El discípulo instruido y diestro aprovechado en la ciencia filosófica y matemática de la Destreza de las armas (2 volumes)

A fundamental and, until now, unpublished work of which only one copy exists in a private collection not available to the general public.

Written by D. Diego Rodríguez del Canto, master of arms for the king in the 18th century, this work illustrates the late Verdadera Destreza, its evolution, and the beginning of its decline.

Exceptional among the literature of its genre, this treatise offers through its 434 pages 200 illustrations accompanying each explanation, showing geometric principles up to the decomposition of movement techniques, references for measurements, knowledge trees, etc.

The manual documents how the traditional Destreza adapts to new styles. Rodríguez del Canto created the innovative Doctrina Mixta, incorporating Italian and French techniques. The author cites Pacheco, Ettenhard, and Rada and structures his work into four treatises:

• The first treatise covers philosophical and mathematical principles, applying Arithmetic, Statics, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy; the measures of the weapons (montante, rapier, smallsword, and dagger) and the geometric postures of the three schools: the Iberian, the Italic, and the Gallic.
• The second treatise covers the Destreza categories, body and weapon measurements, lines and figures, the diversity of stances (plantas), steps (compases) and motions, the method of holding the sword, and the diagonal postures.
• The third treatise focuses on the six rules for tretas (Agregación, Atajo, Incluir, Transferir, Formar, and Librar), including the engavilanadas and encadenadas and the smallsword technique.
• The fourth details the use of sword and dagger or sword and cloak, opposition to the left-handed opponent (zurdo), speed drills, and fencing warnings.

Finally, the manual includes a catalog of sword blade manufacturers, with their marks, dated 1734.