Hans Talhoffer/First Manuscript

Personal Edition
Hans Talhoffer is welcomed as he arrives at a town to do a job (folio 27r).
Author(s)	Hans Talhoffer
Illustrated by	Unknown
Date	1448
Genre	Fencing manual Wrestling manual
Language	Early New High German
Archetype(s)	MS Chart.A.558
Manuscript(s)	MS 26.236 (1500s) 2º MS iurid. 29 (1600s) 2º Col. MS. philos. 61 (late 1600s) Cod.Guelf.125.16.Extrav. (late 1600s) MS 014 (1700s) Cod.icon. 395 (ca.1820)

The archetype of this version of Hans Talhoffer's fencing manual, the MS Chart.A.558, was created in 1448 and used as a personal reference manual for Talhoffer himself.^{[citation needed]} It exists in at least six additional manuscript copies created before 1820 and was published in facsimile by Gustav Hergsell in 1889. Only the grappling portion of this version contains text and will be compiled below; the uncaptioned images may be viewed on the individual manual pages.

Treatise

Preface

Images from the Archetype	No Translation	Archetype (1448)  by Dierk Hagedorn	New York Version (1600s)	Göttingen Version (1600s)	Kassel Version (1600s)	Wolfenbüttel Version (1600s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Coburg Version (1700s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Munich Version (ca.1820)
		[002r] [In a banner.] Hilff · got · du · ewiges · wort ·· dem · leib ·· hie · der · sel · dort :·: * Amen * [In a more modern hand.] Hilff Gott du Ewiges Wort dem Leibe hie der Seelen dort.	[020r] Page:MS 26.236 020r.jpg	[003r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 003r.png	[367v] Page:2º MS iurid. 29 367v.png
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Longshield Dueling

Images from the Archetype	No Translation	Archetype (1448)  by Dierk Hagedorn	New York Version (1600s)	Göttingen Version (1600s)	Kassel Version (1600s)	Wolfenbüttel Version (1600s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Coburg Version (1700s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Munich Version (ca.1820)
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		[027r] [In a banner] Meister seyt mir gar wilkum	[022v] Page:MS 26.236 022v.jpg	[026v] [No text]
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		[028r] [In a banner] Hilff · got · du · ewiges · wort · dem · leib · hie · · der · selb · dort :·: :Amen·:	[024r] Page:MS 26.236 024r.jpg	[028r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 028r.png	[370r] Page:2º MS iurid. 29 370r.png
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		[041v] da lat der maister den [?] schilt seczen vñ kolben
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		[048r] [In a banner] gotes dine° wil ich sin er hat behiet daz lebn min [In modern script] Gottes diener wil ich sin, Er hat behüt das Leben min.	[044r] Page:MS 26.236 044r.jpg	[049r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 049r.png	[368v] Page:2º MS iurid. 29 368v.png

Armored Dueling

Images from the Archetype	No Translation	Archetype (1448)  by Dierk Hagedorn	New York Version (1600s)	Göttingen Version (1600s)	Kassel Version (1600s)	Wolfenbüttel Version (1600s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Coburg Version (1700s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Munich Version (ca.1820)
		[049r] [In a banner] Ritter · sant · Jörg · nu · won · mir · bey · vnd · · mach · mich · aller · sorgen · frey Amen :· [In modern script] Ritter Sanct Jörg Wohn mir beÿ, U. mach mich aller Sorgen freÿ. Amen.	[045r] Page:MS 26.236 045r.jpg	[052r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 052r.png	[371r] [No text]
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		[072r] [In a banner] Gotes dyener wil ich sein vnd maria der Jungfrawe fr [?] rein Sie haben behut dz leben mein :~:~ [In modern script] Gottes diener Will ich seyn, Und Maria der Jungfrau rein Sie haben behüt das Leben mein.	[068r] Page:MS 26.236 068r.jpg	[070r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 070r.png	[375r] [No text]

Poleax

Images from the Archetype	No Translation	Archetype (1448)  by Dierk Hagedorn	New York Version (1600s)	Göttingen Version (1600s)	Kassel Version (1600s)	Wolfenbüttel Version (1600s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Coburg Version (1700s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Munich Version (ca.1820)
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Dagger

Images from the Archetype	No Translation	Archetype (1448)  by Dierk Hagedorn	New York Version (1600s)	Göttingen Version (1600s)	Kassel Version (1600s)	Wolfenbüttel Version (1600s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Coburg Version (1700s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Munich Version (ca.1820)
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Grappling

Images from the Archetype	Draft Translation by Tyrone Artur Budzin	Archetype (1448)  by Dierk Hagedorn	New York Version (1600s)	Göttingen Version (1600s)	Kassel Version (1600s)	Wolfenbüttel Version (1600s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Coburg Version (1700s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Munich Version (ca.1820)
	A beginning, with same grasping of the arms.	[116v] Ain an hebung czw gleichm~ fassen auß den armen	[111r] Page:MS 26.236 111r.jpg	[114r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 114r.png	[381r] [No text]
	This is a strike, to come at the man.	[117r] Das ist ain abslahen czw komen an den man	[112r] Page:MS 26.236 112r.jpg	[115r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 115r.png
	This is the hip-wrestle by the neck.	[117v] Das ist das hueff ringen beÿ dem hals	[112r] Page:MS 26.236 112r.jpg	[115v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 115v.png
	This is a break against the hip wrestle by the neck.	[118r] Das ist der bruch vber das hueff ringen pey dem hals	[113r] Page:MS 26.236 113r.jpg	[116r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 116r.png
	The arm close over the hip.	[118v] Das arm~ slyssen vber dy hueff	[113v] Page:MS 26.236 113v.jpg	[116v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 116v.png
	This is an advance to grasp the same leg.	[119r] Das ist das dringen pey dem pain zu gleichm~ fassen	[114r] Page:MS 26.236 114r.jpg	[117r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 117r.png
	This is the forward step when equal in grasp.	[119v] Das ist das fur treten czw gleichem fassen	[114v] Page:MS 26.236 114v.jpg	[117v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 117v.png
	He who presses you, throw over your head like so.	[120r] Wer dich tringt den burf vber das haubt also	[115r] Page:MS 26.236 115r.jpg	[118r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 118r.png
	This is the slip-through outside of the leg.	[120v] Das ist das durch sliffen aussen pey dem pain	[115v] Page:MS 26.236 115v.jpg	[118v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 118v.png
	This is the slip-through inside of the leg.	[121r] Das ist das durch sliffen In wen dem pain	[116r] Page:MS 26.236 116r.jpg	[119r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 119r.png
	That is the wrong slip-through when back to back.	[121v] Das ist das ebich durch sliffen ruck an ruck	[116v] Page:MS 26.236 116v.jpg	[119v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 119v.png
	The limb breaking at the outside of the arm.	[122r] Das glit prechen aussen an den arm~	[117r] Page:MS 26.236 117r.jpg	[120r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 120r.png
	This is the break against the slip-through on the outside of the leg, grasp to send him into a vertigo spin.	[122v] Das ist der bruech vber das durch sliffñ aussen an dem pain faß In in dy swindel wait	[117v] Page:MS 26.236 117v.jpg	[120v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 120v.png
	This is the break against the slip-through inside the leg.	[123r] Das ist der bruch vb° das durch sliffñ In an dem pain	[118r] Page:MS 26.236 118r.jpg	[121r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 121r.png
	Right against right left against left.	[123v] Recht gein recht glinck gein glinck	[118v] Page:MS 26.236 118v.jpg	[121v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 121v.png
	This is the break against the slip-through the outside at the leg, grasp to send him into a vertigo spin.	[124r] Das ist der pruch vber das durch sliffen aussen an dem pain faß In In dy swindel wag	[119r] Page:MS 26.236 119r.jpg	[122r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 122r.png
	This is the hurl by the arm.	[124v] Das sit das sleuderñ pey dem arm~	[119v] Page:MS 26.236 119v.jpg	[122v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 122v.png
	This is the step-behind in the arm where you press.	[125r] Das ist das hintter tretten In dem arme~ wer dich truckt	[120r] Page:MS 26.236 120r.jpg	[123r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 123r.png
	How to push away from you when someone closes in.	[125v] Das von dir stossen wer in dich dringt	[120v] Page:MS 26.236 120v.jpg	[123v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 123v.png
	This is the vertigo spin when you raise him.	[126r] Das ist dy swindel wag zw auff czucken	[121r] Page:MS 26.236 121r.jpg	[124r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 124r.png
	This is the ending of the vertigo spin.	[126v] Da hat die swindel wag ain end	[121v] Page:MS 26.236 121v.jpg	[124v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 124v.png
	This is the knee kick against the limb.	[127r] Das ist das knye ab tretten wider das glit	[122r] Page:MS 26.236 122r.jpg	[125r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 125r.png
	This is the arm break against the shoulder.	[127v] Das ist das arm~ ab prechen vber dy achsel	[122v] Page:MS 26.236 122v.jpg	[125v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 125v.png
	One should play on a board like this.	[128r] Also sol man auff aim In dem pret spilen	[123r] Page:MS 26.236 123r.jpg	[126r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 126r.png
	The twist at the arm.	[128v] Das vmb dreen bey dem arm~	[123v] Page:MS 26.236 123v.jpg	[126v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 126v.png
	The French Wrestling.	[129r] Das franczosis ringen	[124r] Page:MS 26.236 124r.jpg	[127r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 127r.png
	This is how to go through back to back.	[129v] Das ist das mit durch gen ruck ruck an	[124v] Page:MS 26.236 124v.jpg	[127v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 127v.png
	Back to back is finished.	[130r] Ruck an rück hat ein end	[125r] Page:MS 26.236 125r.jpg	[128r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 128r.png
	This is the defense against a hard press.	[130v] Das ist al pruch vber hart trücken	[125v] Page:MS 26.236 125v.jpg	[128v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 128v.png
	How the man who is caught throws two.	[131r] Wye ainer czwen sol werffen den man gefangñ fürt	[126r] Page:MS 26.236 126r.jpg	[129r] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 129r.png
	That is how one should close one arm with both arms.	[131v] Das ist das wie man aim ain arm~ sol slissen mit payden arm~	[126v] Page:MS 26.236 126v.jpg	[129v] Page:2º Col.MS.Philos.61 129v.png
	That is how you can close in with the elbow in his shoulder.	[132r] Das ist wie man aim sol enfaln mit dem elpogen In sein achsel glit
	That is the defense when one has the leg on the others arm.	[132v] Das ist der bruch wen ainer hat das pain auff der achsel
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Warbook

Images from the Archetype	No Translation	Archetype (1448)  by Dierk Hagedorn	New York Version (1600s)	Göttingen Version (1600s)	Kassel Version (1600s)	Wolfenbüttel Version (1600s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Coburg Version (1700s)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Munich Version (ca.1820)
		[141r] Das ist ain wasserman Der ist gemacht mit leder die augñ sollen sein von weissem duñen horn zu der Rorn hat er atem als lanng biß die obern seck val werd~ Das leder sol sein gesmirht mit öl vnd mit wachs vnd sol sein genät mit ain° sibeln al di nit sneidt also sol man die nachgeschribñ stuck all näen vnd smirben die von leder sein
		[141v] Das ist wie man zu fuss vber wasser sol geen Das ist ain schuch mit ain° peil pleven solen ist der man swar so mach man den schuch dester swarer das er die wag hab das In der wind nit vmb werff vnden an dem schuch das ist das rued°
		[142r] Das ist ain zewg zu ross vber wasser
		[142v] das ist ain geschiffte laiter da die wäpmer an steigñ Das ist ain laiter wil ainen gesellen habñ
		[143r] Das ist ain nater daman inn steiglaiter In ain venster mit hebt Das ist ain steigñ mit sprüsseln an ainem ainitzigñ strick Das ist ain aintzige stangñ mit sprüsseln zu steigñ Das ist ain schuch zu steigñ an an ain° slechten stangñ
		[143v] Das ist wie man sich selb sol auf hin winden
		[144r] Das ist ein steigñ mit vedern In aine~ ror an aine~ ainitzigñ strick
		[144v] Das ist ain prugken von leder da müssen die seck auf geplosen sein mit furfallenden pletern sack
		[145r] Das ist ain punt zu dem steckñ
		[145v] also sol man ain Armbst vnder aine~ mantel spannen
		[146r] Wie zwen man ain puchsen sellen hebñ auf aine~ wagñ die hundert zennten hat
		[146v] ain geschiffter spies Das ist ain steiglaiter
		[147r] ain sturmlaiter
		[147v] Wie man ainen brief vnder aine~ wasser sol schreibñ
		[148r] Wie man machñ sol das aiñ sein aigñ schlos nit mag auf tun Wie man aus dem sack sol komen
		[148v] 3 Loth. 4 Loth.

Copyright and License Summary

For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.

Work	Author(s)	Source	License
Images	Forschungsbibliothek Erfurt/Gotha	Forschungsbibliothek Erfurt/Gotha
Translation (Gotha Version)	Tyrone Artur Budzin	Document circulated online
Transcription	Dierk Hagedorn	Index:Talhoffer Fechtbuch (MS Chart.A.558)

Additional Resources

• Hergsell, Gustav, and Talhoffer, Hans. Livre d'escrime de Talhoffer (codex Gotha) de l'an 1443. Prague: Chez L'Auteur, 1893.
• Hergsell, Gustav, and Talhoffer, Hans. Talhoffers Fechtbuch (Gothaer Codex) aus dem Jahre 1443: gerichtliche und andere Zweikämpfe darstellend. Prague: Selbstverlag, 1889.