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Complete Translation 
by Christian Trosclair
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Transcription [edit]
by Dieter Bachmann
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Here begins the text and curriculum of the long sword. First, make good footing and stretch your arms free. Whatever you then fence, this sets it up.
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[02r] Hyr hebet sich aen der text vnd zedell ym langen sweerd Zom eersten mach gudt bossenn vnd streck dy arm fry wastu dan fichts das wapent sich.
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Likewise: Understand the F. cuts like this: The descending cut from the right shoulder with the long edge and take position with your left foot. The left descending cut is also the same; take position with the right foot and cut through the head with the long edge in the plunge.
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Item dy .V. hewe vernym also, den ouer hewe van der rechter achselin myt langer snyden vnd mach bossen myt dem lincken voysz des glichen yst auch der linck ouer hewe mach bossen myt dem rechten voysz vnd hawe myt der langen snyden durch ym deen koff ym stortz :~
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Likewise: Cut back around through their head into the schylt[7] and back through in the opposite direction into the plunge and lay the sword upon your back, allow it to sink to the right side. Turn your pommel against your opponent and your point out behind, so that you arrive in the right middle cut. Cut in front of yourself, across the head into the left middle cut and back across into the head into the right changer with the long edge down. [Cut] with the short edge up around the head into the left change. These are the F. cuts. One shall learn each if you otherwise wish to fence properly.
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Item hewe veder vmb durch ym den koff yn schylt vnd vidder vmb durch ym den koff yn stortz, vnd lech das swert vff den ruck laysz esz syncken vff dy rechten syten Keer den knouff gegen den man vnd den ort hynder vsz so komstu yn den rechten myttel hewe Hewe vur ewech vmb den koff yn den lincken myttel hewe, vnd vidder vmb yn den koff yn dy rechte weschel myt der langenn snyden nydder myt der kortzen snydenn [02v] vff vmb den koff yn den lincken weschell. das synt dy .V. hewe dy eyn ycklinger leren sail der anders recht fechten wil :~
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Likewise: The text and gloss follows hereafter [on how] one shall cut.
Item. One shall cut according to these figures, all cuts through the face with outstretched arms and make good footing in all things, so you do not make yourself mess up.
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Item hyr volgt nach der text vnd gloysz dar na man hewen sael.
Item nach deser figuren sall man hewen, alle hewe durch das gesicht mit gestreckten armen vnd mach gut bossen yn allen dyngen so mach dir nyt misseligen. :~
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Likewise: The curriculum of the longsword follows hereafter.
Whatever you wish to execute strongly,
Fence that with your entire body.
Both low and high,
Execute the two things strongly, that I will praise.
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[03r] Item hyr nach volget der zedell des langenn swerts
wastu starck wils dryben
das fecht myt gantzem lebe
beyd vnden vnd obenn
dy zwei dyngdryb starck das will ich lobenn.
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Likewise: If you frighten easily,
do not learn to fence.
Whoever wishes to fence, they shall have a heart of a lion and shall also see as sharply as a falcon and shall also be as agile as a bird.[8]
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Item erschrecks du gern
keyn fechten nummer en lern,
Wer fechten will der sall haben eyn hertz alsz eyn lewe vnd sall also scharff seen alsz eyn Valck vnd sall also behende syn alsz eyn vogel.
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Likewise: Understand the four openings in the context of the sword like this: The two high openings upon the head, the other two low openings to both sides below the arms.
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Item dy vyer bloyß ym swerd vernym also, dy zwo ouer bloyß am haupt dy ander zwo vnderbloyß zo beyden syten vnder deen armen.
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Likewise: Also undertand the four positions like this: Position your sword upon the right shoulder and place your body in balance with good footing, The left high position is also the same, place your right foot forward.
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Item dy veyr leger vernym also. lege das swert vff dy rechte aschel vnd setz dyn liff yn wage myt guden bossen des glychen yst auch der lynck ouer leger stell den rechten voyß vur.
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Understand the right low position like this: place your left foot forward and position the sword with the hilt upon the right leg, the point against the face of the opponent. Also similarly the lower left position: turn the point of the sword toward the face of the opponent.
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Das rechte vnder leger vernym also stell den lyncken voyß vur vnd lege das swert myt dem geholtz [03v] Vff das rechte beyn den ort dem man gegent das gesicht, des glich yst auch der linck vnder leger keer das swert denn ort dem mann gegen das gesicht.
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Likewise: Understand the four bind ups in the sword like this: Bind up against their left high opening with the short edge, lunge forward and bind up against their right high opening with the long edge, lunge forward and strike at the lower left opening and lunge forward and strike at the lower right opening with the flat.
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Item dy vyer an bynde ym swert vernym also bynde ym an myt der kortzen snyden an dy lincken ouer bloyß trydt vort vnd byndt ym myt der langen snyden an dy rechte ouer bloyß tryt vort vnd slage ym nach der lyncken vnder bloyß myt der kortzen snyden vnd tryt vort vnd slage ym nach der rechten vnder bloyß myt der flech.
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Likewise: One play called the wing. Bind them up high with the short edge and strike with the long edge at their lower right opening and immediately with the short edge at the high opening and cut through off the opponent into the lower left position.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der flogel bynde ym ouen mit der kortzen snyden vnd slage ym nach der rechten vnder bloyß mit langer snyden. vnd bald myt der kortzen nach der ouer bloyß vnd hewe durch van dem man yn das lyncke vnder leger.
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Likewise: One play called the enticement. Act as if you wish to bind them up on the right and bind them up on the left and act as if you wish to bind them up on the left and bind them up on the right and cut strongly from the opponent with the long edge into the lower left position if you can't find them open.
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Item eyn stuck heyst das verzocking. do als wul= [04r] stu ym rech anbinden vnd bynd ym lincks an vnd do als wulstu ym lyncks an bynden vnd bynde ym rechs an vnd hewe dich starck myt der langen snyden van dem man yn den lyncken vnder leger so bistu nicht bloyß zo vinden.
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Likewise: One play is called the changing-through. Free up from both sides, so that you make the opponent entirely unsure and cut freely with stepping from one opening to another, so as to make it wander at will.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der durch weschell. fry van beyden syten so machs du des mans woel beyden vnd hewe myt schryden fry van eyner bloyß zoder andern so machs du frolich wandern.
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Likewise: One play is called the Iron Gate. Position yourself in the lower left position and let your point sink to the ground and cut the wing and strike out from the right side into the schylt and from the left side again into the plunge, so that you go from the iron gate to the alley-cut.
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Item eyn stuck dy yser porte geheyssen. lege dich yn das lynck vnder leger vnd layß den ort synckenn vff dy erde vnd hewe den flogell hewe vnd strych vff vß der rechten syten vur yn schylt vnd vß der lincken syten widder vff yn stortz so komstu vß der ysern porten yn den gassen hewe.
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Likewise: One play is called the plow. Understand the plow like this: turn from the right position into the left and from the left again into the right, so that you see what the opponent wishes to drive upon you or if they thrust, you can break them.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der pluck. den pluck vernym [04v] also wendt vß dem rechten leger yn den lincken vnd vß dem lincken widder yn rechten so sichstu was der man vff dych dryben will ader stycht her du kanß ym brechenn. :~
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Likewise: One play is called the fool. Understand the fool like this: Turn the point in the air and hold the shield before the head. Whatever the opponent strikes from-the-day, one can break with this.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der olber. den olber vernym also kere den ort yn dy lucht vnd halt den schilt vur den koff was der man slecht van dach das kan man dar myt brechenn :~
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Likewise: One play named the eye-cocker. Understand the eye-cocker like this: Cock an eye left and slash right and cock an eye right and slash left. In this way you confound the opponent with an unengaged face they cannot read.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der schilder. den schilder ver nym also schyl lincks vnd slach rechs, vnd schil rechst vnd slach lincks. so veruerß du den man mit dem gesicht des frewet her sych nycht.
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Likewise: One play called the clanger. Understand the clanger like this: Clang once, twice, thrice upon the opponent's edge so you may find their opening.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der scheller. den scheller ver nym also schelle eyn mael. Zwei. dry. vidder syme clyngen so machst du yn bloyß vynden :~
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Likewise: One play called the inverter. Understand the inverter like this: Position your sword in front of your head. Let your point sink down behind and turn it to the right side and to the left, flittering from one to the other so they cannot protect themselves from you. If you can quite promptly find an opening, then the inverter is correct.[9]
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Item eyn stuck heyst der verkerer. den verkerer [05r] vernym also lech dyn swerd vuer den koff. layß den ort hinder nidder sincken vnd kerre yn vff dy recht syten vnd vff dy lincken flucks van eyner zo der ander so kan er sich vur dyr nyt huden so machs du yn gare balde bloyß vynden so yst der verkerer gerecht :~
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Likewise: One play called the ox. Understand the ox like this: Set the pommel against your chest, the point towards the opponent’s face and strongly and violently launch into them and cut into the winger and fly from the right side into the schylt. From the schylt, slash toward the upper left opening and swerve to the right, so that they must either parry or be struck hard.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der ocks. den ocksen vernym also sets den knouff an dy brust den ort dem man gegen dem gesycht vnd drynge starck zo ym vnd hewe yn den flogel vnd flucks vß der rechten syten yn schyll slach vß dem schylt nach der lincken ouer bloyß vnd swyndt nach der rechten so muß er versetzen ader wyrt hart geslagenn :~
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Likewise: One play called the speaking window. Understand the speaking window like this: Make a wind in front of the head, such that your arms are crosswise, so that you discern whatever the opponent wishes to execute between them and execute quite great sweeps thereafter. From the speaking window you can strike them on both sides, left or right.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der sprech vinster. das vernym also mach eyn winde vur dem kopf das dyn armen krutzwerß synt so sychstu dar zußen vß was der man dryben will vnd gayn gare grosse streych dar nach [05v] vß dem sprech vinster du kanst yn zo beyden syten slagen lyncks ader rechs :~
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Likewise: A break comes from the speaking window. If your opponent strikes strongly at your head, fall in front of their blade with your short edge, shove their sword away, so that you uncover their head.
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Item eyn broch komt vß der sprech vinster. so dyr eyn man starck zom kopf sleget valle ym mit der kortzen snyden vuer syn clynge stoysz ym syn swerte weck so entbloyß du ym syn kopf :~
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Likewise: A play called the golden cuts. Act as if you wish bind the opponent up on the right and bind them up on the left, strike for their upper right opening two or three times, one after the other, in this way the golden cut is correct.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der gulden hewe. do alß wolstu ym rechst an bynden vnd bynd ym lincks an slage ym zween ader dry slege nach en andern nach siner rechten ouer bloyß so yst der gulden hewe recht :~
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Likewise: A break for the golden cuts. When you see that the opponent wishes to break the golden cut, strike against their upper left opening with your short edge. Whatever they then strike, you can parry and lunge back and with the golden cuts, cut through into the plunge from the opponent and lay yourself in the lower left position, so that you are again prepared.
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Item eyn broch ouer den gulden hewe. Wan du suchs das eyner den gulden hewe bruchen wyll so slage ym mit der kortzen snyden an syn linck ouer bloiß was er dan slecht das kanstu versetzen vnd tryt zo ruck vnd hewe dich mit dem gulden [06r] hewe van dem man durch yn sturtz vnd lechs dich in das linck vnder leger so bistu widder gewapent :~
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Likewise: One play called the triangle. Understand the triangle like this: Position yourself in the right changer and step to the opponent's right side with your right foot and shove their sword up with your short edge and dart behind them with your left foot so that you find their head open.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der dryangel. den dryangel ver nym also lech dich in dy rechte weschel vnd schrydt myt dym rechten voyß vff syn rechte syt vnd stoß mit der kortzer snyden ym syn swert vff, vnd springe myt dynem lincken voyß hynder yn so vynstu yn bloyß am kopf :~
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Likewise: A break for the triangle. when you see that the opponent wishes to break the triangle, lay in the schylt and step back and parry it with the golden parrying, strike at their nearest availble opening.
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Item eyn broch vuer den dryangel. wan du sychs das eyner den dryangel bruchen will so lege yn den schylt vnd tryt zo ruck vnd versetz em myt der gulden versetzynge slage ym nach der neyster vuer bloyß :~
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Likewise: The crooked bind up. Understand the crooked bind up like this: Act as if you wish to bind them up on the right and bind them up on the left with the long edge and suddenly disengage as if you wish to bind up on the right but remain on the same side, strike at their upper right opening with your short edge, swerve to the left and sunder them with the golden cuts so that they do not rally themselves.
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Item das krom anbyndung. dy krom anbyndung vernym [06v] also do wy du wuls ym recht anbynden vnd byndt ym myt der langen snyden lincks an vnd zock wy du ym wuls rechs anbynden vnd blyue an der seluer syten slage yn dy recht ouer bloyß mit der kortzen snyden swyn[dt] nach der lyncken vnd hewe dich aff myt der gulden hewe des mach er sich nyt frewen :~
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Likewise: Whoever waits upon another’s cuts,
They permit their Art no agency.
Sunder from high whatever you wish
No changer comes into the shield
To the head, to the body
Do not omit the exit.
Alas, I say to you truthfully
No man is without danger.
If you frighten easily
Never learn to fence
There is no better parrying
Than the one performed with sweeps.
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Item wer sycht vff eyns ander hewe
der darff syn konst nyt frewen,
hewe ouen aff was du wylt,
sich kompt keyn wescheler yn den schilt
zo koff zo lybe
dy zuck nyt vermide
ych sach dyr verware
schoen kyn man am faren.
erschrecks du gerne
keyn fechten nummer erlern.
Es yst keyn besser versetzungk
dan dy man myt den streyche duyt
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Likewise: A sword taking. Understand it like this: Act as if you wish to bind up your opponent high and grab out onto their arm with your left hand [and] inside their hilt with an inverted hand and pull towards yourself, so that you take their sword.
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Item eyn swert nemen. das vernym also byndt dem mann ouen an vnd gryff myt der lyncker hant [07r] vszen vff syn arm mit verkerter hant yn syn gehultz vnd ruck nach dyr so nymstu ym das swert :~
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Likewise: Another sword taking. Understand it like this: Act as if you wish to bind them up strongly and fall upon them with the hilt over their edge and with the left hand upon their hilt, pull strongly towards yourself, so that you take their sword and stand ready for combat.
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Item auer eyn swert nemen. das vernym also do als wuls du ym starck anbynden vnd valle ym myt dynem gehults vuer syn clynge vnd myt der lincken hant an syn gehultz ruck starck zo dyr so nymstu ym das swert vnd steyst ym kampff :~
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Likewise: A free play on how one shall throw their opponent in the context of the sword. Understand it like this: Bind them up strongly from above and grasp their right elbow with your left hand, thrust up strongly into their face, so that you throw them upon their back.
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Item eyn fry stuck wy man den man werffen sall ym swerdt. das vernym also byndt ym starck ouen an vnd gryff yn mit dyner lincken hant an syn rechten elenbogen stoyß ym starck vff an syn gesicht so wyrff du yn vff syn ruck :~
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Likewise: When you wish to smite your opponent upon the head, act as if you wish to bind strongly and grab in the middle of their hilt with your left hand and pull strongly toward yourself, so that you can uncover their head.
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Item wan du eyn man vff den koff wyls smißenn. do wy du ym starck wuls anbynden vnd gryff mit dyner lincker hant zußenn syn gehultz vnd ruck [07v] starck nach dyr so machs du ym den koff bloyß :~
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Likewise: An overrunning in the context of the sword. How you shall throw the opponent. Understand it like this: Act as if you wish to bind up on the right and bind them up crossed. Wind against their blade with the short edge. Grab your blade with your left hand, lay the sword upon their neck and step with your left foot behind their left, drag them strongly toward yourself, so that they must fall.
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Item eyn ouer lauff ym swerdt wy du eyn man werffen sals. das vernym also do we du ym wuls recht an bynden vnd byndt ym kromß an wynd myt der kortzen snyden vff syn klyngen gryff mit dyner lincker hant an dyn clynge lege ym das swertan den hals vnd tryt mit dynem lincken wyß hynder synen lincken, ruck yn starck nach dir so moyß er vallen :~
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Likewise: An underrunning in the context of the sword. Understand it like this: Act as if you wish to bind up high and shove their hilt over itself by the cross, so that you sieze it right there or however you are able to tie it up.
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Item eyn vnder lauff ym swerdt. das vernym also do wy du ym wuls hoch an bynden vnd stoeß myt krutz ym syn gehultz ouer sych, so gryffs du yn da mit ader wa du yn geuaßen machs :~
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Likewise: Weak and strong, short and long is the singular origin of all art. Thereupon you hold all Art holds distance, measure.
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[08r] Item swech vnd starck kortz vnd langk yst aller konst eyn anphanck dar vff dicht vast alle konst halt lengen mayß :~
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Likewise: Weak and strong. Understand it like this: Up by the point is the weak and the midpart of the blade is the Strong which you shall execute sharply with the short edge.
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[07v] Item swech vnd sterck vernym also oben by dem ort yst dy swech vnd der myttel deyl der cly[n]gen yst dy sterck das sulles du myt der kortzen snyden seer / dryuenn :~[10]
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Likewise: A play called the lion. Understand it like this: Set yourself in balance and with your head not too high, cut from the four quarters with strength, so you have the spirit of a lion and is good in front of another two in the fight.
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[08r] Item eyn stuck heyst der leue. den vernym also setz dych yn dy wage vnd mit dynem koff nyt zo hoych hewe vß vyer orten myt stercken so hastu des leuen moyt vnd byst vur ander zween ym stryt guett :·:
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