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 sometimes attributed to Peter von Danzig zum Ingolstadt,[2] 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:[3]
- 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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[Br] [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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[Ⅰr] 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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[Ⅱr] 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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[Ⅱv] 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
- Hagedorn, Dierk and Christian Henry Tobler. The Peter von Danzig Fight Book. Freelance Academy Press, 2021. ISBN 978-1-937439-53-8
- Jaquet, Daniel; Walczak, Bartłomiej. "Liegnitzer, Hundsfeld or Lew? The question of authorship of popular Medieval fighting teachings". Acta Periodica Duellatorum 2(1): 105-148. 2014. doi:10.1515/apd-2015-0015
- R., Harry. Peter von Danzig. Self-published, 2019. ISBN 978-0-36-870245-7
- Tobler, Christian Henry. In Saint George's Name: An Anthology of Medieval German Fighting Arts. Wheaton, IL: Freelance Academy Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0-9825911-1-6
- Anzeiger für Kunde der deutschen Vorzeit. Nuremberg: Verlag der Artistisch-literarischen Anstalt des Germanischen Museums, 1854.
References
Copyright and License Summary
For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.
