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Difference between revisions of "Joachim Meyer"

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  | patron              = {{collapsible list
 
  | patron              = {{collapsible list
 
   | title = List of patrons
 
   | title = List of patrons
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   | 1    = Count Heinrich von Eberst
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   | 1    = Johann Albrecht
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   | 2    = Duke Johann Albrecht
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   | 2    = Johann Casimir
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   | 3    = Count Johann Casimir
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   | 3    = Heinrich von Eberst
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   | 4    = Count Otto von Sulms
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   | 4    = Otto von Sulms
 
  }}
 
  }}
 
  | period              =  
 
  | period              =  
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  | movement            = [[Freifechter]]
 
  | movement            = [[Freifechter]]
 
  | notableworks        = ''[[Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (Joachim Meÿer)|Gründtliche Beschreibung der <br/>Kunst des Fechtens]]'' (1570)
 
  | notableworks        = ''[[Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (Joachim Meÿer)|Gründtliche Beschreibung der <br/>Kunst des Fechtens]]'' (1570)
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  | manuscript(s)        = {{plainlist | [[Joachim Meyers Fäktbok (MS A.4º.2)|MS A.4º.2]] (1560s) | [[Treatises/Manuscript purgatory|Lost manuscript]] (1561) | [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|MS Varia 82]] (1570-71) }}
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  | manuscript(s)        = {{plainlist | [[Joachim Meyers Fäktbok (MS A.4º.2)|MS A.4º.2]] (1560s) | [[Treatises/Manuscript purgatory|Lost manuscript]] (1561) | [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|MS Varia 82]] (1563-70) }}
 
  | principal manuscript(s)=
 
  | principal manuscript(s)=
 
  | first printed edition= [[Jeffrey L. Forgeng|Forgeng]], 2006
 
  | first printed edition= [[Jeffrey L. Forgeng|Forgeng]], 2006
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Meÿer was born in Basel,<ref>According to his wedding certificate.</ref> where he presumably apprenticed as a cutler. He writes in his books that he traveled widely in his youth, most likely a reference to the traditional Walz that journeyman craftsmen were required to take before being eligible for mastery and membership in a guild. Journeymen were often sent to stand watch and participate in town and city militias (a responsibility that would have been amplified for the warlike cutlers' guild), and Meÿer learned a great deal about foreign fencing systems during his travels. It's been speculated by some fencing historians that he trained specifically in the Bolognese school of fencing, but this doesn't stand up to closer analysis.<ref>His dagger teachings do, however, show some evidence of influence by [[Achilles Marozzo]]'s printed treatise.</ref>
 
Meÿer was born in Basel,<ref>According to his wedding certificate.</ref> where he presumably apprenticed as a cutler. He writes in his books that he traveled widely in his youth, most likely a reference to the traditional Walz that journeyman craftsmen were required to take before being eligible for mastery and membership in a guild. Journeymen were often sent to stand watch and participate in town and city militias (a responsibility that would have been amplified for the warlike cutlers' guild), and Meÿer learned a great deal about foreign fencing systems during his travels. It's been speculated by some fencing historians that he trained specifically in the Bolognese school of fencing, but this doesn't stand up to closer analysis.<ref>His dagger teachings do, however, show some evidence of influence by [[Achilles Marozzo]]'s printed treatise.</ref>
  
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Records show that by 4 June 1560 he had settled in Strasbourg, where he married Appolonia Ruhlman (Ruelman)<ref name="Dupuis"/> and joined the Cutler's Guild. His interests had already moved beyond cutlery, however, and in 1561, Meÿer petitioned the City Council of Strasbourg for the right to organize a fencing event. He would repeat this in 1563, 1566, 1567 and 1568;<ref name="Van Slambrouck">Van Slambrouck, Christopher. "[http://freifechter.com/joachim_meyer.cfm The Life and Work of Joachim Meyer]". ''Meyer Frei Fechter Guild.''</ref> the last is the first time he identifies himself as a fencing master.
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Records show that by 4 June 1560 he had settled in Strasbourg, where he married Appolonia Ruhlman (Ruelman)<ref name="Dupuis"/> and joined the Cutler's Guild. His interests had already moved beyond knife-smithing, however, and in 1561, Meÿer petitioned the City Council of Strasbourg for the right to hold a [[Fechtschule]] (fencing competition). He would repeat this in 1563, 1566, 1567 and 1568;<ref name="Van Slambrouck">Van Slambrouck, Christopher. "[http://freifechter.com/joachim_meyer.cfm The Life and Work of Joachim Meyer]". ''Meyer Frei Fechter Guild.''</ref> the 1568 petition is the first time known record in which he identifies himself as a fencing master.
  
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Meÿer wrote his [[Joachim Meyers Fäktbok (MS A.4º.2)|first manuscript]] at some point in the 1560s for his private student Count Otto von Sulms, Minzenberg, and Sonnenwaldt. Its contents seem to be a series of lessons on training with [[longsword]], [[dussack]], and [[side sword]] (which he calls a "rappier"). His [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|second manuscript]], written between 1563 and 1570 for Heinrich Graf von Eberst, is of a decidedly different nature. Like many fencing manuscripts from the previous century, it is an anthology of treatises by a number of prominent German masters including [[Sigmund Schining ein Ringeck]], [[pseudo-Peter von Danzig]], and [[Martin Syber]], and also includes a brief outline by Meyer himself on the use of the side sword based on German Messer teachings. A third manuscript, possibly dated 1561, has been lost since at least the mid-20th century and its contents are unknown.<ref>Jens P. Kleinau. "[http://talhoffer.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/1561-joachim-meyer-dedicated-a-fencing-book-to-the-pfalzgrafen-of-pfalz-veldenz-2/ 1561 Joachim Meyer dedicated a fencing book to the Pfalzgrafen of Pfalz-Veldenz]". ''Hans Talhoffer ~ as seen by Jens P. Kleinau''. 04 July 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2014.</ref>
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Meÿer wrote his first manuscript ([[Joachim Meyers Fäktbok (MS A.4º.2)]]) in either 1560 or 1568 for Otto Count von Sulms, Minzenberg, and Sonnenwaldt.<ref>[[Roger Norling]]. "[http://www.hroarr.com/the-history-of-joachim-meyers-treatise-to-von-solms/ The history of Joachim Meyer’s fencing treatise to Otto von Solms]". Hroarr.com, 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2015.</ref> Its contents seem to be a series of lessons on training with [[longsword]], [[dussack]], and [[side sword]] ([[rapier]]). His second manuscript ([[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)]]), written between 1563 and 1570 for Heinrich Graf von Eberst, is of a decidedly different nature. Like many fencing manuscripts from the previous century, it is an anthology of treatises by a number of prominent German masters including [[Sigmund Schining ein Ringeck]], [[pseudo-Peter von Danzig]], and [[Martin Syber]], and also includes a brief outline by Meyer himself on a system of side sword fencing based on German [[Messer]] teachings. Finally, on 24 February 1570 Meÿer completed (and soon thereafter published) an enormous multiweapon treatise entitled ''[[Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (Joachim Meÿer)|Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens]]'' ("A Thorough Description of the Art of Combat"); it was dedicated to Johann Casimir, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and illustrated at the workshop of [[Tobias Stimmer]].<ref>Whose members included Christoph Maurer and Hans Christoffel Stimmer.</ref>  
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On 24 February 1570, Meÿer completed (and soon thereafter published) an enormous multiweapon treatise entitled ''[[Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (Joachim Meÿer)|Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens]]'' ("A Thorough Description of the Art of Combat"). It was dedicated to Johann Casimir, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and illustrated at the workshop of [[Tobias Stimmer]].<ref>Whose members included Christoph Maurer and Hans Christoffel Stimmer.</ref> This treatise purported to teach the entire art of fencing, something that Meÿer claimed had never been done before, and included extensive teachings on longsword, dussack, side sword, [[dagger]], and various [[pole weapons]].
 
  
 
Unfortunately, Meÿer's writing and publication efforts incurred significant debts (about 1300 crowns), which Meÿer pledged to repay by Christmas of 1571.<ref name="Dupuis"/> Late in 1570, Meÿer accepted the position of Fechtmeister to Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg at his court in Schwerin. There Meÿer hoped to sell his book for a better price than was offered locally (30 florins). Meÿer sent his books ahead to Schwerin, and left from Strasbourg on 4 January 1571 after receiving his pay. He traveled the 500 miles to Schwerin in the middle of a harsh winter, arriving at the court on 10 February 1571. Two weeks later, on 24 February, Joachim Meÿer died. The cause of his death is unknown, possibly disease or pneumonia.<ref name="Van Slambrouck"/>
 
Unfortunately, Meÿer's writing and publication efforts incurred significant debts (about 1300 crowns), which Meÿer pledged to repay by Christmas of 1571.<ref name="Dupuis"/> Late in 1570, Meÿer accepted the position of Fechtmeister to Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg at his court in Schwerin. There Meÿer hoped to sell his book for a better price than was offered locally (30 florins). Meÿer sent his books ahead to Schwerin, and left from Strasbourg on 4 January 1571 after receiving his pay. He traveled the 500 miles to Schwerin in the middle of a harsh winter, arriving at the court on 10 February 1571. Two weeks later, on 24 February, Joachim Meÿer died. The cause of his death is unknown, possibly disease or pneumonia.<ref name="Van Slambrouck"/>
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== Treatises ==
 
== Treatises ==
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Joachim Meÿer's writings are preserved in two manuscripts prepared in the 1560s, the [[Joachim Meyers Fäktbok (MS A.4º.2)|MS A.4º.2]] (Lund) and the [[Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)|MS Var 82]] (Rostock); a third manuscript from 1561 has been lost since at least the mid-20th century, and its contents are unknown.<ref>Jens P. Kleinau. "[http://talhoffer.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/1561-joachim-meyer-dedicated-a-fencing-book-to-the-pfalzgrafen-of-pfalz-veldenz-2/ 1561 Joachim Meyer dedicated a fencing book to the Pfalzgrafen of Pfalz-Veldenz]". ''Hans Talhoffer ~ as seen by Jens P. Kleinau''. 04 July 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2014.</ref> Dwarfing these works is a massive book printed in 1570 entitled ''[[Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (Joachim Meÿer)|Gründtliche Beschreibung der freyen Ritterlichen vnnd Adelichen kunst des fechtens in allerley gebreuchlichen Wehren mit schȯnen vnd nůtzlichen Figuren gezieret vnnd fůrgestellet]]'' ("A Thorough Description of the Free, Knightly and Noble Art of Fencing, Showing Various Customary Defenses, Affected and Put Forth with Many Handsome and Useful Drawings").
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Meÿer's writings purport to teach the entire art of fencing, something that he claimed had never been done before, and encompass a wide variety of teachings from disparate sources and traditions. His longsword system draws upon the teachings of Freifechter [[Andre Paurñfeyndt]] (via [[Der Altenn Fechter anfengliche kunst (Christian Egenolff)|Christian Egenolff's reprint]]) and Liechtenauer glossators [[Sigmund Schining ein Ringeck]] and [[pseudo-Peter von Danzig]], as well as using terminology otherwise unique to the brief [[Zettel]] of [[Martin Syber]]. Not content merely to compile these teachings as his contemporary [[Paulus Hector Mair]] was doing, Meÿer sought to update them in various ways for the martial climate of the last sixteenth century, including altering many techniques to account for the increased momentum of a [[greatsword]] and modifying others to use winding slices rather than thrusts to comply with street-fighting laws in German cities. Meÿer presented longsword as the foundational weapon of his system, and this section devotes the most attention to fundamentals like stance and footwork.
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The second part of Meÿer's treatises is designed to address new weapons gaining traction in German lands, the dussack and the rapier. His early Lund manuscript presents a more summarized syllabus of techniques for these weapons, while his book goes into greater depth and is structured more in the fashion of lesson plans.<ref>James Roberts. "[http://www.hroarr.com/system-vs-syllabus-meyers-1560-and-1570-sidesword-texts/ System vs Syllabus: Meyer’s 1560 and 1570 sidesword texts]". Hroarr.com, 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.</ref> Meÿer's dussack system, designed for the heaver proto-sabers that moved into German lands from Eastern Europe in the 16th century, combines the old [[Messer]] teachings of 15th century master [[Johannes Lecküchner]] and Freifechter Andre Paurñfeyndt with other unknown systems (some have speculated that they might include early Polish saber). His rapier system, designed for the lighter single-hand swords moving north from Iberian and Italian lands, seems again to be a hybrid creation, integrating both the core teachings of the 15th century Liechtenauer tradition as well as components that are characteristic of the various regional Mediterranean fencing systems (including, perhaps, teachings derived from the treatise of [[Achille Marozzo]]). Meÿer's rapier teachings in the Rostock seem to represent an attempt to unify these two systems, outlining a method for rapier fencing that includes key elements of his dussack teachings; it is unclear why these teachings did not appear in his book, but given the dates it might be that they represent his last musings on the weapon, written in the months between the publication of his book and his death the following year.
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The third part of Meÿer's treatise only appears in his published book and covers dagger, wrestling, and pole weapons. His dagger teachings seem to be based in part on the writings of Bolognese master Achille Marozzo, but also include many unique teachings of unknown origin. His staff material makes up the bulk of this section, beginning with the short staff, which he uses as a training tool for various weapons including the spear, halberd, and possibly even greatsword, and then moving on to proper halberd simulators before ending with the long staff, representing the pike. As with the dagger, the sources Meÿer based his staff teachings on are largely unknown.
  
 
{{master begin
 
{{master begin
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  | title = Forward
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  | title = Preface and Dedication
 
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{| class="wikitable" width="60%"
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{{hidden begin
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| <br/>{{main|Joachim Meÿer/Forward}}
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| title    = <span style="font-size:115%;">Dedication to the Lund</span>
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| titlestyle= background:#f2f2f2; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; padding:10px; margin-left:5em;text-align:center; vertical-align:middle; width:60em;
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{| class="wikitable floated master"
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|-
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! <p>Images</p>
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! <p>{{rating|C}}<br/>by [[Kevin Maurer]]</p>
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! <p>[[Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (Joachim Meÿer)|1570 Edition]]<br/>by [[Alex Kiermayer]]</p>
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|-
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| <p>'''To the Well born Lord, Duke Ottbo Count of Solms, Lord of Munzenberg and Sonnewaldt my Gracious Sir'''/p>
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| <p>Well born Gracious Sir, Your Grace, my subservience and  willing service, is as every time before. Kindly Sir, It's not without particular Reasons that the Old Writings of the Knightly Free Art of Fencing  with all diligence, in their Books are praised and reposed and the Princes and gentlemen themselves, with earnestness Ordered namely but that more portions of Knightly Fighting and forthright strikes from there have arisen from trustworthy,credible words, that what through' splendid feelings for Manhood originated, for the Praise also thereby in the Highest Command and administration of War will be attained/revealed not solely in the History of the Greeks and Romans but is especially proven also through daily experience, that the training in various Knights games and Fencing, is learned with diligence, like those same  practices that came long before, and it is masterful with all speed. Then more to  our times Princes and Noblemen no less, Love it, and to the highest advancement than our Old Riders, how then also, You Grace, besides other free Arts, associates this manly Art with earnestness, and therefore I, Your grace, as an innocent Fencing Master, to this end, I must Instruct your grace which I in all Subservience and with willful courage have accepted, and while I am not alone, a particular beauty to such Art, but rather through Your Grace’s, merciful and consecrated will, you have sensed and found out about me I have no knowledge and Way but with it I, Your Grace, in such Art can subserviently serve and want to save, so this Fencing manual was put together, and all Stücken described, to Your Grace, and delivered in the subservient hope, that Your grace, would not only learn the techniques that are taught here, but through them thus they be cast in memory to be held, but rather also will swift and useful Stücken hence be learnt from not less than, thus, a similar Fencing master, that Your Grace will have had. I beg thus in subservience Your grace, wants a work such as mine, although unwary and minor a work, than that from one, Your grace, to all possible service in subservience and wholeheartedly, studiously flowed and graciously will accept. Of this will I, Your Grace, subserviently serve and wherewith I can pleasurably show, also to the Highest solicitude. May that the Almighty would confer on Your Grace, besides other prosperity, also long life in good health and Freedoms.</p>
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| <p>Your Grace</p>
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<p>Subserviently Willing</p>
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<p>Joachim Meyer<br/>Fencing Master</p>
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|}
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{{hidden end}}
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{{hidden begin
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| title    = <span style="font-size:115%;">Dedication to the 1570</span>
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| titlestyle= background:#f2f2f2; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; padding:10px; margin-left:5em;text-align:center; vertical-align:middle; width:60em;
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| bodystyle = display:block; width:84em;
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}}
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{| class="wikitable floated master"
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|-
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! <p>Images</p>
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! <p>{{rating|C}}<br/>by [[Mike Rasmusson]]</p>
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! <p>[[Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (Joachim Meÿer)|1570 Edition]]<br/>by [[Mark Rector]]</p>
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|-
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| [[File:Meyer 1570 Cover.jpg|center|300px]]
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| <p>'''Thorough Descriptions / of the free Knightly and Noble Art of Fencing / with various Customary Weapons / with many beautiful and useful illustrated Figures affected and presented.'''</p>
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<p>'''By Joachim Meyer / FreeFencer in Strasburg'''</p>
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<br/><br/>
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<p>'''YEAR 1570'''</p>
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| <p>'''[AI] Gründrliche Beschreibung / der freyen Ritterlichen und Adelichen kunst des Fechtens / in allerley gebreuchlichen Wehren / mit schönen und nützlichen Figuren gezieret unnd fürgestellet.'''</p>
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<p>'''Durch Joachim Meyer / Freyfechter zu Straßburg.'''</p>
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<p>'''Gedruckt zu Augspurg / Bey Michael Manger / In Verlegung Eli - Willers.'''</p>
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<p>'''Anno M.D.C.'''</p>
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| '''[AIv]''' [No text]
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| '''[AII]''' [Transcription unavailable]
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| '''[AIIv]''' Dieweil dem nun also / das bey und neben dem Geschütz / auch andere zum Krieg dienst liche Rüstung / waffen und gewehr / jetziger zeit gleich so wol / als bey unsern voreltern / von nöthen / uñ aber / wie menigklichen bewust / nicht allein gute Rüstung / Waffen und Gewehr / als Harnisch / Panzer / Swerdt / Helleparthen / Spiesse / und der gleichen zugehöre / sonder vil mehr einer täglichen übung / dieselbigen zu eignem vortheil / uñ des Feindts abbruch und nachtheil / recht wol und geschicklich zugebrauchen / hierzu gantz und gar notwendig zu lehrnen sein will. Wie dann die tägliche erfahrung / das manchem seine Rüstung / Waffen und Gewehr (wann er auch zum besten damit verfehen / weißt sich aber nicht darein zuschicken / noch sich damit bedechtlich zu defendieren) mehr hinderlich / dann zur beschützung seines Leibs und Lebens / erschießlich oder fürstendig werden.
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| Und sich aber solche Ritterliche (wie auch alle andere Künst) schwerlich im alter recht uñ fruchtbarlich begreiffen und lehrnen lassen / so haben zwar verstendige und Adelmessige personen / bey allen / Völckern / unnd zu jederzeit / sich dahin beflissen / das ihre auffwachsende jugent / neben andern freyen güten und zur erbar unnd Mannlicheit angehöringen Tugenden / auch in diser Ritterliche Kunst / wie man allerhand Rüstung un Gewehr / beyde zu Roß und zu füß / geshicklich gebrauchen solle / nach notturfft underricht werden möchten / wie sollichs die alte glaubwirdige geschicht Bücher aller / Völcker / fürnemlich aber die Römischen Historien / klar und lauter vermelden und zuerkennen geben / darauß dann sovil ervolgt / das bey sollichen Völckern vil dapffer rittermessiger Helden und theiiwre Beschirmer des Vatterlandts / auffkomen und erzogen worden / ist auch die nutzbarkeit angewendres fleiß noch in der jugent / ehe dann sie das volkommen mannliche alter erreicht / herfür getrungen / wie dann sollichs fürnemlich am Scipione Affricano erschienen / Nemlich das er da er noch jund und '''[AIII]''' bey xviii Jaren alt war/ mit sonderlicher geschickligheit / die er auß sollicher Ritterlicher übung erschöpfft / seinen Vatter / den Burgermeister und öbersten Veldmarschalck / in einer Schlacht / so mit Hannibale am waffer Ticinio geschehen / von Feinden errettet unnd bey dem Leben erhalten.
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| Das aber bey unsern Voreltern unnd alten Teutschen / ihre Jugent / neben andern guten Künsten / auch in Ritterlicher übung auffzuziehen im brauch gewesen sey / darff keins beweisens / dieweil solliches durch das werck selbs erwisen / am Tag ligt / Dann nach dem die Römer vermeinten / wie sie die gantz Welt bezwungen / unnd als sichere Leuth / den wollüsten mehr dann guten Künsten / Policey und Ritterlichen übungen oblagen / unnd dardurch das gantze Keyserthumb zuritter / allenthalben von Feinden angefallen und zerriffen / feind vor allen Völckern / die Rittterlichen [stet] Teutschen solliches zu Retten / anzunemen / und wider auff zurichten / beruffen und erfordert worden.
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| Welches dann in keinen weg beschehen / wo nit die fürtreffenliche Teutschen / neben guter Policey / auch in allerhand Ritterspil unnd Kriegs sachen geübt und erfahren gewesen / wie dann an den großmechtigen thaten viler unüberwindlicher Teutschen Helden / als Pipini / Caroli Magni / Lodovici Pii und Henrici Primi zusehen / welche dann allwegen dermassen mit wolgeübter Ritterschafft geziert / also das der jetzt unnd höchst gemelt lobliche Keyser Henricus primus / nach dem er durch seine Ritterliche Teutsche / in eine gefahrlichen Streit oblag und Siglich triumphiert / ob irer wol geordneten unnd erübten Ritterschafft sich nit allein verwundert / sonder auch auß rechtem Keyserlichem gumüth dahin gedacht / wie dieselbigen nicht allein in sollichem Stand (wie sie auff ihr May. auß fleiß der selbigen loblicher undern kommen) wesentlich erhalten / sonder auch weiter auff die nachkommen gereicht und gepflantzt werden möchte / unnd derhalben die rechte Ritterschül / nemlich der loblich '''[AIIIv]''' Teutsch Turnier zu Maydenburg auffgericht / uñ den nachkommenen denselben zuhalte also verlassen / welche Turnier noch heutigs tags / ob wol ermelte Turnier plätz / vileicht auß beweglichen ursachen abgestelt / an vilen unserer lobliche Teutschen Fürsten höffen / nicht ohne sondern Rhüm noch gehalten werden / alles zu dem ende / damit junge angehende / hoch und lobliche Fürsten / Grauen / Herrn / unnd der Rittermässige Adel / zu Roß unnd Füß / zu allen Ritterlichen geschäfften erübt / unnd wie man zusagen pflegt / gehetzt unnd gewetzt wurden / Damit sie in der zeit der noth / dem gemeinen Vatterland desto fürstendiger / auch ihr selbs Leib und Leben umb sovil besser retten / auffhalten / unnd dagegen dem Feind stattlichen abbruch thün möchten / seytemal allwegen der erübte dem uhnerübten uberlegen.
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| Dieweil dañ gnediger Fürst und Herz / mein Gemüth und Meinung dahin auch gefiñet / das ich ja mit dem geringen Talent / den der Allmechtig mir gnediglich mit getheilt / dem gemeinen Vatterland mein schuldige dienst erzeigen möcht / und ich dann (ohne rhüm zumelden ) die löbliche Ritterliche kunst des Fechtens / nicht allein von künstlichen berümpten Meistern erlernet / sonder auch nun eben lange Jar getriben / unnd darinnen erliche junge Fürsten / Grauen / Herrn / und vom Adel underwisen / und dann von ihr F.G. und vesten / zu mehrmalen gnedig und günstig ersucht worden / das ich die gemelte lobliche Fechtkunst in ein gewisse ordnung verfassen / und dieselbig durch den Truck offentlich publiciern / undd vilen Leuthen unserer Nation zu nutz ans liecht kommen lassen wolt / so hab ich sollichem gnedigem und günstigem ansuchen / mich lenger nicht sollen widersetzen und hab also im namen / unnd durch Vätterliche verleyhung des Allmechtigen / das jenig / so ich in angezogener loblichen Kunst in vilen Jaren mit müh und arbeit erlernet und erfahren / zusamen getragen / unnd in die aller verstendlichste ordnung so mir immer möglich / in disem Tractat begriffen / der tröst '''[AIV]''' lichen Hoffnung / es soll damit vilen Personen / hohes und niders Stands / so zu der Kunst des fechtens Lieb / Luft und Willen haben / zu güt und wol gedienet sein / inn erwegung / das meins wissens (ohne jemandts verkleinerung zu melden) dergleichen in teutscher Sprach nie auß gangen.
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| Das aber / Gnediger Fürst und Herr / E.F.G. ich eben dises Werck underthenigklich zu dedicieren mich undernommen / des hab ich zwar allerhand erhebliche ursachen / fürnemlich aber dise. Erstlich das es sich mit E.F.G. dermassen ansehen laßt / das unser Teutsche Nation auff dieselbige (als einem sondern hertzhaffte Fürsten) ein tröstlichs zuversichtiglichs auffsehen billich haben solle / Dann wie Mannlich / Fürstlich unnd Großmütig / E.F.G. sich noch also bey jungen Jaren / in den abgelauffenen beschwerlichen Frantzosischen Heerzügen bewisen unnd erzeigt / davon wüft ich (auß Relation ansehenlicher Leuth) weitleuffige anmeldung zu thün / Zum andern / dz (?) ich in keine zweiffel setz / E.F.G. werden eben deren wol angelegten studiis und ander güten künsten / darzu E.F.G. von deren fürgeliebten Herren Vatter / dem Durchleuchtigsten Hochgebornen Fürsten unnd Herrn / Herrn Friderichen (-lichsten?) Pfaltzgrauen bey Rein / des heilige Römischen Reichs Ertz Truckfessen / un Churfürsten / Hertzogen in Bayernr(?) meine gnedigsten Herrn / mit höchste fleiß Fürstlich erzogen/ auch in diser loblichen Kunst des Fechtens underwisen / und deren nicht wenige Erfahrung haben / uñ derhalben von diser meiner gleich wol rungfügigen / aber doch getrewen un fleissige arbeit / auß hohe bey wonende Fürstlichem verstand / gnedig uñ zum besten werden zujudiciern wissen / auß disen uñ andern mehr erhebliche ursachen / billich disem meinem werck keine andern Patrone / dann eben E.F.G. suchen sollen noch wöllen. Derenhalben gnediger Fürst unnd Herr / so ubergib E.F.G. ich dises mein / durch lange erfahrung mit alle fleiß zusamen '''[AIVv]''' Getragne arbeit / unnd gründtliche beschreibung und erklerung dermehr angeregten Ritterlichen Fechtkunst / underthenig und mit höchstem fleiß / bittent E.F.G. wolte das mit aller Gnaden von mir auff uñ añemen / auch desselbigen (alß das nun mehr E. F. G. eyge) hoher Patron / und auch mein gnediger Fürst unnd Herr sein unnd blieben / den Allmechtigen von loblichen Pfaltz / in lang wiriger fridlicher Regierung / auch aller zeitlichen und ewigen wolfahrt allmechtiglich erhalten. E.F.G. mich zu gnaden hiemit underthenig befehlend / Datum Straßburg den 24 Februarii / Anno 1570.
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| E.F.G.
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Undertheniger<br>Und gehorsamer
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Joachim Meyer<br>Freyfechter unnd Burger<br>zu Straßburg.
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Revision as of 02:09, 15 February 2015

Joachim Meÿer
Born ca. 1537
Basel, Germany
Died 24 February 1571 (aged 34)
Schwerin, Germany
Spouse(s) Appolonia Ruhlman
Occupation
Citizenship Strasbourg
Patron
  • Johann Albrecht
  • Johann Casimir
Movement Freifechter
Influences
Influenced
Genres Fencing manual
Language Early New High German
Notable work(s) Gründtliche Beschreibung der
Kunst des Fechtens (1570)
Manuscript(s)
First printed
english edition		 Forgeng, 2006
Concordance by Michael Chidester
Translations
Signature Joachim Meyer sig.jpg
The title of this article contains the character ÿ. Where it is unavailable or not desired, the name may be represented as Joachim Meyer.

Joachim Meÿer (ca. 1537 - 1571)[1] was a 16th century German Freifechter and fencing master. He was the last great figure in the tradition of the German grand master Johannes Liechtenauer, and in the last years of his life he devised at least three distinct and quite extensive fencing manuals. Meÿer's writings incorporate both the traditional Germanic technical syllabus and contemporary systems that he encountered in his travels, including the Italian school of side sword fencing.[2] In addition to his fencing practice, Meÿer was a Burgher and a master cutler.[3]

Meÿer was born in Basel,[4] where he presumably apprenticed as a cutler. He writes in his books that he traveled widely in his youth, most likely a reference to the traditional Walz that journeyman craftsmen were required to take before being eligible for mastery and membership in a guild. Journeymen were often sent to stand watch and participate in town and city militias (a responsibility that would have been amplified for the warlike cutlers' guild), and Meÿer learned a great deal about foreign fencing systems during his travels. It's been speculated by some fencing historians that he trained specifically in the Bolognese school of fencing, but this doesn't stand up to closer analysis.[5]

Records show that by 4 June 1560 he had settled in Strasbourg, where he married Appolonia Ruhlman (Ruelman)[1] and joined the Cutler's Guild. His interests had already moved beyond knife-smithing, however, and in 1561, Meÿer petitioned the City Council of Strasbourg for the right to hold a Fechtschule (fencing competition). He would repeat this in 1563, 1566, 1567 and 1568;[6] the 1568 petition is the first time known record in which he identifies himself as a fencing master.

Meÿer wrote his first manuscript (Joachim Meyers Fäktbok (MS A.4º.2)) in either 1560 or 1568 for Otto Count von Sulms, Minzenberg, and Sonnenwaldt.[7] Its contents seem to be a series of lessons on training with longsword, dussack, and side sword (rapier). His second manuscript (Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)), written between 1563 and 1570 for Heinrich Graf von Eberst, is of a decidedly different nature. Like many fencing manuscripts from the previous century, it is an anthology of treatises by a number of prominent German masters including Sigmund Schining ein Ringeck, pseudo-Peter von Danzig, and Martin Syber, and also includes a brief outline by Meyer himself on a system of side sword fencing based on German Messer teachings. Finally, on 24 February 1570 Meÿer completed (and soon thereafter published) an enormous multiweapon treatise entitled Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens ("A Thorough Description of the Art of Combat"); it was dedicated to Johann Casimir, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and illustrated at the workshop of Tobias Stimmer.[8]

Unfortunately, Meÿer's writing and publication efforts incurred significant debts (about 1300 crowns), which Meÿer pledged to repay by Christmas of 1571.[1] Late in 1570, Meÿer accepted the position of Fechtmeister to Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg at his court in Schwerin. There Meÿer hoped to sell his book for a better price than was offered locally (30 florins). Meÿer sent his books ahead to Schwerin, and left from Strasbourg on 4 January 1571 after receiving his pay. He traveled the 500 miles to Schwerin in the middle of a harsh winter, arriving at the court on 10 February 1571. Two weeks later, on 24 February, Joachim Meÿer died. The cause of his death is unknown, possibly disease or pneumonia.[6]

Antoni Rulman, Appolonia’s brother, became her legal guardian after Joachim’s death. On 15 May 1571, he had a letter written by the secretary of the Strasbourg city chamber and sent to the Duke of Mecklenburg stating that Antoni was now the widow Meÿer’s guardian; it politely reminded the Duke who Joachim Meÿer was, Meÿer’s publishing efforts and considerable debt, requested that the Duke send Meÿer’s personal affects and his books to Appolonia, and attempted to sell some (if not all) of the books to the Duke.[1]

Appolonia remarried in April 1572 to another cutler named Hans Kuele, bestowing upon him the status of Burgher and Meÿer's substantial debts. Joachim Meÿer and Hans Kuele are both mentioned in the minutes of Cutlers' Guild archives; Kuele may have made an impression if we can judge that fact by the number of times he is mentioned. It is believed that Appolonia and either her husband or her brother were involved with the second printing of his book in 1600. According to other sources, it was reprinted yet again in 1610 and in 1660.[9][10]

The Fechtschule of Joachim Meÿer in Strasbourg, a thriving school of fence equal to many others in Germany at the time, was taken over during the Acquisition of Strasbourg by Louis XIV in 1681; it was turned into the "Academie de Arms" and essentially absorbed into the French school of fence.[11]

Treatises

Joachim Meÿer's writings are preserved in two manuscripts prepared in the 1560s, the MS A.4º.2 (Lund) and the MS Var 82 (Rostock); a third manuscript from 1561 has been lost since at least the mid-20th century, and its contents are unknown.[12] Dwarfing these works is a massive book printed in 1570 entitled Gründtliche Beschreibung der freyen Ritterlichen vnnd Adelichen kunst des fechtens in allerley gebreuchlichen Wehren mit schȯnen vnd nůtzlichen Figuren gezieret vnnd fůrgestellet ("A Thorough Description of the Free, Knightly and Noble Art of Fencing, Showing Various Customary Defenses, Affected and Put Forth with Many Handsome and Useful Drawings").

Meÿer's writings purport to teach the entire art of fencing, something that he claimed had never been done before, and encompass a wide variety of teachings from disparate sources and traditions. His longsword system draws upon the teachings of Freifechter Andre Paurñfeyndt (via Christian Egenolff's reprint) and Liechtenauer glossators Sigmund Schining ein Ringeck and pseudo-Peter von Danzig, as well as using terminology otherwise unique to the brief Zettel of Martin Syber. Not content merely to compile these teachings as his contemporary Paulus Hector Mair was doing, Meÿer sought to update them in various ways for the martial climate of the last sixteenth century, including altering many techniques to account for the increased momentum of a greatsword and modifying others to use winding slices rather than thrusts to comply with street-fighting laws in German cities. Meÿer presented longsword as the foundational weapon of his system, and this section devotes the most attention to fundamentals like stance and footwork.

The second part of Meÿer's treatises is designed to address new weapons gaining traction in German lands, the dussack and the rapier. His early Lund manuscript presents a more summarized syllabus of techniques for these weapons, while his book goes into greater depth and is structured more in the fashion of lesson plans.[13] Meÿer's dussack system, designed for the heaver proto-sabers that moved into German lands from Eastern Europe in the 16th century, combines the old Messer teachings of 15th century master Johannes Lecküchner and Freifechter Andre Paurñfeyndt with other unknown systems (some have speculated that they might include early Polish saber). His rapier system, designed for the lighter single-hand swords moving north from Iberian and Italian lands, seems again to be a hybrid creation, integrating both the core teachings of the 15th century Liechtenauer tradition as well as components that are characteristic of the various regional Mediterranean fencing systems (including, perhaps, teachings derived from the treatise of Achille Marozzo). Meÿer's rapier teachings in the Rostock seem to represent an attempt to unify these two systems, outlining a method for rapier fencing that includes key elements of his dussack teachings; it is unclear why these teachings did not appear in his book, but given the dates it might be that they represent his last musings on the weapon, written in the months between the publication of his book and his death the following year.

The third part of Meÿer's treatise only appears in his published book and covers dagger, wrestling, and pole weapons. His dagger teachings seem to be based in part on the writings of Bolognese master Achille Marozzo, but also include many unique teachings of unknown origin. His staff material makes up the bulk of this section, beginning with the short staff, which he uses as a training tool for various weapons including the spear, halberd, and possibly even greatsword, and then moving on to proper halberd simulators before ending with the long staff, representing the pike. As with the dagger, the sources Meÿer based his staff teachings on are largely unknown.

Additional Resources

  • Kiermayer, Alex. Joachim Meyers Kunst Des Fechtens. Gründtliche Beschreibung des Fechtens, 1570. Arts Of Mars Books, 2012. ISBN 978-3981162738
  • Meyer, Joachim. The Art of Combat: A German Martial Arts Treatise of 1570. Translated by Jeffrey L. Forgeng. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. ISBN 978-1403970923

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Dupuis, Olivier. Joachim Meyer, escrimeur libre, bourgeois de Strasbourg (1537 ? - 1571). In Maîtres et techniques de combat. Dijon: AEDEH, 2006.
  2. ↑ Castle, Egerton. Schools and Masters of Fencing: From the Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century. London: George Bell and Sons, 1885. pp 74 - 76.
  3. ↑ Naumann, Robert. Serapeum. Vol. 5. T.O. Weigel, 1844. pp 53-59.
  4. ↑ According to his wedding certificate.
  5. ↑ His dagger teachings do, however, show some evidence of influence by Achilles Marozzo's printed treatise.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Van Slambrouck, Christopher. "The Life and Work of Joachim Meyer". Meyer Frei Fechter Guild.
  7. ↑ Roger Norling. "The history of Joachim Meyer’s fencing treatise to Otto von Solms". Hroarr.com, 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Whose members included Christoph Maurer and Hans Christoffel Stimmer.
  9. ↑ Schaer, Alfred. Die altdeutschen fechter und spielleute: Ein beitrag zur deutschen culturgeschichte. K.J. Trübner, 1901. p 76.
  10. ↑ Pollock, W. H., Grove, F. C., and Prévost, C. Fencing. London and Bombay: Longmans, Green, and co, 1897. pp 267-268.
  11. ↑ Castle, Egerton. Schools and Masters of Fencing: From the Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century. London: George Bell and Sons, 1885. p 147.
  12. ↑ Jens P. Kleinau. "1561 Joachim Meyer dedicated a fencing book to the Pfalzgrafen of Pfalz-Veldenz". Hans Talhoffer ~ as seen by Jens P. Kleinau. 04 July 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  13. ↑ James Roberts. "System vs Syllabus: Meyer’s 1560 and 1570 sidesword texts". Hroarr.com, 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
Early Germanic Traditions
Common Fencing Johannes Liechtenauer reversed.jpg
Wrestling
Liechtenauer
Tradition
Beringer Verse
Augsburg Tradition
Other Works
Fabris Tradition
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