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Difference between revisions of "Martin Syber"

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! <p>{{translation rating|B}}<br/>Open for editing</p>
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! <p>{{translation rating|B}}<br/>Christian Trosclair</p>
 
! <p>[[Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)|Salzburg Version]] (1491)<br/>by [[Dierk Hagedorn]]</p>
 
! <p>[[Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)|Salzburg Version]] (1491)<br/>by [[Dierk Hagedorn]]</p>
 
! <p>[[Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)|Glasgow Version]] (1508)<br/>by [[Dierk Hagedorn]]</p>
 
! <p>[[Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)|Glasgow Version]] (1508)<br/>by [[Dierk Hagedorn]]</p>
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| '''[1] {{red|Hereafter is written a New Epitome on the longsword, and an excerpt from the previous epitome and many other good devices from the hands of many masters which have been assembled by Master Martin Syber. And it is divided into six rounds.}}'''
+
| '''[1] {{red|Item. The hereafter written new recital was created and set-down by master Martin Siber and is pulled from many master techniques and is paritioned and set-down in six courses}}'''
 
| '''[1r] {{red|Item dy<sup>e</sup> hernach geschriebenn nüwe zettell hat gemacht vnd gesetz meinster mertin Siber}}''' vnd ist <sup>ein</sup> zuck auß mangerley meinster gefechtenn vnd ist geteiltt vnd gesetz In sechs geng
 
| '''[1r] {{red|Item dy<sup>e</sup> hernach geschriebenn nüwe zettell hat gemacht vnd gesetz meinster mertin Siber}}''' vnd ist <sup>ein</sup> zuck auß mangerley meinster gefechtenn vnd ist geteiltt vnd gesetz In sechs geng
 
| '''[24v] {{red|Hernach geschribn ist ain newe zetl des langen schwerts vnd ein außzug aus der voringen zetl / vnd vil ander guetter stuck võ manches maisters handt / die hat zu samen gesetzt maister Martein Syber vnd ist getailt in segs geng /}}'''
 
| '''[24v] {{red|Hernach geschribn ist ain newe zetl des langen schwerts vnd ein außzug aus der voringen zetl / vnd vil ander guetter stuck võ manches maisters handt / die hat zu samen gesetzt maister Martein Syber vnd ist getailt in segs geng /}}'''
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|-  
 
|-  
 
|  
 
|  
| '''[2]''' And the Ox and the Plow therein named, along with the Parting hew and various other hews, have a different form and explanation than in the earlier epitome, and are also carried out in a different way.
+
| '''[2]''' And in the recital the ox and the plow and scalper-hew is not as in the first recital of the book. Rather another interpretation.
 
| Vnd in der zittell ist der ochß vnd der pflug vnd scheyttell haulb nicht also als in der ersten zettell des puchs Sunder eyñ ander vß legüng
 
| Vnd in der zittell ist der ochß vnd der pflug vnd scheyttell haulb nicht also als in der ersten zettell des puchs Sunder eyñ ander vß legüng
 
| Vnd der ochß vnd der pflueg darin genant mit sambt ettlichen hewen hat ain ander art vnd auslegung da in der voringen zetl vnd gett auch anderst zu /
 
| Vnd der ochß vnd der pflueg darin genant mit sambt ettlichen hewen hat ain ander art vnd auslegung da in der voringen zetl vnd gett auch anderst zu /
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<small>[30]</small></poem>
 
<small>[30]</small></poem>
| '''[3] {{red|Here begins the foreword and lore of the same New Epitome, and thereafter, the six rounds.}}'''
+
| '''[3] {{red|Now here begins the forward and lessons of the recital, thereafter the six courses.}}'''
<poem>{{red|Anyone who wants to earn honor}}
+
<poem>{{red|Whoever wishes to acquire honor}}
:{{red|Before the princes and lords}}
+
:{{red|Before princes and before lords}}
 
{{red|In fencing with the}} sword,
 
{{red|In fencing with the}} sword,
:Who is good and just,
+
That is good and proper
Who follows my lore
+
That follow my lessons
:May he be blessed forever.
+
They triumph continually.
The six rounds contain wards
+
Hold the six courses in guard
:Which are precious and good,
+
They are quite praiseworthily good
As well as the great understanding of
+
In them is well understood
:A great many good masters
+
Many good masters' wisdom
From Hungary, Bohemia, Italy;
+
From Hungary, Bohemia, Italy,
:From France, England, and Alamannia;
+
From France, England, and Alamannia,
 
From Russia, Prussia, Greece,
 
From Russia, Prussia, Greece,
:Holland, Brabant (or Provence?), and Swabia.
+
Holland, Provence, and Swabia.
Should you enter into the left
+
In them, you shall step left
:Remember this misleading
+
Thereby remember the misguiding
In thrusting press with strength
+
Penetrate strongly in thrusting
:Thus you should succeed
+
So you may well succeed
 
If you see the window standing open
 
If you see the window standing open
:From that, go in through it
+
Enter it from there
 
Strike or thrust quickly
 
Strike or thrust quickly
:And you will hardly ever fail
+
So you may fall hard
In all the work tread around
+
Into the work, in that, step.
:Take part in the engagement
+
That makes-good<ref>mitmachen</ref> the first-pass<ref>ehegefährt</ref>
If you now wish to begin with this
+
If you now wish to undertake this,
:You must have a strong courage
+
You must have a strong spirit
Common sense is also good
+
Proper understanding is also good
:Keep yourself from great wrath
+
Guard yourself from great wrath
And bring deflecting to such
+
To such, bring the parrying to them.
:Through this you will succeed
+
Through that, you may well succeed.
In all your fencing be nimble
+
In all of your fencing, be swift.
:This foreword has an end.</poem>
+
This forward has an end.</poem>
 
| Nu hebt sich an dy vor rede vnd lere der zettell dar noch die sechß genng ~
 
| Nu hebt sich an dy vor rede vnd lere der zettell dar noch die sechß genng ~
 
<poem>{{red|b=1|Wer ere will erwerbenn}}
 
<poem>{{red|b=1|Wer ere will erwerbenn}}
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<small>[40]</small></poem>
 
<small>[40]</small></poem>
| '''[4] {{red|The First Round Has Five Devices}}'''
+
| '''[4] {{red|The First Course Has Five Devices}}'''
 
<poem>{{red|Speed}} the weak to the right
 
<poem>{{red|Speed}} the weak to the right
:Wind through in the fencing
+
Wind through in the fencing
Execute the Flick
+
With that, make the Flicker
:To both sides twice
+
Double to both sides
Fore-wind his shield strongly
+
Turn away his shield
:Wind the bender with thrusts and strikes
+
Clash<ref>punch, shove, push, collide</ref>, strike, slip away the bow
In all the work tread around
+
In all work, step around
:Thrust with the bender on the right.</poem>
+
Clash with the proper bow.</poem>
 
| {{red|b=1|Der erst gangck}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Der erst gangck}}
 
<poem>{{red|Snell}} dy swech züm rechten
 
<poem>{{red|Snell}} dy swech züm rechten
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<small>[50]</small></poem>
 
<small>[50]</small></poem>
| '''[5] {{red|The Other Round Has Six Devices}}'''
+
| '''[5] {{red|The Second Course Has Six Devices}}'''
<poem>{{red|Crooked}} into the strong
+
<poem>{{red|Curve}} into the strong
:Wind through with care
+
With that remember to wind through
Wind, Over-lope
+
Wind running over
:Interweave point and pommel
+
Ready the point and pommel
Thrust him in the face
+
Thrust him to the face
:With the cross work fencing
+
Work its cross, with that fence
You should remember to tear the pommel
+
It's misguided pommel, should you thing of that
:Above all you will vex him
+
Upon the head, if you would like to harm him
In all the work tread around
+
In all work, step around
:Take part in the engagement</poem>
+
This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
 
| {{red|b=1|Der ander ganck}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Der ander ganck}}
 
<poem>{{red|Krümb}} in dy sterck
 
<poem>{{red|Krümb}} in dy sterck
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<small>[60]</small></poem>
 
<small>[60]</small></poem>
| '''[6] {{red|The Third Round Has Seven Devices}}'''
+
| '''[6] {{red|The Third Course Has Seven Devices}}'''
<poem>{{red|Glance at what}} comes {{red|from the Roof}}
+
<poem>{{red|Squint whatever}} comes {{red|from-the-day}}
:Thwart through, go not Crooked
+
Thwart-through, do not go curved
Act appropriately with him
+
Therein dishounor his struggle
:Execute the Glancing Hew
+
The half-squinter makes-good
Take off nimbly
+
Take away quite swiftly
:Threaten a hew against him
+
Threaten the hew against him
Press the shield at the strong
+
Drive out the shield strongly from him
:Overcome with Over-loping
+
Defeat him with running-over
Be strong in the clashing
+
In the strong of his edge
In all the work tread around
+
In all work, step around
:Take part in the engagement</poem>
+
This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
 
| '''[2r] {{red|Der tritt ganck}}'''
 
| '''[2r] {{red|Der tritt ganck}}'''
 
<poem>{{red|Schil wz von tag}} kümpt  
 
<poem>{{red|Schil wz von tag}} kümpt  
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<small>[65]</small></poem>
 
<small>[65]</small></poem>
| '''[7] {{red|The Fourth Round Has Five Devices}}'''
+
| '''[7] {{red|The Fourth Course Has Five Devices}}'''
<poem>Thrust through {{red|the Ox}}
+
<poem>Push through {{red|the Ox}}
:With two great steps
+
through the ox
Wind and counter-wind
+
With two great steps
:Execute the Scalp Hew quickly
+
Wind and counter wind
Wind, strike for quick results
+
Make the scalper-hew disappear
:In the stomach and on the neck
+
Strike the hitter quickly
In all the work tread around
+
In the belly and upon the neck
:Take part in the engagement</poem>
+
In all work, step around
 +
This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
 
| {{red|b=1|Der virdt ganck}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Der virdt ganck}}
 
<poem>{{red|Den ochßenn}} durch stos
 
<poem>{{red|Den ochßenn}} durch stos
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<small>[75]</small></poem>
 
<small>[75]</small></poem>
| '''[8] {{red|The Fifth Round Has Five Devices}}'''
+
| '''[8] {{red|The Fifth Course Has Five Devices}}'''
 
<poem>Thrust {{red|through}} the long point
 
<poem>Thrust {{red|through}} the long point
:Draw against the thrust and kill
+
Pull, thrust again, then kill
Let the Blind Hew Rebound
+
Allow the blind-hew to bounce
:Thus you will go well and flow
+
So you may go careening well
Hang against it quickly
+
Hang against, also quickly
:Treat behind against him with speed
+
Step behind, rebound
On the head, in the stomach
+
Upon the head, into the belly
:Thus you make him a right fool
+
So you make a right fool out of him
In all the work tread around
+
In all work, step around
:Take part in the engagement</poem>
+
This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
 
| {{red|b=1|Der funfft ganck}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Der funfft ganck}}
 
<poem>{{red|Durch}} stich den langenn ortt
 
<poem>{{red|Durch}} stich den langenn ortt
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<small>[85]</small></poem>
 
<small>[85]</small></poem>
| '''[9] {{red|The Sixth Round has Four Devices}}'''
+
| '''[9] {{red|The Sixth Course has Four Devices}}'''
<poem>{{red|From the Roof}} drive through long
+
<poem>{{red|From-the-Day}} Travel-through long  
:With fore-winding defend high
+
Protect yourself with winding<ref>entwining, turning-away</ref>
Thwart through even quicker
+
Thwart-through him quite quickly
:Then Blind Hew against him with speed
+
Rebound the blind-hew
Tip Hew into his breast
+
Then point-hew into his chest
:And he has lost after all.
+
After all of your ruin.
In all the work tread around
+
In all work, step around
:Take part in the engagement</poem>
+
This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
 
| {{red|b=1|Der sechst ganck}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Der sechst ganck}}
 
<poem>{{red|Vom tag}} lang durch var
 
<poem>{{red|Vom tag}} lang durch var
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|-  
 
|-  
 
|  
 
|  
| '''[10] {{red|Here the New Epitome has an end.}}'''
+
| '''[10] {{red|Here the new recital has an end.}}'''
''Martin Syber's Epitome with the six rounds which he has put together were used in fencing by many Masters; who knows and understands them well is to be praised as a good Master of the Long Sword, better than many other Masters.''
+
''Martin Sibers recital with six courses, as exactly as he set-down, from many masters technique. Whoever can understand it well is well to be praised as a good master of the long sword before other masters.''
 
| {{red|b=1|Finis etc}}
 
| {{red|b=1|Finis etc}}
 
| Finis huig materie
 
| Finis huig materie

Revision as of 05:09, 17 November 2014

Martin Syber
Born 15th century (?)
Died 15th century (?)
Occupation Fencing master
Genres Fencing manual
Language Early New High German
Notable work(s) New Zettel
Manuscript(s)
First printed
english edition
Hull, 2008
Concordance by Michael Chidester
Translations

Martin Syber (Mertin Siber, Martein Syber) was a 15th century German fencing master. Hardly anything is known of Syber beyond his New Zettel ("New Epitome"). His surname signifies that he came from a family of sieve makers, but gives us no indication of his birthplace. According to Syber's own account, he learned the art from a variety of masters from across Europe, including men from Bohemia, Brabant (or possibly Provence), England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Prussia, Russia, and Swabia. The inclusion of his epitome in Codex Speyer and the Glasgow Fechtbuch suggests a connection to the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer, and his mention of an "earlier epitome" may be a reference to that of Liechtenauer; however, Syber does not appear on the roll of the Society of Liechtenauer recorded by Paulus Kal in ca. 1470,[1] so the extent of his relationship is unclear.

Syber's epitome comes in the form a cryptic poem, perhaps intended to convey the essence of the art to those who already knew it. Unfortunately, no gloss is currently known to exist for Syber's verse, so its meaning is difficult to decipher. Conversely, it is worth noting that the 16th century Freifechter Joachim Meÿer not only possessed a copy of Syber's verse (which he copied into his final manuscript),[2] but also employed much of the master's unique terminology in his own teachings. Meÿer may thus hold the key to interpreting Syber's techniques.

The Salzburg version of Syber's text is followed by an additional page of verse. This poem shares some common terminology with Syber's epitome and has been attributed to Syber by some authors in the past,[3] but its omission from the other two versions of his text call this attribution into question. In addition, another version of the poem was included in one of Hans Talhoffer's manuscripts almost fifty years earlier,[4] which indicates that if Syber were the author, his career was much earlier than currently believed.

Treatise

Additional Resources

  • Hull, Jeffrey. "The Longsword Fight Lore of Mertin Siber." Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts. Ed. Jeffrey Hull. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-668-3

References

  1. Kal, Paulus. Untitled [manuscript]. Cgm 1507. Munich, Germany: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, 1470.
  2. Meÿer, Joachim. Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss [manuscript]. MS Varia 82. Rostock, Germany: Universitätsbibliothek Rostock, 1570.
  3. Hull, Jeffrey. "Mertin Siber’s Longsword Fight-Lore of 1491 AD: a thesis on the Fechtlehre from Handschrift M I 29 (Codex Speyer) at the University of Salzburg in Austria". The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts, 2005. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  4. Talhoffer, Hans. Untitled [manuscript]. MS Thott 290.2º. Copenhagen, Denmark: Det Kongelige Bibliotek, 1459.
  5. mitmachen
  6. ehegefährt
  7. punch, shove, push, collide
  8. entwining, turning-away