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Difference between revisions of "Walpurgis Fechtbuch (MS I.33)"

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|-  
 
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| <p>'''[24] (+)''' {{red|H}}ere the first ward is re-assumed, to which ward the displacement will be very rare, because none uses to apply it save the priest or his clients, i.e. his students, und this displacement is called ''krucke'', and I cousel in good faith that the one executing the ward should bind immediately after the displacement, because it is not goot to tarry, or that he should do aught by which he may be saved, or that he should immediately do that, which his displacer does.</p>
+
| <p>'''[24] (+)''' {{red|H}}ere the first ward is re-assumed, to which ward the displacement will be very rare, because none uses to apply it save the priest or his clients, i.e. his students, and this displacement is called ''krucke'', and I counsel in good faith that the one executing the ward should bind immediately after the displacement, because it is not good to tarry, or that he should do aught by which he may be saved, or that he should immediately do that, which his displacer does.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 04r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 04r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
| <p>'''[27]''' Note that whenever binder and bound are competing as here, then the bound may flee whither he chooses, if he likes, and this is reqhired in all bindings. But of this you must be admonished, that where ever the bound (flees to), you should follow him.</p>
+
| <p>'''[27]''' Note that whenever binder and bound are competing as here, then the bound may flee whither he chooses, if he likes, and this is required in all bindings. But of this you must be admonished, that where ever the bound (flees to), you should follow him.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 04v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 04v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 5v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 5v]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 5v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 5v]]
| <p>'''[32]''' Here the pupil has neglected to bind, and the priest has promptly entered, and not undeservingly, as whenever the one assuming the ward omits something he should do, the displacer must immediately enter, as here.</p>
+
| <p>'''[32]''' Here the pupil has neglected to bind, and the priest has promptly entered, and not undeservedly, as whenever the one assuming the ward omits something he should do, the displacer must immediately enter, as here.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 05v.jpg|1|lbl=5v}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 05v.jpg|1|lbl=5v}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 8v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 8v]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 8v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 8v]]
| <p>'''[44] (+)''' The first ward is re-assumed and displaced by the first displacement, namely halpschilt, and you will have all of the above.</p>
+
| <p>'''[44] (+)''' The first ward is re-assumed and displaced by the first displacement, namely ''halpschilt'', and you will have all of the above.</p>
 
|  {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 08v.jpg|1|lbl=8v}}
 
|  {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 08v.jpg|1|lbl=8v}}
  
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| <p>'''[45]''' Verse:
 
| <p>'''[45]''' Verse:
  
<p>{{red|When halbschild is assumed, fall<br/>below both sword and shield.}}</p>
+
<p>{{red|When ''halbschild'' is assumed, fall<br/>below both sword and shield.}}</p>
 
|  {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 08v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
|  {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 08v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 11r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 11r]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 11r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 11r]]
| <p>'''[54]''' Note how many ordinary fencers will be seduced by this displacement shown here. They think they can acheive a separation of sword and shield by means of the strike executed here. This is however not the case, because the displacer tarries, which could endanger him, but this [separation] executedd is depicted here for all that whish to make use of the counsel of the priest.</p>
+
| <p>'''[54]''' Note how many ordinary fencers will be seduced by this displacement shown here. They think they can achieve a separation of sword and shield by means of the strike executed here. This is however not the case, because the displacer tarries, which could endanger him, but this [separation] executed is depicted here for all that wish to make use of the counsel of the priest.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 11r.jpg|1|lbl=11r}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 11r.jpg|1|lbl=11r}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| [[File:MS I.33 13v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 13v]]
 
| [[File:MS I.33 13v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 13v]]
| <p>'''[64]''' Note that all actions of the first ward, viz. under the arm, are here, up th the next sign of the cross.</p>
+
| <p>'''[64]''' Note that all actions of the first ward, viz. under the arm, are here, up to the next sign of the cross.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 13v.jpg|1|lbl=13v}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 13v.jpg|1|lbl=13v}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
| <p>'''[67] (+)''' Now that the third ward has been treated, here the fourth is treated, which will have halbschilt as its displacement, and all that you had before you will find here up to the next sign of the cross.</p>
+
| <p>'''[67] (+)''' Now that the third ward has been treated, here the fourth is treated, which will have ''halbschilt'' as its displacement, and all that you had before you will find here up to the next sign of the cross.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 14v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 14v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 16v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 16v]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 16v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 16v]]
| <p>'''[71]''' Here the priest grips - i.e. he teaches to grip - the displacer's sword. And note that the sword of said displacer may not be freed except by means of a schiltslac, where the priest's hand is struck with the shield, as below in the next example.</p>
+
| <p>'''[71]''' Here the priest grips - i.e. he teaches to grip - the displacer's sword. And note that the sword of said displacer may not be freed except by means of a ''schiltslac'', where the priest's hand is struck with the shield, as below in the next example.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 16v.jpg|1|lbl=16v}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 16v.jpg|1|lbl=16v}}
  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| <p>'''[72]''' Here the pupil's sword is freed by means of a schiltschlac, and the priest should take care that the pupil does not execute a strike to his head, or a general stab, which the priest is wont to teach his students. Also, you should know that if the pupil strike to the head, execute a protetion, with the sword together with the shield in the left hand, and so you will strike the shiled from the hands of your adversary, as shown below in the next example.</p>
+
| <p>'''[72]''' Here the pupil's sword is freed by means of a ''schiltschlac'', and the priest should take care that the pupil does not execute a strike to his head, or a general stab, which the priest is wont to teach his students. Also, you should know that if the pupil strike to the head, execute a protection, with the sword together with the shield in the left hand, and so you will strike the shield from the hands of your adversary, as shown below in the next example.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 16v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 16v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
| <p>'''[76] (+)''' After all the wards above have been treated, here the seventh ward is treated, which is called langort, and note that there are four binds, that answer to this ward, namely two from the right, and the other two from the left. But here we speak only of the first bind above the sword, which you have all in the first ward, up to the fourth example, where sword and shield are taken.</p>
+
| <p>'''[76] (+)''' After all the wards above have been treated, here the seventh ward is treated, which is called ''langort'', and note that there are four binds, that answer to this ward, namely two from the right, and the other two from the left. But here we speak only of the first bind above the sword, which you have all in the first ward, up to the fourth example, where sword and shield are taken.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 17v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 17v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 18r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 18r]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 18r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 18r]]
| <p>'''[77]''' It is to be seen how the pupil was the first to bind above the priest's sword in the preceding example. Here, the priest approaches and erects his sword and shield for the protection of the hear.</p>
+
| <p>'''[77]''' It is to be seen how the pupil was the first to bind above the priest's sword in the preceding example. Here, the priest approaches and erects his sword and shield for the protection of the head.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 18r.jpg|1|lbl=18r}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 18r.jpg|1|lbl=18r}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 19r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 19r]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 19r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 19r]]
| <p>'''[81]''' Above the priest was grabbed by the pupil and forced to grapplle, which the priest may prevent as shown in the example.</p>
+
| <p>'''[81]''' Above the priest was grabbed by the pupil and forced to grapple, which the priest may prevent as shown in the example.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 19r.jpg|1|lbl=19r}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 19r.jpg|1|lbl=19r}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 20r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 20r]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 20r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 20r]]
| <p>'''[86] (+)''' Here the final ward is again adopted, which is called langort, and here the priest is adopting it. But the pupil executes one of the four binds, viz. above the sword, as shown here in the example.</p>
+
| <p>'''[86] (+)''' Here the final ward is again adopted, which is called ''langort'', and here the priest is adopting it. But the pupil executes one of the four binds, viz. above the sword, as shown here in the example.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 20r.jpg|1|lbl=20r}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 20r.jpg|1|lbl=20r}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 20v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 20v]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 20v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 20v]]
| <p>'''[88] (+)''' Here the final ward is adopted, viz. langort, by the pupil. Above this ward, the priest binds with one of the four binds, viz. above the sword and to the right. And note that whenever there is a bind, the bound may flee from the binder to wherever he likes, to the left or to the right. Thence you may diligently see that if he flees, you will follow him, as in the verse: The bound flees to the side, I try to follow.</p>
+
| <p>'''[88] (+)''' Here the final ward is adopted, viz. ''langort'', by the pupil. Above this ward, the priest binds with one of the four binds, viz. above the sword and to the right. And note that whenever there is a bind, the bound may flee from the binder to wherever he likes, to the left or to the right. Thence you may diligently see that if he flees, you will follow him, as in the verse: The bound flees to the side, I try to follow.</p>
  
 
:{{red|''Binder and bound are adverse and irate;<br/>The bound flees to the side, I try to follow.''}}
 
:{{red|''Binder and bound are adverse and irate;<br/>The bound flees to the side, I try to follow.''}}
Line 572: Line 572:
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 24r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 24r]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 24r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 24r]]
| <p>'''[103]''' After the priest above positioned himself to the scolar, the scolar here binds and steps, intending to do which follows, because you had many forms above, it is not necessary to give more examples. Therefore the verse, "the binder and the bound" etc.</p>
+
| <p>'''[103]''' After the priest above positioned himself to the scholar, the scholar here binds and steps, intending to do which follows, because you had many forms above, it is not necessary to give more examples. Therefore the verse, "the binder and the bound" etc.</p>
  
 
:{{red|''Binder and bound are adverse and irate;<br/>The bound flees to the side, I try to follow.''}}
 
:{{red|''Binder and bound are adverse and irate;<br/>The bound flees to the side, I try to follow.''}}
Line 596: Line 596:
  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| <p>'''[108] (+)''' Note, that here again the special ward of the priest is assumed that is called ''Langort'', but it is a very strange displacement that is depicted here, and very rare, and you must know that this can be reduced to the first ward and to the displacement called ''halpschilt'' etc.</p>
+
| <p>'''[108] (+)''' Note, that here again the special ward of the priest is assumed that is called ''langort'', but it is a very strange displacement that is depicted here, and very rare, and you must know that this can be reduced to the first ward and to the displacement called ''halpschilt'' etc.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 25r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 25r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
Line 657: Line 657:
  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| <p>'''[121]''' Note, that whenever halbschilt is assumed against this fifth ward, or against the second ward, a strike from the one assuming the ward is always to be expected, which could divide sword and shield. Thence the counsel, that whenever you execute this displacement, i.e. ''halpschilt'', you should enter with a stab without mercy.</p>
+
| <p>'''[121]''' Note, that whenever ''halbschilt'' is assumed against this fifth ward, or against the second ward, a strike from the one assuming the ward is always to be expected, which could divide sword and shield. Thence the counsel, that whenever you execute this displacement, i.e. ''halpschilt'', you should enter with a stab without mercy.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 28r.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 28r.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
  
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| <p>'''[126]''' Thence the verse,
 
| <p>'''[126]''' Thence the verse,
  
<p>{{red|If halbschilt is assumed, fall<br/>Below both sword and shield.}}</p>
+
<p>{{red|If ''halbschilt'' is assumed, fall<br/>Below both sword and shield.}}</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 29r.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 29r.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 30r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 30r]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 30r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 30r]]
| <p>'''[129] (+)''' It is to be seen that here the fourth ward is again assumed, and the displacement to this fourth ward is the special langort of the priest. But the displacer should see that the one assuming the ward does not execute a strike, as it would be dangerous to tarry; therefore he should execute schuzin, and finally not omit a stab.</p>
+
| <p>'''[129] (+)''' It is to be seen that here the fourth ward is again assumed, and the displacement to this fourth ward is the special ''langort'' of the priest. But the displacer should see that the one assuming the ward does not execute a strike, as it would be dangerous to tarry; therefore he should execute schuzin, and finally not omit a stab.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 30r.jpg|1|lbl=30r}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 30r.jpg|1|lbl=30r}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
| <p>'''[132]''' From these above bindings, the pupil executes this strike lifting his sword to the head by means of a schiltslac.</p>
+
| <p>'''[132]''' From these above bindings, the pupil executes this strike lifting his sword to the head by means of a ''schiltslac''.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 30v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 30v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 31v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 31v]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 31v.jpg|200px|center|Folio 31v]]
| <p>'''[135]''' Above, both the one assuming the ward and the one displacing it were referred to; and because the pupil, who was the displacer, will be quicker, he executes what he should, namely first schuzin, as here, and in the next example below a stab, because the priest is omitting all actions. Thus, the one entering first will be the first to do damage to his opponent.<ref name="dampnum"/></p>
+
| <p>'''[135]''' Above, both the one assuming the ward and the one displacing it were referred to; and because the pupil, who was the displacer, will be quicker, he executes what he should, namely first ''schuzin'', as here, and in the next example below a stab, because the priest is omitting all actions. Thus, the one entering first will be the first to do damage to his opponent.<ref name="dampnum"/></p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 31v.jpg|1|lbl=31v}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 31v.jpg|1|lbl=31v}}
  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 32r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 32r]]
 
| rowspan="2" | [[File:MS I.33 32r.jpg|200px|center|Folio 32r]]
| <p>'''[137] (+)''' It is to be seen, that the first ward is reassumed, i.e. the one below the arm, the replacement to which is the special second ward of the priest on the right shoulder, and take note, that the one assuming the ward will schuzin without delay, otherwise his opponent will execute ''halbschilt'' which would be disastrous for the one assuming the ward. And from here will be generated all the things related to the first ward that were treated in the first quaternum.</p>
+
| <p>'''[137] (+)''' It is to be seen, that the first ward is reassumed, i.e. the one below the arm, the replacement to which is the special second ward of the priest on the right shoulder, and take note, that the one assuming the ward will ''schuzin'' without delay, otherwise his opponent will execute ''halbschilt'' which would be disastrous for the one assuming the ward. And from here will be generated all the things related to the first ward that were treated in the first quire.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 32r.jpg|1|lbl=32r}}
 
| {{section|Page:Ms I33 fol 32r.jpg|1|lbl=32r}}
  

Revision as of 00:11, 1 December 2014

Walpurgis Fechtbuch
MS I.33, Royal Armouries
Leeds, United Kingdom

MS I.33 31v.jpg
MS I.33 32r.jpg
ff 31v-32r, including St. Walpurga in her ward
HagedornLeng38.9.8
Wierschin9Hils30
Also known as
  • Liber de Arte Dimicatoria
  • "The Tower Manuscript"
  • No. 14 E iii, No. 20
Type Fencing manual
Date ca. 1320s
Place of origin Franconia
Language(s) Medieval Latin
Ascribed to Clerus Lutegerus
Scribe(s) Unknown (three hands)
Illustrator(s) Unknown (up to 17 artists)
Material Parchment, in a modern binding
Size 34 folia
Format Double-sided; two illustrations
per side with text above and
below
Script Bastarda
Previously kept MS Membr.I 115, Schloß Friedenstein
Treatise scans
Other translations

The MS I.33 is a German fencing manual dating to the 1320s.[1] It currently rests in the holdings of the Royal Armouries at Leeds, United Kingdom. The I.33 is earliest extant treatise on Medieval martial arts, and it appears to have been devised by a secular priest, possibly the "Lutegerus" (or Liutger) mentioned in the text.[2] It was the work of three scribes and potentially as many as 17 illustrators.[3]

The treatise is fully illustrated, and consists of both mnemonic verses and longer explanations in a vernacular Medieval Latin. (The format of verse and gloss may indicate that the priest was explaining a much older tradition.) It treats unarmored fencing with sword and buckler; the intriguing fact that the fencers depicted are a priest and a student (and on the last two pages, a priest and a woman identified as St. Walpurga), seems to suggest that this was a middle class or priestly art rather than one of the knightly class. Repeatedly, the text makes mention of the pupils (scolaris/discipulus) of the priest, as well as youths (iuvenis) and clients (clientulum). It seems, therefore, to treat a secular priest who was offering fencing lessons to young men.

The manuscript in its present form consists of five quires, of which all but the first are incomplete; at least eight leaves are believed to be missing (assuming it started with complete quires of four bifolia each).[3] The precise contents of these missing leaves are unknown, but it is possible that they were a source for the thirty uncaptioned sword and buckler plays which appear in the Libri Picture A 83, the Codex I.6.2º.4, and the Cgm 3712; alternatively, these may originate from another manuscript in the same tradition. The anonymous plays seem in turn to have been the primary source for Paulus Hector Mair's treatment of the side sword and buckler, which he captioned with his own interpretations.

Provenance

The known provenance of the MS I.33 is:

  • Written in the 1320s, possibly by a priest named Liutger; owned by Franconian monks until the 1500s.
  • 1400s – an additional couplet was inscribed at the top of folio 1r, possibly by Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II; 1405-1464).[citation needed]
  • 1552-53 – looted from a monastery by Johannes Herbart von Würzburg during the Franconian campaigns of Albert-Archibald, Duke of Brandenburg-Kulmbach.[4][3] Würzburg was a belt-maker by trade and later served as fencing master to the dukes of Sachsen-Gotha; he inscribed his name on folio 7r.
  • before 1579 – possibly duplicated by Heinrich von Gunterrodt while compiling material for his book[4] (such a copy is currently unknown).
  • late 1500s-1945 – owned by the dukes of Sachsen-Gotha; listed in an 18th century library catalog as Cod.Membr.I.no.115.[citation needed] The second device on folio 26r was copied into the Codex Guelf 125.16 Extravagante in the 1600s by a scribe who couldn't decipher the Latin text.[5] The manuscript was further described on six leaves of paper (with short excerpts of the text) by Heinrich Niewöhner in 1910. (Lost during World War II.)
  • 1945-1950 – location unknown (sold London, Sotheby's, 27 March 1950). Sotheby's listed the manuscript as "a 14th-century manuscript of unknown provenance", and it was not identified as the lost Cod.Membr.I.no.115. until Krämer in 1975.[6]
  • 1950-1996 – held by the Royal Armouries and stored in the Tower of London; known variously as "Tower of London Ms. I.33" or "British Museum No. 14 E iii, No. 20, D. vi. I".
  • 1996 – moved to the newly-opened Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

Contents

Folio Section
1r - 32v

Gallery

Identification and placement of lost leaves based on work by Dr. Jeffrey L. Forgeng[citation needed] and James Hester.[3]

Folio 1r
MS I.33 01r.jpg
Folio 1v
MS I.33 01v.jpg
Folio 2r
MS I.33 02r.jpg
Folio 2v
MS I.33 02v.jpg
Folio 3r
MS I.33 03r.jpg
Folio 3v
MS I.33 03v.jpg
Folio 4r
MS I.33 04r.jpg
Folio 4v
MS I.33 04v.jpg
Folio 5r
MS I.33 05r.jpg
Folio 5v
MS I.33 05v.jpg
Folio 6r
MS I.33 06r.jpg
Folio 6v
MS I.33 06v.jpg
Folio 7r
MS I.33 07r.jpg
Folio 7v
MS I.33 07v.jpg
Folio 8r
MS I.33 08r.jpg
Folio 8v
MS I.33 08v.jpg
Missing folio
Missing folio
Folio 9r
MS I.33 09r.jpg
Folio 9v
MS I.33 09v.jpg
Folio 10r
MS I.33 10r.jpg
Folio 10v
MS I.33 10v.jpg
Folio 11r
MS I.33 11r.jpg
Folio 11v
MS I.33 11v.jpg
Folio 12r
MS I.33 12r.jpg
Folio 12v
MS I.33 12v.jpg
Folio 13r
MS I.33 13r.jpg
Folio 13v
MS I.33 13v.jpg
Folio 14r
MS I.33 14r.jpg
Folio 14v
MS I.33 14v.jpg
Missing folio
Missing folio
Folio 15r
MS I.33 15r.jpg
Folio 15v
MS I.33 15v.jpg
Folio 16r
MS I.33 16r.jpg
Folio 16v
MS I.33 16v.jpg
Missing folio
Missing folio
Missing folio
Missing folio
Missing folio
Missing folio
Missing folio
Missing folio
Folio 17r
MS I.33 17r.jpg
Folio 17v
MS I.33 17v.jpg
Folio 18r
MS I.33 18r.jpg
Folio 18v
MS I.33 18v.jpg
Folio 19r
MS I.33 19r.jpg
Folio 19v
MS I.33 19v.jpg
Folio 20r
MS I.33 20r.jpg
Folio 20v
MS I.33 20v.jpg
Folio 21r
MS I.33 21r.jpg
Folio 21v
MS I.33 21v.jpg
Folio 22r
MS I.33 22r.jpg
Folio 22v
MS I.33 22v.jpg
Folio 23r
MS I.33 23r.jpg
Folio 23v
MS I.33 23v.jpg
Folio 24r
MS I.33 24r.jpg
Folio 24v
MS I.33 24v.jpg
Folio 25r
MS I.33 25r.jpg
Folio 25v
MS I.33 25v.jpg
Missing folio
Missing folio
Folio 26r
MS I.33 26r.jpg
Folio 26v
MS I.33 26v.jpg
Folio 27r
MS I.33 27r.jpg
Folio 27v
MS I.33 27v.jpg
Folio 28r
MS I.33 28r.jpg
Folio 28v
MS I.33 28v.jpg
Folio 29r
MS I.33 29r.jpg
Folio 29v
MS I.33 29v.jpg
Folio 30r
MS I.33 30r.jpg
Folio 30v
MS I.33 30v.jpg
Folio 31r
MS I.33 31r.jpg
Folio 31v
MS I.33 31v.jpg
Missing folio
Missing folio
Folio 32r
MS I.33 32r.jpg
Folio 32v
MS I.33 32v.jpg

Additional Resources

  • Cinato, Franck and Surprenant, André (in French). Le Livre de l'art du Combat: Liber de arte dimicatoria. Édition critique du Royal Armouries MS. I.33, collection Sources d'Histoire Médiévale nº39. Paris: CNRS Editions, 2009. ISBN 978-2-271-06757-9
  • Forgeng, Dr. Jeffrey L. The Illuminated Fightbook Royal Armouries Manuscript I.33. Extraordinary Editions, 2012.
  • Forgeng, Dr. Jeffrey L. The Medieval Art of Swordsmanship: A Facsimile & Translation of Europe's Oldest Personal Combat Treatise, Royal Armouries MS I.33 (Royal Armouries Monograph). Chivalry Bookshelf, 2003. ISBN 1-891448-38-2
  • Hester, James. A Few Leaves Short of a Quire: Is the ‘Tower Fechtbuch’ Incomplete? Arms & Armour 9 (1): 20–24(5). April 2012. doi:10.1179/1741612411Z.0000000003
  • Morini, Andrea and Rudilosso, Riccardo (in Italian). Manoscritto I.33 Rome: Il Cerchio Iniziative Editoriali, 2012.

References

  1. The manuscript has received a wide variety of dates. Anglo (1988) dated it to "the very end of the 13th century" and Hils (1985) to the early 14th century; Cinato and Surprenant (2009) are even less precise, placing it at around the turn of the 14th century. Most recent analysis has suggested a slightly later date, with Leng (2008) dating it to 1320-1330 and Hester (2012) to "around 1320".
  2. See folio 1v.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Hester (2012).
  4. 4.0 4.1 von Gunterrodt, Heinrich. De Veris Principiis Artis Dimicatorie. Wittenberg, 1579. p C3rv
  5. See Codex Guelf 125.16.Extrav f 45r.
  6. S. Krämer. "Verbleib unbekannt Angeblich verschollene und wiederaufgetauchte Handschriften." Zeitschrift für Deutsches Altertum und Deutsche Literatur, volume 104. 1975
  7. The introductory verse was added on the upper margin of the page. According to [Forgeng], it is attributed to Aenas Sylvius (later pope Pius II; 1405-64). It is obviously referring to other sorts of unmonkish behaviour, but it seems to underline the unusual nature of fencing monks and women.
  8. lutegerus: presumably the name of the author / sacerdos: Liutger.
  9. This verse is open to disputation. Most likely, quoque combines sword and shield into a unity; sub seems to refer to a lower bind, as halpschilt threatens a blow from above. The same situation is depicted 8v and 23v. That a binding between sword and shield is not intended becomes clear on fol. 11r, where exactly that move is deprecated.
  10. diligenter intell...: seems unclear to me; either the instructions, that one should not hesitate should be understood diligently, or the diligence with which the adversary will judge one's actions is stressed.
  11. ligans ligati: One would expect *ligans ligatusque vel. sim. (plural subject). Literally, the translation would be "The binder of the bound - they are...", or "The binder; the bound ones are...". But I believe my translation correctly renders the intended meaning.
  12. fugit ad partes laterum: refers to side-stepping, i.e. taking into account the 3rd dimension not rendered in the images.
  13. The text has been re-traced in darker ink, according to CS by hand C (but closely following the original ductus of hand A).
  14. recipere plagam: to execute (not to receive) a blow. Probably intended as 'receive the opportunity to strike'.
  15. durchtritt: a step to the side seems intended; for the (preferable) action depicted, we would expect 'to the left', so dexteram may be taking the opponent's view.
  16. 16.0 16.1 dampnum for damnum
  17. vidilpoge = "fiddle-bow".
  18. fingitur for figitur; fuit vicium pictoris: Here is evidence that the author is not identical with the draftsman.
  19. Concerning the name of the woman fencer: The name walprgis as written directly above the word sac'dos (below which are five dots forming a line). It is not entirely clear, whether Walpurgis is meant to replace sacerdos or if it is an addition (in which case it would be genitive of Walpurga). But since in the picture, the woman is executing the schiltslac, and because the woman is said to have been ready first (parata), she must be called (in the nominative) Walpurgis.