The Starhemberg Fechtbuch (Cod. 44.A.8) is a German fencing manual created in 1452.[1] The original currently rests in the holdings of the Biblioteca dell’Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana in Rome, Italy. This manuscript is commonly attributed to Peter von Danzig zum Ingolstadt, but in fact the text only cites him as author of the final section. The rest of the manuscript is a compilation text consisting of treatises on a variety of martial topics, by several different masters who stood in the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer.
Provenance
The known provenance of the Starhemberg Fechtbuch is:[2]
- Compiled and written in 1452 by an unknown scribe.
- 1554 - Owned by Theo Wittigschlager (term of ownership unknown).
- 1568 - Owned by Sir Erasmus von Starhemberg (term of ownership unknown).
- 1813 - Donated to the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana by D. Antonia Corsini.
Contents
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Images
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Draft Translation 
by Michael Chidester
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Transcription
by Dierk Hagedorn
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Col=44=A=8-
1554
Need Teaches Prayer
Theo Wittigschlager
[In a banner:] Watch Who You Trust
1555
Col=44=A=8-
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[Ⅰr] [At the top:] Col=44=A=8-
1554
Nodt lernnt Petten
Thö wittigschlager
T
Traw Schaw Wem °
15 :Y[?]P: 55
Col=44=A-8
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Codex 1449
A collection of brief books written by various authors in the Teutonic language, on fencing and on grappling.
Manuscript, i.e. Codex Bombarini, with 117 folia.
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[Ⅱr] Cod: 1449 ~
Collezzione di opuscoli di varj Auttori scritti in Lingua Teutonica Sulla Schirma e sulla Lottare
MSS. ossia Codice Bombarini di Carte 117 ~
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Index of booklets
1st: The Art of Fencing, compiled and written by Master Johannes von Liechtenau. Text and commentary. ––– Folio 3
2nd: Some Precepts of Fencing and Grappling, written by Master Andre von Legnica. ––– Folio 73
3rd: Precepts of Fencing, both on foot and on horse, written by Master Martin Huntfelz. ––– Folio 87
4th: Precepts of Grappling, written by Master Ott, who was Wrestler to the Princes of Austria. ––– Folio 100
- back
5th: Precepts of Fencing, written by Master Peter von Danzig in Ingolstadt. ––– Folio 108
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[Ⅲr] Indice degli Opuscoli
1o L’Arte della Scherma compilata e scritta da Mrõ Giovanni da Liechtenau Testo e commento –––– Fol. 3.
2o Alcuni Precetti di Scherma e Lotta scritti da Mrõ Andrea da Lignitz –––– Fol. 73
3o Precetti di Scherma tanto a piedi che a cavallo scritti da Mrõ Martino Hundtfeltz –––– Fol. 87
4o Precetti di Lotta scritti da Mrõ Ottone già Lottatore del Principe d’ Austria –––– Fol. 100
- tergo
5o Precetti di Scherma scritti da Mrõ Pietro di Danckgs in Ingolstadt –––– Fol. 108
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The present Codex was written in 1452 and was in the possession of Sir Erasmus von Starhemberg in Year 1568; and in the year 1813 it came to the Corsiniana Library in Rome as a gift from Her Highness, the Princess Lady D. Antonia Corsini.
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[Ⅲv] Il presente Codice scritto nel 1452 fu’ di pertinenza del Sige Erasmo di Stachemberg nell’ Anno 1568; e nell’ anno 1813 vinne alla Biblioteca Corsiniana a Roma per dono di S. E. la Siga Principessa D. Antonia Corsini
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12 January 1568
V.V.M.F. (meaning unknown)
Sir Erasmus von Starhemberg
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[1r] 1568 12. Januarij
V.V.M.F.
Eraßm Herr von Starhemberg
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The Plow
- The Ox
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[1v] pflu~g
- ochs
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From the Roof
- The Fool
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[2r] vom tag
- alwer
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| 3r - 9r
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Recital by Johannes Liechtenauer
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| 9v - 38v
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Gloss of Liechtenauer's Recital on long sword fencing by Pseudo-Peter von Danzig
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| 39v - 52r
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Gloss of Liechtenauer's Recital on mounted fencing by Pseudo-Peter von Danzig
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| 53r - 72r
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Gloss of Liechtenauer's Recital on short sword fencing by Pseudo-Peter von Danzig
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| 73r - 79r
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Short sword fencing by Andre Lignitzer
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| 80r - 80v
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Sword and Buckler by Andre Lignitzer
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| 81r - 84v
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Wrestling by Andre Lignitzer
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| 85r - 86r
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Dagger by Andre Lignitzer
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| 87r - 90v
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Short sword fencing by Martin Huntsfeld
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| 90v - 93r
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Armored grappling by Martin Huntsfeld
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| 94r - 96v
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Dagger by Martin Huntsfeld
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| 97v - 100r
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Mounted fencing by Martin Huntsfeld
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| 100v - 107v
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Grappling by Ott Jud
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| 108r - 113v
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Gloss of Liechtenauer's Recital on short sword fencing by Peter von Danzig zum Ingolstadt
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| 113v
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Images
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Draft Translation
by Michael Chidester
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Transcription
by Dierk Hagedorn
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In this Year of Our Lord One Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty Two
M. H. I. T. Thanks be to God
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[113v] Annodominimilesimoquadringentesimo · quinquagesimosecundo
※ · M · H · I · T · ※ deo gratias
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Gallery
Additional Resources
References
- ↑ Internally dated on folio 113v.
- ↑ According to the modern front matter.
Copyright and License Summary
For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.
