The Hanging

Two "Hangs" arise in one-handed fencing in general, in all fencing be it strikes or leger, be it soft or hard. Make the "Speaking Window" and stand cheerfully and see what his cause is. Hit him in the mouth when he wants to pull out. I tell you again and again: no one protects himself …

Understanding I.33 #2: The Story of a Book

Walpurgis and Ludgerus in the I.33, first half 14th century The probably oldest book on martial arts known to us, it is exclusively about fencing with small shields and sword. The book, which is dated by scientists to the first half of the 14th century, was created in a workshop of at least three scribes …

Understanding I.33 #1: A Teacher and His Students

The probably oldest book on martial arts known to us, it is exclusively about fencing with small shields and sword. The book, which is dated by scientists to the first half of the 14th century, was created in a workshop of at least three scribes and five illustrators. The story of the book tells us …

Liechtenauer New Glosses – Preface

A nearly critical edition of the "original" Liechtenauer poem with modern translation! Written:Junger Ritter lerne Gott lieb haben, Frauen ja ehreSo wächst deine Ehre.Übe Ritterschafft, und lerne Kunst, die dich zieretund_in Kriegen sehr hofiehret.[Des] Ringens gute Fesser,Glefen, Speere, Schwerter und Messer[die] Mannlichen bedürfen,und_[sind]_in andern Händen verderben. Hau drein und hurrt dar,rausche hin, triff oder lass …

Analysis of the Liechtenauer Poem

The analysis of the Liechtenauer fencing poem was the first step to create a critical edition based on content and linguistic aspects. The preconditions that lead to this method of analysis had been discussed in the article entitled: The Path to the Origininal Poem of Master Liechtenauer. For the analysis of the Liechtenauer version I …

The path to the original poem of Master Liechtenauer

If we compare the versions of the Zedel by Master Liechtenauer to each other, and to the poem originated by Magister Beringer we will recognize at first sight the different number of verses. Same happens in comparison of the Nürnberg Hausbuch with most of the other variants of Liechtenauer Zedel. Comparing Versions by the Word …

The “Halpschilt” – Halbschild (Half-Shield)

One of the most prominent terms in the book I.33 is the "halpshilt" or in modern German "Halbschild" translated as "half-shield". At the same time the term like many others is not explained at all. There are several approaches to getting closer to the meaning of the term. This article will put a light on …

The true meaning of “Vorschlag” and “Nachschlag”

The understanding of the terms "Vorschlag" and "Nachschlag" in the teaching of Johannes Liechtenauer is widely based on the interpretations done in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The early reception of the texts had been flavored by the modern understanding of 16th century fightbooks like those of Joachim Meyer. While Joachim Meyer himself never …

What to do if you are called for the judicial duel with mace and shield

The Folios 128r-129v of the KK5126, Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria, do contain some recommendations for a participant of a mace - shield duel in a judicial court. The most interesting thing for us is that it is not absolutely expected that the fighters must die. It is asked for regulations, what will happen if someone wins …

The Anonymous poem on Messer and Longsword of the Thott and the MI29 manuscript

One of the interesting poems on sword-fighting is one that mixes Messer fighting with the longsword. It is to be found in Talhoffer Fechtbuch (MS Thott.290.2º, Copenhagen, 1r) and in Martin Siber’s Fighting of the Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29, Salzburg, 3r). In June 2011 I translated and explained the poem in the Salzburg manuscript. Today …