Category Archives: Antagonistics

“The Police (of the Future)”, 1886

The letter to the editor of the Daily Chronicle that inspired this cartoon referred to the advantages of wicker-work shields (which actually were in use by some police departments during the late 1880s) and noted that the quarterstaff should be … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Hooliganism, Humour | Comments Off on “The Police (of the Future)”, 1886

“Mrs. Pankhurst’s Bodyguard: On the Trail of ‘Kitty’ Marshall and the Met Police ‘Cats'”

Self-defence historian Emelyne Godfrey’s long-awaited new book is now available from Barnes and Noble and other booksellers. Some of the most extraordinary narratives of the radical women’s suffrage movement are those of the Bodyguard – a secret society of martial … Continue reading

Posted in Academia, Antagonistics, Biography, Edwardiana, Jiujitsu, Suffrajitsu | Comments Off on “Mrs. Pankhurst’s Bodyguard: On the Trail of ‘Kitty’ Marshall and the Met Police ‘Cats'”

Dr. Emelyne Godfrey Reviews The Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

Boasting over 600 pages, the long-awaited third edition of the Bartitsu Compendium is a real treat, being an exploration of Bartitsu yesterday and today, ideal for both new students of martial arts as well as the general reader. This anthology … Continue reading

Posted in Academia, Antagonistics, Biography, Canonical Bartitsu, E. W. Barton-Wright, Pop-culture | Comments Off on Dr. Emelyne Godfrey Reviews The Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

Announcing The Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

Published 120 years after the Bartitsu School of Arms in London closed its doors for the last time and marking the 20th anniversary of the modern Bartitsu revival movement, the Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III is now available from Amazon. Over … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Baritsu, Bartitsu School of Arms, Biography, Boxing, Canonical Bartitsu, E. W. Barton-Wright, Editorial, Edwardiana, Fencing, Fiction, Hooliganism, Humour, In Memoriam, Instruction, Interviews, Jiujitsu, Mysteries, Physical Culture, Pop-culture, Reviews, Savate, Seminars, Sherlock Holmes, Sparring, Suffrajitsu, Vigny stick fighting, Wrestling | Comments Off on Announcing The Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

“Speculations on the Slungshot”

A recent search through the archives revealed this long-forgotten, 2007-vintage article speculating on the martial use of the Monkey’s Fist or slungshot, a weapon associated with ruffians (especially sailors on shore-leave) rather than with ladies and gentlemen. The article was … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Boxing, Humour, Instruction | Comments Off on “Speculations on the Slungshot”

Self-Defence Shoes (1955)

As reported in some American newspapers during September of 1955, an Italian shoemaker was producing “self-defence shoes” for women tired of being harrassed in the streets of Rome. Although probably created more as a promotional stunt than as a serious … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics | Comments Off on Self-Defence Shoes (1955)

Pierre Vigny Strikes a Pugilistic Pose (June 7th, 1899)

Bartitsu Club savate and stick fighting instructor Pierre Vigny is pictured striking a classic boxing stance in this promotional photo, which was originally published in the Boxing World and Mirror of Life, a popular London sporting journal at the very … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Boxing, Canonical Bartitsu | Comments Off on Pierre Vigny Strikes a Pugilistic Pose (June 7th, 1899)

An Update on the Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

As announced in January, work has begun on the production of the third volume of the Bartitsu Compendium, a series that began with the publication of Volume 1 in 2005 and continued with Volume II in 2008. After that the … Continue reading

Posted in Academia, Antagonistics, Biography, Canonical Bartitsu, E. W. Barton-Wright, Editorial, Edwardiana | Comments Off on An Update on the Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

Early 20th Century French Self Defence Manuals Translated by M.P. Lynch

A heads-up that a number of rare French antagonistics manuals, most dating from the period immediately following the brief Bartitsu Club era, are now available in English translation via Amazon, courtesy of M.P. Lynch. All the translations are available for … Continue reading

Posted in Academia, Antagonistics, Boxing, Jiujitsu, Savate, Wrestling | Comments Off on Early 20th Century French Self Defence Manuals Translated by M.P. Lynch

“The King’s Man” Trailer Promises a Melange of Gentlemanly Mayhem

Delayed several times due to the pandemic, The King’s Man – a prequel to the popular Kingsman series – is currently set for release in December of 2021. As this trailer demonstrates, alongside copious sword, knife and gun-play, the suave … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Fencing, Fiction, Pop-culture | Comments Off on “The King’s Man” Trailer Promises a Melange of Gentlemanly Mayhem