Il Fior di Battaglia, the Flower of Battle, was written by the great Italian master at arms Fiore dei Liberi around the year 1400. It covers knightly combat on foot and on horseback, in armour and without, in great depth and detail. The sections of the manuscript include an introduction, then plays of wrestling, the dagger, the sword in one hand, the sword in two hands, the sword in armour, the pollax, the spear, the lance on horseback, the sword on horseback, and wrestling on horseback. 

It is lavishly illustrated with over 250 drawings, each with gold leaf insignia. The treatise exists in four manuscript copies, of which MS Ludwig XV at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles is the most complete, with the most clear and useful explanatory text. 

This facsimile reproduces the Getty manuscript in its entirety, in full colour, and as close as possible to the size of the original.

The Flower of Battle, translated by Guy Windsor

The second half of this volume is a second reproduction of the manuscript with the original Italian text replaced by Dr. Guy Windsor’s English translation. This recreates the experience of reading the original Italian as closely as possible. The book also includes an introduction to Fiore and his life and times, the provenance of the manuscript, and suggestions for further study.

Immerse Yourself in Knightly Combat

Step back into the world of the late 1400s with Philippo Vadi’s De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi: the Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest. This extraordinary audiobook, read in its original Italian by the captivating Eleonora Rebecchi and translated and narrated in English by renowned historical martial artist Dr. Guy Windsor, brings Vadi’s work to life.

Dedicated to Guido da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, Vadi’s work includes 16 chapters on longsword fencing theory, followed by 25 longsword plays, and shorter sections on armoured combat with the lance and the sword, and a section on the dagger.

Whether you are a historian, martial artist, or simply a lover of medieval lore, De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi offers a unique auditory journey into the world of chivalric combat.

Please note, the audiobook contains just Vadi’s words, in their original language, and Guy’s translation into English. For a full interpretation of those words, see The Art of Sword Fighting.

Written in the late fifteenth century for the Duke of Urbino, De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi is one of the most important surviving works on knightly combat. In this companion volume to the Spada Press facsimile, Guy Windsor presents the most comprehensive modern engagement with Philippo Vadi’s treatise to date.

This volume combines an English translation with detailed commentary, historical analysis, and practical interpretation of every play in the manuscript. Drawing on decades of full-time research, teaching, and embodied practice, Dr. Windsor examines not only what Vadi wrote, but what his words mean in action—and why his system works as a coherent, rational art of arms.

Situating the manuscript within its historical, intellectual, and martial contexts, the book explores Vadi’s relationship to Fiore dei Liberi and traces the development of Italian swordsmanship at the threshold of the Renaissance. Linked video demonstrations provide a rare bridge between text, image, and movement.

Whether read as a work of history, a guide to martial practice, or a study in Renaissance thought, this book offers a clear, rigorous, and deeply informed account of one of Europe’s foundational fighting systems.

This is the companion volume to the Spada Press facsimile of Il Fior di Battaglia. 

This companion volume provides a transcription of the Italian text, and Dr. Windsor’s translation, and includes an introduction to Fiore and his life and times, the provenance of the manuscript, and suggestions for further study. 

Edited, transcribed, and translated by Dr. Guy Windsor.

Plan your training like a pro!

With this beautiful full-colour planner you can set goals, plan your training, and review your progress. 

Aspire to mastery of the Art of Arms, and craft a lifestyle that will lead you towards it. From daily training goals to annual events, this planner works from the specific details of daily life to the overall theme of your year. Connect with like-minded enthusiasts on swordpeople.com and share your progress with the tag #planner.

Design your days, map out the year, create monthly themes, and reflect with quarterly reviews. 

Embark on a transformative journey using the Swordschool Training Year Planner to tailor your approach.

One of the great Italian Longsword Treatises

Written in the 1480s for the court of Urbino, Filippo Vadi’s De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi is a cornerstone source for  historical European martial arts: concise, sharp, and packed  with principles that still matter in fencing today—timing,  measure, courage, deception, and decisive action. This book is designed to reproduce the experience of reading the original manuscript as closely as possible.

The first half is a full-colour facsimile of the 42-folio vellum original held in  Rome. The second half is a layout-matched English translation, replacing Vadi’s text while keeping the manuscript’s structure and rhythm intact.

For clubs, instructors, and independent students, this is Vadi as he should be read: directly, clearly, and in context. And for  practical study, every play has video support available via simple links keyed to the folio number.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution–Non Commercial–ShareAlike licence, this facsimile is free for anyone to print and share.

When Zoe Tyler agrees to take on a house-sitting/pet-sitting job in a sleepy Suffolk village, she’s expecting a very quiet Christmas. But she’s barely unpacked her bags before she finds herself adopted by a friendly neighbour, roped into a pub quiz team and invited to join a wild swimming group!

Zoe is soon caught up in the magic of the festive season and finds herself falling in love with the beautiful Suffolk countryside. The idea of falling in love with another person couldn’t be further from her mind; since her divorce and a succession of bad dates, she’s almost given up on romance. But when she finds herself drawn to a handsome stranger, her world is turned upside down.

Will Zoe be brave enough to take on the chilly waters of the river? And will she find the courage to take another chance on love?

Light a candle, curl up under a blanket with a hot chocolate and get ready to immerse yourself in A Riverside Christmas.

When Anna and her daughter Martha suddenly need to find a new home, her parents come up with the perfect solution: Anna can live temporarily in her late grandmother Jean’s house while sorting Jean’s belongings, tidying the garden and preparing the house to be sold. Anna jumps at the chance to spend the summer in the beautiful village of Redfield, getting her green fingers dirty in the garden and using her organisational talents to clear the house.

Decluttering isn’t the only thing on Anna’s mind. After years of being single, she finally feels that the time is right to start looking for love. Could art enthusiast Mark be the perfect match? Or, as handsome farmer Rob helps her to pursue her dreams of turning a passion for plants into a career, could their friendship grow into something more?

And when Anna discovers some mysterious letters written to her granny years ago, she finds herself with questions about Jean’s past – and her own.

Can Anna put the past in order and move forward? This promises to be one dazzling, unforgettable summer.

Lauren is thrilled when she lands her dream job helping to set up and run a wedding and events venue in the idyllic village of Redfield. The catch is that it means working closely with her old teenage crush, Will. He’s as handsome as ever but rarely cracks a smile and his serious, controlled nature is in direct opposition with Lauren’s own sunny, impulsive attitude. With such contrasting personalities, can they find a way to work together?
Lauren might have ruled out any possibility of romance with Will, but when bohemian boat dweller Fox catches her eye, she throws caution to the wind and jumps in feet first.
As the months pass and the big event – a summer wedding – draws ever closer, Lauren begins to doubt her instincts. It’s a battle of head versus heart. What does she really want? And how much is she willing to risk?

A beautiful journal to complement the Village Flower Shop series.

Combine the relaxing beauty of flowers with the mental health benefits of journaling in this unique full-color 155-page paperback journal.

How to use this journal:

You can start at any point in the year!

Each month has a gratitude page, to focus on the things or people in your life you are grateful for at the moment.

There is also a notes and habits page, for recording anything you want to work towards and important things to remember. You might find it helpful to record which days you are going to exercise or take time for hobbies.

Each month also has ten pages for writing your journal entries.

I have also designed all Nancy Warren’s merchandise, including the boxed sets of her Vampire Knitting Club series

An ebook cover for a free giveaway in a Christmas newsletter of a short story, which forms part of the full book, A Romance in Four Seasons.

All titles in the Millcastle Series are available as hardback special editions, created for collectors and dedicated romance readers. These editions feature premium binding and are ideal for gifting or building a lasting historical romance library.

These keepsakes truly are a beautiful, timeless addition to your bookshelf.

These beautiful books include:

• Gold foil on the hardback cover
• Printed endpapers featuring a pressed flower image
• Sprayed edges 
• High quality cream paper
• Crimson ribbon bookmark
• Decorative chapter headers and ornamental breaks within the book that you won’t find in any other version
• Gorgeous color gradient to look stunning as a collection on your bookshelf

On the cusp of the industrial revolution in the northern town of Millcastle the old and the new clash both in matters of business and of the heart. Can love flourish among the rush to make a profit?

The Millcastle Series is ideal for readers who love historical romance novels that combine authentic period detail with emotionally satisfying love stories. Set during the Industrial Revolution, the series explores romance beyond aristocratic drawing rooms, focusing on working professionals, self-made industrialists, and women determined to shape their own futures.

Fans of character-driven historical romance, class-crossed love stories, and sensual but emotionally grounded relationships will find the Millcastle Series a compelling addition to their historical romance library.