Rowland George Allanson-Winn Headley
Broad-Sword and Single-Stick
With Chapters on Quarter-Staff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shillalah, Walking-Stick, Umbrella and Other Weapons of Self-Defence
"BROAD-SWORD AND SINGLE-STICK" by R. G. Allanson-Winn and C. Phillipps-Wolley is a practical treatise on self-defense techniques using various weapons, written in the early 20th century. The book explores the history, techniques, and methods of using weapons like the broadsword, quarterstaff, and single-stick, emphasizing the importance of these practices for personal defense and their roots in English sporting traditions. The opening of the work introduces the thesis that while modern English culture may be seen as focused on commerce, it is deeply rooted in a rich tradition of sportsmanship and physical engagement. The authors reflect on the historical context of self-defense, illustrating how primitive forms of combat evolved into practiced techniques with various weapons. They introduce the concept that every English boy aspires to a sporting life, leading to an appreciation for physical prowess and self-defense skills as integral parts of masculinity. The text sets the scene for a deeper dive into various weapon techniques while stressing the significance of sportsmanship in English identity.