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On 12 February 1480, Paulus Kal entered the service of Sigismund of the House of Hapsburg, Archduke of Austria and Tyrol.<ref name="Welle"/> Kal acted as one of the archduke's witnesses at a number of interrogations held on 17 October 1485 in Innsbruck, related to the witch trials being conducted by Heinrich Kramer at that time.<ref name="JPK"/> This is the final time that Kal's name has been located in historical records. Several copies of Kal's treatise were created during the 1480s and 90s, but the only one which shows any probability of Kal's personal involvement is the extensive [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (MS KK5126)|MS KK5126]].
 
On 12 February 1480, Paulus Kal entered the service of Sigismund of the House of Hapsburg, Archduke of Austria and Tyrol.<ref name="Welle"/> Kal acted as one of the archduke's witnesses at a number of interrogations held on 17 October 1485 in Innsbruck, related to the witch trials being conducted by Heinrich Kramer at that time.<ref name="JPK"/> This is the final time that Kal's name has been located in historical records. Several copies of Kal's treatise were created during the 1480s and 90s, but the only one which shows any probability of Kal's personal involvement is the extensive [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (MS KK5126)|MS KK5126]].
  
−
In total, Paulus Kal's teachings are preserved in at least six manuscripts written between 1460 and 1514. Aside from the three already mentioned, two other extensive, text-less copies also exist (one copied from the Bologna, and the other from an unknown source). A [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (Gotti MS)|sixth version]] was sold at auction in Italy during the 20th century as individual leaves; this copy contains single-word captions in Latin or Italian and was likely based on either the Bologna or Vienna. In addition, [[Paulus Hector Mair]] included content based on Kal's work in several sections of the [[Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica (Cod.icon. 393)|Munich]] and [[Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica (Cod.10825/10826)|Vienna]] versions of his ''Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica''. Rather than using Kal's descriptions (if the copy he used had them), Mair wrote his own extensive commentary on the illustrations. The precise set of images Mair drew upon do not appear in any of the six extant manuscripts, which may signify that he used a seventh copy of Kal's work which has since been lost.
+
== Treatise ==
  
−
== Treatise ==
+
In total, Paulus Kal's teachings are preserved in at least six manuscripts written between 1460 and 1514. Aside from the three already mentioned, two other extensive, text-less copies also exist (the [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (MS Chart.B.1021)|Gotha version]], copied from the Bologna, and the [[Solothurner Fechtbuch (Cod.S.554)|Solothurn version]], copied from an unknown source). A [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (Gotti MS)|sixth version]] was sold at auction in Italy during the 20th century as individual leaves; this copy contains unintelligible single-word captions<ref>Possibly abbreviated phrases from Latin or Italian.</ref> and was likely based on either the Bologna or Vienna. All six are listed in the concordance below, though only the Munich accompanies its illustrations with text. This concordance also includes the [[poleaxe]] and [[longshield]] text from the [[Paulus Kal Fechtbuch (MS KK5126)|Vienna version]], which largely matched the illustrations (though it's unknown whether it was intended for that purpose).
 +
 
 +
[[Paulus Hector Mair]] included content based on Kal's work in several sections of the [[Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica (Cod.icon. 393)|Munich]] and [[Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica (Cod.10825/10826)|Vienna]] versions of his ''Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica''. Rather than using Kal's descriptions (if the copy he used had them), Mair wrote his own extensive commentary on the illustrations. The precise set of images Mair drew upon do not appear in any of the six extant manuscripts, which may signify that he used a seventh copy of Kal's work which has since been lost. Because Mair's version represents substantial original work, it is listed on his page rather than being incorporated into the concordance here.
  
 
{{master begin
 
{{master begin
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| <p>Master Johannes Liechtenauer.<br/>Master Peter Wildigans von Glatz.<br/>Master Peter von Danzig zum Ingolstadt.<br/>Master Hans Spindler von Znaim.<br/>Master Lamprecht von Prague.<br/>Master Hans Seydenfaden von Erfurt.<br/>Master Andres Lignitzer.<br/>Master Jacob Lignitzer (his brother).<br/>Master Sigmund Schining ain Ringeck.<br/>Master Hartman von Nuremberg.<br/>Master Martin Huntfeltz.<br/>Master Hans Pegnitzer.<br/>Master Philipp Perger.<br/>Master Virgil von Kraków.<br/>Master Dietrich Degenfechter von Braunschweig.<br/>Master Ott, a Jew, who was the wrestler to the Lords of Austria.</p>
+
| <p>Master Johannes Liechtenauer.<br/>Master Peter Wildigans von Glatz.<br/>Master Peter von Danzig zum Ingolstadt.<br/>Master Hans Spindler von Znaim.<br/>Master Lamprecht von Prague.<br/>Master Hans Seydenfaden von Erfurt.<br/>Master Andres Lignitzer.<br/>Master Jacob Lignitzer (his brother).<br/>Master Sigmund ain Ringeck.<br/>Master Hartman von Nuremberg.<br/>Master Martin Huntfeltz.<br/>Master Hans Pegnitzer.<br/>Master Philipp Perger.<br/>Master Virgil von Kraków.<br/>Master Dietrich Degenfechter von Braunschweig.<br/>Master Ott, a Jew, who was the wrestler to the Lords of Austria.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:Cgm 1507 02r.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:Cgm 1507 02r.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
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{{master begin
 
{{master begin
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  | title = Long Shield
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  | title = Longshield
 
  | width = 224em
 
  | width = 224em
 
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| {{double page|Cod.S.554 61.jpg|Cod.S.554 62.jpg|x205px|x205px}}
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 44v.jpg|250px|center]]
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| <p>The stroke at the shield.</p>
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| <p>'''The stroke at the shield'''</p>
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<p>Item, do thus with the long shield: learn to deliver the ''Oberhau'' and ''Unterhau'' and learn to bind well below and above, and in the techniques described hereafter you will learn the side wrenching.</p>
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|44v|jpg}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|44v|jpg}}
 
|  
 
|  
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|48v|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|48v|jpg|blk=1}}
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{{section|Page:MS KK5126 127r.jpg|10|lbl=127r}}
 
|  
 
|  
 
| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|061|jpg|blk=1}}{{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|062|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|061|jpg|blk=1}}{{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|062|jpg|blk=1}}
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| {{double page|Cod.S.554 063.jpg|Cod.S.554 064.jpg|x205px|x205px}}
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 45r.jpg|250px|center]]
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| <p>How one should be behind the shield with the club.</p>
+
| <p>'''How one should be behind the shield with the club'''</p>
 +
 
 +
<p>Item, do thus the first technique behind the shield if you have a sword or mace: if you have a sword strike whatever opening you see; or cast [the mace] and call your marshal to give you another mace.</p>
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|45r|jpg}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|45r|jpg}}
 
|  
 
|  
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|49r|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|49r|jpg|blk=1}}
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{{section|Page:MS KK5126 127r.jpg|11|lbl=127r}}
 
|  
 
|  
 
| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|063|jpg|blk=1}}{{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|064|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|063|jpg|blk=1}}{{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|064|jpg|blk=1}}
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| {{double page|Cod.S.554 065.jpg|Cod.S.554 066.jpg|x205px|x205px}}
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 45v.jpg|250px|center]]
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| <p>Here one seeks the other behind the shield.</p>
+
| <p>'''Here one seeks the other behind the shield'''</p>
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 +
<p>Item, do this with the shield and with mace near to him and shoot with the point of the mace to his shield’s barb [?] so that he must expose himself; immediately strike or thrust.</p>
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|45v|jpg}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|45v|jpg}}
 
|  
 
|  
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|49v|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|49v|jpg|blk=1}}
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{{section|Page:MS KK5126 127r.jpg|12|lbl=127r}}
 
|  
 
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| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|065|jpg|blk=1}}{{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|066|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|065|jpg|blk=1}}{{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|066|jpg|blk=1}}
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|-  
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| [[File:Cod.S.554 67.jpg|200px|center]]
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 46r.jpg|250px|center]]
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| <p>The step between the shields whereby he can expose him and strike or thrust with the club.</p>
+
| <p>'''The step between the shields whereby he can expose him and strike or thrust with the club'''</p>
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 +
<p>Item, do this nearer to him and step with a foot on a point of his shield so that he is completely exposed, then strike to lame the wrist.</p>
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|46r|jpg}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|46r|jpg}}
 
|  
 
|  
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|50r|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|50r|jpg|blk=1}}
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 +
{{section|Page:MS KK5126 127r.jpg|13|lbl=127r}}
 
|  
 
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| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|067|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|067|jpg|blk=1}}
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|-  
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| [[File:Cod.S.554 68.jpg|200px|center]]
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 46v.jpg|250px|center]]
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| <p>Here it comes to the winding and wrenching with the shields.</p>
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| <p>'''Here it comes to the winding and wrenching with the shields'''</p>
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 +
<p>Item, if you have used all of your maces, and stand freely with the shield and he also stands freely with his shield, see if you can go under his shield by the point and wrench it toward you, then take it and quickly cast it from you and work with your shield.</p>
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|46v|jpg}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|46v|jpg}}
 
|  
 
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| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|50v|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|50v|jpg|blk=1}}
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{{section|Page:MS KK5126 127r.jpg|14|lbl=127r}}
 
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| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|068|jpg|blk=1}}
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| [[File:Cod.S.554 69.jpg|200px|center]]
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 47r.jpg|250px|center]]
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| <p>From the winding comes the thrust to the heart.</p>
+
| <p>'''From the winding comes the thrust to the heart'''</p>
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 +
<p>Item, if you have no mace and he has none then wind against him and note, as you thrust, the feeling; this is called ‘finding’ or ‘weak and strong’.</p>
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|47r|jpg}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|47r|jpg}}
 
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|  
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|51r|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|51r|jpg|blk=1}}
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{{section|Page:MS KK5126 127r.jpg|15|lbl=127r}}
 
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| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|069|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cod.S.554|069|jpg|blk=1}}
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| [[File:Cod.S.554 70.jpg|200px|center]]
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 47v.jpg|250px|center]]
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| <p>Here the previously described technique is completed.</p>
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| <p>'''Here the previously described technique is completed'''</p>
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 +
<p>Item, if you have come from the mace and shield, then remember the “murder grips”: with the bottom of the feet pressing to the shin and stepping on the knee, grasping the genitals, the wrestling at the hip, the thrust to the heart, the arm break, to the neck and the nose, to the eyes, under the ears, or the Sun Pointer.</p>
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|47v|jpg}}
 
| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|47v|jpg}}
 
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| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|51v|jpg|blk=1}}
 
| {{paget|Page:MS KK5126|51v|jpg|blk=1}}
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 +
{{section|Page:MS KK5126 127v.jpg|1|lbl=127v}}
 
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| [[File:Cod.S.554 71.jpg|200px|center]]
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| [[File:Cgm 1507 48r.jpg|250px|center]]
 
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| {{paget|Page:Cgm 1507|48r|jpg|blk=1}}
 
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Revision as of 19:09, 28 April 2017

Paulus Kal
Born ca.1420s
Dingolfing, Germany
Died after 1485
Occupation
Patron
  • Ludwig IV "the Gentle"
  • Ludwig IX "the Rich"
  • Sigismund of Austria
Movement Fellowship of Liechtenauer
Influences
Influenced Peter Falkner (?)
Genres
Language Early New High German
Archetype(s)
Manuscript(s)
First printed
english edition		 Tobler, 2006
Concordance by Michael Chidester, Carsten Lorbeer, Julia Lorbeer, Andreas Meier, Marita Wiedner
Translations
Edition.jpg

Paulus Kal was a 15th century German fencing master. He wrote that he studied martial arts under Hans Stettner von Mörnsheim, and was an initiate of the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer. He was also attached as Schirrmeister to three different courts in his career, serving in various military capacities including commanding men in at least three campaigns.[1] Perhaps his most significant legacy is an honor role of masters which he styled the Fellowship of Liechtenauer (Geselschaft Liechtenauers). While many of these masters remain unknown, the several wrote treatises of their own and Kal's list stands as an independent confirmation of their connection to the grand master. Kal's treatise is also of interest in that it represents the oldest attempt to illustrate portions of Liechtenauer's Recital (Zettel).

Little is known of Kal's early life, but from 1440 to ca. 1449 he served Ludwig IV "the Gentle" of Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of the Rhine. In 1448, while in the Elector's service he participated in the defense Nuremberg, commanding a unit of wheel cannons below the gates.[2] The Nuremberg Council notes from 17 March 1449 mention that he had broken the peace of the city at that time by drawing his weapons.[2]

Kal entered the service of Ludwig IX "the Rich" of Wittelsbach, Duke of Bavaria-Landshut, on 29 September 1450.[1] In 1461, he is mentioned commanding a unit of 12 marksmen.[2] From 1465 to 1475, he seems to have also maintained a secondary occupation as a toll collector in Dingolfing.[2] In November 1468, he participated in military actions on the castle Saldenburg, which was successfully taken on 4 December.[2] Kal is listed as a guest at the wedding of Ludwig's son Georg,[2] and continued in the duke's service until his death on 18 January 1479. Paulus Kal created two manuscripts of his treatise while in the service of Ludwig IX, an uncaptioned version as well as a more elaborate presentation copy including brief explanations in German for most devices (including fragments of Liechtenauer's Recital).

On 12 February 1480, Paulus Kal entered the service of Sigismund of the House of Hapsburg, Archduke of Austria and Tyrol.[1] Kal acted as one of the archduke's witnesses at a number of interrogations held on 17 October 1485 in Innsbruck, related to the witch trials being conducted by Heinrich Kramer at that time.[2] This is the final time that Kal's name has been located in historical records. Several copies of Kal's treatise were created during the 1480s and 90s, but the only one which shows any probability of Kal's personal involvement is the extensive MS KK5126.

Treatise

In total, Paulus Kal's teachings are preserved in at least six manuscripts written between 1460 and 1514. Aside from the three already mentioned, two other extensive, text-less copies also exist (the Gotha version, copied from the Bologna, and the Solothurn version, copied from an unknown source). A sixth version was sold at auction in Italy during the 20th century as individual leaves; this copy contains unintelligible single-word captions[3] and was likely based on either the Bologna or Vienna. All six are listed in the concordance below, though only the Munich accompanies its illustrations with text. This concordance also includes the poleaxe and longshield text from the Vienna version, which largely matched the illustrations (though it's unknown whether it was intended for that purpose).

Paulus Hector Mair included content based on Kal's work in several sections of the Munich and Vienna versions of his Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica. Rather than using Kal's descriptions (if the copy he used had them), Mair wrote his own extensive commentary on the illustrations. The precise set of images Mair drew upon do not appear in any of the six extant manuscripts, which may signify that he used a seventh copy of Kal's work which has since been lost. Because Mair's version represents substantial original work, it is listed on his page rather than being incorporated into the concordance here.

Additional Resources

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rainer Welle. "… und wisse das alle höbischeit kompt von deme ringen. Der Ringkampf als adelige Kunst im 15. Und 16. Jahrhundert. Eine sozialhistorische und bewegungsbiographische Interpretation aufgrund der handschriften und gedruckten Ringlehren des Spätmittelalters." Forum für Sozialgeschichte 4. Pfaffenweiler, 1993. pp 243-253.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Jens P. Kleinau. Paulus Kal, a Schirrmeister. Hans Talhoffer ~ A Historical Martial Arts blog by Jens P. Kleinau, 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  3. ↑ Possibly abbreviated phrases from Latin or Italian.
  4. ↑ This looks something like the reissen in Messer.
  5. ↑ Hang likely means to push the shaft through with your rear hand, suspending the head of the axe in front of you.
  6. ↑ Ansetzen.
Early Germanic Traditions
Common Fencing Johannes Liechtenauer reversed.jpg
Wrestling
Liechtenauer
Tradition
Beringer Verse
Augsburg Tradition
Other Works
Fabris Tradition
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