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Difference between revisions of "Johannes Liechtenauer"

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| {{red|b=1|Der twer haw /}}<br/><br/>
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<poem>Twer benympt {{red|/}}
 
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was vom tag her chümpt {{red|/}}
 
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Twer mit der sterck {{red|/}}
 
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Dein arbait do mit me°ck {{red|/}}
 
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Twer zw dem pflueg {{red|/}}
 
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zw dem ochsen hart gefüg {{red|/}}
 
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Was sich wol twert {{red|/}}
 
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mit sprüngen dem haupt gevert {{red|/}}</poem>
 
 
| '''[3v] {{red|Die tailung der kunst nach dem text den rechten weg und die uß richtung der zwierhin}}'''
 
| '''[3v] {{red|Die tailung der kunst nach dem text den rechten weg und die uß richtung der zwierhin}}'''
 
<poem>Die zwierh benympt
 
<poem>Die zwierh benympt
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| <poem>Veler wer fürt {{red|/}}
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Von vnden nach wünscher rurt {{red|/}}
 
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Vekerrer twingt {{red|/}}
 
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Durchläuffer auch mit ringt {{red|/}}
 
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den elpogen {{red|/}} Gewiß nÿm
 
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spring im in die wage {{red|/}}
 
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Veler zwifach {{red|/}}
 
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Trifft mann den schnit mit mach {{red|/}}
 
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Zwifach es fürpas {{red|/}}
 
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Scheitt in linck vnd pis nicht las {{red|~}}</poem>
 
 
| <poem>Den fälar darmit fiern
 
| <poem>Den fälar darmit fiern
 
unden uff mit wunsch her rieren
 
unden uff mit wunsch her rieren
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| {{red|b=1|Der schilhaw /}}
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<poem>Schiler ain pricht {{red|/}}
 
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was püffel slecht oder sticht {{red|/}}
 
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wer wechsel drawt {{red|/}}
 
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schiler dar aus Inn beraubt {{red|/}}
 
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Schil kürtzt er dich an {{red|/}}
 
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Durch wechsel gesigt im an {{red|/}}
 
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Schill zw dem ort {{red|/}}
 
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vnd nym den hals ane vorcht {{red|/}}
 
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Schill zw° dem öberñ {{red|/}}
 
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haubt hend wild du bedöberñ {{red|~}}</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|Daz ist die uß richtung von der schillherin}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Daz ist die uß richtung von der schillherin}}
 
<poem>Schylher ain bricht
 
<poem>Schylher ain bricht
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| {{red|b=1|Der schaittelhaw /}}
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<poem>Der scheitlar
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dem antlützt ist gevar {{red|/}}
 
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Mit seiner kar {{red|/}}
 
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der prüft vast gefer {{red|/}}
 
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'''[5r]''' was von ÿm kümpt {{red|/}}
 
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Dÿ kron das abnympt {{red|/}}
 
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Schneid durch dye kron {{red|/}}
 
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So prichstu sye hart schon {{red|/}}
 
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Dÿe striche druck {{red|/}}
 
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Mit schnÿtten sÿ ab zuck {{red|~}}</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|Daz ist von dem schaittler Die ussrichtung etc.}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Daz ist von dem schaittler Die ussrichtung etc.}}
 
<poem>Der schaittler
 
<poem>Der schaittler
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| {{section|Page:MS Chart.A.558 019v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
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| {{red|b=1|Dÿe vier leger /}}
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<poem>Vier leger allain {{red|/}}
 
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Da von halt {{red|/}} vnd fleuch dye gemain {{red|/}}
 
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Ochs pflueg alber {{red|/}}
 
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vom tag sey dir nicht unmär {{red|~}}</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|von den vier leger}}
 
| {{red|b=1|von den vier leger}}
 
<poem>Vier lege alain
 
<poem>Vier lege alain
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| {{red|b=1|Dye vier vor Setzen /}}
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<poem>Vier sind vor setzen {{red|/}}
 
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dye dÿ leger auch sere letzen {{red|/}}
 
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Vor fursetzen hüett dich {{red|/}}
 
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Geschicht das auch ser es müt dich {{red|/}}
 
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Ob dir vor setzt ist {{red|/}}
 
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vnd wie das dar chömen ist {{red|/}}
 
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Hör {{red|/}} was ich dir ratte {{red|/}}
 
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Reiß ab haw schnell mit drate {{red|/}}
 
−
Setz an vier enden
 
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pleib dar auff lere wildu enden</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|von den vir versetzen}}
 
| {{red|b=1|von den vir versetzen}}
 
<poem>vier sind versetzen
 
<poem>vier sind versetzen
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| {{red|b=1|Von Nach Reÿsen /}}
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<poem>Nach raisen lere {{red|/}}
 
−
zwifach oder scheneid in die were {{red|/}}
 
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zway ewssere mynne
 
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der arbait dar nach begÿnne {{red|/}}
 
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vnd prüff dÿe gefert {{red|/}}
 
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Ob sÿ sind {{red|/}} waich oder hert {{red|/}}
 
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Das fulñ lere {{red|/}}
 
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Inndes das wort schneidet sere {{red|/}}
 
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Nach raÿsen zwifach {{red|/}}
 
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Trifft mann den alten schnit mit mach {{red|~}}</poem>
 
 
| '''[4v] {{red|Daz ist von dem nach raisen}}'''
 
| '''[4v] {{red|Daz ist von dem nach raisen}}'''
 
<poem>Nach raisen lere
 
<poem>Nach raisen lere
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| {{section|Page:MS Chart.A.558 020r.jpg|1|lbl=20r}}
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| {{red|b=1|von überlauffen /}}
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<poem>Wer vnnden rempt {{red|/}}
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vber lauff denn der wirt beschempt {{red|/}}
 
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wenn es klitzst oben {{red|/}}
 
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So sterck das ger ich loben {{red|~}}
 
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'''[5v]''' {{red|/}} Dein arbait mache {{red|/}}
 
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Oder herte druck zwifache</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|von dem überlouffen}}
 
| {{red|b=1|von dem überlouffen}}
 
<poem>wer des lybß unden cemet
 
<poem>wer des lybß unden cemet
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{{section|Page:MS Chart.A.558 020r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
{{section|Page:MS Chart.A.558 020r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
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| {{red|b=1|Von absetzen /}}
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<poem>Lere absetzen {{red|/}}
 
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haw stich kunstlich letzen {{red|/}}
 
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wer au°ff dich sticht {{red|/}}
 
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Dein ort trifft {{red|/}} vnd seinen pricht {{red|/}}
 
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Von paiden seitten {{red|/}}
 
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Triff alle mal wiltu schreiten</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|vom absetzen}}
 
| {{red|b=1|vom absetzen}}
 
<poem>kanstu die rechtn absetzen
 
<poem>kanstu die rechtn absetzen
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| {{red|b=1|Von durchwechselñ /}}
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<poem>Durchwechsel lere {{red|/}}
 
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von paiden seitten stich mit sere {{red|/}}
 
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Wer auff dich pindet {{red|/}}
 
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du°rchwechsel In schier vindet</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|vom Durch wechsel}}
 
| {{red|b=1|vom Durch wechsel}}
 
<poem>Durchwechsel lere
 
<poem>Durchwechsel lere
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| {{red|b=1|von zucken /}}
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<poem>Trit nahent Inn pinden {{red|/}}
 
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Das zucken gibt gu°te fünde {{red|/}}
 
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Zuck trifft er {{red|/}} zuck mer
 
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Arbait erfinde {{red|/}} Das tu°t ym we {{red|/}}
 
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Zuck allen treffen {{red|/}}
 
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den maisterñ wiltu sÿ effen</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|vom zucken alle treffen}}
 
| {{red|b=1|vom zucken alle treffen}}
 
<poem>tuo nahet eyn binden
 
<poem>tuo nahet eyn binden
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| {{red|b=1|von Durchlauffen /}}
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<poem>Durchlauff las hangen {{red|/}}
 
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Mit dein knopff greiff wiltu rangen {{red|/}}
 
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Wer gegen dir sterckt {{red|/}}
 
−
durchlauff do mit merck</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|vom durch louff}}
 
| {{red|b=1|vom durch louff}}
 
<poem>Durch louff lauß hengen
 
<poem>Durch louff lauß hengen
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| {{red|b=1|von abschneiden}}
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<poem>Schneid ab dÿ herten {{red|/}}
 
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von vnden in baiden geferten {{red|/}}
 
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Vier sind der schnÿdt {{red|/}}
 
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Zwen vnden {{red|/}} zwen oben mit</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|vom abschniden}}
 
| {{red|b=1|vom abschniden}}
 
<poem>Schnid ab die hörte
 
<poem>Schnid ab die hörte
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| {{red|b=1|von hend drucken /}}<br/><br/><br/>
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<poem>'''[6r]''' Dein schneid wende {{red|/}}
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zw flechen druck dÿe hende</poem>
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{{section|Page:Cod.44.A.8 006r.jpg|1|lbl=6r}}
 
| {{red|b=1|vom hennd trucken}}<br/><br/><br/>
 
| {{red|b=1|vom hennd trucken}}<br/><br/><br/>
 
<poem>Din schnyd ver wende
 
<poem>Din schnyd ver wende
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| {{red|b=1|von tzwaien hengen /}}<br/><br/><br/>
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<poem>Zwaÿ hengen werden {{red|/}}
 
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Aus ein° hant von der erden {{red|/}}
 
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In allem geferte {{red|/}}
 
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Haw stich leger waich oder herte</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|von den zwain hengen}}
 
| {{red|b=1|von den zwain hengen}}
 
<poem>wer dir zestarck welle sin
 
<poem>wer dir zestarck welle sin
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| {{red|b=1|von sprechfenster /}}
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<poem>Sprechfenster mach {{red|/}}
 
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Stant freileich besich sein sache {{red|/}}
 
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Slach in das er schnobe {{red|/}}
 
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wer sich fur dir zeuhet abe {{red|/}}
 
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Ich sag dir für war {{red|/}}
 
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Sich schütz kain man ane far {{red|/}}
 
−
Hastu vernum~en
 
−
zu slag mag er clain kummen</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|von sprech venster}}
 
| {{red|b=1|von sprech venster}}
 
<poem>Sprechfenster mache
 
<poem>Sprechfenster mache
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| {{red|b=1|Das ist die beschliessung der zedel /}}<br/><br/>
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<poem>Wer wol fürt vnd recht pricht {{red|/}}
 
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vnd endlich gar bericht {{red|/}}
 
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vnd pricht besunder {{red|/}}
 
−
Igleichs in dreÿ wunder {{red|/}}
 
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wer recht wol henget {{red|/}}
 
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vnd winden do mit pringet {{red|/}}
 
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Vñ winden acht {{red|/}}
 
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Mit rechtñ wegen betracht {{red|/}}
 
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vnd zo[?] ir eine {{red|/}}
 
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Der selben winden selbdritt ich meine {{red|/}}
 
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So sind ir zwaintzigk {{red|/}}
 
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vnd vier zell sÿ antzigk {{red|/}}
 
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von paiden seittñ {{red|/}}
 
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Acht winden lere mit schreiten {{red|/}}
 
−
Vnd pruef dÿe gefert {{red|/}}
 
−
Nicht mer nür waich oder hert</poem>
 
 
| {{red|b=1|Die besliessung der zetel}}<br/><br/>
 
| {{red|b=1|Die besliessung der zetel}}<br/><br/>
 
<poem>wer wol bricht
 
<poem>wer wol bricht

Revision as of 02:06, 15 March 2017

Die Zettel
The Recital
Johannes Liechtenauer.png
Full Title A Recital on the Chivalric
Art of Fencing
Ascribed to Johannes Liechtenauer
Illustrated by Unknown
Date Fourteenth century (?)
Genre
Language Middle High German
Archetype(s) Hypothetical
Manuscript(s)
First Printed
English Edition 		Tobler, 2010
Concordance by Michael Chidester
Translations

Johannes Liechtenauer (Hans Lichtenauer, Lichtnawer) was a German fencing master in the 14th or 15th century. No direct record of his life or teachings currently exists, and all that we know of both comes from the writings of other masters and scholars. The only account of his life was written by the anonymous author of the MS 3227a, one of the oldest texts in the tradition, who stated that "Master Liechtenauer learnt and mastered the Art in a thorough and rightful way, but he did not invent and put together this Art (as was just stated). Instead, he traveled and searched many countries with the will of learning and mastering this rightful and true Art." He may have been alive at the time of the creation of the fencing treatise contained in MS 3227a, as that source is the only one to fail to accompany his name with a blessing for the dead.

Liechtenauer was described by many later masters as the "high master" or "grand master" of the art, and a long poem called the Zettel ("Recital") is generally attributed to him by these masters. Later masters in the tradition often wrote extensive glosses (commentaries) on this poem, using it to structure their own martial teachings. Liechtenauer's influence on the German fencing tradition as we currently understand it is almost impossible to overstate. The masters on Paulus Kal's roll of the Fellowship of Liechtenauer were responsible for most of the most significant fencing manuals of the 15th century, and Liechtenauer and his teachings were also the focus of the German fencing guilds that arose in the 15th and 16th centuries, including the Marxbrüder and the Veiterfechter.

Additional facts have sometimes been presumed about Liechtenauer based on often-problematic premises. The MS 3227a, often erroneously dated to 1389 and presumed to be written by a direct student of Liechtenauer's, has been treated as evidence placing Liechtenauer's career in the mid-1300s.[1] However, given that the 3227a may date as late as 1494 and the earliest records of the identifiable members of his tradition appear in the early 1400s, it seems more probable that Liechtenauer's career occurred toward the beginning of the 15th century. Ignoring 3227a as being of indeterminate date, the oldest version of the Recital appears in the MS G.B.f.18.a, dating to ca. 1418-28 and attributed to an H. Beringer, which both conforms to this timeline and suggests the possibility that Liechtenauer was himself an inheritor of the teaching rather than its original composer (presentations of the Recital that are entirely unattributed exist in other 15th and 16th century manuscripts).

Treatise

Liechtenauer's teachings are preserved in a brief poem of rhyming couplets called the Zettel ("Recital"). These "secret and hidden words" were intentionally cryptic, probably to prevent the uninitiated from learning the techniques they represented; they also seem to have offered a system of mnemonic devices to those who understood their significance. The Recital was treated as the core of the Art by his students, and masters such as Sigmund Schining ain Ringeck, Peter von Danzig zum Ingolstadt, and Jud Lew wrote extensive glosses that sought to clarify and expand upon these teachings.

Twenty-one manuscripts contain a presentation of the Recital as a separate (unglossed) section; there are dozens more presentations of the verse as part of one of the several glosses. The longest version of the Recital by far is found in the gloss from MS 3227a, which contains almost twice as many verses as any other. However, given that the additional verses tend to either consist of repetitions from elsewhere in the Recital or use a very different style from Liechtenauer's work, they are generally treated as additions by the anonymous author or his instructor rather than being part of the standard Recital. The other surviving versions of the Recital from all periods show a high degree of consistency in both content and organization, excepting only the version attributed to H. Beringer (which is also included in the writings of Hans Folz).

The following tables include only those manuscripts that quote Liechtenauer's Recital in an unglossed form. Note that in the case of Beringer and Folz, the verse is presented in an alternative sequence; they have been reordered to match the others in this rendition, but you can find the original layout in their articles.

In addition to the verses on mounted fencing, several treatises in the Liechtenauer tradition include a group of twenty-six figuren ("figures")—single line abbreviations of the longer couplets, generally drawn in circles, which seem to sum up the most important points. The precise reason for the existence of these figures remains unknown, as does the reason why there are no equivalents for the armored fencing or unarmored fencing verses.

One clue to their significance may be a parallel set of teachings first recorded by Andre Paurñfeyndt in 1516, called the "Twelve Teachings for the Beginning Fencer".[17] These teachings are also generally abbreviations of longer passages in the Bloßfechten, and are similarly repeated in many treatises throughout the 16th century. It may be that the figures are a mnemonic that represent the initial stage of mounted fencing instruction, and that the full verse was taught only afterward.

Additional Resources

References

  1. ↑ Christian Henry Tobler. "Chicken and Eggs: Which Master Came First?" In Saint George's Name: An Anthology of Medieval German Fighting Arts. Wheaton, IL: Freelance Academy Press, 2010. p6
  2. ↑ Kein eindeutiges z.
  3. ↑ The first letter has been corrected so that the word is ambiguous to identify.
  4. ↑ Written larger than normal.
  5. ↑ In the Bavarian dialect: freien = freuen, a freit = eine Freude.
  6. ↑ Gotha inserts the title Das ist der krieck in this position, but no other version separates it in that way.
  7. ↑ Between "Dupliere" and "doniden" there is a lack of space, possibly the "d" was added later.
  8. ↑ Corrected from »Im«.
  9. ↑ There is probably a missing letter here, making it "durchwechseln".
  10. ↑ W has been corrected to V.
  11. ↑ Erster Buchstabe schwer zu lesen. Eve. Könnte auch "in" heißen.
  12. ↑ This appears in place of the Durchwechseln verse.
  13. ↑ "oder"
  14. ↑ The meaning is unknown, but may be a part of the bridle.
  15. ↑ There are dots above the e, but it is not clear whether it really is an umlaut.
  16. ↑ "Vecht" (sound shift b→v)
  17. ↑ Andre Paurñfeyndt, et al. Ergrundung Ritterlicher Kunst der Fechterey. Hieronymus Vietor: Vienna, 1516.
Early Germanic Traditions
Common Fencing Johannes Liechtenauer reversed.jpg
Wrestling
Liechtenauer
Tradition
Beringer Verse
Augsburg Tradition
Other Works
Fabris Tradition
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