(1898) A chapter from a Treatise on the French method of the noble art of self defence- George d’Armoric

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Treatise on the French Method of the Noble Art of Self-

Defence Part1

A chapter from a Treatise on the French method of the noble art of self defence, By George

d’Armoric 1898.

This portion of the French method is, I believe, the centre of the attraction to the readers and to

the witnesses of displays. It is the auxiliary to the French art that seems to throw some darkness,

or at least, rather heavy shadows, over the high light of the picture. It is that position which

causes objections and angry feelings – the outcome of unreasoned prejudice. And thus this

unlucky intruder is ill-received by some, and summarily dismissed by other on the door steps

when soliciting an introduction, and this for no other crime than being unknown or

misunderstood!

We will try to soften this austerity, this rigid countenance, with our protégé attired in his best

“togs” and made quite presentable try to ascend those lofty regions where all that is comme-il-

faut dwells – and there crave for the favour of a hearing for his over abused little stranger.

His name is Chausson, the truest, most reliable, and mot sincere kinsman of dame La Boxe – but

you, perhaps, have only heard of him before by his sobriquet of la Savate – another injustice. If



related to what as you may suppose is low born parent, he may, in good truth prove the he

reaches much higher, and, that as a matter of fact this rather ancient relation of his was of

unimpeachable birth, and not, as you have hitherto imagines, a frequenter of the gutter.

Savate to day means an old, cast of shoe, ‘tis true, but its meaning was very different in the days

or yore, and to answer the numerous enquiries I have received concerning the unfortunate

Savate, its real name, real meaning and etymology, I will, with your permission, make a short

digression from our real subject. At one time, and, as far as I am aware, even today, the

shoemakers of France were or may still be divided into distinct classes.

The Bottier is that specialist in high top boots generally known as Wellington’s, and is pretty

high in the scale. The Cordonnier holds a middle level of respectability – but again has his



subdivision of rank, as it comprises the makers of boots and shoes of the general character for

men and woman. But the Savatier is, or was the first and foremost in this social strata of

leatheren fraternity – the premier of his craft, the real artist. It was he that made, and may still be

making, the dainty feet of the tair look so bewitching; he is the specialist pour chaussures tine

pour dames!

Thus these lovely concoctions of costly materials, something richly embroidered, these sweet

and delicate slippers – all these were, in trade parlance, called “Savates,” and the artists a

Savatier. It is probable that envy and jealousy may like the French Boxers reach pretty high, for

they reached the Savatier and fought him with the most deadly of all weapons – derision and

ridicule.

It was too much for him, and he seems to have succumbed; and today the lowest in the ranks

have assumed his name, and the cobbler henceforth is known as a Savatier, and the worn out,

shapeless, cast off shoe, as une savate – profanation of an art!

And now let us return to our moutons. I am not prepared to assert that the Savateur or tireurs de

Savate of old, and originators of the art, wore “Savate” as then understood, I will even go as far

as to admit of certain doubts, but I am quite certain that they were not “shod” with the

disreputable article as understood today. In all probability they wore light, soft shoes, and only

called Savate by courtesy, a commodity at no time everlasting, so that as time went on the

covering of their feet resumed its proper and real name of Chausson.



Certain Coups de Chausson have, however, retained their old name of Coups de Savate, such as

the Shin Hit, (Coup de Vache) due to the fact that the originators limited their hits to the front of

the leg, and only from the ankle to the knee, but since that its movements have been progressive,

and today they reach a man’s head and have no desire to go higher.

It will be seen that the suppositions of some writers that La Savate owed its origin to the

unscientific kicks of street ruffians and bullies are erroneous. The kick of these is neither Savate

nor Chausson.

It would be somewhat difficult to give any definite date as to the birth of this art, but although

without positive proofs I feel certain that kicking must be a rather ancient practice, ad that even

the early Britons made good use of their power in that direction; and as history give us but scanty

information as to the nature of weapon and means of defence, used at times of attach before the

stone age, I will submit my belief that those employed by all men were those of nature – his all

fours!



What art, sport, or game, can make claim to such lengthy and respectable pedigree? Only in

those days it was not, for obvious reasons, call either Savate or Chausson; nor can we ascertain

what method was most in use in their fistic efforts; at all events, no one can gainsay that every

race, Celtics and Saxons included, have administered a good number of kicks, off and on.

But now, nous avons change tont cela! And this portion of the French Boxing has been broughtto an art. Its practice, n the gymnasium or on the platform, rather gives the impression of a

dancing room entertainment than a performance for the Ring. It is airy, graceful, and a splendid

specimen of mans agility. In assant or contest, the grace, the lightness of the delivery of parnes,

and counters, is taken into account. A wilful blow, or a heavy hit, unless purely accidental, is

considered unscientific, and may disqualify the hitter; still adepts do not expect to be kept in

cotton wool, and may, at times, have to put up with occasional hard knock, and even black eyes;

a rather awkward predicament if you are dinning out that day, but these incidents are relatively

rare.

Contests are always courteous; a pure question of scientific points only, and never descend to an

exhibition of brute strength.

To be a good boxer one must, in this, like in any other method, know his distance and his in-

timing, well. The accuracy of distance is to make one sure of good results in attacks and counters

– miscalculations is the cause of a miss and its consequences.

As a pastime the art is attractive, exhilarating, and fascinating; as an athletic exercise, it is

healthy and useful, and as an appendage to English Boxing it is undeniably invaluable, for it adds

to its resources and makes the whole art of self-defence complete.



It not only teachers you what you can do to others, but what you can prevent other doing to you.With it, you are prepared for all emergencies and know where, when and how to ward off any

attack.

Surrounded as we are by the Bullies and the Hooligans our first care should be to eradicate these

curs, but if found impossible we have but one option, to take up safe means of self defence; and

la Savate as it pleases you to call it, has the value of effectively protecting you.

To give you a full theoretical explanation all possible attacks, counters and parries, would need

much more spare than this pamphlet allows.

The accompanying illustrations will convey a fair conception of some of the results; all of practical vale.

I have not illustrated any of the Coups Fundamentaux, or showy play, for although graceful and

interesting, as a display, they have no practical value.

The higher kicker could do much more in this line, the play being executed with pointed toe, but

the real business demands something very different, and deliveries from the side of the foot or



heel, have much power, but at the same time require special practice; and even the above

mentioned high kicker would find some difficulty in performing these, and his first attempts at

side hits will no doubt make him think that a man’s head is mighty high.

A Coup Direct or Toe Hit is seldom indented to reach higher than the belt and mostly used as a

counter, or a guard.

The Coup d’arret, or Stop Hit is a power in itself and places the weaker man to better advantage

against his stronger opponent.

The Coups Figure, or Face Hit, is most useful and very telling.

Les Coups tournant, or Round Hits, are some of the most powerful of all, they may be landed as

high as the foe’s head, but are mostly used as kidney or mark hits.

Le Coup double, also called Coup renverse, executed as a riposte when the opponent has been

sufficiently unwise to catch hold of the hitter’s foot is full of resource; it is accomplished bychanging the use of the feet for the hands. It is also a useful stop when delivered at the

opponent’s mark, if too much inclined to close quarters.

It is always dangerous to catch hold of the opponent’s foot, and if any inclination that way, the

adversary will soon take full advantage and bait (tempt) with generally satisfactory results – to

the hitter.


Defence Part 2

Pros and Cons

That the English are a nation of sportsmen no one could deny. The taste for Sport seems to

originate in the cradle, grows with the man and I query if there is a child, youth, or man without

a liking for certain games? Although tastes may and do differ, is there one without a choice? In

fact, who could gainsay that the majority of the world follows and is devoted to a sport of some

kind, be that rowing or cricketing, football or tennis, wrestling or fencing, boxing or gymnastics?

Group all the followers of games and you will have grouped well nigh the whole world – the

world of Sport, in which the English reign supreme by right of conquest due to love of the game,and their endurance and pluck.



We ought not to overlook the “Sport of Kings” for it has favour with nearly all; in fact, I question

if any British born could be found unable or unwilling to discuss the points of a horse? Is not the

racecourse the Englishman’s native heath? A well contested match in the football or cricket field

will draw him for miles; but a good display of the “Scientific Art” will fetch him anywhere! This

for good reason:- He likes the game right well, is familiar with the weapons and probably knows

their value, if only during schooldays, when the want of science has been compensated for by alot of pluck, a stout heart….and a few bruises. Here, he will not stop at the argument of points,

he will offer practical demonstrations, for who does not think himself a crack in the NOBLE

ART OF SELF DEFENCE and the use of Nature’s weapons?

So far, so good—but why with him are these weapons limited to the arm and fist only? Is not the

Britisher, like the rest of mankind, endowed with two ether limbs? Why, then, does he wish to

ignore their proper use as intended by out thoughtful mother Nature for our protection and

defence? Is it that he cannot kick? See him in the football field or in any running, jumping or

other gymnastic feat, or descending to the dregs of society, witness – - at all distance- – what

some of the East End roughs or the south East Hooligans can administer, and your doubts, if any,

will be dispelled.




Defence Part 3

Canne

The Canne has a great family likeness to the single stick, and only differs upon certain points, the

most serious of which is that it is intended as a weapon of defence, as for for instance, oneswalking stick, and not, as in the singlestick play, an imaginary broadsword. In practise, it is

neither hilt or guard or any kind for the hand; and as it is improbable that the weapon you might

have to use against an attack would be provided with such, it is best to practise with the proper

tools.



The guards, positions and parries are very nearly the same as singlestick’s, but the thrust, or to be

more precise, the blows, are delivered differently and generally with a rapid preliminary flourish

round the head and neck, perplexing the adversary and lending much more force to the blows.

If suddenly implicated in a street brawl it’s use will prove of much value, for as already

remarked in the Treatise, it is in many instances wiser to use these borrows weapons in place of those given by nature. The Canne of the Salle d’ Armes is replaced by your walking stick, your

umbrella or any such weapon that may be handy, and with any of these you may coolly scorn the

toys usually brought into use by this class of assailant. A well directed blow upon the forearm

with soon place the weapon, whatever it is, hovs de combat, and second hits, administered above

the ear will place the brute ion the same level.

For want of a stick your umbrella may do you excellent service . A gingham is an excellent

weapon of defence, it will surprise you, if ever you have any occasion to use it ; the cover and

the loose ribs, deaden a blow or a thrust in a remarkable way. To catch hold of this “friend in

need” by the thin end, and deliver a rounded hit off the handle (if straight shape only), will give

very good results, otherwise the point thrust alone is to be attempted.

In Conclusion

I wish to remind my readers that the objects of my advise and cousels are solely for the

protection of oneself against aggressors, and that the uncalled-for use of one’s power and

knowledge of the various parts of the art would decidedly be a misuse and a GROSS ABUSE.

A perfect knowledge and method of self defence is a Desidertum, but if this knowledge ever

turns defence into defiance it becomes and Odium!

Documents

(1898) A chapter from a Treatise on the French method of the noble art of self defence- George d’Armoric