The Ronca of Achille Marozzo

Billhook Circa 1568

Part 1:

If you are going to fight one-on-one with the ronca with your left foot forward against your enemy, then you can grab it by the middle or by the head, whichever appears better. But let’s start by assuming your enemy is holding it in the middle, and that you will hold it in the same way, with your left hand lower than your right hand, that is your left hand is closer to the heel. Then you will wait for your enemy to throw a cut to your head or leg.

Let’s say that he attacks your leg, you will defend yourself by taking a big step back with your left foot behind your right foot, and as you step you will throw a fendente[1] onto his head, letting the haft slide through your hand, in such a way that your left hand will finish near the heel of the haft and your ronca will be lowered into porta di ferro larga.[2] Now your ronca will be in a different position and you will wait.

Because now your enemy renews his attack from above, you will defend yourself by striking upwards with your ronca, strongly, and a bit towards your enemy’s left side. And in the motion of this striking, you will extend a thrust to his face with your point and then set yourself into the position we first described with your hands in the positions described above, as I first told you.