Prima custodia serves multiple purposes
- Ending position of halpschilt cut from secunda custodia
- First position to enter when drawing weapons.
- Possibly position of drawn weapons if you want to hold them in non-challeging way.
- Position from which you can launch a cut from under the arm
Point 1) is a bit unusual, but works well. see halpschilt.
Points 2) and 3) make the position closely connected to self-defence. If you find yourself in a self-defence situation, there is a very high chance that you will be defending from this position.
Prima custodia can launch a krucke cut, and a cut similar to halpschilt, that starts under the shield arm. It can also thrust.
Prima custodia can fall under the sword and shield, which is its primary defence against halpschilt.
Prima custodia as obsessio
Prima custodia can also be used as an obsessio against the opponent who is also in prima custodia. If used in this way, the attacker will push both his hands forward, striking the defender's shield with own shield and thus pining both defender's hands at his body. This is considered a siege, because it enables the attacker to close the distance safely (the opponent cannot hit in response if he has hands pinned down).