At Pennsic, August 2002, Brian plays with Arthur Kathan, aka SCA Corin du Soleil. Here, he explains the idea of slope-stepping into a thrust with the queue. From here, he will raise the queue for a thrust to Corin's midsection.  (photo courtesy of and copyright Nicole Allen, 2002)

Brian demonstrates how the queue is used when closing as a tool for leveraging a throw...  (photo courtesy of and copyright Nicole Allen, 2002)

 Brian (L) mixes it up, attempting to catch the sword with his left hand while chambering the right for a thrust against Jeffrey Hedgecock at the Livermore 2002 rebated steel tournament. (photo courtesy of and copyright Jeffrey Hedgecock, 2002)

Having displaced strongly by keeping the interception close to his hand, he shows how moving with the blow--as opposed to against it--can to the point of a satisfying disarm.  (photo courtesy of and copyright Nicole Allen, 2002)
 

Jeu and Talhoffer both emphasize the use of the queue; here he demonstrates a thrust from the high position common to both Talhoffer 1459 and possible the Jeu de la Hache.  (photo courtesy of and copyright Nicole Allen, 2002)
 

Meeting in a bind at the croix (above the hand) is a common position. From here, if your opponent is strong, it is time to bring the opposite end to bear. If weak, you should disengage or power through with the head for a powerful strike.  (photo courtesy of and copyright Nicole Allen, 2002)

Although poleaxe is fought very much like the longsword, hard blocks are far more useful owing to the weapon's double-ended nature. Here Brian accepts a blow in the demi-hache--between the hands--and can attack from either end. In this case, a powerful tour de bras to the head looks inviting....  (photo courtesy of and copyright Nicole Allen, 2002)