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Destreza-fencing

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Downloads

  • A complete first pass transcription and translation of Book Three of Francisco Lorenz de Rada's Nobleza de la Espada.  Please keep in mind that, although I have taken conversational Spanish courses in college and in business, I am not a fluent Spanish speaker and am pretty rusty.  I have done my best to translate it without changing the meaning of the text, but haven't necessarily tried to translate it exactly word for word in all cases.  The files will be updated periodically as I make progress on the transcription and translation.  Last updated 02/25/2023. (I intend to give the translation a second pass to make minor corrections and check for consistency). 
  • I want to thank all of the members of the Destreza community that are giving me encouragement and help as I undertake this massive endeavor, especially Aleix Basullas Vendrell, Lois Spangler, Tim Rivera and Daniel Hambraeus.  Also Isobel Zijlstra for her help translating the Latin Quotations.

Nobleza de la Espada Book Three Transcription (pdf)Download
Nobleza de la Espada Book Three English Translation (pdf)Download

  • A brief paper introducing the basic concepts and techniques of La Verdadera Destreza written by Aleix Basullas Vendrell.

Introduction to La Verdadera Destreza - By Aleix Basullas Vendrell (pdf)Download

Other Groups

Academia de Espada

Academia de Espada is a HEMA affiliated historical fencing school focused on the revival of la Verdadera Destreza.  Their headquarters in Galicia, Spain is run by Maestre de Armas Ton Puey and they have affiliates around the world, including Idaho, USA and in Greece.  They have a very informative YouTube channel located here.

Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship

The Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship is a HEMA affiliated school located in Stafford Brisbane, Queensland, Australia that studies historical Spanish and Portuguese styles of fencing.  Their studies are primarily based upon Puck and Mary Dill Curtis' From the Page to the Practice: Fundamentals of Spanish Swordplay.  Their website has a ton of useful information about la Verdadera Destreza including helpful notes from the courses they offer their students.

Destreza Discord Groups

The Destreza Discord is where other members of the Destreza community gather online to chat and share information.  You can find it here:   https://discord.gg/dmhMhkx


There is also a Destreza channel on the HEMAA discord here: https://discord.gg/qstdj6a.  The Destreza community did a daily readthrough and discussion of Viedma and Rada’s books in this channel.  If you search for “Daily Viedma” or “Daily Rada” you can follow the previous discussions.

Destreza in the SCA Facebook group

Destreza in the SCA is technically a Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) dedicated group, however, it is also one of the largest, most active places for discussing Destreza related topics anywhere on the web.  The members are friendly and knowledgeable and welcome new members interested in Destreza even if they aren't affiliated with the SCA.

Doug Kozlowski

Doug is an active member of the SCA with a keen interest in la Verdadera Destreza.  He maintains an extensive la Verdadera Destreza Resource List on his blog, Black Birds and Blades.

Historical European Martial Arts Alliance

The Historical European Martial Arts Alliance (HEMAA) is one of the largest European Martial Arts communities in the World.  HEMAA is incorporated as a non-profit educational organization dedicated to rekindling the lost traditions of European Martial Arts.

Puck and Mary Dill Curtis

Puck Curtis is a board certified Master of Arms of Classic Italian fencing and is an instructor at the Sacramento Sword School and the primary historical fencing instructor at the Davis Fencing Academy.  Puck has traveled around the world, including to Spain, to both study and teach the historical Iberian traditions of swordsmanship.  Puck is also a member of the SCA's Order of the White Scarf.


Puck's wife, Mary Dill Curtis is a Fulbright scholar and holds a PhD in Golden Age Spanish literature.  She is also a member of the Order of the White Scarf.  Dr. Curtis lived in Spain for a year researching Spanish archives on historical fencing.


Puck and Mary Dill Curtis are the authors of the excellent introductory book on Destreza titled From the Page to the Practice.  They are also the founders of the Destreza Translation and Research Project, which has a lot of information about Destreza source materials, including some translations. 


Puck also has a personal blog with a very helpful section on fencing.

Sébastien Romagnan

Sébastien Romagnan is the author of Destreza Historical Fencing and Destreza Cuts and Reverse cuts, two excellent hardbound books, available in French and English, based on Francisco Lorenz de Rada's 1705 manual Nobleza de la Espada.  Sébastien's YouTube channel has a ton of Destreza videos demonstrating the techniques in his books.  The videos are in French with some English subtitles.  If you speak French they are extremely amazing videos.  If you don't speak French, they are merely amazing videos.

Terra Nova School of Swords

Terra Nova School of Swords, founded by HEMAA certified LVD instructor Phil Swift and located in St. John's Newfoundland, is a branch of the Maritime Sword School Alliance that welcomes everyone to come train and learn weapon styles used during the medieval and renaissance period.  


Their main topics of study are Longsword, working from the fencing manual of Fiore de’i Liberi, “Flor di Battaglia (MS Ludwig XV 13)”, and Rapier, working from the manual of Francisco Lorenz de Rada “Nobleza de la Espada”, as translated and rewritten by Sébastien Romagnan.  Programs taught at Terra Nova School of Swords are created from their members' own interpretations and understandings of those manuals.  Phil's YouTube channel has a large playlist of helpful Destreza videos.

Umeå Historiska Fäktskola

UMEhfs is a historical fencing school located in Umea, Sweden.  They have an excellent YouTube channel with many English language instructional videos on Destreza that are very helpful.

Commercial publications

From the Page to the Practice

Freelance Academy Press brings you From the Page to the Practice, an introductory eBook on Spanish Destreza school of swordplay by Puck and Mary Dill Curtis.

find out more

Destreza Historical Fencing and Destreza Cuts and Reverse Cuts

Destreza Historical Fencing  and Destreza Cuts and Reverse Cuts are two excellent hardbound books, available in French and English, based on Francisco Lorenz de Rada's 1712 manual Nobleza de la Espada as translated and rewritten by Sebastien Romagnan 

Find out more

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