryng with a fallyng stroke then set in the ryght legge with a quarter an other voyde and be at yowr stoppe

The 22th Callyd The Large Profer With A Rabet(???) Ys a Fore Quarter

A profer large stondyng styll lyghtly pley a rabett at hys legge lowe by ye grownde then lythly sete in ye ryght legge with a quarter and smyte hym to ye grownde then voyde bake the same legge and be at yore stopps.

The 23th Callyd Ye Facyng Wyth Ye Spryng

Also stondyng at yore defence when yore enemy begynyth to cum in with a profer loke stedfastly in hys face and ??? sett in your lyffte legge cros before your ryght legge lythly smytyng a full spryng at hys legge and then a voyde a bake yore lyffte lege and be att your stoppe.  ???ther fote sete in the ryght with a full quarter and an other voyde and be att youre stoppe.

The Stoppyng Rabbetts

Also standyng att yore defence wythe yowre spryght enemy when he begynneth to play a profer lyghtly sett in yore lyffte legge with a rabett voydyng bake.  Voydyng bake the same legge be at your stopp.  Other els when yore enemy playeth a profer with a rake and begynnyth to pluke bake hys sworde to sete a quarter lyghtly sett in youre lyfte legge wyth ye seyde Rabett then voyde bake the same legge and be att youre stopps.

The Dragonys Tayle With a Pendante

A profer with a rake stondyng styll with youre ryght hande pley a voyde quarter above hys hede and as the sworde waveth a boute.  On youre hede sett in youre lyfte fote then lyghtlye wyth the ryght hande and foote throste forth a foyne at hys face standyng styll lyghtly bryng bake youre sworde with both hands and throste a bow foyne att hys bely, then smyte a pell/pull quarter And an other voyde And be att youre stopps.

[nigh indecipherable heading]

The 4th Callyd The Rabett With A Downe Ryght Stroke

A profur a rake with a quarter sett in your lyfte legge with a rabett then sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke with both hands wyth a foyne and a quarter with an other voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 5th Poynte Callyd Ye 3 Quarters

A profur a rake wyth a quarter full stondyng styll pley an other voyde above hys hide with an other at hys legge then voyde bake the ryght legge with an other quarter and be att youre stopps.

The 6th Poynte Callyde The Cros Rake

A profur a cros rake with a foyne at hys face with a quarter full and an other a voyde be at youre stoppe.

The 7th Poynte Callyd Ye Downeryght Stroke

A profur a rake wyth a quarter A nother A voyde a downe ryght stroke folowyde wyth the ryght legge then standyng styll lythly pley a fore foyne with a quarter and an other voyde be att youre stops.

The 8th Callyde The Rabett With A Downe Ryght Stroke

A profur a rake with a quarter a voyde a down ryghte stroke folowyde the ryght legge with a fore foyne settyng in the lyfte legge lythly pley a rabett then sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke a foyne with a quarter an other a voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 9th Callyde Ye Duble Rounde With 2 Foynes

A duble rounde forewarde with a foyne at hys face An other att hys bely standyng styll pley a quarter full with an other voyde be att yore stops.

The 10th Callyde the Snache

A profur a rake wyth a quarter full voydyng bake the ryght legge with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache then voyde bake yore lyfte legge and be att yore stoppe. 

The 11th Callyde Ye Shorte Spryng With 2 Foynes Folowyng

A profur a rake with a quarter full an other voyde lythly pleying a shorte spryng voydyng bake the lyfte legge sett hands uppon the sworde settyng up a foyne by ye lyfte shulder bryng hutt forthe byfore you sett in yore lyfte legge wythe suche a nother foyne at hys face folowyde with the ryght legge lythly pley a quarter full with an other voyde and be att youre stoppe.

The 12th Poynte Callyde Ye Fooll

A profur a rake wythe a quarter full and a nother A voyde standyng styll lyghtly with the lyfte honde to hys hede caste a foolle then set in yore ryght legge and smyte a quarter full with another voyde be att youre stoppe.

The 13th Poynte Callyde Ye Downe Ryght Stroke Stondyng Styll

A profur a rake with a full quarter another a voyde a bou hys hede stondyng styll meue yore body bryngyng youre sworde ouer youre ryght shulder lyghtly smyte a downe ryght stroke att hys hede wythe a foyne and a full quarter with another voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 14th Poynte Callyde Ye Brokyn Spryng With Ye Foyne

A profur a rake with a full quarter another a voyde then softely sett in yore ryght legge be att yore stoppe.  That doon set in yore lyfte legge with a rabett fayre aboue hys hede lyghtly sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke at hys hede with a foyne and a full quarter with another a voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 15th Callyd Ye Turnyng Quarter

A profur a rake with a quarter an other a voyde stondyng styll hold youre sworde with both hande and bende yore body as you wylle smyte a full spring then loose youre ryght honde with the lyfte honde therste forthe ye foyne att hys syde settyng in ye ryght legge lyghtly with a full quarter another a wyde be att youre stoppe.

The 16th And Ye Defence Yt Nowed Shalt ????

A profur a rake with a quarter full with another quarter largely a voyde then lyghtly turne youre body with a full quarter an other voyde be att youre stoppe.

A profur a rake with a full quarter then loose yore lyfte hande fro youre sworde voydyng bake youre ryght legge bring hyt bake with yore ryght honde fayre before yore broste redy to foyne and ron in with a rake and a full quarter pleying the same pley twyse then bryng bake agayne youre sworde with ye sayde ryght honde and legge And smyte a full spryng lythly with a full quarter And an other A voyde and be att youre stoppe.

The 17th Callyd Ye Duble Spryng

A profur a rake a full quarter with another a voyde lyghtly caste owte a full shorte spryng att hys face stondyng styll when ye sworde comyth  a bowte off yore hede ??? hytt with yore ryght hond att yore ryght shuldyr then lyghtly smyte a full spryng with a full quarter an other a voyde be att youre stoppe.

The 18th Callyde Ye Duble Rabett

A profur a rake with a full quarter lyghtly sett in the lyfte legge with a rabett stondyng styll lyghtly pley another rabett wyth a full spryng att hys legge other ??? sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke att hys hede and a full quarter another a voyde and be att youre stoppe.

*There are two or three additional verses at the end of the text, but the copy is indecipherable.

A 15th Century English Sword Text - MS 39564

This short, rare English text, known only as “Additional Manuscript 39564” (or MS. 39,564) in the form of a small handwritten velum roll was recently discovered in the British Library by Dr. Sydney Anglo. Presented here for the first time online, it reveals a number of characteristics similar to another short English treatise from the mid 1400s, Harliean Manuscript 3542 (the “Man Who Wol”). The text according to Dr. Anglo is on “great-sword” however, as has been pointed out, nowhere does it actually define the type of blade used, whether single or double-handed.  It could be applied to both but appears to work more easily with double-hand swords.

MS 39564 consists of approximately 40 paragraph entries, including 2 “Flourishes”, 14 “Chases”, a dozen “Poynts”, and a dozen other various techniques or actions. Like the Harliean, MS 39564 is cryptic and near indecipherable. Many of the words and phrases are quite difficult to grasp despite being in “English”. But it still sheds some light on methods of swordplay from the period and offers a different perspective from the exclusively Italian and German sources which understandably dominate study. As with the Harliean, the text is highly subjective and open to many interpretations. Yet there are several terms and phrases which bare fairly close resemblance to German sources.

MS 39564 includes a number of obscure but tantalizingly interesting terms and phrases, such as “ fallyng stroke”, “cros rake”, and the use of the word “voyding” to refer to slipping back the leg when striking. There is frequent reference to a “quarter” (perhaps referring to one of the traditional 4 target areas) as in repeatedly instructing to “smeyte a quarter” and “smyte bake a quarter”. Not surprisingly, there are also recurring instructions to “foyne” (thrust) including “bake foyne”, “bowe foyne”, doble foyne, fore foyne, and “brokyn foyne”.  Interestingly, used twice is the term “Florysth” in apparent reference to a short opening routine of a few cuts, thrusts, and steps. Noticeably there are a number of familiar terms which also appear in the Harliean manuscript (MS. 3542), such as “rakys”, “rownde”, “ye duble rounde”, and additionally includes the phrases “rakys”, “doubil rake”, and “spryng”. The Harliean also uses the terms, “Thy sprynys, thy quarters, thy rabetis”, which MS 3956 does as well. After “flourishes” the MS 39564 text also advises to end with “settyng the poynte sofftley before you on the grownde”. Similarly, the Harliean also mentions several times making a stroke followed by “settÿg dovne thy swerd by thy foete”.

 The text makes mention of feints (to “profur”), several thrusts, various foot steps, and not surprisingly, makes no mention of parries or blocking. However, curiously it does mention the term “rabet”, which may mean a form of deflecting strike or defensive closing action. The Harliean manuscript also includes “lyghtly pley a rabbet at his legge” and the “Rabett with a downe ryght stroke”. Surprisingly, the work seems reminiscent in many ways to 15^th & 16^th century German long-sword material. Some of these seem too close to be coincidental, given the contacts and trade that surely existed between the German lands and England isles. For example, MS 39564 includes a description of the “spryng” which is nearly identical with depictions of the action within German Fechtbuchs. At one point as well it states to “smyte a full spryng”. Then there is the very familiar “Rundstreich” and “Doppel Rundstreich. Also interesting are references to the familiar use of the left hand letting go of the sword and being used in strikes and apparent closing actions, such as “with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache” (seemingly indicating a single-hand technique) and “with the lyfte honde to hys head caste a foolle”. This, along with “ye poynt called ye fool”, also makes one wonder if it may have any relation to the German stance of Alber, “the fool”.

Given the brief nature of the material and the fact it was not written in verse form as was common, suggests it was merely a set of informal study notes, perhaps incomplete, and not a training guide. Yet, being produced in the mid to late 1400’s, the work may reflect a method of fighting going back a century earlier somewhat adopted to using larger blades and changing armors. While no overall method of English swordplay from the period can be reconstructed from the text alone, it is nonetheless another useful historical resource for today’s scholar-practitioners of Medieval fencing. Insights into MS 39564 can be gained from comparing and contrasting it with better-known German and Italian manuals as well as modern experimentation and practice. Yet, care must be taken in keeping our analysis broad. The temptation should be avoided to force a literal or “technical” mindset onto something that at the time may have been seen much more holistically or metaphorically.

Any thoughts, comments, and analysis on MS 39564 are welcome. NOTE: The text presented here was transcribed by Russell Mitchell from a copy of the original document. This translation is only as reliable as is so far known and we make no claim as to its accuracy.

Additional Manuscript 39564

The First Flourysh

A quarter fayre before you deliueryde at ??? hande voydyng baek the ryght fote yth an ??? quarter with both hands.  A downryght stroke voydyng bake the lyfte fote standyng styll play 3 rakys lythly ???yng by the elbows with a quarter fayre before you with both handys  And yet another with 2 turnes and ??? downright stroke voydyng bake the lyfte fote styll standyng playing smite 3 rakys with a quarter fayre before you   And 2 quarters after with 2 turnes.  A down rytht stroke setting forth your ryght foot as forward your lyfte with a broken foyne upon the lyfte syde an other on yore ryght syde turnyng yore sworde under yore rythe arm... yore same syde wyth a brokyn foyne uppon yore lyffte syde an other on the ryght syde turnyng yore sword fote the poynt soffte before you uppon the grownde.

The Seconde Florysth

A quarter fayre before you with wn hande standyng style ??? yore ryght loge witha dragonys tayle then sett the lyfte hande uppon yore sworde smytyng a quarter fayre before you with wn hande turnyng yore body sete in youre ryghte legge as fore as yore lyfte bryngyng the poynt of the sworde over yore hede sote he do ynd sofftly before you uppon yore grownde then stonde styll pley youre rakys uppon ony syde uppon as offte as you wyll restyng uppon youre ryghte arme then smyte a down rythe stroke voydyng yore loffte legge bryngyng after the ryght legge with a rake lyffte uppe yore sworde over yore hede bryng forthe yore ryght legge as fore as yore lefte pley a brokyn foyne uppon euyre syde turnyng the sworde over the ryght arme settyng the poynte sofftley before you on the grownde.

The Laying Down of Your Sword

A profur to hys face folowyng in with (a/your???) ryght legge with a rake stonding style smyte a quarter fayre before you with another after, voydyng bake the ryght legge then smyte a down ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyfte legge with a rake following in with the ryght leg, lyftyng up yore handys ouer yore ryght shulder turnyng a gayne sete in your ryght legge before youre lyft softly lay down youre sworde.

The Firste Chase

A full stroke a for foyne with a quarter lythly delyueryde  And yff hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayn to yore grounde

The Seconde Chase

A bouwble rownde wyth a bake foyne and a quarter lyghtly delyueryde And hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayne to yore grounde.

The Thyrde Chase

A dowble rownde forwarde an other bakwarde A down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye lyffte legge a bake foyne voydyng bake the ryght legge folowyng in wyth the lyffte legge smyte a quarter bakewarde And yff hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you to yore grounde.

The Fourthe Chase Callyd Ye Bewne Foyne

A dowble rowndys forewarde an other bakewarde a downe ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyffte legge A bake foyne with a bo(e?)w foyne voydyng bake with the ryghte legge lyghtly smyte a quarter

The Fyffte Chase Called Att Ye Rowndys

To doble rowndys forewarde and ther folowes contrary all to son/yon/yor man and yff you pley hyt a gayne hyt wyll bryng you to yore grownde.

The Sixte Chase Callyd Ye Tumblyng Chase

To doble rowndys forewarde with as mony badewarde all uppon the lyffte fote lythtly delyveryde then tumble forewarde rownde as a ball that ys to say wythe a downe ryght stroke sete forewarde the ryght fote bryngyng the sworde over youre hede voyde bake the lyffte fote with an other downe ryght stroke folowyde with the ryght fote then bryng bake the same fote with a bake foyne sete in the lyffte fote and smyte bake a quarter.

The Sevyneth Chase

A full stroke a for foyne folowed with a quarter pleyng a brokyn foyne uppon the ryght syde an other on the lyffte syde therste forth a for foyne folowyde with 2 quarters with the sayde brokyn foynes pleyde on euery syde throste forthe a for foyne at hys face voydyng bake with 2 quarters.

The Eghte Chase Callyde Ye Spryng

A full stroke a for foyne settyng forthe ye lyffte fote with the lyffte hande smyte a spryng voydyng bake ye same fote with a full stroke then pley a bake foyne with an other spryng voydyng bake the lyffte fote with a full stroke then voyde bake the ryght fote and pley a doble foyne with a spryng voydyng bake ye lyffte fote wythe a full stroke pleyng an other doble foyne with a spryng voydyng bake ye lyffte fote wyth a full stroke and a bake foyne.

The 9^th Chase Callyd Ye Four Poynts

A down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye lyffte legge sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght legge stondyng styll pley a quarter fayre before you then sete in the lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.

The 10th Chase Callyd the 2 Poynts

A down ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyffte fote sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght fote then voyde bake the lyffte legge wythe an other down ryght stroke and pley a bake foyne voydyng bake the ryght legge steppe in with ye lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.

The 11th Chase Callyd 3 Poynts

A rake uppon ye ryght syde stondyng styll smyte a quarter voydyng bake the ryght legge stryke an other after.

The 12th callyde ye poynts (???)

A down ryght stroke voydyng bake with the lyffte legge lythly pley a rake folowede wyth the ryght legge then foyde bake same legge sodenly pley a quarter

The 13th Callyde Ye Gettyng Chase

A quarter fayre before you with bothe handys standyng styll pley a profur at hsi face folowyng with yore rakys bakewarde smyte a spryng turnyng with a full stroke folowyng with yore rakys before you smyte a quarter turnyng youre body pley 2 quarters all upon ye lyffte fote.

The Fyrste Poynte Of Ye Cownter

A profur at hys face standyng styll then sett in ye ryght legge with a rake and a quarter voydyng bake ye same legge with an other quarter then voyd bake yore lyffte legge and stande at youre stoppe.

The Seconde Cowntyr Callyd Ye Full Spryng

A profer a rake with a quarter an other voyde lythly smyte a full spryng settyng in ye ryght legge with a quarter and an other voyde be at yore stoppe.

The Thyrde Countyr Callyd Ye Shorte Spryng With Fallyng Sty(???)

A profer a rake with a quarter an other voyde stondyng styll a short spryng with a fallyng stroke then set in the ryght legge with a quarter an other voyde and be at yowr stoppe

The 22th Callyd The Large Profer With A Rabet(???) Ys a Fore Quarter

A profer large stondyng styll lyghtly pley a rabett at hys legge lowe by ye grownde then lythly sete in ye ryght legge with a quarter and smyte hym to ye grownde then voyde bake the same legge and be at yore stopps.

The 23th Callyd Ye Facyng Wyth Ye Spryng

Also stondyng at yore defence when yore enemy begynyth to cum in with a profer loke stedfastly in hys face and ??? sett in your lyffte legge cros before your ryght legge lythly smytyng a full spryng at hys legge and then a voyde a bake yore lyffte lege and be att your stoppe.   ???ther fote sete in the ryght with a full quarter and an other voyde and be att youre stoppe.

The Stoppyng Rabbetts

Also standyng att yore defence wythe yowre spryght enemy when he begynneth to play a profer lyghtly sett in yore lyffte legge with a rabett voydyng bake.  Voydyng bake the same legge be at your stopp.  Other els when yore enemy playeth a profer with a rake and begynnyth to pluke bake hys sworde to sete a quarter lyghtly sett in youre lyfte legge wyth ye seyde Rabett then voyde bake the same legge and be att youre stopps.

The Dragonys Tayle With a Pendante

A profer with a rake stondyng styll with youre ryght hande pley a voyde quarter above hys hede and as the sworde waveth a boute.  On youre hede sett in youre lyfte fote then lyghtlye wyth the ryght hande and foote throste forth a foyne at hys face standyng styll lyghtly bryng bake youre sworde with both hands and throste a bow foyne att hys bely, then smyte a pell/pull quarter And an other voyde And be att youre stopps.

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The 4th Callyd The Rabett With A Downe Ryght Stroke

A profur a rake with a quarter sett in your lyfte legge with a rabett then sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke with both hands wyth a foyne and a quarter with an other voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 5th Poynte Callyd Ye 3 Quarters

A profur a rake wyth a quarter full stondyng styll pley an other voyde above hys hide with an other at hys legge then voyde bake the ryght legge with an other quarter and be att youre stopps.

The 6th Poynte Callyde The Cros Rake

A profur a cros rake with a foyne at hys face with a quarter full and an other a voyde be at youre stoppe.

The 7th Poynte Callyd Ye Downeryght Stroke

A profur a rake wyth a quarter A nother A voyde a downe ryght stroke folowyde wyth the ryght legge then standyng styll lythly pley a fore foyne with a quarter and an other voyde be att youre stops.

The 8th Callyde The Rabett With A Downe Ryght Stroke

A profur a rake with a quarter a voyde a down ryghte stroke folowyde the ryght legge with a fore foyne settyng in the lyfte legge lythly pley a rabett then sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke a foyne with a quarter an other a voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 9th Callyde Ye Duble Rounde With 2 Foynes

A duble rounde forewarde with a foyne at hys face An other att hys bely standyng styll pley a quarter full with an other voyde be att yore stops.

The 10th Callyde the Snache

A profur a rake wyth a quarter full voydyng bake the ryght legge with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache then voyde bake yore lyfte legge and be att yore stoppe. 

The 11th Callyde Ye Shorte Spryng With 2 Foynes Folowyng

A profur a rake with a quarter full an other voyde lythly pleying a shorte spryng voydyng bake the lyfte legge sett hands uppon the sworde settyng up a foyne by ye lyfte shulder bryng hutt forthe byfore you sett in yore lyfte legge wythe suche a nother foyne at hys face folowyde with the ryght legge lythly pley a quarter full with an other voyde and be att youre stoppe.

The 12th Poynte Callyde Ye Fooll

A profur a rake wythe a quarter full and a nother A voyde standyng styll lyghtly with the lyfte honde to hys hede caste a foolle then set in yore ryght legge and smyte a quarter full with another voyde be att youre stoppe.

The 13th Poynte Callyde Ye Downe Ryght Stroke Stondyng Styll

A profur a rake with a full quarter another a voyde a bou hys hede stondyng styll meue yore body bryngyng youre sworde ouer youre ryght shulder lyghtly smyte a downe ryght stroke att hys hede wythe a foyne and a full quarter with another voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 14th Poynte Callyde Ye Brokyn Spryng With Ye Foyne

A profur a rake with a full quarter another a voyde then softely sett in yore ryght legge be att yore stoppe.  That doon set in yore lyfte legge with a rabett fayre aboue hys hede lyghtly sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke at hys hede with a foyne and a full quarter with another a voyde be att yore stoppe.

The 15th Callyd Ye Turnyng Quarter

A profur a rake with a quarter an other a voyde stondyng styll hold youre sworde with both hande and bende yore body as you wylle smyte a full spring then loose youre ryght honde with the lyfte honde therste forthe ye foyne att hys syde settyng in ye ryght legge lyghtly with a full quarter another a wyde be att youre stoppe.

The 16th And Ye Defence Yt Nowed Shalt ????

A profur a rake with a quarter full with another quarter largely a voyde then lyghtly turne youre body with a full quarter an other voyde be att youre stoppe.

A profur a rake with a full quarter then loose yore lyfte hande fro youre sworde voydyng bake youre ryght legge bring hyt bake with yore ryght honde fayre before yore broste redy to foyne and ron in with a rake and a full quarter pleying the same pley twyse then bryng bake agayne youre sworde with ye sayde ryght honde and legge And smyte a full spryng lythly with a full quarter And an other A voyde and be att youre stoppe.

The 17th Callyd Ye Duble Spryng

A profur a rake a full quarter with another a voyde lyghtly caste owte a full shorte spryng att hys face stondyng styll when ye sworde comyth  a bowte off yore hede ??? hytt with yore ryght hond att yore ryght shuldyr then lyghtly smyte a full spryng with a full quarter an other a voyde be att youre stoppe.

The 18th Callyde Ye Duble Rabett

A profur a rake with a full quarter lyghtly sett in the lyfte legge with a rabett stondyng styll lyghtly pley another rabett wyth a full spryng att hys legge other ??? sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke att hys hede and a full quarter another a voyde and be att youre stoppe.

*There are two or three additional verses at the end of the text, but the copy is indecipherable.