Double, Single and Half;
My interpretation of these there descriptors are;
Double is either; Two handed use of the technique or extra force normally given.
Single is one handed use of the technique
Half is most likely stopping halfway with a strike, or half of the force normally given.
Double, Single and Half in the treatises are descriptors for the techniques, as already shown for various strikes like quarters, rounds, foynes, etc. These names show up in most of the major sources, in similar contexts and thus we can form an opinion about their use.
Regarding "Double" Etymonline says;
double(adj.)
c. 1300, "twice as much or as large," also "repeated, occurring twice," also "of extra weight, thickness, size, or strength; of two layers," from Old French doble (10c.) "double, two-fold; two-faced, deceitful," from Latin duplus "twofold, twice as much," from duo "two" (from PIE root *dwo- "two") + -plus "more" (see -plus).
From early 14c. as "having a twofold character or relation," also "consisting of two in a set together; being a pair, coupled." From mid-14c. as "characterized by duplicity." The earliest recorded use in English is c. 1200, in double-feast "important Church festival."
The two trains of thought from this is either it is "two of the same", or is "of extra weight....or strength". However if it was on the number of Rounds, Ledall says a few times shown next page to do "two double rounds" which would make the patient do 4 rounds using two different words for the same thing? Unlikely.
........Two Double Rounds forward and this follows contrary all to your man........(5th Chase)
and;
.......Two Double Rounds forward, with as many backward;.....(6th Chase)
A more likely theory is that “two of the same” refers to the fencer's hands such as what George Silver says quite often.
…….These weapons are to be used in the fight as the short staff, if both play upon double & single hand, at the 2 hand sword, the long sword has the advantage if the weight thereof is not too heavy for his strength that has it…..and so on.
…..1. At these weapons ever lie so you may be able to thrust single & double, & to ward, strike, or thrust in due time, so shall your enemy, if he strikes only upon double hand be driven of necessity, seeking to win the place, to gain you the place whereby you may safely hurt him, & go free yourself by reason of your distance….it continues more on.
(G.Silver Brief Instructions.Cap 10.1, S.Hick modernization.)
Silver recommends often when using a two handed weapon to strike with one hand to gain reach and stay safe with distance, calling this “throwing single” usually thrusts but not exclusively.
The author of Cotton uses both in the same play, and interestingly notes one of the only cases of a “Double Rake” and “Single Round”.
" .....First a round for the waste single with a foin, Also a quarter with a foin. A rake single with a foin. A double round a double rake....."
(Cotton.Sword Plays.1.J.Pellet Modernization)
With the context of Silver, it’s reasonable to see that Cotton says to throw a Round with one hand and later, a one handed rake and proceeds to say to throw a Double Round and Rake both.
As this is one of the only times a Double Rake is mentioned, I believe this is just the author clarifying to do the Rake with two hands after earlier saying to do it one handed, to make sure there wasn’t misunderstanding…………oof.
The discussion of the number of hands in my opinion is more likely than the extra force theory, however the latter is a popular one and I will include it to respect that.
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Regarding "Half", Etymonline was no help with not much applicable;
half
Old English half, halb (Mercian), healf (W. Saxon) "side, part," not necessarily of equal division (original sense preserved in behalf), from Proto-Germanic halba- "something divided" (source also of Old Saxon halba, Old Norse halfr, Old Frisian, Middle Dutch half, German halb, Gothic halbs "half"), a word of no certain etymology. Perhaps from PIE root skel- (1) "to cut," or perhaps a substratum word. Noun, adjective, and adverb all were in Old English.
Harley describes haukes with it, such as;
........The 2nd lesson is 2 haukes with 2 half haukes cleaving the elbows with the same 2 double rounds aforesaid with 3 foot outward and as many homeward......(2nd chase)
He goes on with the aforementioned "half rounds" for which we care about this essay for;
......The 4th lesson . is a chase smitten with 2 half rounds . with 2 cock steps......(4th Chase, second part)
For the haukes, my guess is this much more of a light, maybe quick chopping action, less force than a full hauke, since he's aiming for a light target like the elbows.
For the rounds the half may mean the overhead swing round, stopping halfway in the swing either impacting or with the point then threatening the opponent.
For a practical use, a "half" movement cut is applicable for any Round labled with this descriptor, possibly to threaten the opponent with a follow up thrust..........
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