View source for Martin Syber

{{infobox writer
| name                 = [[name::Martin Syber]]
| image                = 
| imagesize            = 
| caption              = 

| pseudonym            = 
| birthname            = 
| birthdate            = 15th century (?)
| birthplace           = 
| deathdate            = 15th century (?)
| deathplace           = 
| resting_place        = 
| occupation           = [[Fencing master]]{{#set: occupation=Fencing master }}
| language             = [[language::Early New High German]]
| nationality          = 
| ethnicity            = 
| citizenship          = 
| education            = 
| alma_mater           = 
| patron               = 

| period               = 
| genre                = [[Fencing manual]]
| subject              = 
| movement             = 
| notableworks         = ''New Zettel''
| manuscript(s)        = {{plainlist
 | [[Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)|MS M.I.29]] (1491)
 | [[Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)|MS E.1939.65.341]] (1508)
 | [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|MS Varia 82]] (1570)
}}
| principal manuscript(s)=
| first printed edition= 
| wiktenauer compilation by=[[Michael Chidester]]

| spouse               = 
| partner              = 
| children             = 
| relatives            = 
| influences           = [[Johannes Liechtenauer]] (?)
| influenced           = 
| awards               = 
| signature            = 
| website              = 
| translations         = {{plainlist
 | [http://www.thearma.org/Manuals/Mertin_Siber/MS-Web.htm#.VGJ_mDRu6Ag English translation]
 | {{German translation|http://talhoffer.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/martin-syber-in-the-mi-29-transcribed-and-translated/|1}}
 | {{Hungarian translation|http://kardrendje.hu/downloads/books/Mertin_Siber.pdf|1}}
}}
| below                = 
}}
'''Martin Syber''' (Mertin Siber, Martein Syber) was a [[century::15th century]] [[nationality::German]] [[fencing master]]. Hardly anything is known of Syber beyond his ''New Zettel'' ("New [[Zettel|Recital]]"). His surname signifies that he came from a family of sieve makers, but gives us no indication of his birthplace. According to Syber's own account, he learned the art from a variety of masters from across Europe, including men from Bohemia, Brabant (or possibly Provence), England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Prussia, Russia, and Swabia. The inclusion of his Recital in [[Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)|Codex Speyer]] and the [[Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)|Glasgow Fechtbuch]] suggests a connection to the tradition of [[Johannes Liechtenauer]], and his mention of an "earlier ''Zettel''" is likely a reference to that of Liechtenauer; however, Syber does not appear on the roll of the [[Fellowship of Liechtenauer]] recorded by [[Paulus Kal]] in ca. 1470,<ref>The Fellowship of Liechtenauer is recorded in three versions of [[Paulus Kal]]'s treatise: [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (MS 1825)|MS 1825]] (1460s), [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (Cgm 1507)|Cgm 1570]] (ca. 1470), and [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (MS KK5126)|MS KK5126]] (1480s).</ref> so the extent of his relationship is unclear.

Syber's Recital comes in the form a cryptic poem describing six ''Gänge'', set sequences of strikes and parries. Unfortunately, no [[gloss]] is currently known to exist for Syber's verse, so its meaning is difficult to decipher. Conversely, it is worth noting that the 16th century [[Freifechter]] [[Joachim Meÿer]] not only had access to Syber's verse (which is included in [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|his final manuscript]]),<ref>[[Joachim Meÿer|Meÿer, Joachim]]. ''Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss'' [manuscript]. [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|MS Varia 82]]. Rostock, Germany: [[Universitätsbibliothek Rostock]], 1570.</ref> but also employed much of the master's unique terminology in his own teachings. Meÿer may thus hold the key to interpreting Syber's techniques.

The Salzburg version of Syber's text is followed by an [[Anonymous 15th Century Poem|additional page of verse]]. This poem shares some common terminology with Syber's writings and has been attributed to Syber by some authors in the past,<ref name="Hull">[[Jeffrey Hull|Hull, Jeffrey]]. [http://www.thearma.org/Manuals/Mertin_Siber/MS-Web.htm "Mertin Siber’s Longsword Fight-Lore of 1491 AD: a thesis on the ''Fechtlehre'' from Handschrift M I 29 (''Codex Speyer'') at the University of Salzburg in Austria"]. The [[Association for Renaissance Martial Arts]], 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2014.</ref> but its omission from the other two versions of his text call this attribution into question. In addition, another version of the poem was included in one of [[Hans Talhoffer]]'s manuscripts almost fifty years earlier,<ref>[[Hans Talhoffer|Talhoffer, Hans]]. Untitled [manuscript]. [[Talhoffer Fechtbuch (MS Thott.290.2º)|MS Thott 290.2º]]. Copenhagen, Denmark: [[Det Kongelige Bibliotek]], 1459.</ref> which indicates that if Syber were indeed the author, his career must have been much earlier than currently believed.

== Treatise ==

{{master begin
 | title = Long Sword
 | width = 123em
}}
<section begin="credits"/>
{| class="floated master"
|- 
! style="width:33em;" | <p>{{translation rating|B}}<br/>by [[Christian Trosclair]]</p>
! <p>[[Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)|Salzburg Version]] (1491){{edit index|Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)}}<br/>by [[Dierk Hagedorn]]</p>
! <p>[[Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)|Glasgow Version]] (1508){{edit index|Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)}}<br/>by [[Dierk Hagedorn]]</p>
! <p>[[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|Rostock Version]] (1570){{edit index|Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)}}<br/>by [[Dierk Hagedorn]]</p>
<section end="credits"/>
|- 
| <p>[1] {{red|b=1|Hereafter written is a new recital of the long sword and an extraction<ref>alt: departure</ref> from the previous recital and many other good plays from other master's hands Master Martin Syber had set together and is partitioned in six courses.<ref>The Salzburg differs: Item. The hereafter written new recital Master Martin Syber had prepared and set-down and is a selection of many masterful applications and is partitioned  and set down in six courses</ref>}}</p>

<p>And the ox and the plow and the part-hew<ref>G & R omit</ref> named therein, together with other hews have another art and explanation than in the first<ref>G: previous</ref><ref>R: previously illustrated</ref> recital and also approaches<ref>zugehen is a synonym for zufechten here</ref> differently.<ref>S: omitted</ref></p>
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001r.jpg|1|lbl=1r}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 024v.jpg|1|lbl=24v}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 039v.png|3|lbl=39v}}

|- 
| <p>[2] {{red|b=1|Now here begins the forward and lessons of the recital, thereafter the six courses.}}</p>
<p>{{red|Whoever wishes to acquire honor}}<br/>
&emsp;{{red|Before princes and before lords}}<br/>
{{red|In fencing with the}} sword<br/>
&emsp;That is good and proper. <br/>
That follow my lessons, <br/>
&emsp;They triumph continually. <br/>
Hold the six courses in guard<br/>
&emsp;They are quite praiseworthily good<br/>
In them is encapsulated well<br/>
&emsp;Many good masters' wisdom<br/>
From Hungary, Bohemia, Italy, <br/>
&emsp;From France, England, and Alemannia, <br/>
From Russia, Prussia, Greece, <br/>
&emsp;Holland, Provence, and Swabia. <br/>
In them, you shall tread left<br/>
&emsp;Thereby remember the deception<br/>
In thrusting, lash strongly<br/>
&emsp;So you may well succeed<br/>
If you see the window standing open, <br/>
&emsp;Enter them from there<br/>
Strike or thrust swiftly<br/>
&emsp;So you may fail hard<ref>alt: the hard</ref><br/>
In the work, tread around. <br/>
&emsp;That makes-good<ref>mitmachen. alt: completes</ref> the first-pass<ref>ehegefährt note: this is attacking in the vor.</ref><br/>
If you now wish to undertake this, <br/>
&emsp;You must have a strong spirit<br/>
Proper understanding is also good<br/>
&emsp;Guard yourself from great wrath<br/>
To such, bring the parrying to them. <br/>
&emsp;Through that, you may well succeed. <br/>
In all your fencing, be swift. <br/>
&emsp;This forward has an end.</p>
| 
{{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001r.jpg|2|lbl=-|p=1}} {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001v.jpg|1|lbl=1v|p=1}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 024v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 040r.png|1|lbl=40r}}

|- 
| <p>[3] {{red|b=1|The First Course Has Five Plays}}</p>
<p>{{red|Flick}} the weak to the right<br/>
&emsp;Wind through in the fencing<br/>
With that, make the Flicker<br/>
&emsp;To both sides twice. <br/>
Besiege<ref>alt: overwhelm; turn(away, aside), entwine, entangle, wrap</ref> his shield strongly<br/>
&emsp;Strike the bowed thrust<ref>alt: jab</ref> violently. <br/>
In all work, tread around<br/>
&emsp;With the right bowed thrust.</p>
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 024v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 040r.png|2|lbl=-}}<!--
          --><section begin="Krumphaw"/>
|- 
| <p>[4] {{red|b=1|The Second Course Has Six Plays}}</p>
<p>{{red|Crook}} in the strong<br/>
&emsp;wind through with note<br/>
Wind running over<br/>
&emsp;Ready the point and pommel<br/>
Stab him into his face<br/>
&emsp;With that, fence the work of the cross<br/>
The deceptive pommel, that, you should think of<br/>
&emsp;Upon your<ref>G & R: the</ref> head, if you would like to harm him<br/>
In all work, tread around<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref><br/>
&emsp;This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></p>
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 024v.jpg|4|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 040v.png|1|lbl=40v}}<!--
          --><section end="Krumphaw"/><section begin="Twerhaw"/><section begin="Schilhaw"/>
|- 
| <p>[5] {{red|b=1|The Third Course Has Seven Plays}}</p>
<p>{{red|Squint whatever}} comes {{red|from-the-day}}<br/>
&emsp;Thwart-through, do not go crooked<br/>
Therein examine his struggle<br/>
&emsp;The half-squinter<ref>G & R: half-parter</ref> makes-good<ref>alt: make the half-squinter too</ref><br/>
Take off quite swiftly<br/>
&emsp;Threaten<ref>S: you</ref> the hew against him<br/>
Force out his shield strongly<ref>alt: Force-out the shield in the strong</ref><br/>
&emsp;Defeat him with running-over<br/>
In the strong of his edge<br/>
&emsp;In all work, tread around<br/>
This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></p>
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|1|lbl=2r}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|1|lbl=25r}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 040v.png|2|lbl=-}}<!--
          --><section end="Schilhaw"/><section end="Twerhaw"/><section begin="Scheitelhaw"/>
|- 
| <p>[6] {{red|b=1|The Fourth Course Has Five Plays}}</p>
<p> Thrust through {{red|the Ox}}<br/>
&emsp;With two great steps<br/>
Wind and counter wind<br/>
&emsp;Violently<ref>R: Then make...</ref> make the scalper-hew<br/>
Wind, then strike the hitter immediately<br/>
&emsp;In the belly and upon the neck<br/>
In all work, tread around<br/>
&emsp;This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></p>
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 040v.png|3|lbl=-}}<!--
          --><section end="Scheitelhaw"/>
|- 
| <p>[7] {{red|b=1|The Fifth Course Has Five Plays}}</p>
<p>Thrust<ref>G & R: Strike</ref> {{red|through}} the long point<br/>
&emsp;Disengage, counter thrust, then kill<br/>
Allow the blind-hews to bounce<br/>
&emsp;So you may roll<ref>G & R: fail or fall</ref> against well. <br/>
Hang against<ref>G: down</ref>, immediately<ref> alt: as soon as. (just in time)</ref><br/>
&emsp;Tread behind, rebound<br/>
Upon the head, into the belly<br/>
&emsp;So you make a right fool out of him<br/>
In all work, step around<br/>
&emsp;This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></p>
| 
{{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|3|lbl=-|p=1}}<br/>{{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002v.jpg|1|lbl=2v|p=1}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
| 
{{section|Page:MS Var.82 040v.png|4|lbl=-|p=1}}<br/>{{section|Page:MS Var.82 041r.png|1|lbl=41r|p=1}}<!--
          --><section begin="Twerhaw"/>
|- 
| <p>[8] {{red|b=1|The Sixth Course has Four Plays}}</p>
<p>{{red|From-the-Day}} Drive-through long <br/>
&emsp;Protect yourself with entwining<ref>alt: twisting</ref>.<br/>
Thwart-through him immediately<br/>
&emsp;Rebound the blind-hew<br/>
Hew the<ref>G: your</ref> point into his chest<br/>
&emsp;According to all of your desire. <br/>
In all work, step around<br/>
&emsp;This makes-good the first-pass.</p>
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|4|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 041r.png|2|lbl=-}}<!--
          --><section end="Twerhaw"/>
|- 
| <p>[9] {{red|b=1|Here the new recital has an end.}}</p>
<p>Martin Sibers recital with six courses, as exactly as he set-down, from many masters applications. Whoever can understand it well is well to be praised as a good master of the long sword before other masters.</p>
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|5|lbl=-}}
| {{section|Page:MS Var.82 041r.png|3|lbl=-}}

|}
{{master end}}

{{master begin
 | title = Copyright and License Summary
 | width = 100%
}}
For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the [[Talk:{{PAGENAME}}|discussion page]].

<section begin="sourcebox"/>{{sourcebox header}}
{{sourcebox
 | work        = Translation
 | authors     = [[Christian Trosclair]]
 | source link = 
 | source title= Wiktenauer
 | license     = noncommercial
}}
{{sourcebox
 | work        = [[Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)|Salzburg Version]]
 | authors     = [[Dierk Hagedorn]]
 | source link = 
 | source title= [[Index:Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)]]
 | license     = copyrighted
}}
{{sourcebox
 | work        = [[Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)|Glasgow Version]]
 | authors     = [[Dierk Hagedorn]]
 | source link = 
 | source title= [[Index:Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)]]
 | license     = copyrighted
}}
{{sourcebox
 | work        = [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|Rostock Version]]
 | authors     = [[Dierk Hagedorn]]
 | source link = 
 | source title= [[Index:Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)]]
 | license     = copyrighted
}}
{{sourcebox footer}}<section end="sourcebox"/>
{{master end}}

== Additional Resources ==

* [[Jeffrey Hull|Hull, Jeffrey]]. "The Longsword Fight Lore of Mertin Siber." ''Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts''. Ed. Jeffrey Hull. Boulder, CO: [[Paladin Press]], 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-668-3

== References ==

{{reflist|2}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Syber, Martin}}
{{Liechtenauer tradition}}
__FORCETOC__

[[Category:Masters]]

[[Category:German]]

[[Category:Longsword]]