Why Study I.33

I believe that deep down, everyone wants to learn how to swordfight. When we are kids, many of us picked up sticks or wrapping paper rolls and swung them around pretending they were swords. Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) clubs offer a fantastic opportunity for anyone to learn how to sword fight.

Unfortunately for many HEMA clubs, longsword does not appeal to everyone. Personally, I did not have much interest in longsword when I started and was fortunate enough to have an instructor who wanted to study sword and buckler (particularly I.33). I was hooked. So hooked that I wanted to start a blog to talk about it!
So for those who are interested in sword fighting but are not interested in longsword, let me offer you the opportunity to study sword and buckler combat through the teachings found in I.33, also known as the “Tower Fechtbuch” or the “Walpurgis Manuscript”. It is a fencing manual written in the early 14th century and focuses exclusively on sword and buckler combat.

Below are my top 3 reasons you should consider studying sword and buckler through I.33!​
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1. I.33 is a complex system – I will not lie to you, I.33 is a challenge. Once you get past the challenge of coordinating both sword and buckler together, you will be tasked with controlling your distance and footwork. The goal of sword and buckler combat is simple enough: strike your opponent while ensuring you are not stricken. I.33 offers a way to think about a sword fight and offers the reader a collection of techniques to win a sword fight successfully. For those who are looking for a thought-provoking and challenging combat system, this is the system for you.
2. I.33 is a dual-wield system – I.33 teaches a true dual-wielding system that uses the sword and buckler together to create a rather unique sword-fighting system. Other sword and buckler systems, such as the Bolognese system or Talhoffer’s work, add the buckler later to complement a general knowledge of their respective single-handed sword teachings. In I.33’s case, the buckler is a necessary complement to the sword. Many of I.33’s techniques cannot be executed safely without coordinating the sword and buckler together. This creates an interesting system that takes time to learn and is incredibly satisfying to practice. 
3. I.33 is an illustrated system – Finally, and maybe my favorite part of all, I.33 is a fully illustrated and beautiful manuscript that was hand-drawn in a classic High Medieval style. A picture truly is worth a thousand words. The images for each play help guide the reader with a visual representation of what is being discussed with each verse. While admittedly not as helpful as a YouTube page, I.33’s illustrations are a work of art that deserves attention even by those not interested in sword fighting. I.33 also features a female character named “Walpurgis” on the last pages, who has her own guard and set of plays (take that anyone who thinks women cannot sword fight!).

Sword fighting is a great and fun way to get some exercise and learn some history. Sword and buckler is my personal favorite system to teach and learn. I find that I.33 offers a great challenge, both physically and mentally, and always leaves me wanting more. I feel like no one can every truly master I.33 but with a lot of studying and practice, you can be the dual-wielding, medieval hat wearing, physically fit and historically sophisticated swashbuckler you have always wanted to be!

For more information about I.33, check out the Royal Armouries' article about it! ​