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Joachim Meyer/Jordan Elliot Finch 2023 MAF

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Of Battling and Fighting in Armour on Foot, Shortly Described

Because fighting is of various kinds, thus one can also give no fixed rule, then anyone who has been offered a fight had this advantage: that he can devise what he knows is in his service, be it with rare weapons or together with[1] nimble advantage. Therefore, the one who is offered the fight gives the weapon and he may choose as he wants.

For example, should two fight with each other and the one has a weapon on the left and the other on the right. Now the Right goes to offer the Left. So this lets the Left choose the weapon in this way. Namely, two sharp rapiers and two sharp daggers[2]. After that, two right arm scissors[3] - namely on the right arm because he is left[-handed] - and a sharp spike pointed inside at the bend of each arm, such that when one bends the same arm a little, he stabs himself.

If they now come to the agreed place and permit the weapons, so each puts on his right arm rail[4] on his right arm to which arm they were assigned[5]. When they should now step into the fight then they can’t defend the right. As soon as one bends his arm, he will stab himself

therefore his left arm is open, in which he prepares to use the dagger[2] to stab. However, the Left holds his right arm with the dagger[2] for displacing and defends himself with the left hand. Thus, the Right would be more damaged from him than from the point/front[6].

From this example it is easy to note that the one who has the best advantage is the one who always chooses or gives the weapon.

This, therefore, have I said so that everyone who wants to offer someone else a fight should be mindful of such a trick, and doesn't rashly show himself, but rather offers themselves graciously as such a thing may also happen in a calm manner, for both of them to fight in armour or to fight naked or with drawn weapons. But what concerns the fencing or battling with a bare body and what is advantageous and how they are to be used has been taught up to now in Rapier and other weapons and sufficiently understood now. I want to speak of only the advantage in armoured fighting such as you need it. Note that, generally, three weapons are used in armour: a spear[7] and a sword[8] also a dagger[2], or a dagger[2] and a sabre[9] belted around and a sword.

The first order of defence is to fight in armour. Namely, a spear and a sword; and a combat sword[10] or a dagger[2], or also a shield so when attacking/grappling[11] you used the shield and spear

and have worked with the spear. If someone misses the other between the legs and avoided, or have thrusted with the spear and followed after the guard - because thrusting with the spear was in great use in the olden days - afterwards when they thrusted with the spear, they grabbed the sword and further the dagger[2] or combat sword[10].

But I want to take the other order for myself to explain, from which one will reasonably[12] learn how it is to fight on foot, and I also want to take three advantageous, artificial weapons for myself: firstly, a sword which above the pommel should have four tacks next to the fifth at the top. They shouldn’t be long, rather short, so that it can cause harm [13] in an emergency. Ittem[14] the cross should be like a mason’s hammer, the point and blade angular

and that should all be cast from solid iron and the point should be steeled.

It should also be made finely supple so that one may fully choose the length. Another idea would please[15].

Ittem[14] the sabre should be strong. A good edge but not too heavy.

The dagger[2] should be triple, such that three blades are intertwined as if one stuck three larding needles in each other, and the arms/backs[16] close on each other and be bound with springs so that if you push with one, a point would come free [and remain inside]. Then one would need it when one comes between a gap, thus one separates it, which gives a wide gap so when he presses the same first dagger[2], then the other point is smaller and skinnier, so he stabs the previous hole, which then wants to go deeper than the first so that he notices that he has gone into the body. He releases[17] the spring and lets him have the sharp point strongly, which he can’t soon pull out. The dagger[2] is used when you have thrown him.

Ittem[14] if it pleases, he can want to make the daggers[2] fourfold, but it should be made so that the springs are not noticeable if you bring the weapon in the lists[18]. The opponent may not do the same. However, one should make himself used to it, then the one who gives the weapon can practise it at his pleasure and particularly look for an advantage in it which the other cannot soon see or

notice in the lists. And even if the springs in the dagger[2] are already shown, they are still made advantageous to you, that he can’t soon soon grip you. You should first of all pay good attention to whether your opponent wants to nimbly rush over you with strength or drive you [away][19] with force. So you should do gladly that he doesn’t rush over you with a Thunderbolt[20], and let him forward above[21], and note when he hits you that you displace[22] it between both your hands and see if you can pin[23].

On the other hand, be careful that you are not pinned[23], but if you are pinned[23] on your left, thusly step with your left back or put your pommel on your breast and reach[24] the point, and pin[23] him also, and drive him from you[19]. Ittem[14] if he fights wide around you, thusly travel after[25] him with the point to an opening. Note the openings are these, where you should initiate[26] or pin[23]: the visor, under the armpit, the knuckles in the hands. Ittem[14] between the legs, outwards toward the gloves, and where the armour has a joint[27]. Note that you don’t grab[28] another opening, as you may have a nearer opening. Lastly, loosen your fingers, namely: where someone grabs you see that you can

free a finger, then break[29] [their grip] over yourself, Ittem[14] break on[30], shove[31] their genitals, break their leg or shove[31] their knee. First I want to go through the armour fencing examples wisely, then explain the advantage of the aforementioned weapons. In the approach, take your sword in the Oberhut with both of [your hands] next to your head, and grip your blade with your left hand in the middle, so that the point stands in the man’s face. Step thusly in, so that your left foot stands in front at all times. Don't be too hasty[32], and see if you can reach his frontmost foot, make as if you want to initiate[26]in his face, immediately let go of the haft with your right hand, and come to help with your left hand and hit him with the pommel to the head or to his left arm. If he parries your hit between both his hands, let it drive around your head, and hit him from your right to his knee bone or ankle. Ittem[14], go in the Oberhut as before, and pay attention to if he wants to pin[23] or initiate[26]. Thusly set off[33] in front your left hand. If he then hits you from above, displace[22] the blow between both your hands and stab immediately outside over his arm, and pin[23] the throat[34]. As soon as you find

that your point sticks [in place, in the armour] thus hit [with] your both under your right shoulder and don’t let him get away. Rather, drive forth[19]. Ittem[14] go into the Oberhut, stab in his visor. If he defends, pin[23] him in his left shoulder[35] drive forth[19]. Pay attention as soon as he wants to free himself that you rush after into his weight with wrestling[36], throwing, or thrusting in the front on his visor. Note if you have pinned[23] someone don’t let him come away, then he can’t work[37]. In the other guard, hold your sword with the grip besides your right hip. Grasp the blade with the left hand in the middle, so that your point stands against the man, the left foot at all times forward. Approach. If he thrusts, set off[33] from the hand. If he strikes, then receive the stroke between both your hands in the blades. Simultaneously[38] watch out when he strikes, and step with your right, thus displace[22] as you learnt and drive with the pommel into his knee bend. He will then want to pull his foot, so pin[23] him under his right armpit or wherever you can, and drive[19] him from you

or drive with the pommel on his neck and step with the right behind his leg and throw him.

Ittem[14], displace[22] his strike out of the guard and drive up with the hilt, and thrust at the throat or to the openings by the

joints[27]. Likewise, set the thrust off, and you do the same, and as soon as you have pinned[23] him, strike your pommel under the armpit so you secure your advantage. The pinnings[23][39] are four: one in the face, [one] to the throat. Ittem[14] on the left armpit or under the right shoulder

and note when you pin[23] him on the left, come with your left foot forward and place it under the right shoulder, then step forward with the right foot. Furthermore, when you have pinned[23] you should always drive them[19] over yourself. If he is shorter than you, sink your hilt under yourself to the hips and drive them[19] over yourself. If he moves to the sides[40], thrust into the helmet. That’s where he’s most wounded. As soon as you pin[23], ensure that you are placed fully in the mail[41]. When you pin[23] right and drive[19] right, thus can he not fully work[37] to counter. Ittem[14], if you are pinned[23], thusly thrust up over his right arm inwards under his sword and push your pommel through underneath towards the ground. As soon as it comes free, thusly shoot your sword forwards under his right, and with your right foot behind his left, and grip with your left hand on his helmet and throw him. Ittem[14], stab him in the glove on the frontmost[42] hand, and lead him around or stab him under his left arm up over his sword. Push with the pommel over yourself and pin[23] him. Ittem[14], from the

wrestling[36], remember which side he has pinned[23] you. Grip his blade with your left hand, drive it from you[19], immediately[38] twitch off[43] and pull in to you and catch him with the right hand, his right hand, and pull in to yourself and grab his body and lift over yourself. He will lift. Strike the foot[44] and out and throw him from yourself. Ittem[14], if he thrusts at you, thrust with him simultaneously[45] in at your left side, and in the thrust catch his blade with yours and drive with the pommel under through both arms and strike over yourself so he must release. Ittem[14], pay attention to which hand you can catch him with and jerk back to yourself, and with the other hand grip his elbow, and Him[46] the weight, and with all steps until not too hasty, so that you have a full stance. Ittem[14], if you have thrown someone and he falls, fall down with him to your right and with your right knee between both his legs and with the left hand around his neck, if you have surely secured him, then draw your dagger[2]. If he grabs at the dagger[2], stab him in the hand and pull back with another, until you have better spotted your advantage. Ittem[14], another: take his right arm between the leg and lie down on top of him horizontally/diagonally[47] and hold your legs

almost together and stretch yourself. Grasp his left arm with with your left hand and hold it fast and work with the combat sword[48] that will follow hereafter.

How One Should Use the Three Aforementioned Weapons

Note: in the first Approach go into the Oberhut and introduce yourself with whatever gestures you will as if you want to initiate[26] in his face. Don’t do it, rather strike or hew from above to below to his knee buckles. Whether you hit or not thus push nimbly with the hands over yourself and strike him with the pickaxe[49] to the head outside over his right arm, or strike him in the nearest joint[27] that you can. Pull nimbly around your head and let the right hand drive in front of the left hand and grasp then under your left in the blade and strike with a Mittelschlag from your right to his helmet, be it with the pickaxe[49] or a hew, or with the pommel[50]. If he grasps your grip, [do] again with your right hands and step back again so that you can recover again, and diligently watch out that he can’t give you a strike. Also, don’t let yourself be pinned[23], rather evade in a circle as much as you can bear.

The Other Device[51]

Note, approach him in the Oberhut. Take hold of your grip near the pommel and grip with the left hand in the blade by the cross and stab him powerfully[52] to his visor. Pull again to yourself and stab with strength from under to his genitals so that he can’t come near you. Pull your weapon back again and grip with the left hand in the first part of your blade. If he drives[19] on you, evade backwards, so that you make him step in and soon strike [you]. So don’t let him reach you, rather evade. If he has struck, pay attention that he may miss[53] you, so let the right hand off and come thereafter the left to help and and strike him in the helm or to the next gelüdt. However, if he has not struck then strike him to his knee or ankle. If he displaces[22] it then drive up with your arms, strike him to the upper joint[27], and grip your both again. If you, however, can’t enter into[54] the strike, displace[22] the upper between both your hands in the blade. Throw the pommel simultaneously[38] over your left shoulder and drive up[55] with the left hand and come with the right to help the left. Thus you come to strike before he recovers.

Note, when he approaches you in the Oberhut, if he stabs or strikes thus set off from your left hand, and in the setting-off grip his blade to yours and drive with the grip under through and step with the right behind his left and throw him.

Ittem[14] if he strikes under, sink your pommel under yourself against the ground and displace[22] between both your hands. When he shows[56] again, drive up[55] with the pommel from under to the genitals, and simultaneously[38] wind the left hand over yourself against his incoming strike and set him off and drive up[55] with the hilt and stab him over his right arm to the face and pin[23] him.

Ittem go to the man in the Underhut and stab him from under to the face. If he simultaneously[38] strikes or stabs, set it off, and let go of the grip with your right hand and throw it behind you. Come with the right to help the left and strike from under up with the pickaxe[49] between his legs to the groin[57]. Pull as soon as you can with both hands over yourself around the head and strike to the upper openings.

Ittem approach him in the Underhut, pull and threaten the point. Simultaneously[38] let the grip run[58] and step around his left, grip with both hands in your blade and throw the pickaxe at him in the hip under his Burckenn[59] forged with strength in the chainmail[41].

Ittem[14] thrust at him out of the Underhut to his genitals. Pull again and let the grip run[58] out of the right hand and grip thereafter in the blade. If he strikes, thusly intercept[60] with the hilt from the right against his left. In the intercept[60] let your hilt run around the head and strike him to his frontmost knee bend. Take a nimble step behind yourself, thereafter you recover and grip your grip again.

From these devices[51] which have been written up to now, it is hopefully understood enough how one can bring the strikes to work, and is to be noted that one should guard as much as he can against pinning[23] and wrestling. He has then firstly extremely weakened him with Thunderbolts to the ankle, the knee bend, to the joints[27], on the arm bend and other openings. When he is midett and weakened with strikes then grapple[11] with pinning[23]. You will not initiate[26] him, rather, generally evade and delay him[61], unless however you see an advantage, which you must not allow to be fruitlessly wasted.

Ittem[14] step now to him with pinning[23] with initiating[26] out of the upper guard[62] and thrust with power in his visor, if he guards[63] above himself and wants to set off[33] then twitch off[43] to the side and thrust him under his left arm. See that you stand firmly and don't overload[64] the weight. Note that as soon as your point haft on the mail[65], strike his hilt under your right shoulder, push him from you or pin him under the right armpit and strike the pommel under your left armpit and push from you and don't let him come away and draw the sabre with the right [hand] and work at his joints[27], or hew with lower [cuts].

Ittem[14] do as if you want to strike the visor with the pommel. As soon as you notice that he defends outwards between both his hands, thus twitch off[43] nimbly and [pin][66] him under the right armpit, and note if you grab one in this way with pinning under the right armpit and also with your sampff[67] under your left armpit as taught before, thrust the face with such skill/a trick[68]. Thus he may not draw his sabre - that is also the advantage with the sabre.

Ittem[14] if he strikes you to the knee, thusly displace[22] it with your blades behind his crossguard. Grip his sword to yours and drive with the pommel in his knee. Jerk towards yourself and shove[31] with the left hand from yourself.

Ittem[14] simultaneously[45] thrust with him in from your right against his left with your point fully over his sword and grip his sword to yours. Let go with the right hand and grab his left elbow. Jerk it over yourself/upwards[69] on yours left side, step forward with your left food - thus, he falls.

Ittem[14] approach him, conduct yourself with an attitude as if you want to initiate[26]. However, pull to yourself and let [the] grip [of the sword] drive[58] over your left arm and strike him with a Gripstrike[70] or strike to his right shoulder[35] and note as soon as he drives/throws[71] to displace[22] fully, then strike with the left hand and grip immediately[38] with the right hand under through your sword and grip with it his right. Pull him towards you and come with the left hand together with[1] the sword to help the right break[29] or throw him at your pleasure.

Ittem[14] strike him with the grip [of the sword] to the head. In the strike, let go with your hand and grip his right elbow with the same hand, step forward with the left foot and shove[31] him from yourself.

Ittem[14] when you have weakened him with Thunderbolts[20], as taught above, grasp your sword like next/nearest[72] in the Oberhut and thrust in above. In the thrust, let go of the grip [of the sword] with the right hand and draw the sabre. As soon as he also draws his, hew at his hand and follow soon to him with the sabre from under up at his arm and step with the right foot behind his left and shove[31] with the pommel to his neck or at his shoulder/armpit[35] or but foot face[73] - thus, he falls.

Ittem[14] if you have drawn both weapons, step fowards with the right foot and the sabre held in the right hand, your sword in the left to thrust, step and thrust in above to the face and drive with the sabre from under up between yourself and him. To the displacement[22] pull the sword simultaneously[38] around above and thrust at the genitals. If he grabs at the sword with the left hand, let it drive and grab his left hand with your left. Jerk it to and shove[31] his joint[27] with the sabre and step with the right to his left. Pivot[74] to your left side and throw him over your right leg, or break[29] his arm. However, if he lets go with the right hand and

grabs at his sabre or at your sword, then grasp his right hand with your left. Jerk it towards you. Twist[75] the underside around and shove[31] with the sabre at his elbow joint and break[29] his arm.

Ittem[14] if you would come from your sword, then go under with your sabre and grip his sword's blades with your left hand, which will be under your left shoulder, or hold it firmly from you and hew at his hand. If he releases the sword and grabs at the sabre, then thrust him with the sabre outwards in the glove. Don't jerk it back, rather shove[31] at his face and step behind him - thus, he falls.

Ittem[14] if you have grabbed his sword and he wants to draw the sabre, then hew at his hand or release your sword and grip his right hand. Jerk it towards you and thrust or shove[31] his joint with the sabre's pommel.

In summary, with the sword you shall sever his armour(?)[76] with the pickaxe, or hew the knee bend or gaps, and disable with the pommel, and break and beat the joint and penis. Ittem[14] pin with it, if however you

Please note that the quality of the writing hereon is rather degraded. I have attempted to work with it as best I can but there may be small mistakes - feel free to review the original transcription. For example, I assume that stessen is a misspelling of stossen.

have taken your sword or have come from it, you should work with the sabre and with wrestling to counterattack and shove[77] under the eyes with the pommel and see that you can lock his leg or step behind.

Ittem[14] if you would come from your sword and your opponent has drawn both weapons, then hold yourself in the Underhut and wait [to see] whether you can grab his sword and, with the sabre, wait [for] his strikes and see if you can win/control[78] his balance by his left elbow. You shall not jerk/draw the dagger[2], unless you have thrown him.

When you have thrown him, catch his right arm with your left knee and with the left hand for his neck, and grab his left with the right and come to help the right hand with the left, and draw your combat sword[48][79] and work between the gaps where you think it would be the most harmful. When you have severed his gaps, push a spring[80] loose and thrust with the smaller blade(s) between

the severed gaps. Ittem[14] let the dagger[2] completely release with all spikes/points[81] and work with the small ones to the helmet where he is open. Where other openings are to be found has been taught before.

Ittem[14] if he falls on the belly, thusly fall on the joint of his arms with your knee and break his arm. Ittem[14] fall on the back of the pelvis[82].

Ittem[14] if you have thrown him, then thrust out to the ground and fill in his visor or cut somewhere on his surcoat[83] and plug his visor with it. Ittem[14] work at his genitals with the dagger[2] or between the gaps or shove it in for his heart or to the joint where it[84] is.

Lastly, one should note, since it has happened that, so far, in several weapons comparable devices have been used for the hand, I have omitted the short edge - which is in a weapon law. So it can happen at the disadvantage to understanding, whereby I often don't set [down] a thing in vain, also since fencing was established in such a way that a seasoned practitioner of this art should also see his advantage in unknown weapons, I have arranged it in this way, and written one weapon with the other so that one

  1. 1.0 1.1 orig. sampt
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 orig. dolchen
  3. orig. ararmschirleinn
  4. orig. Armschiene - seemingly a part of the armour
  5. orig. geordinirtt
  6. orig. findt
  7. orig. spis
  8. orig. schwertt
  9. orig. sebell
  10. 10.0 10.1 orig. kempff degen; it can mean either “combat sword” or “combat dagger” (Source 1, Source 2). See here for a painting with kempffdegen in its caption
  11. 11.0 11.1 orig. Anngreiffen; "attacking" or "grappling"; cf. angreifen
  12. orig. zimlich
  13. alt. "endure"
  14. 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 14.18 14.19 14.20 14.21 14.22 14.23 14.24 14.25 14.26 14.27 14.28 14.29 14.30 14.31 14.32 14.33 14.34 14.35 Ittem has many potential meanings: "further", "likewise", "the same as", and also simply as a means of 'bullet-pointing' numerous items. I've found that "likewise" works as an apt translation most of the time, but for clarity I will leave it untranslated. See this article.
  15. orig. noch eines Idenn woll gefalen
  16. orig. Reren; unclear
  17. orig. lest
  18. orig. Schranckenn
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 19.8 19.9 orig. dringen/thringen; refers to pressing one's point into an opponent['s armour/mail], cf. modern sense of "pushing through a crowd". See this glossary for more information
  20. 20.0 20.1 orig. donerschlag; a strike with the hilt of the longsword while holding the blade
  21. orig. vnnd las Inn vorver ¬thobenn; messy ink makes it difficult to transcribe; possible alt. "and read above beforehand"
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9 orig. versezen; alt. "parrying"
  23. 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 23.16 23.17 23.18 23.19 23.20 23.21 23.22 23.23 orig. ansezen; most likely means "pinned", "planted" (in the sense of placing your weapon or hand against an opponent, in a grappling sense); alt. "attacking" (cf. modern ansetzen). See this glossary for more information
  24. orig. erlang
  25. see nachreissen
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 26.6 orig. stehenn; often coupled with ansezen in this section; alt. "stand against"
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 orig. Gelenck. Refers to joints in armour, but also body parts - in the context of armoured fencing, it is most likely referring to the joints in the armour
  28. orig. greifest
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 orig. brich
  30. orig. anbrichen
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 31.6 31.7 31.8 orig. stos
  32. orig. goch
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 see absetzen
  34. orig. drissel; cf. thrissel
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 orig. Achsell, refers to shoulder/armpit
  36. 36.0 36.1 see Ringen
  37. 37.0 37.1 see arbeiten
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 38.6 38.7 orig. inndes
  39. alt. "attacks"
  40. orig. last Er dür die seitten
  41. 41.0 41.1 orig. Ring; alt. lists
  42. orig. vergesezsten
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 see abzucken
  44. orig. fies
  45. 45.0 45.1 see gleich
  46. unclear transcription; possibly nim, ergo "take the weight"
  47. orig. zwerchs
  48. 48.0 48.1 orig. degen; see kempffdegen
  49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 orig. bickell; most likely referring to the artificial, "mason's hammer", pickaxe shape of the crossguard in armoured fencing
  50. orig. klos
  51. 51.0 51.1 orig. Stuck
  52. orig. knefftiglich, interpreted as krefftiglich
  53. orig. verfelen
  54. orig. entgehenn
  55. 55.0 55.1 55.2 orig. faren/auffaren; cf. fahren
  56. orig. aufzeichen; cf. aufzeigen
  57. orig. gerecht; possible mistranscription/misspelling of gemecht, lit. "groin" or "genitals"
  58. 58.0 58.1 58.2 orig. las dein bindt fahren; lit. "let the grip [of the sword] drive"; alt. "release the grip and drive"
  59. Possibly "hauberk"(?)
  60. 60.0 60.1 orig. ausnemen; alt. "take out [the blade with a parry]"; "deflect"(?)
  61. orig. verzoblen; cf. verzögern
  62. lit. oben hutt'; contrast Oberhutt
  63. orig. heutt;' possible verb form of hutt
  64. orig. überwegest
  65. orig. als baldt dein ortt hefft Ann Rüngen; requires checking
  66. orig. sez; no accompanying adposition but I assume he means ansezen
  67. unknown, possibly related to unknown sampt
  68. listen
  69. orig. übersich
  70. orig. Bundtschlag, lit. "grip strike"
  71. orig. fertt
  72. orig. wie nechst
  73. orig. oder Aber fus gesicht, lit. or but foot face, possible alt. "or his foot or face"
  74. orig. wendt
  75. orig. Reüb
  76. orig. geschmidt, lit. smithed. Possibly misspelling of Geschmeidt, which means "jewellery" - perhaps slang for gemecht ("genitals)".
  77. orig. steßsen
  78. orig. abgewünnen
  79. Note that he uses the word degen but seems to refer to the aforementioned "threefold" dagger, which he referred to using the word dolchen.
  80. orig. feder
  81. orig. spietzen
  82. orig. auf dz schlos am Rucken; alt. "clasp of the back"
  83. orig. Wappenrock
  84. Unclear whether die refers to the dagger or the heart, here