Pseudo-Hans Döbringer/Thomas Stoeppler Su 2006

Here you hear the techniques and principles of the unarmored fencing of master Liechtenauer in simple words, so it may be better understood than it is written before in the verses and the comments which might be difficult to understand. That is why this is a brief summary here.

At first learn and know that fencing art of Liechtenauer depends completely on the five words Vor Nach Schwach Stark Indes which form the basis the core and the foundation of all fencing. And no matter how able a fencer is, without knowing the foundation he will often be shamed/defeated in his art. And these same words have been explained already by stating that these only are about staying in constant motion and not hesitating or pausing so that the adversary does not come to strikes, and also that it is about Vorschlag and Nachschlag as hit has been written often before.

And this is based upon a principle that is called Prinicipium et finis begin and ending. If a serious and good fencer has to fence with an opponent as to defeat him with his art, and wishes to remain unhit, he cannot do that without begin and ending. If he now wishes to begin correctly, he should gain the Vorschlag and not his opponent. Because one that strikes his opponent is safer and is protected easier because the opponent has to watch out for the attacks.

If he now gains and executes the Vorschlag, may it hit or miss, so he should do instantly without pause in the same rush the Nachschlag, be it the second, third or fourth or fifth strike, be it strike or thrust so that he stays in constant motion, doing one after the other without pausing so that the opponent may not come to strike. Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no man defends without danger, if you have understood it he will not come to strikes. So just do as it is often written before and stay in constant motion.

The word Indes relates to the words Vor and Nach; if someone does the Vorschlag and it is parried, Indes or while he is defending the Nachschlag should be done. It also relates to the words Schwach und Stark which mean the feeling at the sword, gauging whether the opponent is either strong or weak at the bind and then working according to the often-written teaching.

And the foundation of the teaching needs at first the principles of courage, quickness, carefulness, deciet and wits etc. And before these, control, so that when he wins the Vorschlag, he should not do it too fast so that he may recover for the Nachschlag. Also, he should not step too wide so that he can recover himself for the next step, be it forward or backward, as it is appropriate. As Liechtenauer says: Be prepared for this, all things have measure and control. And because of this one should well take his time with considering what he can do against his opponent and then move in quickly, going for the head or the body but never to the sword. Because if one strikes surely to the head or to the body – that is to the four openings – then it often happens that he gets to the sword anyway, if the adversary protects itself by using his sword.

This is why Liechtenauer says:

ⅺ	Never strike to the sword,  always aim for the openings.
ⅹⅵ	To the head or to the body,  if you wish to remain unhurt.
ⅹⅶ	May you hit or miss,  aim for the openings.
ⅹⅷ	In all teachings,  turn the point to his face.
ⅹⅸ	And whoever swings wide around,  will often be ashamed.
ⅹⅹ	To the very nearest,  bring your strikes or thrusts surely.
ⅼⅹ	And see to it  that your adversary does not act before you,
ⅼⅺ	so you may well stand your ground  against a good man.