British Civil War reenactor takes out bad guy with Sword

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**Frazzled**

Or Highlander style immortal finally revealed!

KNIFE HOODIE LOSES OUT TO CAVALIER SWORDSMAN

Alf Thompson in action as a sword-wielding Cavalier
Tuesday August 7,2012
By Mark Reynolds Have your say(0)
WHEN grandfather Alf Thompson saw a knife-wielding robber, he knew exactly how to tackle him – by turning into the Cavalier swordsman he loves to play in re-enactments of Civil War battles.

Just as if the robber was a dastardly Roundhead, he waded into the real life battle using his 17th century duelling
skills.

As the hooded raider held a knife to the throat of a terrified shop assistant, he moved in and disarmed him. The
robber drew a second knife – but Mr Thompson again got the weapon away before pinning him to the floor and
waiting for police.

His daring action was revealed yesterday after he won a bravery award from police.

Mr Thompson, 60, said his Cavalier sword play skills, learned as a member of the Sealed Knot Society which
re-enacts battles, gave him the strength to tackle the robber.

He said: “If it wasn’t for the re-enactment group I couldn’t have done it. It is never real when we learn
how to deal with knives and swords but the movements are for real.”

Mr Thompson, a retired lecturer from Prestatyn, north Wales, is a veteran member of the 100-strong group
who re-enact Civil War battles in authentic costumes.

He holds the rank of second in command of The Earl of Northampton’s Regiment of Foote.

He sprang into action when out shopping in Salford, Manchester.

“I went to the local mini-mart for a paper,” Mr Thompson said.

“I heard swearing. I heard a man shout: ‘If you don’t open the till, I’ll cut your throat.’

“I told him he didn’t need the knife and we could get the till open and get him what he wanted so he could go. He
then became aggressive towards me.

“Something snapped and I thought I was 20 again. I grabbed his hand dragged him over the counter and took
the knife from him.”

The raider was jailed for four years after admitting attempted robbery.

Mr Thompson said: “I do not think bravery is premeditated. It was a spur of the moment thing. In the cold light of
day, I thought to myself: ‘What a fool.’

He was 20 years younger than me.”

A police spokesman said: “The bravery award shows the level of courage.

"He was clearly ready for action.”

**Jihadin**

Kid is lucky he meet this guy. I would have shot him in the foot

**Ouze**

Mal. Guy killed me, Mal. He killed me with a sword. How weird is that?

**Tibbsy**

This was in the UK, so firearms are less likely to be involved in something like this.

Good on the dude!

EDIT: Ninja'd by Ouze - Reply was to Jihadin...

**Frazzled**

Jihadin wrote:Kid is lucky he meet this guy. I would have shot him in the foot

In Texaas a warning shot is five center mass...

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Ouze wrote:
Mal. Guy killed me, Mal. He killed me with a sword. How weird is that?

80s quotes fill my head.
"There can be only one!"
"Thats not a knife. THIS is a knife."
"Stick around."

**Surtur**

If only he had called him a ruffian and proceeded to beat him roughly bout the head and shoulder with his cane.

**Albatross**

He didn't take him out with a sword...

**mattyrm**

Albatross wrote:He didn't take him out with a sword...

Yeah sadly not.. it seems he just used some moves he got taught.

It would have been much cooler if he had his rapier.

**Albatross**

mattyrm wrote:
Albatross wrote:He didn't take him out with a sword...

Yeah sadly not.. it seems he just used some moves he got taught.

It would have been much cooler if he had his rapier.

Word. He would have turned the little gak into a colander!

Also, I should point out that Salford is where I work. It's a charming little place, full of character.

**Jihadin**

I'm sorry...the military in me says to clean up my AO.....

**sarpedons-right-hand**

Huh, those Sealed Knot guys are pretty cool. I wish he actually HAD his Rapier though.... Would've been much more interesting....

And to add to Frazzleds 80's quotes:

"Get ready for a surpriise!"

**Jihadin**

I'm pretty sure the youngster was not the one that killed his father

**Frazzled**

Jihadin wrote:I'm pretty sure the youngster was not the one that killed his father

Best check to make sure his hand didn't have six fingers though.