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Michael Hundt
Michael Hundt | |
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Arms of Michael Hundt | |
Born | 16th century |
Died | 17th century |
Occupation | Fencing master |
Movement | Freifechter |
Influences |
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Influenced | Jakob Sutor von Baden |
Genres | Fencing manual |
Language | Early New High German |
Notable work(s) | Ein new Kůnstliches Fechtbuch im Rappier |
Concordance by | Michael Chidester |
Michael Hundt was a 17th century German fencing master. His inclusion of a griffon with a sword is arms may indicate affiliation with the Veiterfechter fencing guild.
In 1611, he authored a treatise on the use of the rapier entitled Ein new Kůnstliches Fechtbuch im Rappier ("A New Art-Filled Fencing Manual on Rapier"); this, along with Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens by Joachim Meyer, was one of the sources drawn upon by Jakob Sutor von Baden for his own treatise of 1612.
Contents
Treatise
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Transcription | |
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1. Firstly, your grace should be situated with outstretched arm, together with the blade, and turn well your grace to both sides where the enemy would like to come. | ||
2. When your grace sees that one will cut in to your right arm, thus turn or set off well and step on to the tertzi or 3., and thrust back to his right side or to the head. It goes hereafter, your grace, from the tertzi in turn to the secunda or 2., and position yourself with the blade long before the opponent. | ||
3. When your grace sees that one will hack further in at your face, thus do not allow this to hit, but rather step well out to the tertzi or 3. and allow his cut to fail. Go presently again, your grace, also on to the secunda or 2. and position yourself again with outstretched arm long before the opponent. | ||
4. When your grace will go at the opponent, then wrench away his blade forward on his weak, step back well on to the Quart or 4. and cut deep in to his face. You then come back again to the secunda or 2. how previously instructed. | ||
5. When your grace sees that one lies at the blade, and he will let his point go under and through to your grace's right side, then step your grace well out to the tertzi or 3. and fall with the point right up to his upper body or breast. If he sets this off, then step your grace with the left leg from the tertzi out to the secunda, and hew in to him further to his face. | ||
6. When your grace is positioned back on his blade, then wrench his blade from under up high, and thrust in deep with the ascending hand to his left or short rubbed??, and quickly turn again the thrust, and cut in to him above at his face. | ||
7. When your grace sees that one is positioned to the rear on the blade, and he will further go through to your grace's body or deceive, then step your grace only behind yourself out to the quarta or 4. and thrust right above to his body, and position yourself also quickly to this completed thrust with outstretched blade again right to his face. | ||
8. When one will deceive your grace with this same blade, then, your grace, do not dupplieren more than 3 or 4 times, and hew back out to him or further in deep at him. Allow it, your grace, to run off well in your fist, and remain at him all the while, rightly forth at his face, when the strike is happening. | ||
9. Will your grace again dupplieren, then dupplieren likewise again only 3 or 4 times with this same, and pay attention, your grace, that you hasten your thrust back in or further to him. You must remain, your grace, not far from his blade though. | ||
10. When your grace sees that one will deceive on your grace's blade, then hew or thrust, your grace, deeply at him, and do not allow him to complete this, thus he cannot have it with his deception, however, then your grace can easily do harm to him, thus he comes to this from his own deception. | ||
11. When your grace sees that one will cut back in at your head, then turn this about with your blade, and hew against him so that he cannot hit. | ||
12. When your grace sees that one will hew back in to the right side or head, then hit well the blades together and go to the tertzi or 3. and thrust below his blade to his breast. It goes, your grace, also quickly back to the secunda or 2. how you then position yourself with the blade again and again before the opponent. | ||
13. When your grace sees that one hews further high to your face, then see at once when he will go with the blade to hew, then step back to the quart or 4. and hew in at the same time as him to his fist, when he hews high, also position yourself again straight with the blade. | ||
14. When your grace sees that one will again hew high to the face, then pay attention that you thrust him to the fist or to the arm. | ||
15. When your grace will take the strong of the rappier, then cut in with a good stretch on to the front of his blade, you hit however, your grace, with the cut at the same time, and hew in deep forward to his face, thus however should you step well in these cuts. | ||
16. When your grace sees that he will not allow it to hit and will allow his cuts to fail, then with this, then step well further to the tertzi or 3. and thrust in deep at him. You must step quickly again however, back to the secunda or 2. | ||
17. When your grace will wind out the opponent's blade, thus position yourself with the blade forward to his blade and push his blade well under your blade, with this step well to the 3. and thrust deep in to the right side. Your grace must step quickly back from the 3. to the 2, and hew above to his face. | ||
18. When your grace is positioned back on his blade, thus wind his blade under yours and step well from the secunda or 2. to the quarta or 4, and hew deep in to his face, and step quickly from the quarta to the 2. | ||
19. When your grace sees that one will cut to your leg, then with this, step well to the quinta?? and run off with the blade, step quickly from the 5. to the 1. and hew again high thereafter. | ||
20. When your grace sees that again one will cut to your legs, thus pull your leg away, allow your blade to run off well, and cut in to him at his head. | ||
21. When your grace sees that one is positioned forward on your blade, and will cut at your grace's calves, then step well to the 5, and set off also with this. Your grace must step quickly back to the first and cut in to the face, and always be positioned straight with the blade. | ||
22. When your grace sees that one will cut the same way, again to the calves, thus allow your blade to come well under his, step well and deep to the 3. and thrust in deep to his groin. You must remain at his body, turn the blade around and make as if you would cut him to the head, and with this turning around with the blade, your grace, again thrust him with the cross and pommel to the face, or do to him what you will. | ||
23. When your grace sees that one is positioned rearward (at the back) on your blade, and will fail to go through further in with his point to your grace's body. Then proceed your grace, as if he will cut in with all his might, then step your grace with the left leg together with the parry inside to him, and hold your left hand over his blade, and jerk your rappier out from under his blade and thrust in to him to his whole body. | ||
24. When your grace is positioned forward on his blade, then make as if you would nick at his face, and he takes this slice away, thus allow your grace's point to sink, and thrust him to his groin, or inwards to his middle. | ||
25. When your grace sees that one will do this same face slice with a thrust to the groin, then step your grace, only back to the rear to the 5. and parry this same well, then step quickly back well thereafter to the 1. and thrust or hew in. | ||
26. When your grace himself, will lay in a Guard, thus position yourself right with the blade before the face, with a good distance from the earth, or to the earth, when the arm gets tired, then your grace can rest together with the blades, Then quickly now your grace will hew or thrust, then step your grace right and well to the tertzi and thrust in deep to his upper body. | ||
27. When your grace is positioned in a long guard, and the arm will become tired, lastly position yourself as was just instructed, also right before the face, so that your grace's point goes a little to his right side, and thus you think Your grace, that he would hastily go with a thrust to you, but he comes with a total thrust, then step your grace, to the 3 and thrust also back in to him, what he seeks. But if your graces does not want to do this, and you do not want to lag the thrust, thus step your grace only backwards to the 5. and parry his thrust, step again into a total thrust and cut, how the step goes. | ||
28. When your grace would use the leg cut, thus position your grace with the blade on his blade's forward, and in this same, make as if you would thrust in deep with the point. He takes this thrust away, then allow your grace's point to run off below to the right side, and cut in to his elbow or fist, turn the blade around quickly and cut back in to him. | ||
29. Would your grace cut at one to the elbow, then wrench or batter EG, his blade away, and step to the tertzi, and cut deep in to the elbow. It is done EG quickly from the 3 to the 2, and then position yourself again with outstretched arm. | ||
30. When your grace sees that further, one cuts deep at your face, thus pay attention EG, when he will cut , then jerk away immediately EG the blade together with the body, and step with this to the quint or 5. To this same however follow EG afterwards with the left leg and overhand, and use the Landsknecht cut. | ||
31. Would your grace himself, again be positioned in a guard, thus lay EG with the blade right high, with the ascended hand right before the face which is known as the Spanish Guard and give no openings with the body. It goes however EG that one will cut or thrust to the lower body, or to the middle, then thrust EG deep in to him, how the step goes, in 5 thrust, it is to whichever side, where your grace will be driven to remain in the circle. | ||
32. The fourth guard: would your grace give an opening with the body, thus will he thrust or cut at your grace. If he thrusts then, so take his thrust away, and step to the quart or 4. and thrust in with ascending hand to his neck, and fall EG with the blade from the quart or 4. immediately to the secunda or 2., and position yourself again in a good parrying. | ||
33. When your grace sees that one will run in, it is with a cut to the back or front (of your blade), again, when one also is positioned on the rear of your blade, and will go through, and thrust forward to the body, likewise when he also is positioned forward on your blade, and will allow the blade to go through, back and in to you, with a thrust, then step well EG only behind you to the 5., when he will run in to these 4 points, then he runs into your point. Step EG with the left leg from the 2. to the 6, then position EG right around again before the opponent. | ||
34. When your grace will again cut in back to one, and he will come in to the cut, thus make EG as if you would cut in at him with all your might, and go with the point under and through, and step to the 5. when he follows after, then he runs into your point. | ||
35. Would your grace make one tired in fencing or brawling, thus position yourself to all and both sides on the blade, and push his blade down low, it goes for cuts or in going through. Your grace may also injure him very well, when he cuts, or lets it go through from under, when your grace does not use the pushing on the blade. | ||
36. When your grace is positioned in the fifth guard, thus position yourself correctly your grace with the blade on the body, and step with your right leg out to the 5. and remain standing with the left leg on the 2. as soon as one will cut deep at your grace, then step forth with the displacing to the prima, and cut in to his face, or rather, your grace can wrench well his blade to the ground, however, additionally your grace shall refrain from the opportunity, though of the many antics or tricks in the guards that are used. | ||
37. When Your grace is positioned forward on his blade, thus do this thing, as if your Grace would cut to his hand, but immediately turn the point around, and use an ascending thrust to him, Your grace. | ||
38. When your grace sees that one will attack to your right side, it goes for the cuts and the thrusts, or in the deceiving, thus your grace must follow to, on the same point where he looks for something, thus you do the same to him at the same time. If he attacks forth at your grace, then attack with the same also forth to him, it goes for the cuts or the thrusts. | ||
39. If your grace is positioned back on the blade, then make as if your grace would cut with all your might, but, turn that around and cut in back at him. | ||
40. If your grace is positioned forward on his blade, then make as if you would cut in at him with all your might, but also turn that around and cut forth at his face. | ||
41. When your grace will cut in deep at one forward to the face, and he will also quickly run in with his blade at your grace, then step well to the quint or 5. and take the rappier in both fists, and thrust deep at him, see how he quickly cedes, thus he stays well away from Your grace, that he cannot well use the running in. | ||
42. When your grace sees that one will cut forth to the face without careful attention, then go only with the point under and through, thus he cannot come to the face. However your grace may thrust to his face every time, or you may further cut in deep to him, and also at once position yourself straight before the opponent. | ||
43. When your grace sees that one will thrust from under to your groin, then do this thing, thrust him, before he has spent his impact, so that, however, your grace's blade is first in thrusting. | ||
44. When your grace sees that one will always cut back in at your right arm, then your grace must thrust in under his blade, with the relative fist, then must he stop with the cut. | ||
45. When your grace sees that you are positioned forth with your blade on his blade, then make as if your grace would thrust or cut with the point to his face, if he takes the thrust or cut away, then allow the point to fall and then thrust him to his groin. | ||
46. When your grace sees that one is positioned high with the blade, then make as if you would cut back in with all your might, with this however, go through under his blade, when you see that he will displace your cut, and then thrust him right forth to his breast. | ||
47. When your grace is positioned back on the blade, then make as if you would strike forth with all your might, but in this cut, however, step well with the right leg forward and thrust in to his lower body. | ||
48. When your grace is positioned either forward or back on the blade, then your grace must go together with the entire arm and the blade, and cut him to his elbow, or from under to his face, you may always position yourself before the man this way, again and again. | ||
49. When your grace sees that one will thrust forth to your breast, or to the heart, thus take heed, that, as soon as he is in the thrust, that you step well only back to the quart or 4. and then thrust him at the same time, thus you step before he does. If your grace thinks he is reachable, and especially when he is positioned back on your blade, and will further go through and under, then take careful heed with this. | ||
50. When your grace sees that one will thrust in deep at your lower body, how it is currently the general practice. Then your grace must step no more than backwards, but well to the quint or 5. thus he cannot complete it. Your grace may also step well to the terzt or 3. and he runs in, however when you don't want to do this, thus can your grace again step back to the quint or 5 as before, and again with the outstretched arm be positioned before the opponent. But for all that, your grace may stop him with this stück very well, it goes for running in or in stepping. | ||
51. When your grace is positioned on the rear of his blade, then turn your blade around and cut with all your might forward to his face. There... be a little quiet with the cut, and allow that afterwards thus the point to sink, and thrust in forth to him, to his entire body. | ||
52. When one is positioned inwards on your grace's blade, and thinks to cut in to your head or to your right side, then do this thing your grace; as soon as he is cutting, then thrust him quickly under his blade to his throat or neck, and be positioned again straight before the opponent with your blade. | ||
53. When your grace is positioned to the rear of one's blade, and he will go through and under your blade, to thrust with all his might, then do only this thing your grace; wind out his thrust, and step with your left leg to the 3, thus your grace can thrust him to his body. If he takes this thrust away, thus can your grace reverse from under, and cut in to his head, or you may with your right hand, wrench away his blade, together with his arm, or thrust your cross and pommel in to his face. | ||
54. If your grace once again is positioned to the rear on his blade, thus go through, and even with this further going through, allow the point to fall, then thrust him into his body, and step to the tertzi of 3. | ||
55. When your grace is positioned inwards on the opponent's blade, thus make as if you would beckon (or wave) to his face, just then, in this beckoning, allow your point to sink, then fall on him with the thrust, rightly to his body. | ||
56. If your grace is positioned again inwards on his blade, then do this thing: beckon with your point to his face, just then with this thrust, step forth together with your grace's left leg and your entire body to the tertzi or 3. and thrust with power to his entire body, or in to the middle. | ||
57. If one is positioned forward on your blade and will beckon at your face, thus pay careful heed to his thrust, then in this same thrust, take out his thrust with your cross's strong, before your face, and dash quickly in to him, take your whole body well in with this thrust. | ||
58. If your grace is or would be situated to fence with one, with the Dagger, thus pay careful heed to the opponent, and set forth half of the body, with the right leg together with the dagger and rappier, as soon as he will thrust your grace, then take his thrust well away with your dagger, and step with the leg, to the prima, thrust him to his head, and then with the thrust allow the point of your rappier to sink, and thrust him from under to his shorter ribs, so that he cannot displace this with his dagger. If your grace would not thrust after, then step with the left leg to the rear, well to the quinta, and take away all his thrusts with the dagger, if you see that he can be reached. However, your grace may well attack him with the Circle at your opportunity. | ||
59. When your grace will fence or brawl long with one, and gives to you no openings before his face, and allows his point to sink, then will he thrust to your grace's knee or cut to your legs, or rather to your grace's body, Then fall upwards at once, with a thrust to his breast or in to his body, so that You come before, as he is below, and take careful heed of the steps, Your grace. | ||
60. If one is positioned to the rear of your grace's blade, and will further thrust high with his point to your grace's face, then give careful consideration to his thrust, and if he is in the process of completing his thrust, then step your grace to the quarta, thus your grace must step before he does. | ||
61. If one comes before your grace, and there he will cut or thrust, especially at the Universities, where one goes to the tables or from the tables, how it is then the opportunity is occasionally given, that you come between one. Then wind over or throw your cloak around your left arm, and take out his cut, step when cutting to him, and thrust or cut again to him, and give yourself at all times a displacement until the enemy is overcome. | ||
62. If your grace is positioned long before the opponent, thus give careful heed, further to his blade, even when your grace is positioned to the rear on his rappier, thus push his blade further down low with a stretch, and thrust him forth to his breast. However, if he steps back with his right leg, then your grace must always follow with the strong there after, until you see, that you can break away from him with opportunity. | ||
63. If your grace has the desire to fence with one, so do not give out from the triangle and the circle. If one however will tempt your grace, and to every point of your body try to attack, thus have diligent attention to your body, if it goes however, Your grace, that he has the desire to step further to you, then allow him to approach a little, however, not too close. Just then in the going through, your grace must step back to the quarta, and thrust him with the ascending hand, high to his face. You may, in this high thrusting allow your point to fall, and then thrust in to his middle, your grace must fall again with the right leg to the secunda, and position yourself again with the blade straight before the opponent. | ||
64. When the two of you are fiercely against each other, and no one wants to give anything to the other, and one to the other means to be earnest, and each other fights for life and limb, but so is the one for the other with a clear intent to provide diligence to his enemy, until he can be powerful with his opportunity. Then where you between with each other will thrust at the same time, so no one has any art there, and the fame is on both sides, one is so clever that they wanted, and, forgetting the magnificent steps, does so more than a thrust, thereon it is most opportune. But that one will need the dagger on his person, yet he can come to more harm than it does him profit, especially when he has learned nothing of it. Thus is my advice, that one uses caution, and does not forget the steps, then will one have the Praise over his enemy. | ||
65. If your grace sees that one will dash in further with great power to your face, and especially when he thrusts high to your head, thus give careful consideration to his thrust, and hold your left hand not too far from your breast, and just then when he thrusts, see that your grace shoves away the thrust together with both his blade and arm, then step forth slightly with the right leg and thrust him through and through, yet he may well know, what it means, and he then sets the rappier to your body, thus you do may not want to use the thrust. | ||
66. If your grace wants to be positioned long before the opponent, then do not allow yourself to bind on to his blade, and he goes through under with his blade, and will thrust to your grace's body, then remain forever with the point forth at his face, thus he cannot step well low with the thrust, however, your grace can well take away his thrust, or wind the same out with your blade, still that you take great care of your face, and allow yourself to not be deceived by his blade, but rather always hold and resist him. | ||
67. If your grace is positioned back on his blade, then push his blade down low with the strong of your rappier, and thrust in pushing forth to his body, and position yourself again, always forward before the opponent. | ||
68. If one is positioned inward your grace, on his blade, and will cut to the pants or thereafter thrust, thus give careful attention to this, if he allows his blade to fall, and will cut or thrust, then your grace must allow your point to simultaneously go in at his head, and thrust him to the face or to the neck, and give no openings before him. | ||
69. If your grace sees that one will thrust in deep to your body under your blade with great power, then give careful attention to his thrust, and just then when he thrusts, step back to the quinta, and thrust with outstretched arm to his throat, so that the point does not come higher that the head, but rather straight to his face, thus he loses every time. | ||
70. If your grace wants to fence or brawl with one aggressively in dagger and rappier, then give careful consideration to the first thrust of the dagger, so that he has failed, and position yourself with the entire strong of your blade right before the opponent, and thrust quickly thereafter until you see that you can get away from him with the deception, and with great speed thrust after to him. | ||
71. If your grace wants to take one with the strong of your rappier, thus position yourself with the left leg and with the blade and half body, and step forward in thrusting with the right leg, and wrench down low his blade with the strong, and cut him with great power to his face, and position yourself once again with your blade long before the opponent. | ||
72. If your grace wants to dash in deeply at his head, thus position yourself forward on his blade and go through with the point under his blade, and dash in to his head, so that he comes with his blade high. | ||
73. If your grace sees that one will thrust low to your groin, then step only with the right leg back to the quinta, and set off well this same thrust, your grace must step to again with the right leg together with the blade, and thrust or cut again to him. | ||
74. If your grace does not want to allow one to bind on to your blade, thus always go through with the point under his blade, and deceive him on his blade, how you can go with a thrust around about the circle. | ||
75. If your grace is positioned to the rear on one's blade, thus go with the relative hand together with the blade and thrust him forth to his breast. | ||
76. If your grace wants to place himself in a Lowlands guard, then take the rappier behind with the pommel together with the entire fist for the thrust, and when he at once will thrust down at your lower body, then you can always strike his thrust away, with the left hand, and always thrust him to the body, and this is an evil thrust to displace. | ||
77. If one will dash in to your grace's middle, then step just the same with the legs before the opponent, if he goes as if he will deeply thrust to your body, then cut out or away his thrust, and step with the right leg to the prima, and dash in to his entire body, and use the triangle and circle with the stepping, how it is found in this book, thus will your grace sense every time that you are right and good. | ||
78. When your grace comes for one who always will further thrust inwards with the blade, or also when he will always position himself back on your blade, and will allow his point to go through and under, further to your grace's body or breast, and when he also will never bind on your blade, then give careful consideration to his thrust, and just then when he thrusts, then go through with your point lower, under his blade so that he then over-travels with his thrusts, on and on, thus he cannot come very well to your body, and the one uses what he wants. | ||
79. If your grace will use shooting with the rappier, usually when you are against two or three, during the day or night, Then you must give diligent attention to the thrust and cut, and carefully displace, would your grace however be tired, so that you cannot continue, and especially when your life is in danger, then take your rappier back by the pommel and wind up with all your might, and throw it at the group, and look around for another good advantage, or with it, take refuge to the preservation of life and limb, when you can do nothing else, and you would rather live than be dead. | ||
80. If your grace sees that one will use this same shooting of the rappier on you, then go round about with him in the circle, and hold his replay, however if he goes with his blade as if he will go away, then step with the left leg back to the 4. and run off with the whole blade before your body, and take out the thrust together with his blade, so that his blade is above and comes over and away from your blade, then he cannot do it, however your grace has him thereafter how you can have him, to make an exit, as you want it. | ||
81. If your grace wants to fence with one, using two rappiers, or when one will use such against your grace, thus position yourself against him with the point right at his face, and do not step too wide with the right leg together with the blade away from the opponent, and so that your point is not too high above his head, but rather is a little below his face, and that the other rappier in the left hand should only serve for the displacing, or will be used, if it were then that your grace's left and right were in both fists to come in at the same time, thus can one correct and well attack with the blade. See however, that he briskly thrusts away from you, then take out or displace his thrust well, and thrust quickly again close in to him; Would your grace cut at him however, thus you can also do, for it is a good thing, who cuts and thrusts together can well be used, one can destroy some good men with it, then one must step to the other with cunning, then with cunning and speed surpasses one over the other, the cunning however of the rappier can no one imagine, he is who he wants, or also in these intended stücken, is the very best now in this world, cut, thrust, run in, deceive, is all good for the enemies, it is also such a thing, that two rappiers here in Germany are not used well, rather that one has with a modesty to establish, therein one has taught it. | ||
82. It happens however, sometimes that two come together, who are very fast with the rappier, as in Switzerland and in France, that one against the other means to be earnest, and no one wants to give the other in anger something first: When they both are giving full on thrusts and running in or dashing in, then it goes often that they are both positioned on the blades and remain at this place, and usually when drink is available, there will one here, the other there, be seen to brawl on behalf of which is the advice that one leaves these dangers be. The Swiss and French are somewhat better at their service, than we here in Germany are from time to time, therefore it is advised that one use my steps and take these same well to heed, then running over some Frenchmen, may every one of his enemies make a resistance with the help of God, but it cannot be, so everyone do the best by his respect so that the Lord he will also help him. | ||
83. If your grace sees however that one will dash in with great power at you, with these stücken, then have diligent attention to that person, if he comes in at a full run, then fall away down low with the blade to the ground, so that he runs over, then heave up directly with the point, in the falling up high, so that he thus runs into your blade, and your grace can therefore thrust him through and through, or that he has run himself through, which is one and all a gift for his running in like that, when he cannot well feel it. | ||
84. If your grace is positioned before the opponent, it goes for both fencing or brawling, and he goes with his blade to the rear on your blade, and will cut in deep to your head, thus run off with your whole body, together with quickness in under his blade, and thrust in cutting forth to him through and through, or whatever your graces wants or can do to him, and spring with the blade directly again behind you to the rear, and position yourself in a good guard before the opponent. | ||
85. If your grace sees however when one will graze at your head, and he will then run in with this, or will go under your blade, then spring just backwards to the prima, so he cannot harm you, or meet you, however your grace can always resist him, or shoot with the rappier to his skin. | ||
86. If your grace wants to brawl and cut someone down, and rather when the thrust is excluded, and he will cut in high to your face or head, then give careful consideration to his body, however in this high cutting to the face, your grace must cut him at the same time to his right fist, so that with a little luck, both his fist and rappier lie at his feet, if he does not want it any other way, before one. | ||
87. If your grace wants to give one for the fourth or fifth time under the blade, it is in thrusting or in cutting, then set your left leg out before the right and remain with the right leg positioned at the quinta, soon when one will thrust or cut, then step forth in cutting, so that the left arm is positioned before the face, and drive the cut away with a good handstrike?, and thrust him to his entire body, if he thrusts however, then strike out his thrust with the left hand, and step equally again with this same thrust close to him, thus can one thrust come around to the other. | ||
88. If your grace sees that one comes at you with a Flail, at night, and will strike at you, (how it then is occasionally in use at the Universities, when one goes from the table, and from the guards will be attacked, if often one has previously done something to the guards, and another comes, because of the need to pay for what the other has wrought) then whip your cloak over your left arm, and run under his Flail with great power, so that one then will strike in over you, be mindful of his power your grace, then wrench the flail from his hands, for the protection of your life and limb. | ||
89. If one comes at your grace with a partisan, be it on land or wherever it is, and he will strike or thrust at your grace, and you have nothing more than your rappier with you, then see and give diligent attention to the strike, if he will heave his arm high in the strike, then run in under his spear, and his great power will kill him, where not, then put your rappier to his body, for the preservation of your life and limb, or what do to with such an enemy, must be taken with good attention. | ||
90. If your grace has a partisan in your hand, and you want to go for a walk, and one comes at your grace with a rappier, and will thrust or cut at you with great power, then you see they have their opportunity, and he will go under your spear with a thrust or running in, then position yourself not too high with the spear, but rather with the strong right at his breast, and if he will not thrust, and he will resort to the cut, then once he will cut at your head or to your body, then when he cuts, thrust him under his blade with the spear in to his neck, or in to the breast, thus he cannot do his affairs. | ||
91. If one comes again at your grace with a rappier and you again have a partisan in your hand, and he will make such antics with a thrust or cut, then give diligent attention thereupon, and see that you strike out his rappier from his hand, whether he cuts or thrusts, and then step well in to him, and strike him to the head or in to the short ribs, if you see that you can get around to it, then cut his arm in two, then he cannot get away altogether, when he cannot be otherwise, and one must not let go of the advantage, when the necessity comes. | ||
92. If your grace sees that one will shoot the rappier at you, and your grace has for the fourth time a partisan in your hand, then give diligent attention to the shooting, so that the same will be correctly suppressed down to the ground, is he quite defenseless, then your grace can lag or run after him, and rightly clear away, when your grace does not want to shoot in again after him with the spear, in running can one hold off 2 or 3 people, in case of emergency, then one rightly agree with it. | ||
93. If your grace wants to deceive one with dagger and rappier, and the other also has a dagger in his left hand, and he throws it at your grace, then see that you also use on him the Meisterstücke, and throw yours against him, then it comes from time to time, that you both are brawling together, and can neither of you do anything in rappier and dagger, but rather from fear must you need it, and as soon as your loss nor your benefit: One behalf of which is my advice, it is provided for with dagger and rappier, then with the throwing you can take a great big opponent, when one does it, that you want to cast at them??? , and this technique has much in itself. | ||
94. it happens from time to time, that one in the night will be attacked by several, it is wherever it will be, often from four or five or more people, and some therefore will be robbed, that it costs him his life and limb, and usually, when one in the night will resort to coupling, because often the other waits for his turn, as well this can sometimes happen, then do this thing, and keep safe a good rappier for yourself. However, if your grace will be assaulted on the way home, by a whole group of enemies, then take your rappier with both fists and shoot it at the whole group, and see hereafter where your grace can gain further protection, because need sometimes breaks iron, ere you live, there you give. | ||
95. If your grace wants to do a dirty trick, it is in fencing or in brawling, in dagger and rappier alike, then use nothing more than these words, "I won't fight with the two of you, rather only with one" and when he wants to look around, he comes up short, and you can thrust him through and through, also hurt him in cutting, when he is not quite at the door, and is said rightly: "Offer your enemy the face, do not trust him too much," that is to say, a correct deception, in fencing or in brawling, you can also do it as a past time, when your grace has the pleasure in a challenge, however in dire need and in great misfortune these techniques are also good to use. | ||
96. If Your Grace has a Saber in the hand, and one comes at you with a rappier, and he cuts or thrusts at your grace, then set off his thrust or cut with all diligence, wherever he has struck or thrust. If your grace sees, that he is reachable (obtainable) and that you are not too far back from him, because the closer to the displacing of him, the better it is, that you provide no means of an opening to him on all sides of the body, where he comes from and then he cuts deep at your grace, then you must see, that you may run in with the Saber, likewise, if he thrusts at your grace, then see that you cut away the thrust, and run in quickly under his blade, thus can Your Grace fence with him, as it will give you the opportunity. But that you must not forget the steps, because the stepping and the speed is very much located, as well as all my stücken that are targeted there. | ||
97. If Your Grace has a rappier with you, and one comes at you with a Saber and will briskly strike at you, then Your Grace must not allow him to properly approach, nor to hit your blade, likewise, when he also will undertake all forms of antics (tricks), thus should Your Grace not trust him, but rather pay diligent attention to his strikes or thrusts, and Your Grace can catch him with a long thrust, thus it is good that you see when you can thrust him to the fist or arm, so that he cannot get away with many great thoughts when his fist is injured, and is said rightly by the saying: "Arrogance rarely does well, because if the hand or fist is gone, so it is with one who can knock well, where he otherwise remains at the court." | ||
98. It happens sometimes, that when one has been the guest of Honest people, and is going home, and especially at the Universities, when one has joined together in a group, that one comes to some misfortune, there it is often conducive, when one of the others is not good, and seeks to envy, so that several honest fellows, thus at night, must leave their hair, or probably even give up their life, as I have experienced this same in my time. But should such occur, then keep yourself safe with a good rappier, together with a sack full of stones, when one therefore will go, it is sometimes better for the protection, than three or four bare rappiers. Will your grace however, be required to fist the rappier, then whip your Cloak over your left arm, so that your body and head will be well protected, and see that when you go out with the Company, that none are defenseless. | ||
99. It will many times happen in fighting with the rappier, that one is driven back, when one to the other is so eager, as happens sometimes, that a good fellow falls to the ground, and the other however goes forth and thrusts him to death as he is falling, such however is not right for the Man, but rather when something like this comes to your grace, so keep him inside until he is up again, but if he will continue to fight with your grace, then do to him what is right in the brawling, since it is for every man to love his life and limb, for God has given it to everyone so that he can protect his Honor. | ||
100. It sometimes helps wonderfully, when brisk people come together, whether Noble or non Noble, and are there to fight with hatred, how also today the weapons in the brawling are not equal, and may soon reduce one to the other in thrusting and in cutting, how it is now the custom in several Lands, which is also heard, where one has a dagger and rappier and the other has a short barreled weapon and rappier, and rather, when one is forced to use rappier and dagger, and he has learned nothing of it: So your grace, instead of the Dagger, take a short barreled weapon, and there it will be well revealed, what is the best thing to do, or not, Where dissimilar weapons before the opponent will be used, then in the case of emergency must one use, what one can think of, because it is all come to the utmost, now in these dangerous times in the World. So your grace, take good heed of these Stücke of mine, so they include together with the Steps and Circles, wellbeing, that each one is good against his enemy, and thereby, Your Grace can, with Honor and goodness, protect your Life and Limb. |
For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.
Work | Author(s) | Source | License |
---|---|---|---|
Images | Herzog August Bibliothek | ||
Translation | Kevin Maurer | Wiktenauer | |
Transcription | Index:Ein new Kůnstliches Fechtbuch im Rappier (Michael Hundt) |