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Difference between revisions of "Sigmund ain Ringeck"

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| <p>[17] {{red|b=1|A good lesson.}}</p>
 
| <p>[17] {{red|b=1|A good lesson.}}</p>
 +
{| class="zettel"
 +
| <poem><small>30</small>
  
<p>Note to train this:<br/>
+
<small>31</small>
cut, thrusts, guards--soft and hard.<br/>
 
"Instant" and "Before", "After" without hurry.<br/>
 
Do not seek close combat prematurely.<br/>
 
Those who aim for close combat<br/>
 
before they are ready, are cut down.</p>
 
  
 +
<small>32</small>
 +
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>Note to train this:
 +
:cut, thrusts, guards--soft and hard.
 +
"Instant" and "Before", "After" without hurry.
 +
:Do not seek close combat prematurely.
 +
Those who aim for close combat
 +
:before they are ready, are cut down.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When one binds against your sword with a cut or thrust or anything else, you must find out whether he is soft or hard in the bind. And when you find this, you will "Instantly" know what is best to do, to attack him with "Before" or "After". But in the attack you shall not be too hasty to go into close combat, because close combat is nothing other than the windings in the bind.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When one binds against your sword with a cut or thrust or anything else, you must find out whether he is soft or hard in the bind. And when you find this, you will "Instantly" know what is best to do, to attack him with "Before" or "After". But in the attack you shall not be too hasty to go into close combat, because close combat is nothing other than the windings in the bind.</p>
 
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| <p>[18] {{red|b=1|How one in all windings shall find correct cuts and thrusts.}}</p>
 
| <p>[18] {{red|b=1|How one in all windings shall find correct cuts and thrusts.}}</p>
 +
{| class="zettel"
 +
| <poem><small>33</small>
  
<p>In all windings<br/>
+
<small>34</small>
learn correctly to find the cut and the thrust.<br/>
 
You shall also test<br/>
 
with cut, thrust or slice,<br/>
 
in all fights<br/>
 
if you want to beat the masters.</p>
 
  
 +
<small>35</small>
 +
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>In all windings
 +
:learn correctly to find the cut and the thrust.
 +
You shall also test
 +
:with cut, thrust or slice,
 +
in all fights
 +
:if you want to beat the masters.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} That is to say that you should in all windings find the correct cut, thrust or slice in this manner: when you wind, you shall become immediately aware of which the three will work best for you to use. This is so that you do not cut when you should thrust, and that you do not slice when you should cut, and so that you do not thrust when you should slice. And mark: when your opponent defends against the one, you should strike with the other. Also: if one defends against your thrust then use the cut. If he rushes in towards you, use the lower slice against his arm. Remember this in all fights and binds with the sword, if you want to defeat the masters who set themselves against you.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} That is to say that you should in all windings find the correct cut, thrust or slice in this manner: when you wind, you shall become immediately aware of which the three will work best for you to use. This is so that you do not cut when you should thrust, and that you do not slice when you should cut, and so that you do not thrust when you should slice. And mark: when your opponent defends against the one, you should strike with the other. Also: if one defends against your thrust then use the cut. If he rushes in towards you, use the lower slice against his arm. Remember this in all fights and binds with the sword, if you want to defeat the masters who set themselves against you.</p>
 
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|  
 
|  
 
| <p>[22] {{red|b=1|The four openings.}}</p>
 
| <p>[22] {{red|b=1|The four openings.}}</p>
 +
{| class="zettel"
 +
| <poem><small>36</small>
  
<p>Learn four openings,<br/>
+
<small>37</small>
aim to strike these with safety,<br/>
+
&nbsp;</poem>
without any risk,<br/>
+
| <poem>Learn four openings,
without doubt about what he can do.</p>
+
:aim to strike these with safety,
 
+
without any risk,
 +
:without doubt about what he can do.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} Here you will learn about people's four openings, against which you will always fence. The first opening is on the right sight, the second on the left side, above the man's belt. The other two are likewise on the right and left sides under the belt. Always pay attention to the openings in Zufechten. His openings you shall skillfully seek without danger: with thrusts with the the outstretched point, with travelling after and with all other techniques. And do not pay heed to what he tries to do with his techniques against you, but fence with belief and throw strikes that are excellent and that do not allow him to come at you with his own techniques.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} Here you will learn about people's four openings, against which you will always fence. The first opening is on the right sight, the second on the left side, above the man's belt. The other two are likewise on the right and left sides under the belt. Always pay attention to the openings in Zufechten. His openings you shall skillfully seek without danger: with thrusts with the the outstretched point, with travelling after and with all other techniques. And do not pay heed to what he tries to do with his techniques against you, but fence with belief and throw strikes that are excellent and that do not allow him to come at you with his own techniques.</p>
 
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|  
 
| <p>[23] {{red|b=1|Explanation of doubling and mutating: how these break the four openings.}}</p>
 
| <p>[23] {{red|b=1|Explanation of doubling and mutating: how these break the four openings.}}</p>
 +
{| class="zettel"
 +
| <poem><small>38</small>
 +
 +
<small>39</small>
  
<p>If you would like to find revenge,<br/>
+
<small>40</small>
skillfully break up the four openings:<br/>
 
double over,<br/>
 
mutate below correctly.<br/>
 
Certainly I say this:<br/>
 
no master defends himself without risk.<br/>
 
If you have understood this,<br/>
 
he can hardly come to blows.</p>
 
  
 +
<small>41</small>
 +
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>If you would like to find revenge,
 +
:skillfully break up the four openings:
 +
double over,
 +
:mutate below correctly.
 +
Certainly I say this:
 +
:no master defends himself without risk.
 +
If you have understood this,
 +
:he can hardly come to blows.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you would like to skillfully break up the four openings for him, use the doubling against the upper openings and the mutating against the other openings. Certainly I say to you that he cannot defend himself against this, and can succeed with neither cut nor thrust.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you would like to skillfully break up the four openings for him, use the doubling against the upper openings and the mutating against the other openings. Certainly I say to you that he cannot defend himself against this, and can succeed with neither cut nor thrust.</p>
 
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| <p>[26] {{red|b=1|Do the Krumphau (crooked strike) with these techniques.}}</p>
 
| <p>[26] {{red|b=1|Do the Krumphau (crooked strike) with these techniques.}}</p>
 
+
{| class="zettel"
<p>Strike the Krumphau deftly,<br/>cast the point towards the hands.</p>
+
| <poem><small>42</small>
 
+
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>Strike the Krumphau deftly,
 +
:cast the point towards the hands.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} This is how you shall strike the Krumphau against the hands. When he cuts from his right side against an opening with an Oberhau or Underhau, take a spring away from the strike with your right foot, far out to his left side; and cut with crossed arms with the point to the hands. And even try this technique against him when he stands against you in the Ox guard.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} This is how you shall strike the Krumphau against the hands. When he cuts from his right side against an opening with an Oberhau or Underhau, take a spring away from the strike with your right foot, far out to his left side; and cut with crossed arms with the point to the hands. And even try this technique against him when he stands against you in the Ox guard.</p>
 
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|  
 
|  
 
| <p>[27] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
| <p>[27] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
+
{| class="zettel"
<p>He who uses the Krumphau well<br/>with a step, he is able to defend against cuts.</p>
+
| <poem><small>43</small>
 
+
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>He who uses the Krumphau well
 +
:with a step, he is able to defend against cuts.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} This is how you shall set aside all Oberhau attacks with the Krumphau. When he cuts in from above against your openings from his right side, step with your right foot out to his left side and throw your blade across his sword with the point to the ground in the Barrier guard. Test this on both sides. And from this setting aside you can cut him in the head.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} This is how you shall set aside all Oberhau attacks with the Krumphau. When he cuts in from above against your openings from his right side, step with your right foot out to his left side and throw your blade across his sword with the point to the ground in the Barrier guard. Test this on both sides. And from this setting aside you can cut him in the head.</p>
 
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|  
 
|  
 
| <p>[28] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
| <p>[28] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
+
{| class="zettel"
<p>Cut crookedly against the flat side<br/>of the masters, if you want to weaken them.</p>
+
| <poem><small>44</small>
 
+
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>Cut crookedly against the flat side
 +
:of the masters, if you want to weaken them.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you want to weak a master, use this technique: when he cuts in against you from above from his right side, strike crookedly with crossed hands against his cut above the sword.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you want to weak a master, use this technique: when he cuts in against you from above from his right side, strike crookedly with crossed hands against his cut above the sword.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:MS Dresd.C.487 025v.png|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS Dresd.C.487 025v.png|2|lbl=-}}
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|  
 
|  
 
| <p>[29] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
| <p>[29] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
+
{| class="zettel"
<p>When it comes from above<br/>stand back, this I shall praise.</p>
+
| <poem><small>45</small>
 
+
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>When it comes from above
 +
:stand back, this I shall praise.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you cut a Krumphau onto his sword, so cut immediately back up from the sword with the short edge, in and down from above onto his head. Or wind the Krumphau with the short edge against his sword and thrust into his breast.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you cut a Krumphau onto his sword, so cut immediately back up from the sword with the short edge, in and down from above onto his head. Or wind the Krumphau with the short edge against his sword and thrust into his breast.</p>
 
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|  
 
|  
 
| <p>[30] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
| <p>[30] {{red|b=1|Another technique from the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
+
{| class="zettel"
<p>Do not Krump, cut short,<br/>then see changing-through.</p>
+
| <poem><small>46</small>
 
+
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>Do not Krump, cut short,
 +
:then see changing-through.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When he wants to cut in from his right shoulder, pretend that you want to bind against his sword with a Krumphau. Cut short; and go through with the point under his sword and wind your hilt to your right side over your head, and stab him in the face.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When he wants to cut in from his right shoulder, pretend that you want to bind against his sword with a Krumphau. Cut short; and go through with the point under his sword and wind your hilt to your right side over your head, and stab him in the face.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:MS Dresd.C.487 026r.png|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS Dresd.C.487 026r.png|2|lbl=-}}
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|  
 
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| <p>[31] {{red|b=1|How one should counter the Krumphau.}}</p>
 
| <p>[31] {{red|b=1|How one should counter the Krumphau.}}</p>
 +
{| class="zettel"
 +
| <poem><small>47</small>
  
<p>Krumps that foil you;<br/>the Noble War confuses him,<br/>so that he truthfully<br/>does not know where he shall be without danger.</p>
+
<small>48</small>
 
+
&nbsp;</poem>
 +
| <poem>Krumps that foil you;
 +
:the Noble War confuses him,
 +
so that he truthfully
 +
:does not know where he shall be without danger.</poem>
 +
|}
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you cut against him from above or from below, from your right side; if he also cuts crookedly from him right side with crossed arms to your sword and thus foils your strike, so bind strongly with your sword. And shoot your point against his breast under the long edge of his sword.</p>
 
<p>{{red|Glosa}} When you cut against him from above or from below, from your right side; if he also cuts crookedly from him right side with crossed arms to your sword and thus foils your strike, so bind strongly with your sword. And shoot your point against his breast under the long edge of his sword.</p>
 
| {{section|Page:MS Dresd.C.487 026r.png|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS Dresd.C.487 026r.png|3|lbl=-}}

Revision as of 02:46, 15 April 2015

Sigmund Schining ein Ringeck
Born date of birth unknown
Died before 1470
Occupation Fencing master
Nationality German
Patron Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria
Movement Society of Liechtenauer
Influences Johannes Liechtenauer
Influenced
Genres Fencing manual
Language Early New High German
Archetype(s) Hypothetical
Manuscript(s)
First printed
english edition
Tobler, 2001
Concordance by Michael Chidester
Translations

Sigmund Schining ein Ringeck (Sigmund ain Ringeck, Sigmund Amring, Sigmund Einring, Sigmund Schining) was a 14th or 15th century German fencing master. While the meaning of the surname "Schining" is uncertain, the suffix "ain Ringeck" may indicate that he came from the Rhineland region of south-eastern Germany. He is named in the text as Schirmaister to Albrecht, Count Palatine of Rhine and Duke of Bavaria. Other than this, the only thing that can be determined about his life is that his renown as a master was sufficient for Paulus Kal to include him on his memorial to the deceased masters of the Society of Liechtenauer in 1470.[1]

The identity of Ringeck's patron remains unclear, as four men named Albrecht held the title during the fifteenth century. If it is Albrecht I, who reigned from 1353 to 1404, this would signify that Ringeck was likely a direct associate or student of the grand master Johannes Liechtenauer. However, it may just as easily have been Albrecht III, who carried the title from 1438 to 1460, making Ringeck potentially a second-generation master carrying on the tradition.[2] Albrecht IV claimed the title in 1460 and thus also could have been Ringeck's patron; this seems somewhat less likely in light of Ringeck's apparent death within that same decade, meaning the master would have had to have penned his treatise in the final few years of his life. In its favor, however, is the fact that Albrecht IV lived until 1508 and so both the Dresden and Glasgow versions of the text were likely created during his reign.

Ringeck is often erroneously credited as the author of the MS Dresd.C.487. While Ringeck was the author of one of the core texts, a complete gloss of Liechtenauer's Recital on unarmored longsword fencing, and perhaps also the anonymous glosses of his armored and mounted fencing, the manuscript contains an assortment of treatises by several different masters in the tradition (not just Ringeck), and it is currently thought to have been composed in the early 16th century[3] (well after the master's lifetime). Regardless, the fact that he authored one of the few glosses of Liechtenauer's verse makes Ringeck one of the most important masters of the 15th century.

While it was not duplicated nearly as often as the more famous gloss of Pseudo-Peter von Danzig, Ringeck's work nevertheless seems to have had a lasting influence. Not only was it reproduced by Joachim Meÿer in his final manuscript (left unifinished at his death in 1571), but in 1539 Hans Medel von Salzburg took it upon himself to create an update and revision of Ringeck's Bloßfechten gloss, integrating his own commentary in many places.

Treatise

Additional Resources

  • Lindholm, David and Svard, Peter. Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of the Longsword. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2003. ISBN 978-1-58160-410-8
  • Lindholm, David and Svard, Peter. Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat: Sword-and-Buckler Fighting, Wrestling, and Fighting in Armor. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2006. ISBN 978-1-58160-499-3
  • Tobler, Christian Henry. Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship. Highland Village, TX: Chivalry Bookshelf, 2001. ISBN 1-891448-07-2
  • Żabiński, Grzegorz. The Longsword Teachings of Master Liechtenauer. The Early Sixteenth Century Swordsmanship Comments in the "Goliath" Manuscript. Poland: Adam Marshall, 2010. ISBN 978-83-7611-662-4

References

  1. Paulus Kal. Untitled [manuscript]. Cgm 1507. Munich, Germany: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, 1470.
  2. 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.
  3. Werner J. Hoffmann. "Dresden, Landesbibl., Mscr. C 487". Handschriftencensus. Eine Bestandsaufnahme der handschriftlichen Überlieferung deutschsprachiger Texte des Mittelalters. August, 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  4. Corrected from »am«.
  5. "Komp" added below the line in a different hand.
  6. Corrected from »seiner«.
  7. Corrected from »dem«.
  8. Corrected from »dim«.
  9. Corrected from »rechtem«.
  10. Corrected from »sinem«.
  11. The word »es« is almost illegible.
  12. Corrected from »ausgerattñ«.
  13. Corrected from »dem«.
  14. Corrected from »dim«.
  15. Corrected from »dinem«.