Domenico Angelo

Domenico Angelo (1717 Leghorn, Italy–1802), was an Italian sword and fencing master, also known as Angelo Domenico Malevolti Tremamondo.

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, "Angelo was the first to emphasize fencing as a means of developing health, poise, and grace. As a result of his insight and influence, fencing changed from an art of war to a sport." It also calls his treatise, L’École des armes (1763; The School of Fencing) a "classic".

Soon after arriving in England he established Angelo's School of Arms in Carlisle House, Soho, London. There he taught the aristocracy the fashionable art of Swordsmanship which they had previously had to go the continent to learn, and also set up a riding school in the former rear garden of the house. He was fencing instructor to the Royal Family. One of his tenants at Soho Square was the composer Johann Christian Bach (youngest son of J.S. Bach), harpsichord instructor to the Queen.

With the help of artist Gwyn Delin, he had an instruction book published in England in 1763 which had 25 engraved plates demonstrating classic positions from the old schools of fencing.

He then handed that school over to a son, and established himself at Eton, where his family continued to teach fencing for three more generations.

By his wife Elizabeth Johnson, Angelo had at least six children:

There was perhaps also a son Michael Angelo.

From him there are 15 new generations of daughters and sons

He died at his daughter Florella's house at Eton.

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