Ghost of a flea: Self-defence with a Walking-stick

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January 02, 2006

Self-defence with a Walking-stick

Young Flea-readers often write to ask how they too might take up the crime-fighting life. The finer points of sleuthing and forensics are a constant source of interest but it is often Flea-ish pugilism that is the point of greatest curiousity: how to address the issue of fisticuffery.

While the secrets of the Welsh martial arts must remain an enigma, I can point interested young people to E.W. Barton-Wright's classic primer for gentlemen; "Self-defence with a Walking-stick: The Different Methods of Defending Oneself with a Walking-Stick or Umbrella when Attacked under Unequal Conditions" (and Part II). I have found Pierre Vigny's fighting-method, incorporated into Barton-Wright's bartitsu style, to have been most effecacious in seeing off hoodlums and ne'erdowells under most circumstances. The only caveat I would offer is that, while a silver-mounted Malacca cane is certainly to be desired, I have found my trusty Tanzanian ebony walking-stick has been more than sufficient to the business.

Imagine that you are walking in a lonely part of the country, carrying a light switch or an umbrella, when suddenly a foot-pad bars your way, carrying a stout stick, with which he threatens you. It is obvious that under these conditions if you gave your assailant time to assume the offensive, he would have no difficulty in breaking down any slight guard you might offer, and in felling you to the ground. Knowing this disadvantage, and without giving him time to realise it, you must at once attack.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at January 2, 2006 08:57 AM

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Comments

I thought Welsh martial-arts was a rugby tackle at full tilt?

Posted by: Andrew Ian Dodge at January 2, 2006 10:01 AM

Ha! But it will take more than that to trick me into revealing the deadly power to maim, kill, smash, batter, fracture, crush, dismember, crack, disembowel, cripple, snap and harm! Two pints, say.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at January 2, 2006 10:21 AM

Not to be a complete geek or anything [Heaven forbid!] but there was a Welsh 'martial arts style' called Purring, or shin-kicking, at one time. It was mostly used for duelling purposes & was notably violent. Seasoned martial artists of my acquaintance who read historical accounts of Purring are universally impressed & shocked.

Posted by: urthshu at January 2, 2006 11:45 AM

For more Brit martial arts fun, try here.

Posted by: urthshu at January 2, 2006 11:48 AM

I need to learn more of this Purring of which you speak.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at January 2, 2006 02:08 PM

Here ya go, Flea

Posted by: urthshu at January 2, 2006 10:49 PM