[Quarterstaffing]

Rare, early c.18th hand coloured engraving of two men Quarterstaffing by Captain James Miller and dedicated to the Duke of Marlborough.

Quarterstaffing as a fighting art reigned supreme in England for many centuries.  

“The quarterstaff gets it’s name from the fact that it was gripped at the quarterpoints, and the centre of the staff. With the left hand at the centre, ( palm upwards ) and the right hand at the lower quarterpoint, ( palm down ) This gives a three foot point end, and a very useful eighteen inch butt end. ( this may give the length of Winns staff of about six foot ) the grip was changed by releasing one hand only, and swinging the staff to catch it appropriately for the next technique or strike. “

From: Miller, J. Capt.  A treatise on backsword, sword, buckler, sword and dagger, sword and great gauntlet, falchion, quarterstaff