The following is a glossary of military and personal defense terms used in 16th and early 17th century english texts. Note: Spellings are variable, and sometimes the English use of a foreign term is not the same as its use in the original language.
Agent - The term used to designate the attacker or first mover in a fight between two men
Battel (Battle) - A large formation of soldiers, usually with a block of pikemen at the center and shot (archers, calivermen, or musketeers) along the flanks
Beaver - 1. The (lower) visor of a helmet 2. A stylish hat made of beaver felt
Bill - A pole arm, six to seven feet long, with a hook-like bladed head. May also have a blade or spike at the tip or back of the head. It developed from the billhook, a common agricultural tool. A common footsoldier's weapon
Bodkin - 1. A narrow, spike-like arrow head used to penetrate armor 2. A narrow bladed dagger or large needle
Bracer - A protective guard, made of leather or horn, worn by an archer on the left forearm to protect from being slapped by the bowstring
Buckler - Small shield for use with the sword
Burgonet (Burgeonette) - A popular style of helmet with a forward brim and a protective extension over the back of the neck
Cabasset (Cabasette) - A type of Morion helmet, named for its pear-like shape
Caliver - A common soldier's firearm, smaller and lighter than a musket, often designed to a common standard bore size and parts. From this weapon comes the modern word Caliber.
Cassack (Cassock) - A smock like overgarnment often worn by soldiers
Close Fight - To engage an opponent in close proximity, holding your weapon forward, seeking to cross weapons and/or wrestle
Close Helm - Helmet designed to protect the head, neck and face
Close Hilt - A sword hilt designed to enclose and protect the hand (aka Basket Hilt)
Collar - Common synonym for Gorget
Company - A unit of 100 to 200 soldiers, under the command of a Captain
Corporal - An officer ranking under Sergeant, in command of a squadron
Corslet - Armor combination consisting of Back and Breast Plates and Helmet. May also include Pauldrons (shoulder protection) and Tassets (thigh protection).
Dagg - A pistol of wheellock or snaphaunce design
Fast - The command for archers to cease loosing arrows
File - A column of soldiers, front to back, in a battel
Fistmele - The measurement of the distance between the belly/grip and string of a bow, based on the width of the archer's fist plus the length of his extended thumb
Guard - A position in which one faces an opponent
Guardant Fight (Gardant) - To engage an opponent with your weapon held in a hanging guard position (hand high, point low)
Gorget (Gorgete, Gorgette) - Armor to protect the throat (pronounced "gorge - et" by englishmen AND frenchmen alike!)
Halberd (Holbard) - An axe-like pole arm, usually six to seven feet long. Usually lighter than a bill, it was considered a more difficult weapon to use
Half Pike - A pike of about eight to nine feet in length
Hanger - 1. A short cutting sword. 2. A leather hanging device used to carry a sword
Imbroccata (Imbrocatta) - 1. A thrust that moves down from above the opponent's weapon. 2. A guard position from which this thrust may be easily made.
Jack - 1. A protective vest made of fabric, leather, or small metal plates. 2. A leather drinking vessel
Lance-Corporal - A minor officer, ranking under Corporal, who assists in the command of a squadron
Lans-prizado (Lancepassado) - Same as Lance-Corporal
Latch - A small crossbow
Lieutenant - An officer directly under and assisting a Captain. There is one lieutenant per company
Maister - 1. A martial arts teacher (Maister of Defence) 2. Gunner's term for Saltpetre (potassium nitrate) an ingredient in gunpowder
Mandelion - A cassack designed so that the sleeve and side seams could be unbuttoned and re-buttoned to form a cape.
Mandrita (Mandritta) - Italian synonym for Right Blow.
Mark - 1. The point to be shot at (as in a modern target) 2. The victim of a trick or ruse
Morion - A popular brimmed, high domed helmet
Morris Pike - See Pike. This term appears to be a very common english name for the pike during the first half of the 16th century. The origin of the term is unclear, but may refer to the fact that pikes in the 12 to 13 foot range were often carried by highwaymen, some of whom were probably gypsies (called "moorish" or "morris" by englishmen).
Musket - A long barreled firearm, heavier and more powerful than a caliver
Open Fight - To engage an opponent holding your weapon with your hand at head height and your point upward or slightly back, leaving your body open
Patient (Patient Agent) - The term used to designate the warder (defender) or second mover during an attack in a fight between two men
Pike - 1. Common word for a metal spike or pick. 2. A pole of 12 to 18 feet in length, tipped with a steel spike or narrow blade. 3. The spike or blade at the tip of such a weapon.
Privy Coat - A vest or jacket of fine mail or other armor worn under a doublet
Rank - A row of soldiers, side to side, in a battel
Rapier - A single handed sword with greatly reduced cutting capacity, designed almost entirely for strong thrusting
Reversa - Italian synonym for Reverse Blow
Reverse Blow - An attack that originates from the attacker's left side
Right Blow - An attack that originates from the attacker's right side
Sergeant - An officer ranking under lieutenant. There were two Sergeants per company
Short Arms - A general term for hand to hand weapons that are shorter than pikes (such as bills, halberds etc.)
Shot - A general term for man carried ranged weapons, such as bows, calivers, and muskets.
Snapper - A firearm of snaplock or snaphaunce design (an early form of flintlock)
Stoccata (Stocatta) - 1. A thrust that moves up from below the opponent's weapon. 2. A guard position from which this thrust may be easily made.
Squadron - A unit of about 20 to 40 soldiers. There are five squadrons per Company
Target - A large shield, often designed to be partially or nearly bulletproof
True Guardant - A hanging guard in which the weapon hand is held at head height or above
Variable Fight - To engage an opponent in a guard not covered by open, close, or gardant fight
Ward - 1. To deflect an attack. 2. A guard position
Waster - 1. A wooden practice sword 2. A beating stick, such as used to wash clothing