The MS B.26 is a German manuscript created by Ludwig VI von Eyb zum Hartenstein in or around 1500.[1] The original currently rests in the holdings of the Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg in Erlangen, Germany. It is dedicated to Philip "the Upright" (1448-1508), Elector Palatine of the Rhine. This manuscript is a compilation text and is of particular interest because, in addition to a copy of Konrad Kyeser's famous treatise on siege warfare Bellifortis, it contains an extensive treatment of fencing consistent with the manuscript group sometimes called die Blume des Kampfes ("The Flower of Battle").[2] Die Blume des Kampfes may be based on the tradition of 14th century Italian master Fiore de'i Liberi, given that his works include considerable overlap in artwork and technique, but it is equally possible that they represent a separate transmission of an older tradition of which Fiore was himself an initiate.
Provenance
Contents
| Ar
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Images
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Draft Translation 
by Jürg Gassmann
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Transcription
by Jens P. Kleinau
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Now that there are many Lords, Princes and Counts, free knights and squires, who are inclined upon the good things of the knightly nobility, they will find that I, Sir Ludwig von Eyb zum Hartenstein, during the period of 11 years in the service as prince-electoral governor at Amberg of the illustrious high-born Prince and Lord, Philip Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Arch Seneschal of the Holy Roman Empire, and of his l[ady] w[ife] have made this Warbook and brought these together from many other places and lands and offer in a single document, thereby everyone experienced in war may take something. In the year of Our Lord 1500 and [I was] his g[race’s] governor for 11 years.
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[00Ar] Nach dem Aber Nun vill meiner gnedigen hern, der fuersten, auch graffen, freyen Ritter und knecht findet, die zu adellichen Ritterlichen guten sachen geneigt sind, Hab Ich Ludwig von eybe zum Herttenstain, Rittter, die Zeit des durchleuchtigen hochgeborenen fürsten und herrn hern pfilipssen pfalzg[ra]ven bei Rhein, herzog in Bayen, des heilige romische Reichs ertzdruchsessen, kurfüsten bißthum zu Amberg und seinen sê gê aynlf jare gedient / Das kriegbuch gemacht und von vill aus ander landen ortten zusamen bracht eine tails angeben, Daraus ein yeder verstendiger des kriegs etwas nehmen mag Anno D[omini] XVC und seiner g[naden] vitzdom xj Jar gewest.
[Banner:] Bedenckt zu End
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| Br - Cv
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Drawings of fortifications
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| 16r, 51v
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Long sword devices from die Blume des Kampfes
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| 16v - 25r
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Short sword devices from die Blume des Kampfes
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| 25v - 31v
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Dagger devices from die Blume des Kampfes
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| 32r - 33r
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Long sword vs. Dagger devices from die Blume des Kampfes
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| 33v - 43r
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Grappling devices from die Blume des Kampfes
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| 43v - 50r
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Long shield devices from die Blume des Kampfes
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54r - 55v,
59r - 61v
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Anonymous Sword and Buckler devices
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| 56r
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Mounted Fencing devices from die Blume des Kampfes
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52v - 53r,
62r - 66v
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Instructions on deployment of wagons
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| 57v - 58v
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Drawings of funnels, castles, and armor parts
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67r - 111v,
134r - 282r
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War book based on Bellifortis by Konrad Kyeser
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| 112r - 133v
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Drawings of cranes and hoists
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| 283r - 284v
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Treatise on astrology, horoscopes, and name magic
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| 285r - 298v
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Drawings of guns, fire arrows, and bombs
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| 299r - 322v
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17th century annotations
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Gallery
Images hosted by the Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Additional Resources
The following is a list of publications containing scans, transcriptions, and translations relevant to this article, as well as published peer-reviewed research.
- None.
References
- ↑ The dedication on folio Ar is dated 1500.
- ↑ The informal nickname "Die Blume des Kampfes" is simply a translation of the title of the Italian treatise "Fior di Battaglia"; the treatises themselves all appear to be untitled.
Copyright and License Summary
For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.
