Queens Guard (Posta di Donna)
Guards 7/12 - Verse 19
From this guard, you can deliver & defend all blows
Translation
This is the Stance of the Queen (Posta di Donna), positioned on the right side. From this guard, you can deliver all seven blows of the sword and defend against all incoming strikes. You break other guards through the powerful blows you can make from this position. You are always ready to exchange thrusts with your opponent. When executing an attack, the front foot advances offline (out of the way of their attack) while the rear foot passes across at an angle. This footwork leaves your opponent uncovered and vulnerable, allowing you to strike them immediately and with certainty.
Fiore's Words
I am the Stance of the Queen, set against the Boar's Tusk, with malice and cunning, I give battle at dusk. All seven blows of the sword I can make, all incoming strikes I can cover and break. With powerful cuts, I shatter their guard; in exchange, thrusts, I'm always prepared. My front foot steps off, my back foot cuts wide. My enemy's left open with nowhere to hide. Then, certain and swift, my strike finds its mark. With trickery and hindrance, I light up the dark.
Combat Context
This guard is particularly effective against Boar's Tusk (a thrusting guard). You appear to offer a target, but when your opponent commits to an attack, your footwork takes you offline while simultaneously creating an opening in their defence. The combination of defensive coverage and powerful offensive capabilities makes this a versatile guard capable of responding to multiple threats.
Training Notes
- ✦ Practice the footwork pattern slowly: front foot moves offline (laterally off the centerline), rear foot passes at an angle to support the new position
- ✦ The power of 'all seven blows' suggests this guard provides mechanical advantage for various cuts and thrusts. Experiment with different attacks from this position
- ✦ Focus on the timing: the offline step and the strike should be coordinated so that you're moving as they commit
- ✦ The 'malice and trickery' suggests this guard may look passive or defensive, but is actually an offensive trap
- ✦ When your opponent is 'left uncovered,' their original attack has been evaded, and they're out of position to defend. Exploit this immediately
- ✦ Against Boar's Tusk specifically, your offline movement likely defeats their thrust, while your counter-thrust or cut finds the opening
This is card FL19 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
Get the full deck of 78 physical training cards.
Get the deck →Next deck: Fiore Dagger - ~35 cards, in development.
[12v-c] Questa si e posta de donna che po tuti gli setti colpi fare della spada fare. E de tuti colpi ella se po covrire. 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 acrese fora de strada, e aquello de dredo passa ala traversa. E lo compagno fa romagnire discoverto. E aquello po ferir subito per certo.
This is the Stance of the Queen, 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.
[18b-c] Anchora son posta de dona contra dent de zenchiar Cum mie malicie e ingani asa briga io ghi o a'dar.
Again, I am the Stance of the Queen against the Boar's Tusk; With malice and trickery, I will give of [my sword] in a brawl.
[13r-c] ¶ Oppositus denti: muliebris sum situs apri: / Impedimenta ferens versuto[45] pectore multis.
I am the Boar’s Tooth Position placed opposite the Lady’s,[42] Bearing wily[43] hindrance to many chest[s].[44]