Illustrations
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Draft Translation  by Kristopher Micozzi
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Transcription by Dierk Hagedorn
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Above you will direct your attention to
fencing with the messer and consider it.
So learn the method within and do it gracefully—
in friendly play or in earnest affairs.
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[18v] Ob du wildt achtten
Messer fechten betrachten
So lern kunst die dich ziert
Zu schimpff vnd zu ernst hofiert
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Learn these six strikes,
on the one hand you counter against cuts.
The left hand behind the back,
or in the breast you can keep it, should you wish to grapple him.
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Sechs hew lere
Auß ainer hannd wider die were
Die Lingk hand leg auf den rugken
Auff die prust wilt wer zucken
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The Zornhaw, Wecker,
Enntristhaw, Zwinger,
The Geferhaw, and The Wincker.
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Zorn haw wecker Enntrist haw zwinger Gefer haw mit wincker
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What comes toward you from above,
The Zorn Ortt clears it away—
and defends you from shame.
With the messer learn to takeoff.
Cut with it, or thrust—listen to this advice:
In the bind, be soft or hard.
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[19r] Was auff dich wirt gericht Zornhaw ortt das gar bericht Wiltu In beschemen Ain messer lern abnemen Haw stich merck Im pund waich oder hertt /
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Note these words, they are valuable: Vor, Nach, Indes.
Seek to make contact in the affair,
Or allow conflict to avoid you.
From above or below, seek his openings.
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[19v] vor vnnd nach Indes hab acht Die lauff des kriegs recht betracht Den krieg auff les Oban nyden wart der pleß
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There are four openings,
These you should seek to take,
Thus you endanger him,
such that he cannot counter you.
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[20r] Vier sind der zÿnen Die du solt gewynnen Der wach nym war Wa sy seyen mit gefar
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Cast the Wecker and endanger him,
bind hard with strength—
take the weak without fear.
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[20v] Den wecker treib mit seim gefert Biß manlich starck und hertt Der [illegible] swech nÿm war Den hals nÿm onefar
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The Enntristhaw forestalls what he casts from above,
onward to the strong,
be sure to note your work here.
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[21r] Entrist haw nympt was oben darkumpt Rist zu der Sterck Dein arbait damit merck
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Go forth with failing strikes,
such that you confuse him.
Above you can do it twofold,
slicing away as you note your work there.
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[21v] Feler verfieret Die zynen nach errüret Ob du verfelest zwifach Die schnidt damit mach
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The Zwinger will break
whatever strike comes from a vulgar fencer.
If he threatens to pull it,
The Zwinger will prevent this.
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[22r] Der zwinger In bricht So der Biffel schlecht vnd sticht Wer wechsel will trawen Der zwinger will In berawben
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The Geferhaw against his cut,
threatens the face and breast.
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[22v] Dien gefer haw mit seiner ker Dem antlitz vnd brust ist gefer
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The Wincker threatens,
and forces a master into disarray.
Do the Wincker twice,
to the right and the left.
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[23r] Den wincker solt erstrecken Vnd die Maister damit erwecken Zwifach ler wincken Zu der rechten von der lincken
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Whatever the master puts forth,
from anywhere despite the angle—
whether it comes at you crooked or straight,
The Wincker thwarts it all.
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[23v] Wilt die Maister plawen Des winckers soltu dich frewen Was da kompt krump oder schlecht Das sej dem wincker alls gerecht
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There are four postures
in which you fence with the messer:
The Bastei and Lugissland,
the Stier and the Eber—know them well.
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[24r] Vier leger soltu absÿnnen Inn messer fechten wiltu gewÿnen Pasteÿ Vnd lugißland Stier vnd eber sej dir bekant /
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There are four ways to displace,
and they conquer any posture against you.
Set aside that which comes in front of you,
displace frequently with courage.
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[24v] Vier versetzen Soltu begÿnen Sol Wiltu die leger bezwingen Vor versetzen dich hu°tt Versetzen oft den man mu°t
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In your attack,
you shall aim to harm the four ends.
Whether it goes above or below,
the point always seeks him through winding.
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[25r] Du solt ansetzen An vier enden letzen Er kump oben oder vnden Ort gerat ist In verwunden
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Learn to travel after,
Go directly in with the slices.
Learn to make it twice—
do so with skill considered.
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[25v] Ler nachraissen Zu weer die schneidt thu weisen Zwifach ler die machen Mitt künsten dich solt besachen
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Enntrist in the overrunning Turn and him
Overrun the under,
strongly and shamelessly.
Displacing comes afterwards—
turn the short point inward.
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[26r] Entrist In vberlauff Wind vnd erh Vberlauff die vnderram Sterck vnd In bescham Ist die versatzung darpracht Ortt wind kurtz biß bedacht
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Enntristhaw in overrunning,
turn and raise the pommel.
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[26v] Entrist In vberlauff Wind vnd erhöch den knauff
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Overrun within measure,
seize the neck and toss him over the leg.
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[27r] Wiltu dich vberlauffens massen Hals fach vberpain ler stossen
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Turn your blade,
cut or use the point nimbly.
Drive wrestling and pressing—
shove, grapple, apply twitching.
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[27v] Dein schneid wend Schneid mit ort biß behend Will er ringen und drucken Stoß ring wer ler zucken
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Learn to set aside,
Cut or thrust with skill.
On the four ends,
cut, thrust, or wind.
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[28r] Die absetzen ler Haw stich kunstliche wer Von vier enden Haw stich ler wenden
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This is the change-through,
it forces the master to retreat.
Mark the art and learn;
from both sides thrust with grace.
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[28v] Durch wechsel das stuck Die Maister trib zurugk Merck die art und ler Von baiden seydten stich mit feer
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Make lengthy cuts from below,
the change-through will free you.
The left drops long, the right one moves quickly;
wind and thrust such that you fluster him.
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[29r] Wiltu dich Langk vnderhawen Durch wichsel soltu dich freen Lingk lang laß recht ein schiessen Wind stich wirt In verdriessen
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Whoever may turn the wheel:
The changer makes it twofold.
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[29v] Wer das ratt kan machen Den feler kan er zwifachen
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Twitch the hit,
The master you will trick.
To he who makes binding
Twitches quickly in his finding.
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[30r] Zuck die treffen Die Maister wiltu effenn Will er auff dich binden Zuck schnell will er In finden
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Strike the flat of the Watcher
Twitch the point through to the hand,
If he has displaced the thrust,
Fall in instantly twofold to injure him.
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[30v] Haw die flech zum lugisland Durch zuck den ortt zehand Hatt er den stich versetzt Indes fel zwifach er wirt geletzt
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When he is strong above,
always run through.
Draw the hand and the arm closely,
and wisely look where to seize him.
Take the joint wisely,
and sweep him from the knee.
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[31r] Ob er starck ist Durch lauff zu aller frist Der hand vnnd arm soltu nahen Vnd weislich wartens fahen Der gelider soltu gewar nemen Der knüe bug soltu dich beremen
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Run through to enter,
thereupon tear the elbow and take the hand to break.
Take he who waits,
make the counter taking.
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[31v] Durch lauff entrist Den elenbog reib hand zeprust Nÿm er das gewicht Wider nÿm macht zenicht
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Learn to shoot over the arm
such that you artfully bind him up.
Thus you can come forth,
with running or driving as you need.
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[32r] Ler arm vber schiessen Ja künstlich den beschliessen Damit In machst fieren Nötten zu lauffen oder recht zu rüren
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Draw in the hand to the breast,
grasp it and drive outward.
Spring into it,
strike over the left arm.
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[32v] Ler hannd prust zu reÿben Wiltu den vngenanten griff treiben Spring vnd iag Den Lingken arm vberschlag
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Seize his right with your left,
spring in and shove him behind your shoulder.
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[33r] Fach lingk seinen rechten Die achsel stoß hinder springen fechten
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Whoever in fencing,
strikes above from the right,
then go through behind—
capturing it fully.
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[33v] Will er Im fechten Vberschlagen den rechten Dann soltu durch faren er ist gefangen alls In ainem garn
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The right and the left—learn to lock the arms,
go in toward him and hold it firmly.
Perform this lock here,
with pressing so that you make it strong.
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[34r] Recht mit lingk ler arm beschliessen Halt In vast zuuerdriessen Beschlossen So er dich hatt Mitt drucken So er dich macht macht madt /
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Do not forget the slices—
with two below and two above.
Whoever wrenches out from the bind,
his hands are in the pressing.
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[34v] Nitt vergiss der schnidt Zwen vndan zwen oben mitt Will er auß dem band rucken Die hand solt im drucken
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To show skill:
Take the messer through the bend,
slapping his shoulder with the back of your hand—
press firmly at his nape.
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[35r] Das sonen zaigen Mit dem messer wilt im naygen Die achsel tasch Gegen nack druck fast
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Press the forearm above with the back of your hand,
Then strike over the right arm,
taking his balance by the bend of the elbow.
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[35v] Oben tasch Den rechten arm vberschlag By dem elen bogen nÿm die wag
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If he hangs the point,
take his messer by the front.
Shove with your cross—
such that both edges come on top.
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[36r] Ligt er Im hangenden ortt Nym das messer one forcht Mitt dem crütz soltu schieben Mitt baiden schneiden dich üben
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If you wish to save yourself from shame,
capture with the left hand—
Twitch—change over above, is what you can do;
seize the weapon behind the strong.
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[36v] Wiltu In beschemen Mitt lerer hand wer nemen Zuck wechsel ob du wild Die wach hab hinder dem schilt
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In the clash wind in,
thus the points meet and his is broken.
take off with the messer and strike in;
with rising you will turn it.
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[37r] Im winden biß bericht Dein ort trift vnd sein erpricht Messer nemen solt enperen Mitt reissen dich zu Im keren
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The bow is doubled,
thus you make the work.
what comes from the bow is long
and the point takes it away quickly.
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[37v] Den bogen zwifach Dein arbait damit mach Was vom bogen lang kumpt Ortt schnell das abnimpt
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With this messer-taking,
you will bring him shame:
with a skilled empty hand,
wind above to the left and press fast.
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[38r] Mitt dem messer nemen Machstu In beschemen Mit lerer hand wer nÿm Vber wind auff lingk druck geswind
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So you have a foe
who threatens to hurt you.
Disarm or injure him—
but do not turn away;
stand boldly and defend yourself.
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[38v] Hastu ain wer Wirstu vberlauffen mit gefer Ruck an schaden kanstu dich kern Stand frolich machstu dich weren
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If he is strong above,
be wise and listen to this advice:
Turn your armed-hand,
injure with the point to bring an end.
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[39r] Ob er starck ist Vnd stätt In künstlich~ list gewappnet will er wenden Ruck ort thut In enden
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Strike out, over, and through;
apply the armed-hand often—
you can make arm locks as well,
thus you will find joy in the techniques.
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[39v] Aussen über durch stechen Gewappnet ler ausprechen Auch machstu arm beschliessen Will gelück das kanst gewÿessen
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With this breaking his limb is trapped,
place your arm against the armpit—
with pressing it cannot fail.
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[40r] Will er prangen So der arm ist gefangen Arm vberfar In die keel Mitt drucken soltu nicht felen
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If you want to shame him,
take his messer by the hilt—
wrench it from his hand,
and press inside his elbow.
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[40v] Will er dich beschemen Das messer bj dem gehiltz nemen Sein hand ler rucken Den elenbogen soltu drucken
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Winking on the right,
wrench the arm tight.
Gripping behind the left,
the right shoulder press.
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[41r] Auff recht will er wencken Vnd arm rencken Linck hinder ler springen Die achsel recht soltu dringen
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Fall over the left,
wrench in behind the belly—
through both legs thrust nimbly.
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[41v] Linck vberfar Ruck gegen bauch wend Durch baide pain stich behend
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Hold both messer to the right,
for he who forcefully breaks the fight—
place the left foot before,
stride in and thrust to injure.
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[42r] Das messer zu dem rechten bain halt Die wer bricht mit gewalt Den lingken vforß vor satz Mitt schreytten haw stich letz
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Here is some brief advice:
connect in the bind quickly—
thrust to his left,
wink at his right.
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[42v] Kurtz dich meld Im bund biß schnell Haw stich zu seiner lingken Der rechten hand soltu wincken
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The Scorpion will threaten him,
his face is endangered by its sting.
Dropping the short edge toward the head,
strike twice to the right and fall in.
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[43r] Scorpian mit seinem gefer Mitt antlitz biß gefer Die kurtz schneid gegen dem haubt laß fallen Schlag recht zwifach laß prallen
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Block his sight—
shove it strongly toward the ear,
and bind nimbly.
Turn the point to his face with the armed-hand
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[43v] Klotz mit seiner wart Zu den oren stost er hartt In des biß behend Gewappnet ort zu gesicht wend /
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and with that the art of Peter Falkner’s messer ends.
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Hie enndet Maister Peter Falkners kunst Mitt dem Messer
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