Large Fierce Mammal

“The thorn defends the rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict.”

In my 2012 article, A Sabre’s Not For Rattling, I quoted Swordmaster Adam Crown by way of a passage from The Swordmaster’s Grimoire. For today’s purposes, here’s a specific snippet from that larger work:

“… Your opponent won’t be giving you a multiple-choice quiz.
But can you stand on guard, maintain your balance, line focus and distance?
Can you extend your sword arm swiftly, accurately and at the right moment?
Can you lunge – and can you recover in good order after you do?
And, above all, can you parry, small, tight and at the last possible instant?

“When you cross blades with someone it will be obvious who you are, what you’re made of, and how well and how hard you’ve trained.
And you If you can do the thing, that will be clear, if you can’t do the thing, that will be clear, too and all the Kings horses and all the kings lawyers with all their impressive bullshit won’t be able to save you.

“The real beauty of the fencing is that there’s just absolutely no room for bullshit.
It’s honest.
One of the most honest things you can do.
For many people, the most honest thing they will ever do ….” ~ 

With that in mind, let us move on to cutting the meat of today’s matter.

I have written many times here of my Esteemed Friend, Master at Arms James A. Keating , and have every reason to expect that I will again. It is with the most sincere LFM appreciation of the efforts of Mr. Tomas Alas from the Tactical Tavern Tomas YouTube channel that I present these first entries in a most splendid documentary series highlighting the life’s work of a True Gentleman.

One never knows, a Master said,
Just where a lesson will be fed,
Nor who will cook and serve the fare,
Upon the student’s humble tare.

~ The Fencing Lesson of the Leaning Hemlock ~
(Excerpt)

Part 1 – Premiered 9 May 2026

Part 2 – Premiered 30 May 2026

Part 3 – Premiered 1 August 2026

To conclude, thou goode and worthy Pilgrims who’ve made it this far , here’s Spartacus Jones, the musical nom de guerre of Maestro Adam Crown, to sing us out.