Scottish Broadsword and British Singlestick

My son has joined a broadsword fencing club, he loves it! Your book has given him hints and techniques...he really likes it!

Fast Service, well packed, great book! Thanks!I wish all manuals would be like thise one. Contains not only actual lessons but also a wider historical context to put the Scottish Broadsword in perspective. Interesting read and most useful. Comes highly recommended.

A comprehensive guide for all who are interested in historical fencing, scottish martial culture and history. Covers both backgroung and development of styles and gives insight and analysis to both basic and advanced techniques and lessons.

There is a lot in this little book, it starts with the history of the different styles of broadsword used in the highlands of Scotland using stories from the lives of the great fighters who used broadswords regularly. It then moves on to discuss the use of singlestick competitions to improve broadsword and backsword in the borders and England using the same sort of anecdotes.The second half of the book was a discussion on Roworth and the 10 Lessons of Taylor with a comprehensive breakdown of each lesson along with the authors observations on these sequences. I have used this as a training manual along with lessons to learn to fence using the broadsword and I have found it to be very useful and something I refer back to often.

I study and teach highland broadsword and found this book of great value and help to me. From the beginning of the book describing some of the history of the way of life of the people leading into the martial mentality which derives from this was amazing to me. I didn't think in this way before as in culture represents martial outlook, (seems obvious now). There were only one or two parts through my own research that I recognised in the book which was great as it showed how much I didn't know. The singlestick section in the book describes many different types and rule sets which were great to explore at my club and then roworths treatise is also included in the book. This book by Keith Farrell will only help in your study of highland broadsword and singlestick, if you have an interest in these Scottish martial arts this book is a must.

I initially bought this book because of my interest in singlestick. I was very pleased with all the material it offered for that subject, interesting background stories, different styles and a very well informed history of the singlestick. But the book offers much, much more. It for example has a very well written part about the Scottish martial arts, creating context for the rest of the book. The transcription of Roworth’s The Art Of Defence which is included in the book is clear and easy to work with. I like the way the book reads, it’s very well-arranged and accessible to every reader. If you have an interest in single handed weapons I highly recommend adding this book to your collection.

Excellent book by an excellent instructor. North has a deep understanding of not only the mechanics necessary to fight with weapons but also how the mind must also be a weapon in itself . Great read

A great book covering the context and aspects of the subject matter. Helped me gain a good understanding of the key concepts of the weapon. Certainly recommended.