The most comprehensive book ever written on the art of fencing with the basket-hilted Highland broadsword, including every major technique and concept from broadsword and backsword masters Donald McBane (1728), Thomas Page (1746), Andrew Lonnergan (1771), Captain G. Sinclair (1790), Archibald MacGregor (1791), Henry Angelo (1799), John Taylor (1804), and Thomas Mathewson (1805). Includes: Fundamental Skills Plain Playing Timing Slipping the Leg Slipping the Body Double Attacks The Feint The Invitation Actions on the Blade Disarms Counter-Disarms Set Play Loose Play The Grounds of the Sword Traversing Footwork Double Weapons (sword and targe, sword and buckler, sword and dagger, etc.) The style of the stage gladiators The style of the Highland Regiments The training curriculum of the Cateran Society The history of broadsword and backsword fencing Nearly 500 separate training exercises

Historical swordsmanship instructor and president of the Cateran Society Christopher Scott Thompson examines the available evidence for the martial arts of the pagan Celts. Includes the weapons of the ancient Gauls, Irish, Picts and others, as well as an exploration of martial culture, warrior spirituality and the Celtic battle goddesses.

An in-depth examination of the famous "Cauldron of Poesy" text describing the mystical practices of the poet-seers of medieval Ireland and the legendary bard Amergin. Includes a new translation of the text, a line-by-line analysis of the original Old Irish, a new interpretation of the Cauldron system unlike any in current use and exercises for practicing the Cauldron system as a method of spiritual cultivation.