Viedma - Siete Generales

Siete Generales (Seven Generals) of Luis Díaz de Viedma (1639).
Viedma was a "vulgar" Spanish fencer in the south of Spain before becoming a proponent of verdadera destreza. He wrote two books on how to teach destreza: Método de Enseñanza de Maestros [Method of Teaching of Masters], and Epitome de la Enseñanza [Epitome of the Teaching] - transcriptions and translations of which can be found at www.spanishswo...
Siete Generales:
0:09 - Línea en cruz [Line in cross]
0:18 - Flaqueza debajo de la fuerza [Weak below the strong]
0:26 - General baja [Low general]
0:33 - Estrechar [Narrowing]
0:41 - Flaqueza encima de la fuerza [Weak above the strong]
0:48 - General alta [High general]
0:56 - Atajo general [General atajo]
Heridas de primera intención [Blows of first intention]
1:07 - Línea en cruz, acometimiento perfecto al rostro
[Line in cross, perfect attack to the face]
f.22r
1:16 - General de estrechar, acometimiento perfecto al rostro
[General of narrowing, perfect attack to the face]
f.40v
1:25 - General alta, herida de tajo vertical
[High general, blow of vertical tajo]
f.41v
1:34 - General alta, medio revés a la cara
[High general, half revés to the face]
f.41v
1:43 - Atajo general, acometimiento perfecto al rostro
[General atajo, perfect attack to the face]
f.45v

[@Jonobos]

Thank you so much for recording and putting these out there!

[@miguelarocazarco5744]

this is very good ! thanks! do more !!

[@josepavon6828]

Es una buena explicación de la destreza española estaxen los viejos libros que hablan de ella y su efectividad ni entiendo como la esgrima moderna se basa sólo en para atrás eso limita la capacidad de improvisar y quita reacción a la inteligencia he intuición de un adversario más limitado físicamente pero con más rango de destraza

[@curtiscleek8132]

So, coming from the stand point of someone who studies Italian rapier, I don't often see people putting the weak of their sword on the strong of the opponent's sword. Might I ask what the idea behind that is?

[@spanishswordsmanshipsociet1479]

With a few exceptions, typically in destreza (both true and common) the strong of the blade is not used to control the opponent's weak, because it's too easy for the opponent to free from that control by moving the point. Among other things, placing the weak of your blade on their strong (with the proper movement of the body to change the angle of engagement between the swords) can be used to reduce the control the opponent has (if he controls the middle of your blade) and create a more favorable position for your next movement.
This video is only demonstrating the seven general techniques in a pure manner, not how they might be used (and thus are only really useful for someone studying Viedma's method). For how these things might be used, see our other video (Viedma - segunda intención - ruclips.net/video/KiA1mUYn7kk/видео.html); in some sequences, you can see how sometimes one fencer's weak moves to the other's strong.

[@antondelacruz9362]

Is this the same as the 'siete henerales' of garimot arnis training?

[@spanishswordsmanshipsociet1479]

It is not.

[@antondelacruz9362]

@@spanishswordsmanshipsociet1479 thanks

[@tatumergo3931]

The name might have been taken from the Spanish Destreza present at the time in the Philippines.

[@antondelacruz9362]

@@tatumergo3931 thanks ^^

[@tatumergo3931]

@@antondelacruz9362 . Siete Henerales Eskrima
The Swords of Seven Generals: the art of swordsmanship developed on the 17th century in the Philippines (Paete, Laguna).
7 Position: Recta - Punta Cielo - Crusado - Alta Vajo - Bajo Recta - Puera Recta - Punta Suelo.
7 Paso: Padelante - Paatras - Paderecha - Pasienta - Paisquierda - Pamatador - Palaire.
7 Herida: Corazon - Pulmon - Higado - Rinon - Bejiga - Garganta - Cerebro.
7 Parada: Pescar - Cielo - Abaniko - Sumbra - Planchada - Techo - Palda.
7 Corta (Rombo): Cuello - Hombro - Braso - Cintura - Pierna - Rodilla - Cabesa.
7 Paso de Rueda: Gira Derecha - Gira Isquierda - Tornea Derecha - Tornea Isquierda - Vuelta Derecha - Vuelta Isquierda - Tornea Delantera.
7 Apurar de Ganancia: Agare - Captura - Requadro - Gancho - Empuje - Traccion - Dos Gancho.
7 Pos Daga: Oculta - Cruz Reves - Cruz Tendida - Axila - Manta de Corazon - Manta de Rinon - Manta de Espada.
Looks like a method of vulgar destreza, something that would have been pick up and developed by the Filipino criollo gentry. Possibly developed for the local colonial militia as was often the case during the times of the colonial government.
A similar thing would have happened in the other Archipelago colony of Spain in the Caribbean, the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico (so many similarities with the Philippines). Where the local militia was taught swordsmanship but instead of a sword or saber, they would use a military style machete. These type of machetes had straight, or semi straight sabre like blades, but broader and hatchet tip points. The pommel would have been adorned with an animal head of either a lion, eagle, horse or cockerill and S type hand guards.
During the independence wars, about the same time the Philippines was fighting hers, these type of machetes would have been the primary weapon of the insurgents. Been used in the famous machete charges, which were executed by taking advantage of the thick tropical forrest in ambush attacks.
These types of machete were also eventually issued to the Spanish troops sent to the islands to fight the insurgency, since they easily doubled as a weapon and a jungle tool.
P.S. I noticed that the Filipino insurgents uniforms were similar to the ones worn by the Cuban insurgents. Even down to the style they wore the hats. Which makes me wonder if there was any coordination or cooperation between Cuban and Filipino revolutionaries? They would have probably met in Spain or Europe, maybe even in Mexico or the US.