VINCENTIO SAVIOLO

“…hee hath good skill in everie kinde of weapon, hee shootes well in a peece, he shootes well in great ordinance, and besides he is a verie excellent good souldier.”

[‘Second Frutes’ (1591). John Florio]

 

Saviolo was an Italian from Padua, a Gentleman, a soldier & master of fence who, according to the Strangers Report (London 1593), arrived in England in 1587. He was to become the most famous swordsman of Elizabethan England. Along with his companion, Jeronimo, he taught the nobility and gentry in the art of arms.

“Then came in Vincentio and Jeronimo, they taught Rapier-fight at the Court, at London, and in the countrey, by the space of seaven or eight yeares or thereabouts.”

(George Silver, ‘Paradoxes of Defence’ : 1599).

 

On the 19th of November 1594 the printer John Wolfe paid vjd for the book entitled “Vincentio Saviolo his Practise : In two Bookes. The first intreating the use of Rapier and Dagger. The second of Honor and honorable Quarrels." to be licensed by the Worshipful Company of Stationers. The following year it was published in London bearing his imprint (other, later editions would be printed by William Mattes with the added preface - “Both interlaced with sundrie pleasant Discourses, not unfit for all Gentlemen and Captaines that professe Armes.”). The work is dedicated to Robert Devereux, the second Earl of Essex and presented to him as a New Years gift. The first book being an exploration of Saviolo’s martial system (his practise) while the second, “Of Honor and honorable Quarrels”, is predominantly a translation & adaptation of an earlier work “Il Duello” by Girolamo Muzio (Venice 1551).

Saviolo’s collaborator in producing both works was undoubtedly the linguist John Florio. “his Practise” was to become a source of inspiration for, among others, William Shakespeare & Ben Jonson.

 

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