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#1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 247
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Dear Collectors,
I m searching info regarding an inscription on a small sword , the blade is signed with this : En dieu mon esperance et mon epee par mon defence. someone known period and provenence ? France of sure ... but i would known other if possible. thank you BerberDagger |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Nipmuc USA
Posts: 496
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Take a look here in the Bashford Dean book
http://swordlinks.com/courtswords/intro.html I am forgetting the plate off the top of my head but there are similar blade profiles that go from ovoid to hex. France/Alsace/Strasbourg I have a shard of one of these blades with folded steel, assembled as a dagger when I found it. I'll attach pics I have if interested. The etchings are different but the same "school" and timeline. Loosely translated; In God is my hope but my sword is my defense Cheers Hotspur; As a good Percy would say; Esperance en dieu! |
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#3 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
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A little correction in the translation could perhaps represent some difference
![]() In God my hope and my sword for my defence. ... A "motto" that was actualy the title of the first book written by Alberic Magnard (1865-1914), who died defending alone his house from the Germans in 1914. Magnard has resigned from the Army in 1899 in connection with the famous Dreyfus case. He has entered the Conservatoire in 1886 and his first work was called "En dieu mon esperance et mon epee par mon defence" , which he dedicated to ... his fencing teacher. |
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#4 | |
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What is the source and first use for the motto Fernando? Cheers GC |
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#5 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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No harm in trying to fine tune the translation from loose to precise; specialy if it does alter the intent of the approach.
Here is the source for the anecdote: http://www.durand-salabert-eschig.co...rd_alberic.pdf Can't manage to figure out where Magnard picked up the devise. Actualy i thought he was the author. The inscription in the sword doesn't necessarily date from the sword production. |
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#6 | |
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Anyway, considering the time period and the French revolution, I am wondering if it might be something that came to be popular in the 1780s-90s. Cheers GC |
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#7 | ||
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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![]() Translations like this one are not necessary to resource; not too much sand for this lorry ![]() Quote:
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#8 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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I have contacted Mr. Denis Havard de la Montagne, chied editor of "Musica et Memoria", and a great admirer of composer Alberic Magnard.
The expression used by Magnard is in fact attributed to Joana d'Arc, a XV century French heroine. Interesting connection between Joan D'arc, a sword fighter, Magnard while a fencer and the sword here discussed. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 247
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Thank you all for the valuable information ...
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#10 | |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Outstanding research Nando! I think this nicely places this smallsword in French context at end of 18th century and with good degree of Napoleonic probability, given Napoleons use of Joan as a key figure in his advocating French nationalism. Clearly the concept was well placed not only in securing her place in history, but carrying forth that powerful force recalled a century later by Magnard in his work. |
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