Queens Guard (on the Right)
Guards 2/12 - Verse 14
High guard with offline advance and diagonal pass to strike
Translation
This is the Stance of the Queen on the Right, a powerful high guard. From this stance, you can deliver all seven strikes of the sword and also cover against all incoming strikes. You break the other guards with the powerful blows you can make from this position. You are always ready to exchange thrusts. To execute the footwork: advance your front foot offline (off the line of attack), then pass diagonally with your rear foot. This movement leaves your opponent uncovered and allows you to strike immediately.
Fiore's Words
I am the Stance of the Queen, noble and high, Brave and elevated, ready to defy. From me flow all seven strikes of the blade, and every blow against me can be stayed. I break the other guards with powerful blows, and in exchange, thrusts, I'm always close. Step forward offline, then diagonal pass your opponent stands open, strike hard and fast.
Combat Context
This versatile guard is used to dominate the engagement through powerful strikes and tactical positioning. The high position threatens multiple angles of attack while providing strong defensive coverage. The footwork pattern is used when your opponent commits to an attack: you step offline to void their strike while simultaneously creating an angle to their opening. This guard is particularly effective at breaking down defensive guards with powerful descending cuts. The ready exchange of thrusts suggests use in narrow play when the initial strike doesn't land.
Training Notes
- ✦ Start with the sword held high on your right side, point elevated. This is the characteristic position of posta de donna
- ✦ Practice the two-step sequence slowly: first advance the front foot offline (typically to your left if right-handed), then pass diagonally with the rear foot
- ✦ The offline step must be deliberate; you're removing yourself from your opponent's line of attack while maintaining measure
- ✦ The diagonal pass should angle toward where your opponent's opening will be, not straight forward
- ✦ From this high position, practice delivering all seven strikes (fendente, sottano, mezzano from both sides, plus thrust) to understand the guard's versatility
- ✦ Work covering actions from this guard, the high position allows you to intercept incoming strikes effectively
- ✦ The power of strikes from this guard comes from the elevated position and body mechanics during the passing step
This is card FL14 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
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· Posta de donna destraza, pulsativa · [23v-b] ¶ Questa si'e posta di donna che po fare tutti gli setti colpi dela spada. E de tutti colpi ella se po crovrire. E rompe le altre guardie per grandi colpi che po fare. E per scambiar una punta ella e sempre presta. Lo pe ch'e denanci acresse fora di strada, e quello di dredo passa ala traversa. E lo compagno fa remagner discoverto, e quello pe ferir subito per certo.
This is the Guard of the Lady,[27] from which you can make all seven of the sword’s strikes and cover them too. And from this guard you can break the other guards with the strong blows you can make, and you can also quickly exchange thrusts. Advance your front foot offline, and then pass diagonally with your rear foot. This will take you to a position where your opponent is unprotected, and you will then be able to quickly strike him.[28]
[12r-b] Questa si e posta de donna che po far tuti setti colpi dela spada. E de tuti colpi ella se po covrir. E rompe le altre guardie per grandi colpi che po fare. E per scambiar una punta ella e sempre presta. Lo pe denanci acrese fora de strada, e aquello de dredo passa ala traversa. E llo compagno fa romagner discoverto. E aquello po ferire subito per certo.
This is the Stance of the Queen,[29] which can make all seven blows of the sword and can also cover all blows. She breaks the other guards through the great blows that she makes, and she is always ready for the exchange of thrusts: the foot which is in front advances out of the way and the one behind steps to the side. And her companion is made uncovered, and that one can immediately strike him for certain.
[18a-b] Io son posta de dona soprana e altera Per far deffesa in zaschaduna mainera E chi contra de mi vole contrastare Piu longa spada de mi convem[!] trovare
I am the Stance of the Queen, noble and proud For making defense in every manner; And whoever wants to contend against me Will want to find a longer sword than mine.
[12v-b] ¶ Audax / excelsus / muliebris sum situs. alta Et quocunque modo defendo membra furentis.
Brave, elevated, I am the Lady’s Position, high, And in any quarter by this manner I defend limbs with fury.