THE ART OF DEFENCE ON FOOT

WITH THE BROAD SWORD AND SABRE

SECOND EDITION
BY CHARLES ROWORTH
1798

Restored and Introduced by Nick Thomas

Instructor and Co-Founder of the Academy of Historical Fencing (UK)
 THE ART OF DEFENCE ON FOOT BY CHARLES ROWORTH (SECOND EDITION)

Presented below is a complete restoration of the

second edition of Charles Roworth's 'Art of Defence',
or AOD as it is sometimes now known. The AOD is one
of the most important references on British
swordsmanship on foot in the Napoleonic period. The
British army did not adopt an official infantry sword
system until after war's end. However, when they did,
it was based on this style depicted by Charles
Roworth, as well as Henry Angelo Senior, whose son
created the official system in 1817, based firmly on his
father’s methods. Despite not being an official
system, these 'broadsword' methods were
widespread throughout the 18th century. In the case
of Roworth's AOD manual, it was recommended for
purchase and use by British officers in many
publications of the time. Roworth's manuals give the
most in-depth insight into infantry sword combat in
this period, and likely served as the basis of sword
training for many in the army and militia of the day.
The Art of Defence was first published in 1798. This
second edition was also published in the same year,
and though very similar, it features a number of
changes to both text and illustration. A third edition
was published in 1804, which further adapted the text
and changed the plates (illustrations). A final fourth
edition was published in New York in 1824, this was a
copy of the 1804 edition.
This manual was intended to teach a universal form of
swordsmanship for all military swords when used on
foot. That included the Spadroon (right) and Infantry Sabre (left), the Scots Broadsword
(Centre), the hanger (shorter infantry sword like a cutlass), and cavalry swords when
used on foot.
Charles Roworth was a serving member of the prestigious London and Westminster
Light Horse Volunteers. During the Napoleonic period, many militia units were formed
across the country due to the risk of invasion. These were local troops designed to
defend the country, as well as to police and suppress local uprisings and civil discontent.
 THE ART OF DEFENCE ON FOOT BY CHARLES ROWORTH (SECOND EDITION)

The London and Westminster's (L&W) were some of

the most prestigious, and most well-funded. They soon
added infantry (dismounted) troops to their unit, who
were intended to travel by cart as a form of mounted
infantry.
These dismounted troops were equipped with rifles,
which were both expensive and unusual in the time
period. They were also equipped with a sword bayonet.
A type of straight bladed short sword that could serve
as both a weapon in its own right, as well as a bayonet
when fitted to a rifle. This sword bayonet is one of the
many weapons that this system is intended to be
suitable for.
It was Colonel Herries of the L&W volunteers who
commissioned the ten lesson posters from Angelo,
based on the teaching of John Taylor, Sword-master to
both the L&W, and the 1st Life Guards. Exactly what
connection Henry Angelo and Charles Roworth shared is The sabre used on foot, in the
not clear. But we do know that they both had a close hanging guard. As depicted in the
relationship with the L&W Volunteers, and both works of Henry Angelo (1799)
published similar and related works on the Broad-Sword
and Sabre. They also both cite and make use of the ten-lesson system of John Taylor.
Henry Angelo was one of the most respected swordsmen and instructors of his day. His
son would go on to introduce the British Infantry sword exercise that was to be the
official system of the army until almost the end of the 19th century.
Who exactly was this system designed for? Anyone who carried a sword on foot in the
period. Exactly how widespread the training was is not clear. However, we know that
the L&W Volunteers trained extensively, and that they offered this training to family
members of the unit, as well as visiting yeomanry troops, and any gentlemen looking to
join the army. Roworth's AOD was printed in a fair quantity, as were Angelo's posters,
and so it seems logical that knowledge of this would be fairly widespread. Despite this,
practice in swordsmanship was at the discretion of the Colonel of a Regiment until the
adoption of official systems. The same practice was observed at sea. This resulted in
some crews being very well practiced, and others having little to no practice at all.
 THE ART OF DEFENCE ON FOOT BY CHARLES ROWORTH (SECOND EDITION)

The swordsmanship style

depicted is predominately a
linear one, and is characterised
by a parry-riposte style that
primarily uses the lunge,
recovery and slip system as
means of attack and defence. It
mixes cut and thrust extensively.
If you want to study this style, we
would highly recommend that
you also make use of the Henry
Angelo posters regarding the
Taylor ten lesson system. This is a
simple and well-structured set of
solo and partnered drills that are
very useful.
Both that and Angelo’s ‘guards’
posters can be found on the AHF
resources page. You can also find
our sabre workbook there which
delves in to the Taylor ten lesson
system depicted in Roworth’s
1804 edition, as well as a lot of
additional information that you
will find useful.
You will notice that the
‘Highland’ or ‘Scotch’ methods
are mentioned in these works. It
was common in the 18th century
to use the term ‘Highland’ or
‘Scots’ to market swordsmanship
at this time. This was a strategy
founded in the fearsome reputation of the Highlanders as strong and brave swordsmen,
especially after the Jacobite risings. In fact, this sort of broadsword combat was not
unique to the Scottish or the Highlanders, but was widespread throughout Britain. As
was the form of the basket hilt broadsword. The Austrian connection is due to John
 THE ART OF DEFENCE ON FOOT BY CHARLES ROWORTH (SECOND EDITION)

Gaspard Le Marchant’s treatise on cavalry combat, published in 1796. He revolutionised

cavalry swords and combat after his experience beside the excellent Austrian cavalry in
the Low Countries campaign of 1793-96. His manual was adopted as the official cavalry
manual in the British army, and clearly influenced the works of Angelo and Roworth.
La Marchant also left us with
a very useful illustration on
the grip used with sabre.
Varying from what we would
call hammer grip, to
handshake grip, depending
on the action. This is different
to the thumb on the back
being the norm with
spadroon (as Roworth
explains), and later sabre
styles.
Sword practice at this time period was predominately done with a 'singlestick'. A
wooden stave with a leather basket hilt for the protection of the hand. That can still be a
useful training tool today, though we also have a range of synthetic (nylon), and steel
training swords that can more realistically and accurately represent the original
weapons. Whatever your choice of training tool, be sure to wear suitable safety
equipment, and have respect for the weapon and the damage it can cause, even when
blunt and not made of cold steel!

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This restoration was brought to you by the

Academy of Historical Fencing (UK). It is freely
available for non-commercial use on the
resources page of our website, alongside many
other scans, transcriptions and workbooks on
European swordsmanship.
www.swordfight.uk