The Quarterstaff
Vložit
- čas přidán 28. 04. 2024
- he English quarterstaff has a rich history deeply embedded in the martial traditions of England. Its origins trace back to the medieval period, where it was used primarily as a defensive weapon by commoners and soldiers alike. Here's an overview of its history:
Medieval Origins: The quarterstaff likely evolved from the more primitive stave or staff weapons used in ancient times. By the medieval era, it had become a popular weapon among English peasants and commoners due to its accessibility and effectiveness. The quarterstaff was typically made from hardwood and measured around 6 to 9 feet in length.
Use in Combat: The quarterstaff was valued for its versatility and effectiveness in combat. It could be wielded with one or both hands, and skilled practitioners were able to execute a wide range of offensive and defensive maneuvers. The weapon was particularly well-suited for fighting on foot, making it a favourite among the working classes, soldiers and adventurers.
Martial Traditions: Over time, the quarterstaff became associated with various martial traditions and fighting styles in England. It was often taught as part of the curriculum in fencing schools and martial arts academies. Notable treatises and manuals on the use of the quarterstaff were written by authors such as George Silver in the 16th century.
Popularity in Folklore: The quarterstaff also found its way into English folklore and literature. Characters such as Robin Hood were often depicted wielding a quarterstaff, using it to outsmart and defeat their opponents. These tales helped to further romanticize the weapon and cement its place in English cultural history.
Decline and Revival: With the advent of firearms and changes in warfare tactics, the popularity of the quarterstaff waned over time. However, interest in historical martial arts and traditional weapons has led to a revival of interest in the quarterstaff in recent years. Today, it is practiced as part of the English Martial arts and other martial arts communities.
Overall, the English quarterstaff holds a special place in the martial heritage of England, representing a time when simple yet effective weapons were wielded with skill and finesse on the battlefield and in everyday life. - Sport
I am an Okinawan Kobudo practitioner and the biggest difference I immediately noticed was the way these are being held. Traditionally the Bo is used in a 1/3 2/3 grip, whereas here it's one end. The starting reach advantage is obvious.
Very interesting to see how the different styles handle the various situations differently. Thanks for putting up this video.
We also hold the staff like in Bojutso and we call it half staffing
Not something I knew much about before this. Really interesting presentation. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for watching
Good video, Frank! Please do more!
I will, the next one will be about Pugilism
This looks like a fusion of mostly Silver with a tad of Wild.
Yes, we do use SIlver and some other English Maisters to guide our practice. Good Spot.
I might be wrong here but watching this video I feel like every time they frame with both hands to block a strike straight on it would be better to open the lead hand and change it's grip into a push or lifting motion before contact, allowing the fingers to move behind the staff.
I'd suggest this because the margin of error when blocking and your opponent wants to hurt you along with the way a stick tends to slide down along another stick would tend to get your fingers whacked badly if done like shown here.
Hello, our stylist of quarterstaff is taken mostly from Silver, and the St George’s guard you mention is part of our interpretation of Silvers and other English Maisters guards. We find it a very useful guard. I can understand what you mean but the guard is very effective and it is part of what we feel is the most effective. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@AngloSaxon1
Huh, didn't even know there was a manual for it to be honest, it was just an observation made from practice.
Out of curiosity though, you say this is effective but don't address the issues I stated, what's the reason you choose to do it like this instead despite of those points which I assume this St. George's guard addresses as well?
@@Karma8Kami When we use this guard, we slip the staff so that the gap between our hands widen so the opponents stick will always fall on the stick not our hands, we know it is effective because we bout a lot with speed and strength and this technique works very well. Yes, their are quite a few manuals that show the use of the Quarterstaff, I realise it may be done a different way in other systems. here are some sources for the quarterstaff, George Silver is one, Broadsword and Singlesticj by R.G Allanson Winn and C Phillips Wolley, Then by Zach Wilde, English master of defence.
@@AngloSaxon1 I see, thanks for the clarification.
Well done mate!
Thank you
Great video - thank you. Your website doesn’t seem to be working for me (was interested in learning more about your practice / school)
Our website is down at the moment, but here is a link to our latest video on Pugilism, we will have the website back up soon.
Here is the website englishmartialarts.org.uk/our-mission/
nice to see English culture celebrated
The last 600 years wasn’t enough for ya?
Hardly an "english" martial art isnt it? Its a bloody stick lets not claim it to be english. This is a primitive martial art used by levies for example, and used around the whole world. This particular style isnt even english. If you were to show short stick fighting you'd find more base.
Good video and good representation, bad title
Thanks for watching, and replying. This particular art of the quarterstaff was developed in England and is still being practiced. I realise that every culture the world has ever seen has developed stick fighting arts, and many are indigenous to those parts of the world, such as bojutsu (Okinawa) and the Chinese staff, of which there are many variations, and European arts such as Jogo de pau. the art I am showing in this video, really was developed in England.
Do you make the same complaint about Filipino stick fighting?
This is an English style. Sure every culture which had access to long sticks would have a long stick style, probably starting with Tahtib or whatever the Babylonians did. But this is an English version, from English sources.
@@kirklawson2218 Thanks for watching, im going to create a few more videos on English weapons as that is the art I practice, I am going to do one on English Pugilism which I am writing the script now.
@@AngloSaxon1 that's a pretty broad topic. Something of an area of interest and expertise for me.
It's the way it was done by the English, if you don't like that - then tough titty.