The encyclopedia is unique in the world fencing literature in terms of its volume (1590 A4 pages with 6300 illustrations) and content. It provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental elements of all techniques of classical European combat fencing with all types of fencing weapons of the ancient, medieval and modern ages. The book also contains other content related to European fencing, such as: the history of European fencing, the main European books and manuscripts on fencing, the systematics of swords, the mechanics of the action of fencing weapons, types of fencing, martial ethics, etc.
For the first time in fencing literature, the book also presents the theory, principles and practice of a new - THIRD fencing, the purpose of which is not competition - killing (martial art) or competitive competition (combat sport) but a non-competitive martial art (Martial Art) in the spirit of "Contraria sunt complementa" (opposites complement each other). In this form of fencing, the goal is not victory and prestige of the participants in the fight, but the skill itself as a means of developing and refining the physical and spiritual culture of the fencers.
The encyclopedia was not written with the aim of providing a picture of different fencing styles of different European teachers through different eras (historical fencing) but with the aim of providing a general picture of the style that to the greatest extent unites their main elements that extend permanently through all eras (classical fencing).
Namely, every European fencing teacher had his own fencing: Fabrice one, Lebkomer second, Mayer third, Maroco fourth, Agrippa fifth, Capo Ferro sixth... and so the whole skill became fragmented and broken by vanity of 600 and more years into hundreds of European schools. The book has tried to find common elements and threads that extend through all these schools and assemble this multitude of colorful stones into a picture of a more or less complete mosaic of this European martial art. The author shaped and practiced this form of swordsmanship within his School of Swordsmanship "Sveti Đorđe" from Belgrade, and as its basic style.
The encyclopedia is a rich source of information intended for fans, researchers or practitioners of fencing. An indispensable part of the library of every admirer of tradition, lover of classical beauty and custodian of the permanent values of the cultural heritage of the world. Author Aleksandar Stanković, professor of fencing, publisher - Center FABULA NOSTRA, Belgrade, 2017.
The author donates the book in pdf format for the public good and anyone is free to use any part of it provided that the source is cited.