Wiktenauer logo.png

Difference between revisions of "Martin Syber"

From Wiktenauer
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 127: Line 127:
 
Hold the six courses in guard
 
Hold the six courses in guard
 
:They are quite praiseworthily good
 
:They are quite praiseworthily good
In them is well understood
+
In them is encapsulated well
 
:Many good masters' wisdom
 
:Many good masters' wisdom
 
From Hungary, Bohemia, Italy,
 
From Hungary, Bohemia, Italy,
:From France, England, and Alamannia,
+
:From France, England, and Alemannia,
 
From Russia, Prussia, Greece,
 
From Russia, Prussia, Greece,
 
:Holland, Provence, and Swabia.
 
:Holland, Provence, and Swabia.
In them, you shall step left
+
In them, you shall tread left
:Thereby remember the misguiding
+
:Thereby remember the deception
Penetrate strongly in thrusting
+
In thrusting, lash strongly
 
:So you may well succeed
 
:So you may well succeed
 
If you see the window standing open,
 
If you see the window standing open,
:It goes inside from there
+
:Enter them from there
Strike or thrust quickly
+
Strike or thrust swiftly
:If you must fall hard<ref>alt: the hard</ref>
+
:So you may fail hard<ref>alt: the hard</ref>
In the work, step around.
+
In the work, tread around.
 
:That makes-good<ref>mitmachen. alt: completes</ref> the first-pass<ref>ehegefährt note: this is attacking in the vor.</ref>
 
:That makes-good<ref>mitmachen. alt: completes</ref> the first-pass<ref>ehegefährt note: this is attacking in the vor.</ref>
 
If you now wish to undertake this,
 
If you now wish to undertake this,
Line 175: Line 175:
 
Besiege<ref>alt: overwhelm; turn(away, aside), entwine, entangle, wrap</ref> his shield strongly
 
Besiege<ref>alt: overwhelm; turn(away, aside), entwine, entangle, wrap</ref> his shield strongly
 
:Strike the bowed thrust<ref>alt: jab</ref> violently.
 
:Strike the bowed thrust<ref>alt: jab</ref> violently.
In all work, step around
+
In all work, tread around
 
:With the right bowed thrust.</poem>
 
:With the right bowed thrust.</poem>
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001v.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
Line 196: Line 196:
 
| <p>[5] {{red|b=1|The Second Course Has Six Plays}}</p>
 
| <p>[5] {{red|b=1|The Second Course Has Six Plays}}</p>
  
<poem>{{red|Crook}} into the strong
+
<poem>{{red|Crook}} in the strong
:With that remember to wind through
+
:wind through with note
 
Wind running over
 
Wind running over
 
:Ready the point and pommel
 
:Ready the point and pommel
Thrust into his face
+
Stab him into his face
:Fence with the work of the cross
+
:With that, fence the work of the cross
Of the directed <ref>carried, transferred, brought across or over. alt: deceiving</ref>pommel, you should think of that
+
The deceptive pommel, that, you should think of
:Upon the<ref>alt: your</ref> head, if you would like to harm him
+
:Upon your<ref>G & R: the</ref> head, if you would like to harm him
In all work, step around
+
In all work, tread around<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref>
:This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
+
:This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></poem>
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 001v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 024v.jpg|5|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 024v.jpg|5|lbl=-}}
Line 227: Line 227:
 
<poem>{{red|Squint whatever}} comes {{red|from-the-day}}
 
<poem>{{red|Squint whatever}} comes {{red|from-the-day}}
 
:Thwart-through, do not go crooked
 
:Thwart-through, do not go crooked
Therein dishounor his struggle
+
Therein examine his struggle
:The half-squinter makes-good
+
:The half-squinter<ref>G & R: half-parter</ref> makes-good<ref>alt: make the half-squinter too</ref>
Take away quite swiftly
+
Take off quite swiftly
:Threaten the hew against him
+
:Threaten<ref>S: you</ref> the hew against him
Drive out his shield strongly
+
Force out his shield strongly<ref>alt: Force-out the shield in the strong</ref>
 
:Defeat him with running-over
 
:Defeat him with running-over
 
In the strong of his edge
 
In the strong of his edge
:In all work, step around
+
:In all work, tread around
This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
+
This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></poem>
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|1|lbl=2r}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|1|lbl=2r}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|1|lbl=25r}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|1|lbl=25r}}
Line 252: Line 252:
 
:With two great steps
 
:With two great steps
 
Wind and counter wind
 
Wind and counter wind
:The scalper-hew just as violently
+
:Violently<ref>R: Then make...</ref> make the scalper-hew
Strike the hitter quickly
+
Wind, then strike the hitter immediately
 
:In the belly and upon the neck
 
:In the belly and upon the neck
In all work, step around
+
In all work, tread around
:This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
+
:This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></poem>
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|2|lbl=-}}
Line 272: Line 272:
 
| <p>[8] {{red|b=1|The Fifth Course Has Five Plays}}</p>
 
| <p>[8] {{red|b=1|The Fifth Course Has Five Plays}}</p>
  
<poem>Thrust {{red|through}} the long point
+
<poem>Thrust<ref>G & R: Strike</ref> {{red|through}} the long point
:Yank, thrust again, then kill
+
:Disengage, counter thrust, then kill
Allow the blind-hew to bounce
+
Allow the blind-hews to bounce
:So you may go careening well
+
:So you may roll<ref>G & R: fail or fall</ref> against well.
Hang against, also quickly
+
Hang against<ref>G: down</ref>, immediately<ref> alt: as soon as. (just in time)</ref>
:Step behind, rebound
+
:Tread behind, rebound
 
Upon the head, into the belly
 
Upon the head, into the belly
 
:So you make a right fool out of him
 
:So you make a right fool out of him
 
In all work, step around
 
In all work, step around
:This makes-good the first-pass.</poem>
+
:This makes-good the first-pass.<ref>alt: make the first-pass too</ref></poem>
 
|  
 
|  
 
{{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|3|lbl=-|p=1}}<br/>{{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002v.jpg|1|lbl=2v|p=1}}
 
{{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002r.jpg|3|lbl=-|p=1}}<br/>{{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002v.jpg|1|lbl=2v|p=1}}
Line 300: Line 300:
  
 
<poem>{{red|From-the-Day}} Drive-through long  
 
<poem>{{red|From-the-Day}} Drive-through long  
:Protect yourself with besieging<ref>alt: overwhelm; turn(away, aside), entwine, entangle, wrap</ref>.
+
:Protect yourself with entwining<ref>alt: twisting</ref>.
 
Thwart-through him immediately
 
Thwart-through him immediately
 
:Rebound the blind-hew
 
:Rebound the blind-hew
The point-hew into his chest<ref> the rostock points to: "Hew the point into his chest"</ref>
+
Hew the<ref>G: your</ref> point into his chest
 
:According to all of your desire.
 
:According to all of your desire.
 
In all work, step around
 
In all work, step around
Line 315: Line 315:
 
| <p>[10] {{red|b=1|Here the new recital has an end.}}</p>
 
| <p>[10] {{red|b=1|Here the new recital has an end.}}</p>
  
''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.''
+
''Martin Sibers recital with six courses, as exactly as he set-down, from many masters applications. Whoever can understand it well is well to be praised as a good master of the long sword before other masters.''
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS M.I.29 002v.jpg|3|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|5|lbl=-}}
 
| {{section|Page:MS E.1939.65.341 025r.jpg|5|lbl=-}}

Revision as of 16:07, 19 June 2017

Martin Syber
Born 15th century (?)
Died 15th century (?)
Occupation Fencing master
Influences Johannes Liechtenauer (?)
Genres Fencing manual
Language Early New High German
Notable work(s) New Zettel
Manuscript(s)
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 Recital"). 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 Recital in Codex Speyer and the Glasgow Fechtbuch suggests a connection to the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer, and his mention of an "earlier Zettel" is likely a reference to that of Liechtenauer; however, Syber does not appear on the roll of the Fellowship of Liechtenauer recorded by Paulus Kal in ca. 1470,[1] so the extent of his relationship is unclear.

Syber's Recital comes in the form a cryptic poem describing six Gänge, set sequences of strikes and parries. 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 had access to Syber's verse (which is included in 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 writings 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 indeed the author, his career must have been 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. The Fellowship of Liechtenauer is recorded in three versions of Paulus Kal's treatise: MS 1825 (1460s), Cgm 1570 (ca. 1470), and MS KK5126 (1480s).
  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 23 November 2014.
  4. Talhoffer, Hans. Untitled [manuscript]. MS Thott 290.2º. Copenhagen, Denmark: Det Kongelige Bibliotek, 1459.
  5. alt: departure
  6. The Salzburg differs: Item. The hereafter written new recital Master Martin Syber had prepared and set-down and is a selection of many masterful applications and is partitioned and set down in six courses
  7. G & R omit
  8. G: previous
  9. R: previously illustrated
  10. zugehen is a synonym for zufechten here
  11. S: omitted
  12. alt: the hard
  13. mitmachen. alt: completes
  14. ehegefährt note: this is attacking in the vor.
  15. alt: overwhelm; turn(away, aside), entwine, entangle, wrap
  16. alt: jab
  17. G & R: the
  18. alt: make the first-pass too
  19. alt: make the first-pass too
  20. G & R: half-parter
  21. alt: make the half-squinter too
  22. S: you
  23. alt: Force-out the shield in the strong
  24. alt: make the first-pass too
  25. R: Then make...
  26. alt: make the first-pass too
  27. G & R: Strike
  28. G & R: fail or fall
  29. G: down
  30. alt: as soon as. (just in time)
  31. alt: make the first-pass too
  32. alt: twisting
  33. G: your