Richard Marsden: Polish Saber - Showcasing HEMA 

I'm a simple Hungarian I see Poland I hit like. Great story.

I am first generation American always thought my Polish history has been pretty cool. I will definitely be picking up this book

I would love to see more of polish history. It's a very untouched sector of history in the west.

His instruction was perfect, he was quick and to the point but was able to explain what he was going to achieve before he threw the cut very professionally. He seemed very in tune with his weapon.

You may recognize Richard as the skull codpiece wearing man in Skallagrim's popular video "Expert saber sparring".

Great respect to our brave Brothers from Hungary!!! Our friendship is timeless.

He seems like he would be an excellent teacher to learn from.

I'm Polish and I grew up watching movies like "The Deluge." Thanks for this video.

Very interesting. It's nice to see the interest in this swordfighting form and interest in Polish military history in general. Just a couple of points about the historical aspects that might also interest your viewers. W.r.t. serfs, Poland did not begin as a country of serfs like the W. European countries, so it isn't quite accurate to say that Poland "still" had serfs later in history. A kind of serfdom arose with the steadily growing power of the szlachta. So in a way, you have the reverse development of serfdom. In part, this was supported by increased agricultural exports to W. Europe when the szlachta (and likely the burghers since e.g. the grain trade was largely responsible for not only the wealth of the szlachta but also the wealth of the cities), wishing to increase profits, exercised increasing pressure on the peasants living on their lands. This was also partly enforced by the fact that the szlachta were forbidden from engaging in most forms of commerce, agriculture being one of those exceptions. W.r.t. the power of the szlachta, I would distinguish between the szlachta and the magnates who themselves were members of the szlachta. A szlachcic could, of course, even become impoverished and remain a noble since the title was hereditary, in which case he might employ himself in the service of a more wealthy and powerful magnate family or even be forced to till his own land. Thus, whereas some of the magnates could rival even the wealth and military power (via private armies, often used during levées en masses) of the Polish Crown itself, the vast majority of the szlachta (some 10% of the population, which is quite large compared to the rest of Europe) were probably well off, though naturally not magnates. This division is important because it was reflected in the Commonwealth's institutions, specifically in the two chambers of parliament, or sejm, where the magnates and bishops dominated in the senat, or upper house, while the szlachta dominated in the sejm proper, or lower house. This grew out of tensions between the szlachta in general, the Crown, and the magnates which resulted in alternating cooperation between two of the three against the third in a kind of balance of power.

it is very beautiful that the Englishman is interested in Polish martial art. Please see the movies of the family Sieniawski, it may be interesting for you.

Richard must be recognisable from miles for those red socks.

It's so cool that you guys managed to get Mr. Marsden for such a (relatively) long video!

My copy of the book just came today after over a month on back order. I am loving it!

I bought a copy of your book. Very informative and excellent photography. It is really a keeper.

Just picked up first Szabla, and two practice sabers. Plan on picking your book up very soon, thank you for keeping my people's culture and history alive.

I don't believe in this story. How a Frenchman can beat a Polish Nobel in drinking?!

This reverse cut with false edge - I remember something I heard that there's a variant of that cut, aimed at groin area, called "Eunuch's cut" (i.e. one that makes the opponent into one). O_o

I appreciate the longer video. I loved every second, and I appreciate the subtle humor.

Saber seems to be the lost, unwanted sibling in the European Historical Fencing family, and the Polish saber seems to be of the same low popularity. I've been trying to get into HEMA, but wanted to find a weapon that suited me beforehand, because I didn't want to drop a lot of money into a weapon I ended up disliking (I know synthetics are about $70-90, but still), and that fit into a time period I liked (which started as Ancient Roman, then Medieval, then Rennassaise). I spent a lot of time researching, my tastes going from gladii to high medieval arming swords to more and more specialized blades, which is the logical flow of action, I guess: going from well-rounded designs to more specialized designs, depending on what you want to accentuate (reach, power, speed, versatility, thrusting, cutting, etc.). Then, I came upon the Polish saber, and this is the second longest I've ever stuck with liking a certain weapon, a close second only to the medieval arming sword (third is is a tie between Broadsword and Backsword, and forth is Sidesword, but the time gap between them and the Polish saber is huge).

from Poland with love !!

I love Richard Marsden so much

Reminds me a líttlebit of the blades used by the (Crimean) Tartars, though those were often even more curved. However, a nice weapon indeed.

I hope the story of the Polish nobleman Pan Twardowski from the period of the golden freedoms :-) He made a pact with the devil, and outsmarted the devil.

I have that same blade from Poland!

Well... In crossfighting (Polish saber) you do not use much of static parry. Its mostly used strategically or when walking into an opponent.

Got the book for Christmas! It is awesome! If you wanna get into Saber-fighting with HEMA, it's pretty much the best book out there!

You should look into Polish cross cutting technique and the devils quart. There is a great movie called "Born For The Saber" with actual polish fencers.

Zero comments on the Mount and Blade: Warband, background music

Check also the movie Born to the Saber made by History Channel, very good and acurate

The cross guard isnt touching bottom of the hilt becouse it does allows to unscrew the pommel

Very intelligent, competent and interesting presentation IMO. This man knows what tells about! Some experiments prooved that Japanease katana would be useful and broken, having all the great respect to the samurais.

A duel scene from an old Polish movie with these sabers if anyone's interested: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r-mnfJvSDkU.html

it is a cavalry sword isn't it? our army in early 19 th century used a short version of that weapon

I really appreciate that you are making polish sabre more popular, that is a great piece of history:) As for the fencing...well... The most characteristic thing about polish sabre was a finger ring, that enabled cuts typical for polish fencing. That sabre you have there was not even close to polish sabre:) Also those cuts you present are more like french or italian, it looks nothing like polish cross-cut fencing style. There are few people re-discovering polish sabre system, search for cross cut polish sabre. All the best:)

4:38 I know some similar weapons appear in Battlefield, but where exactly in Mortal Kombat do they use the Polish sabre?

Hey, nice footage, greetings from Poland, land od people still and still proud of their sabre and cavalry. :) PS: sabre type, cavalry type and quality, clothes (like żupan) - are different when You compare any other countries around. The answer is the roots with Persians - DNA haplogroup with them biggest % in Europe - Poland. Also some Sarmats clans came to Poland (Lechia/Lechistan) ages ago and mix with Poles/Lechs living in territory few thousands yrs already. Chronicles and DNA say a lot. ;) CHEEEEERSSSSS SWORDSMEN! :)

One intresting fact: the "polish saber" is originally a hungarian (Hun/Türk) weapon. There is no nation invented sabre as a sword style. The whole East used to wear curvy swords like saber, but the hungarians (magyars) brought to Europe at the 8th century.

Dzięki Waszmości

Poland also totally wrecks in Civ V

Whant an amazing video !

P.S. Is there a book on the Polish sabre to buy? Where? I found info that Polish Winged Hussars used this sabres, also e.g. during Battle of Vienna! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NEqo9Rip_ZE.html and here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dnR4KN4uxKU.html So the practice of victories shows the effectiveness of this sabre, I think. During Golden Age of Poland/Lechia (before Baptism Poland was called Lechia/Lehia - up to now in old civilizations they are called : Persia/Iran-Lahestan, Turkey - Lehistan, in Russia and currently Ukraine they still use Lach/Lah/Lachs on Poles - being very old over 2500-6000 BC country) XIV-XV it was the largest, richest and the strongest country of Europe, which several times e.g. 1683 at Vienna Battle saved whole Europe. So more respect after Hitler and traitor Churchill, Roosevelt. P.S. During this time (14-17 centuries) Poland was so large, rich and full of freedom (1st Constitution in Europe) that French were like brabarians, not knowing languages and many eastern countries wanted to join Poland without battle - to be safe, free and rich simply, even when Poland as the only country won Moscow - russian boyars wanted Polish king. Many ppl from the countries on west of Poland emigrated to Poland (Scots, French, Hispanic, Italians, Germans, generally Brits, etc.). It was the reason - the prosperity and power, that later 4 countries at the same time in XVIII attacked and divided, almost destroyed after 6000 years Poland - Lechia! BTW: In those times they ten in Poland as everywhere drank wine - no vodka! They wouldn't be such power in other case...

I used to be a hammer wearing norse pagan. So grateful that the The Lord saved me from such a wretched fate. Love the saber vid though.

The book is $60 on Amazon. I'm sure it is well worth it for the practitioner, but it is a bit pricey for the amateur like myself. Any chance of a less expensive option?

Oh, man! Feat.'s! This channel is actually taking off!

I'd like to ask a question how to defend against such reverse thrusting of curved blade like at 4:50? Is somewhere some materials or presentation obtainable?

Frenchman and syphilis. True story. They did get it in France all the time :D

Look for: POTOP. Analiza sceny pojedynku (duel starts @ 4:12). ;)

I can't place the song that is playing during the final interview portion of the video and it's driving me crazy. Can anyone tell me where it's from?

Marsden makes it sound like we got the idea for the second amendment from the commonwealth.

Exelent!

awesome video do you have a video on sabre parries

from which century is that of copy sabre ? I saw some similar technics, in one older english documentary movie, about turkisch vs christians , I think it was about Great Siege of Malta

Where can you get the steel sparing swords for Polish sabre?

Do szabli trzeba mieć też ducha ludzie polskiego ducha

oh caman, you schould read about polish husaria.

Richard are you in contact with the other reconstructing teams in Poland such as silkfencingteam? Is it a different system altogether, do you disagree in some points? Thank you all for the vid

best weapen in word !!!

You don't pronounce Jan like french Jean. It's more like Yan.

The szabla/sabre was to the Polish like the Katana to the Japanese, yet ironically not much known in Western society.

The "non-historical" guard is very similar to early 20th century ones except full.

6:30 If this maneuver allows you to pass your opponents sword but also places you on the outside of their guard then why aim your strike at their wrist when their head and upper body are exposed? Is it because the "reverse molinet(?)" leaves your sword in a low guard, making strikes to the head/body difficult?

I want my Golden Freedoms back!

I've been looking for a poly type replica helmet for sparring and have realized, there are plenty of poly type training swords, but no helmets? Has no one really thought to make a poly type replica helmets with a martial arts sparring pad helmet inside? Is there anything like this on the market? Thanks. Love the videos by the way!

Please watch this movie on youtube "Sztuka Krzyżowa seminarium 2014"

I can totally imagine this guy as a descendant of Fiore De'i Liberi, weirdly enough......or is that just me?

is there a link to this story? I want to read it actually xD

Who is this Gunderath he speaks of? Where can I find his treatise?

You mentioned the cold steel saber, would you recomment it though? I live in greece so i cant import swords (they are regulated more strictly than firearms), but I found a shop selling some cold steel stuff, should i go for it?

What about the 1930s Ulhan sabers?

Polska gurom !!!!!

Sabre we have in hard greetings from Polska

God! where is the nearest place you can learn historic sabre to Kitchener Ontario?

Good, good.

This saber was typical military. Civilians used predominantly turkish type sabers for duelling. The one with chain was either hungarian or yeomen's type.

That is not the only thing that is interesting in 17th century Poland it was one of the biggest countries at that time, it had true Democracy and has fought and won with all the biggest powers of that times Moscow, Ottoman Empire, Sweden!!! And Won in what awesom way with Polish cavalry - the best cavalry that later American cavalry was based on!!! This is video showing how Polish heavy cavalry - Hussars - Husaria looked like ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1JKKjWvS-jo.html

Potop (The Deluge) - Wołodyjowski duels Kmicic [ENG subs] ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ljExTEPNFnM.html I do not know the art of wielding a sword, what mistakes did the actors make and how would they improve the battle scenes?

Curiosity: Long time ago, in polish law nobles can't sharpen their saber. Thanks for that, their enemies can get help with lessier wounds.

Sztuka Krzyżowa Polish real battle style of sarbe fencing ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BRgKzmOK0T4.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OiQIFdDC-4o.html

In Sterzawski's 1830 book on Polish sabre, he says you should put your index finger, not your thumb, in the ring/loop, but that would require the ring/loop to be on the right side, wouldn't it ?

Lachy My - Sława Sławianom

Dobry filmik, a najstarszy traktat o fechtunku/szermierce szablą znajdziecie tu : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-S8SauT2DfuY.html

Daughters came with land and land could come with serfs. Nobles couldn't give serfs away, because serfs couldn't be moved from one place to another. However, that noble couldn't have been rich if his daughter's land came with only with 100 serfs. That's not even one village.

i dt read u book ....sorry .... but ist there any thing about that only Polish Army gets Moscow ( for 2 yrs) ????( nt Napoleon nt Hitler ) just Poland ???? ( maybe off this sabre ) ...

In the manekin, working.

why is there an austrian flag on the polish saber book ? :D

7:57

the wrist cut technique looks too contrived and all to likely resulting in a decapitation with a simple cut across while the blades are disengaged

Our Tyrant has spoken.

But why the socks?

"...at your HEAD!" Lol.

1610 yers Kluszyno 2700 Polisch husars vs 35000 Rusian and Sweden Victory Poland. 1605 yers Kircholm 3000 Polisch and Lituanian husars vs 13000 Sweden Victory Poland. Polisch saber (szabla) the best in the worlds!

I saw Richard's name and got excited. Then saw he wasn't teaching Fiore's longsword and was disappointed :|

When it's singular, it's just "treatise." He keeps saying "treatisee," presumably getting the long e from "treatises," which is plural. But for singular, it's just treatise, two syllables, rhymes with Thetis. Not trying to be pedantic, just informative. Great saber video.

Poles szlachta = Sarmatians

What the hell's a one point five pound?

I am Polish. I was born with sabers instead of arms.

Poland kurwa stronk

Historically very interesting and great video so thank you. But please get rid of that ridiculous x files music in the background. Very distracting.

Richard aka mad man with red socks

From posture to technique, how is this an expert?