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 …

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 …

Sword & Buckler – The first guard of the common fencer in the I.33

While the text of the I.33 is obscured by bad church Latin, the images of the I.33 are even worse. The illustrations of the I.33 manual are flawed. They are a stylish medieval piece of art of more or less talented artists. The artists concentrated more on copying the drapery of the clothes from contemporary art …