"Little John's" Quarter Staff of "Robin Hood" Fame?

[Jonathan Randall]

Remember "Big John's" Long Staff of "Robin Hood" Fame? In Western Martial Arts - particularly of the commoner class - the long staff was apparently frequently used as a weapon. Remember "Big John's" challenge from the "Robin Hood" story? Any resources on techniques and practices from the Medievel era on Long Staff? The techniques must have had some sophistication? Thoughts? Resources?

 

[MartialIntent]

Remember "Big John's" Long Staff of "Robin Hood" Fame? In Western Martial Arts - particularly of the commoner class - the long staff was apparently frequently used as a weapon. Remember "Big John's" challenge from the "Robin Hood" story? Any resources on techniques and practices from the Medievel era on Long Staff? The techniques must have had some sophistication? Thoughts? Resources?

The TMA equivalent of the medieval longstaff 6"-ish I would guess be the bo [various names, various arts]. Afraid I don't know a lot about the longstaff but I know Jonathan the short staff or quarterstaff [or jo in TMA] was *very* prevalent in Robin Hood's era. I know that the quarterstaffs were used predominantly in a sporting nature - with the fighters geared up with armor a little like arnis [though only one quarterstaff was used and it was held both hands]. The techniques by all accounts were more akin to a sort of ham-fisted fencing than anything. And though obviously sporting, it would have had evident SD applications. Oops, sorry if this answers another question altogether!

I'd be interested to know what you dig up on the longstaff though!

Respects!

 

[elder999]

English Martial Arts by Terry Brown has a pretty decent amount of info on the quarterstaff. You could also google "masters of defence." THere's actually a variety of material out there-even an old Boy Scout manual from the 20's.

Oh, and have a look here.

 

[Xue Sheng]

Actually his name was "Little John" and the only info I would have is on the Chinese equivalent.

 

[Ken Pfrenger]

Here are a few links to some q-staff texts and materials:
http://www.the-exiles.org/Manual Zach Wylde.htm
http://www.alliancemartialarts.com/quarterstaff.htm
http://ejmas.com/jmanly/articles/2001/jmanlyart_mccarthy_0901.htm
http://ejmas.com/jmanly/articles/2001/jmanlyart_a-wp-w_0901.htm
These are all fairly late in period....here are a few earier sources...might take some digging around in them but the info is there:
http://www.thehaca.com/Manuals/swetnam.htm
http://www.thehaca.com/Manuals/BriefInstruct.htm

I have done some work with q-staff in the Silvers tradition, 8' long and very powerful. Very different from any bo staff work i have seen.

 

[Jonathan Randall]

Quarterstaff, not longstaff. My ignorant mistake!

Still, I suspect it was a major weapon of opportunity for the peasant classes as swords and metal-tipped spears were probably too dear for them to afford.

Good info, all. Thanks!

 

[Samurai]

To nit pick...his name was actaully JOHN LITTLE and upon his defeat (actually he found Robyn to a draw) Robyn nick named him LITTTLE JOHN.

Another figher often overlooked in the Robyn Hood tales is Friar Tuck. He too used a staff (or walking stick) as a strong weapon. In the 1930's verison Tuck used a small sword against Robyn Hood.
Thanks.
Jeremy Bays

 

[Jonathan Randall]

To nit pick...his name was actaully JOHN LITTLE and upon his defeat (actually he found Robyn to a draw) Robyn nick named him LITTTLE JOHN.

Another figher often overlooked in the Robyn Hood tales is Friar Tuck. He too used a staff (or walking stick) as a strong weapon. In the 1930's verison Tuck used a small sword against Robyn Hood.
Thanks.
Jeremy Bays

Great points! Thanks.

Yes, I forgot about Friar Tuck. I could see Sammo Hung playing him in an Asian version of Robyn Hood.

 

[crushing]

Jeremy,

Did you mean Friar Duck? Please recall that his quarter staff actually cost him a buck and a quarter.

'Ho! HaHa! Guard! Turn! Parry! Dodge! Spin! Ha! Thrust!'

 

[Marvin]

Jeremy,

Did you mean Friar Duck? Please recall that his quarter staff actually cost him a buck and a quarter.

'Ho! HaHa! Guard! Turn! Parry! Dodge! Spin! Ha! Thrust!'

Yoiks and Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Best cartoon ever!

 

[Xue Sheng]

Yoiks and Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Best cartoon ever!

DAMN you beat me to it..

But I still got to say it

Yoiks and away!" (thwap) "Yoiksth un awayurf (thwap)

And one more thing the heading of this post is driving me nuts.

It was Little John not Big John

 

[Samurai]

If you recall that Looney Tunes cartoon, Porky Pig used a "small staff" (actually a little twig) to defeat Daffy.

 

[Jonathan Randall]

DAMN you beat me to it..

But I still got to say it

Yoiks and away!" (thwap) "Yoiksth un awayurf (thwap)

And one more thing the heading of this post is driving me nuts.

It was Little John not Big John

Fixed. LOL.

Remember, I'm a new WMA Moderator... :idunno: