The Spiedo of Francesco Altoni

Monomachia ovvero Arte di Scherma

Chapter XIV

The spiedo is a most useful weapon because it offers a stronger defense than any other weapon. It is quite similar to the Partisan. It is held in the same way, that is to say you place your right hand near the butt of the shaft and with the middle of the shaft against the thigh of your leading leg and with the point directed at the enemy’s chest.[1] As the spiedo is a winged weapon you will orient the edges a bit differently than how you align the partisan. With the spiedo you will orient the bottom prong downward and at a slight angle so that it does not precisely face the ground or the enemy’s weapon.

In using all weapons, you should first deal with the opponent’s weapon and then the man, and when using the spiedo this is particularly true. Unless you wish to use deception instead. The way to use the spiedo is to catch the enemy’s shaft with whichever of the two wings is prepared to receive it, trapping the weapon, then pushing the enemy’s weapon back as you strike him.  Be advised you must always position the iron of the weapon to pin the enemy’s weapon whenever he repositions his arm to harm you.

Forking:

Let us say that you do not wish to strike your opponent with cleverness but prefer a direct course of action.  When using the spiedo you must trap below the iron.[2] With the spiedo you can trap an opponent’s haft by forking from below and from above, or from left or right.