GBTCGS

I have just learned that Sydney Anglo, author of ‘Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe’, died a week ago at the grand old age of 93. He was a wonderful man, who laid many of the foundations for the serious academic study of European historical combat - a study that is now so ably continued by the very best of the HEMA community. However, it is important not to forget the pioneers who blazed the trail.Although to some extent building on work by Egerton Castle and subsequently Arthur Wise, Sydney’s work was entirely original. He unearthed many manuscripts that others before him had missed. His approach to the study of historical combat techniques was rooted in solid academic rigour but delivered with a relatable style, always with the hint of a twinkle. He was dashing with an old-school, scholarly, dandyish flair. To outward appearances he was an extremely distinguished and cultivated gentlemen but once you got to know him he was an enormously warm, charming and kindly human, with a wry sense of humour. It amused him, in our private correspondences, to sign himself as ‘Basher Anglo’.I was fortunate enough to meet him on many occasions, sometimes sharing a lectern at seminars. We e-mailed and we chatted on the phone. He was never aloof, always approachable and always encouraging. When I sent him various chapters from 'Swords and Swordsmen', he gave me positive feedback. He influenced not only how I thought about the topic but also how I wished to behave as a human. Sydney had a rare gift for making those around him feel seen, valued, and capable.The photo below is of Sydney with his wife, Margaret McGowan (who pre-deceased him), on the occasion of her receiving a CBE. Interestingly she was also a formidable scholar, specializing in the history of dance, her book 'Dance in the Renaissance' is a wonderful compliment to Sidney's magnum opus. What a team! There is a very strong connection between fencing and dancing, as exemplified in the teachings of Fabritio Caroso, which are often paraphrased as "No man can be a good fencer unless he be a good dancer"Sydney Anglo leaves a wonderful legacy. It is my privilege to have known him. R.I.P. ... See MoreSee Less

LIMITED NUMBER OF SIGNED COPIES NEWLY AVAILABLE: It is a few days away from the fifteenth anniversary of the publication of my book Swords and Swordsmen. Sadly it is now out of print and prices from places like Abe Books, eBay and Amazon are generally astronomical - some as high as $500, though some can be found for around $100. However there is good news!I have some hardback copies of the first edition and also some from the later paperback edition in new condition. I laid them down like fine wines, hoping they would accrue some value 🙂To celebrate the anniversary, I am offering a few of these for sale ( 6 hardback / 4 paperback). If you would like a signed edition (dedicated to you personally), I will be happy to oblige though be warned my handwriting is very scrappy.HARDBACK £50 (including shipping to UK or Europe + £5 rest of world)PAPERBACK £40 (including shipping to UK or Europe + £5 rest of world)Message me if interested. ... See MoreSee Less

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