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Pol Hausbuch (MS 3227a)/18r - 40r

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Complete Translation Complete translation
by Thomas Stoeppler

Transcription [edit]
by Dierk Hagedorn

This is the general preface of the bare-fencing on foot. Mark this well.

1 Young knight learn
 to love god. Furthermore honor women,
2 Thus cultivate your honor.
 Practice knight-craft and learn
3 Art that decorates you
 and in wars serves well.
4 Wrestling's good grips,
 Glaive, spear, sword and messer,
5 Manfully brandish
 and in other hands ruin.
6 Hew therein and charge there,
 rushing on, joining or driving out.
7 Those maturing in this wisdom,
 this one sees praising.
8 Thereupon you hold,
 all things have length and measure.
i And whatever you wish to conduct,
 shall stay in the realm of good reason.
ii In earnest or in play,
 have a joyous spirit with moderation
iii So that you may pay attention
 and consider with a good spirit
iv Whatever you shall command
 and whip up against him.
v Because a good spirit with authority
 someone's rebuke timid.
vi Thereafter, orient yourself.
 Give no advantage with anything.
vii Avoid imprudence.
 Do not step in front of four or six
viii With your overconfidence.
 Be modest, that is good for you.
ix It is a brave man
 that dares to confront his equal.
x It is not shameful
 to flee four or six at hand.

This is the general lore of the sword

9 If you wish to examine[2] the art.
 Go left and right with hewing.
10 And left with right
 is what you strongly desire to fence.
11 Whoever chases-after hews,
 they allow themselves to hardly enjoy the art.
12 Hew nearby whatever you wish,
 No change comes on your shield.
xi Do not hew to the sword.
 Rather, Constantly watch the openings.
13 To the head, to the body,
 Do not omit the fleshwounds.
14 With the entire body fence
 whatever you desire to conduct strongly.
15 Hear what is bad for that:
 Do not fence from above left if you are right.
16 And if you are left,
 in the right, you are severely hindered.
xii So always prefer to fence
 from above left downwards.
17 Before, after, the two things
 are the one origin of all art.
18 Weak and strong,
 Within, with that mark the word.
19 So you may learn
 to defend yourself with art and work.
20 If you terrify easily,
 never learn any fencing.
xii Audacity and swiftness,
 prudence, astuteness and ingenuity,
xiv Acumen, concealment,
 measure, obscuration, scouting
xv And skill will fencing have
 and carry a joyous spirit.

General gloss hereafter.[3]

First of all, note and know that the point of the sword is the center, the middle and the core of the sword from which all applications go and come back into it. So are the hangings and the windings are the affixing and the revolving of the center and of the core. From them, quite a few good plays of fencing also come. And are invented and conceived so that a fencer, who begins to hew or thrust directly to the point, may not reasonably hit every time; yet they can hit someone with those same plays hewing, stabbing or cutting; with treading off and towards; and with stepping-around or springing. And if one mislaid or mis-extended the point of his sword with shooting or with carrying-through[4] then he may realign and bring-in and shorten it again with winding or treading-off,[5] in such a way that he again comes into the certain[6] plays and principles of fencing. From them, he may bring hews, stabs, or cuts. For according to Liechtenauer's art, the hews, stabs and cuts come from all applications and principles of the art of the sword, as one will hear hereafter how one play and principle comes from the other. And as it goes from one to the other, if the one will be warded, then the other hits and has gone-forward.[7]

[18v] Das ist eyne gemeyne lere des swertes

wWIltu kunst schawen ·
sich link gen vnd recht mete hawen ·
Vnd link mit rechten
is das du stark gerest fechten ·
Wer noch get hewen ·
der darf sich kunst kleyne frewen ·
haw nu was du wilt ·
keyn wechsler kawm an dich schild/
{Haw nicht czum swerte
zonder / stets der bloße warte /}
Czu koppe czu leibe ·
dy czecken do nicht vormeide /
Mit ganczem leibe ·
ficht was du stark gerest treiben /
Höer was do slecht ist ·
ficht nicht oben link zo du recht pist /
Vnd ob du link pist /
ym rechten auch sere hinkest /
So vicht io liber ·
von oben recht linkischen nider /
Vor · noch · dy czwey dink ·
syn allen kunsten eyn orsprink /
Swach · vnde · sterke ·
Indes · das wort mete merke /
So machstu leren ·
mit / vnd erb / kunst vnd erbeit dich weren /
Irschrikstu gerne ·
keyn fechten nymmer lerne /
Kunheit vnd rischeit ·
vorsichtikeit list vnd klugheit / /
†† {Vornunft verborgenheit /
moße bevorbetrachtunge / hobsheit / fetikeit /}
Wil fechten haben ·
vnd frölichs gemüte tragen

Glosa generalis huius sequitur / Von allerersten merke vnd wisse / das der ort des swertes · ist das czentrum vnd das mittel vnd der kern · des swertes · aus deme alle gefechte gen / vnd weder / yn in komen · So sint dy hengen / vnd dy winden / synt dy anhenge vnd dy vmlewfe des czentrums vnd des kerns [19r] aus den auch / gar vil guter stöcke des fechtens komen / vnd sint dorvm fvnden vnd irdocht / das eyn fechter / der da gleich czum orte czu hewt ader sticht / nicht wol allemal treffen mak / das der mit den selben stöcken / hawende stechende ader sneydende / mit abe / vnd czutreten / vnd mit vmbeschreiten ader springen eynen treffen mag / vnd ab eyner syn ort des swertes / mit schißen ader mit voltreten / vorlewst ader vorlengt / zo mag her in mit winden ader abetreten / weder / irlengen vnd / ynbrengen vnd körczen / alzo das her weder yn gewisse stöcke vnd gesetze kümpt des fechtens / aus den her hewe stiche ader snete brengen mag / wen noch lychtnawers kunst / zo komen aus allen gefechten vnd gesetze des f der kunst des swertes / hewe stiche vnd snete / als man wirt hernoch hören / wy eyn stöcke vnd gesetze aus dem andern kumpt / vnd wy sich eyns aus dem andern macht / ab eyns wirt geweret / das daz ander treffe vnd vorgank habe

On second count, note and know that no part on the sword was invented and conceived without reason.[8] In particular, a fencer shall utilize the point, both edges, the hilt, the pommel as it is on the sword accordingly as each has its particular principle in the art of fencing according to these as the practices embody and uncover, as you will hereafter hear and see each in particular.

Czu dem andern mal merke vnd wisse / daz keyn dink an dem swerte / vmbe züst funden vnd irdocht ist / zvnder eyn fechter / den ort / beide sneiden · gehilcze · klos / vnd als das am swerte ist / nütczen sal / noch dem [19v] als itzlieichs syn sönderleichs gesetze hat yn der kunst des fechtens / noch dem als dy Übunge hat vnd findert / als du itzlichs besvnder hernoch wirst sehen vnd hören /

Also note and know with this as he speaks, If you wish to examine the art, etc. He means that a skilled fencer, they shall: set-forward the left foot and with that, hew from the right side directly to the opponent with threatening hews as long as he sees where he may certainly have the opponent and reach certainly with his stepping. And he means: when someone wishes to fence strongly, so shall he fence from the left side on with the entire body and complete authority to the head and to the body wherever he may solely hit and never to the sword, in particular he shall do it as if the opponent has no sword and as if he cannot see and he shall not omit any fleshwounds or blows, rather always be in work and in contact so that the opponent cannot come to strikes.

He also means that one shall not identically follow and track the hew, rather, somewhat aside and curved around so that he comes to the side of the opponent. For there he may have him better with everything than frontally on. Whatever he from then on hews or stabs upon the opponent, that may ward or lead off well any and all changings-through or other applications of the opponent, only if the hews or stabs go forth directly into the opponent against the openings to the head or to the body with stepping-around and treading.

Also note and know about this when he speaks, before, after the two things, etc. There he means the five words: before, after, weak, strong, within-this. On these words lay the entire art of Master Liechtenauer's and the fixed foundation and the core of all fencing on foot or on horse, uncovered or in harness.

With the word "before", he means that a particularly good fencer shall have and have won the fore-strike every time he hits or misses. As Liechtenauer says, Hew therein and charge there, rush onwards, hit or let drive. When he goes or runs at someone, Just as soon as he sees he may reach him with a step or with a spring, wherever he then sees him somehow open, there he shall drive onwards with ease to the head or to the body, bravely without any fear wherever he may have him with surety. For as such, he always wins the fore-strike, whether it does well or poorly for the them. And with that, shall also be certain in his steps and shall have measured them correctly so that he does not step too short nor too long.

Now, when he executes the fore-strike, if he hits, then he quickly pursues the hit. But if he wards the fore-strike of the opponent in such a way, that with his sword, he leads off or commands their fore-strike, be it a hew or stab, So long as he is then still on the sword of the opponent. With it like this, he will lead off from the openings which he had targeted, Then he shall quite precisely feel and note whether the opponent in his commanding-off and defence of the hews or stabs is soft or hard, weak or strong on the sword.

That is when he now fully feels how the opponent is in his technique. If within-this, the opponent is strong and hard, now that he completely notes and feels, then he shall within-this or during-this be soft and weak if the opponent defends himself thusly. And in that, before the opponent comes to strikes, so shall he then execute the after-strike. That is, he begins to hew while the opponent defends himself and wards himself of the fore-strike, be it hew or stab, so shall he seek out other applications and plays. With those, he shall again hurry and rush into his openings. Also in this, he is continually in motion and in contact so that he also confounds the opponent and soundly robs the opponent amid his defending and warding. Thus has too much work so that he, the defender, cannot come to his strikes. Because someone who shall defend themselves and fixate on the strikes, they are always in greater danger than they that strike at them, so that they must then continually ward the strikes or must allow themselves to be hit, so that they must come to strikes burdensomely by their own accord. About that Liechtenauer speaks: I say to you truthfully, no one defends themselves without danger. If you have understood this, he cannot come to strikes.

If you execute otherwise according to the five words, this dictum goes entirely against that and all of [that] fencing often results in a peasant slaying a master, because he is brave and won the fore-strike according to this precept.

Mit deme worte · Vor · meynt her das eyn itzlicher guter fechter / sal alle mal den vorslag haben vnd gewinnen /  {her treffe ader vele / als lichnawer / spricht / Haw dreyn vnd hurt dar / rawsche hin trif ader la var} wenne her czu / eyme gehet ader lewft / als balde als her nur siet / das her in mit eynem schrete / ader mit eynem sprunge / dirreichen mag / wo her denne indert in blos siet / do sal her hin varn / mit frewden / czu koppe ader czu leibe / künlich an alle vorchte wo her in am gewisten gehaben mag / alzo das her ia den vorslag gewinne / is tu ieme wol ader we · vnd sal auch mit dem / in synen schreten gewisse sein / vnd sal dy haben recht zam gemessen / das her nicht czu korcz ader czu lank schreite / wen her nü den vorslag / tuet / trift her zo volge her dem treffen vaste / noch · weret · her aber iener den vorslag alzo das her im den vorslag / is sy haw ader stich mit syme swerte / abeweiset vnd leitet / Dy weile her denne ieme noch / an syme swerte ist / mit deme als her wirt abe geweist / von der blößen / der her geremet / hat / zo sal her gar eben fülen vnd merken [20v] ab iener in syme abeleiten vnd schützen der hewe ader stiche / an syme swerte / weich ader herte / swach ader stark / sey / Ist denne das her nü wol fület / wy iener in syme geferte ist / Is das iener stark vnd herte ist / Indes / das hers nü genczlich merkt vnd fület / zo sal her ader Indes ader vnderdez das sich iener zo schützt / weich vnd swach dirweder syn / vnd in dem selben / ·· den / das iener czu keyme slage kome / zo sal her denne den nochslag tuen / das ist / das her czu hant / dy weile sich iener schützt vnd sich des vorslags weret / is sy haw ader stich zo sal her ander gefechte vnd stöcke hervör süchen / mit den her aber czu synen blößen hurt vnd rawschet / alzo dis her vmmermer in bewegunge vnd in berürunge sy · das her ienen als irre / vnd betawbet mache / das iener mit syme schützen vnd weren / alzo vil czu schaffen habe / das her / der schützer / czu syner slege / keyne komen mag / wen eyner der sich sal schützen / vnd der slege warnemen / der ist alle mal in grösser var / denne der /· der da slet of in / denne her mus ia dy slege weren / ader mus sich laen treffen / daz her selber mülich / czu slage mag komen / Dorvm spricht lichtnawer / Ich sage vorware · sich schutzt keyn man ane vare / Hastu vornomen · czu slage mag her kleyne komen / Tustu anders noch den fünff wörtern / of dy dese rede gar get / vnd alles fechten

Because with the word 'before', as was spoken earlier, he means that someone with a good fore-strike or with the first strike, they shall bravely charge there without any fear and rush against the openings to the head or to the body. He hits or misses such that he also at once stuns, overwhelms and terrifies them so that they do not know what he should do against this and also before the opponent recovers themselves again or comes at him with the same. Then he immediately executes the after-strike and continually compels him to ward and the defend himself so much that he cannot come to strikes.

Then when the fencer executes the first strike or the fore-strike and the opponent then wards him, in the same warding and defending, the fencer then always comes earlier into the after-strike than the opponent into the first. Then he may: initiate a hew, initiate a drive with the pommel or may come in the thwart-hews, they are good to count on, or may otherwise throw the sword forwards [by means of] the thwart-hew. With that he comes into other applications or else alternately, he may begin well. Before the opponent comes to strikes as you will hear how it makes one from the other so that the opponent may not come from him unstruck if he does differently according to this lesson. Because he shall execute with one mind and with one effort alike[10], if it is possible to accomplish, the fore-strike and the after-strike, swifty and promptly after each other.

Also, it would fully come to this if the opponent wards the fore-strike. For he must ward it with the sword and in this way, he must always come to the fencer on his sword. And when the opponent subsequently wards somewhat late and unready, the fencer would then remain on the sword and shall then wind at once and shall quite precisely note and feel whether or not the opponent will withdraw themselves from the sword.

If the opponent withdraws themselves, when they are engaged with one another on the sword and have extended their points toward one another into the openings, before the opponent can recover themselves again against hew or stab of the fencer with his withdrawal, the fencer immediately pursues with a good stab into the chest with his point or else forwards into wherever he may hit him surest and closest in such a way that the opponent may come from the sword without harm with nothing, because immediately with his following-after, the fencer is always closer to the opponent; as he has arranged his point forward on the sword against the opponent according to the nearest and shortest of all with that.

When the opponent shall deliver hew or stab wide around at someone with his withdrawal, the fencer can always come before into the after-strike or -stab, before the opponent into the first like this. And Liechtenauer means this with the word: 'after': when someone has done the fore-strike, so shall he immediately without pause upon the same drive execute the after-strike and shall always be in motion and in contact and always conduct one after the other. If the first fails him, then the second, the third or the fourth hits and continually does not allow the opponent come to any blows. Because no one may have greater advantage of fencing than they who execute these five words according to the lesson.

Auch möchte is wol dar czu komen / ab iener den vorslag weret / zo müste her in weren mit dem swerte / vnd alzo müste her desen io an syn swert komen / vnd wenn denne ienui eczwas trege vnd las were / zo möchte deser denne an dem swerte bleyben / vnd sal denne czu hant winden / vnd sal gar eben merken vnd fulen / ab sich iener wil abeczihen von dem swerte / ader nicht / [21v] irholen mag mit syme abeczihen · zo hat im deser czu hant / mit syme orte noch gevolget / mit eynem guten stiche czu der brost / ader söst vorne czu wo her in am schiresten vnd nehesten getreffen mag / alzo das im iener mit nichte / ane schaden von dem swerte mag komen / wenn deser hat io / czu hant mit syme nochvolgen / neher czu ieme / mit dem als her synen ort / vor / an dem swerte gestalt hat keyn ieme / noch dem aller nehesten vnd körczsten / wenn das iener mit syme abeczihen / of / eyn news solde hewe ader stiche / weit vmbe / dar brengen / alzo mag io deser alle mal ·· czu dem nochslage ader stiche komen / ·· denne iener czu dem ersten / Vnd das meynt lichtnawer mit dem worte / noch / wenn eyner im den vorslag hat getan / zo sal her czu hant an vnderloz / of der selben vart den nochslag / tuen / vnd sal vmmermer in bewegunge / vnd in rürunge syn / vnd vmmmer eyns noch dem andern treibe/ ab ym das erste vele / das daz ander das dritte ader daz vierde treffe / vnd io ienen nicht lasse czu keyme slage komen / Wen keyn / mag grosser vorteil of fechten haben / den der nach der lere / deser fünff / wörter tuet /

But if the opponent remains on the sword; with that, as it is coming onto his sword with his warding and defending [himself from] the fencer and it has drawn itself out like this such that the fencer is remaining with him on the sword and has not yet executed the after-strike, so shall the fencer wind up[12] and stay with him thusly on the sword and shall quite precisely note and feel whether the opponent is weak or strong on the sword.

If then, the fencer notes and feels that the opponent is strong, hard and firm on the sword and the fencer only means to force out[13] his sword; so shall the fencer be weak and soft against that and shall stand weakening and relinquishing his strength and shall allow his sword to swept out and driven away with his forcing that the opponent executes and the fencer shall then allow his sword to immediately and swiftly lead off and withdraw and shall quickly shall drive that against his openings, to the head or to the body, wherever; with hewing, stabbing and cutting, only where he can approach the closest and surest.

Because the harder and the surer the opponent forces and presses with his sword and the fencer is then weak and soft against that and allows his sword to lead off and in this way weakens him, the farther and the wider his sword then repels the opponent such that he then becomes quite open and thus the fencer then may hit and wound him according to desire before the opponent can recover himself against the hew or the stab of the fencer.

Ist denne das deser merkt vnd fület / das iener stark herte vnd veste an dem swerte ist / vnd desen / nü meynt syn swert hin dringen · zo sal deser denne swach vnd weich dirweder syn / vnd sal syner sterke weichen vnd stat geben / vnd sal im syn swert / hin lassen preln vnd wer varn / mit syn dringen daz her tuet / vnd deser sal denne syn swert snelle [22r] lassen abegleiten · vnd abeczihen / balde vnd risch · vnd sal snelle dar varn keyn synen blossen / czu koppe ader czu leibe / wo / mit hewen stichen vnd sneten / wo her nür / am nehesten vnd schiresten mag czu komen / wen e · herter vnd ·· sürer iener dringt vnd druckt mit syme swerte / vnd deser denne swach vnd weich dirweder ist · vnd syn swert lest abegleiten / vnd im alzo weicht / ·· verrer vnd ·· weiter denne ieme syn swert wek prelt · das her denne gar blos wirt / vnd das in denne deser noch wonsche mag treffen vnd rüren / ·· denne her sich selber / keyns haws ader stichs irholen mag /

But if the opponent is weak and soft on the sword, in the same way, if the fencer now notes and feels it, so shall the fencer then be strong and hard against that on the sword and shall then strongly drive out and rush forward equally on the sword with his point against the opponent's openings, wherever he may be closest, just as if a cord or thread were bound forwards on his point earlier, that leads his point to the nearest of the opponent's openings. And with that same stabbing the fencer executes, he becomes fully aware whether the opponent is so weak that they let his sword force them out and lets themselves be struck.

But if he is strong and wards and leads off the stab, such that he again becomes strong on the sword and carries off his sword and wards the stab also that the opponent forces-out the fencer's sword, so shall the fencer again become weak and soft against that and shall allow his sword to lead off and weaken him and swiftly seek his openings with hewing, stabbing and with cutting as it may solely be. And this is what Liechtenauer means with these words: soft and hard.

And this goes to the Authorities. As Aristotle spoke in the book Peri Hermanias: "Opposites positioned near themselves shine greater, or rather, opposites which adjoin augment. Weak against strong, hard against soft, and contrary." For should it be strong against strong, then the stronger every time. Therefore Liechtenauer undertakes fencing according to the more appropriate and truer art, so that one weaker and cunning with his art as surely wins as with one stronger with his strength (for which would be of a different art).

Is das her stark wirt weder an dem swerte / vnd desem syn swert abeweiset vnd den stich weret / also das her desen syn swert vaste hin dringt / zo sal deser aber swach vnd weich dirweder werden / vnd sal syn swert lassen abegleiten / vnd im weichen / vnd syne blossen rischlichen süchen / mit hewen stichen ader mit sneten wy her nür mag · Vnd das meynt lichtnawer / mit desen wörter / · weich · vnd herte / vnd das get of dy auctori=[22v] tas / als aristotyles spricht in libro peryarmenias · Opposita iuxta se posita · magis elucescun/ vel / opposita oppositis amantur / Swach weder stark / herte weder weich / et equatur / Denne solde stark weder stark syn / zo gesigt allemal der sterker / · dorvm get lichtnawer fechten noch rechter vnd worhaftiger kunst dar / das eyn swacher mit syner kunst vnd list / als schire gesigt / mit / als eyn starker mit syner sterke / worvm were anders kunst /

Therefore fencer, learn to feel well as Liechtenauer spoke: Learn the feeling. Within, that words cuts sharply. Because when you are on the sword of the opponent and now feel whether the opponent is weak or strong on the sword well, within-this or during, so you must then consider and know well whatever you shall execute against him according to this aforementioned lore and art. For truly, he cannot withdraw himself from the sword without harm with anything. Because Liechtenauer spoke: Strike that it snaps whoever withdraws before you.

If you act according to this lesson, fastening well so that you always have and won the fore-strike and as soon as you execute that, you then hasten the after-strike into the opponent thereafter, immediately without refrain (that is the second, the third or the fourth strike, be it hew or stab) then the opponent can never come to strikes. If you then come onto the sword with him, be surer at the feeling and execute as is written before.

Because this is the foundation of fencing that a person is always in motion and not pause and it then comes to the feeling, so do above as able. And whatever you conduct and begin, always have measure and moderation. Like, if you have won the fore-strike, then don't do it so impetuously and so powerfully that you then cannot recover yourself for the after-strike. About this, Liechtenauer spoke: Thereupon you hold, all things have moderation and measure. And also understand this about the stepping and about all other plays and principles of fencing, etc.

This is the text, in this he names the five hews and other plays of fencing.

21 Five hews learn.
 From the right hand, endure the weapons.
23 Wrath-hew, crook, thwart,
 have squinter with parters,
24 Fool displaces,
 race-to, run-across hew disrupt,
25 Change-through, disengage,
 run-through, cut-off, press hands
26 Hang, wind amid the openings
 Strike catch, scrape, stab with colliding.

This is about the Wrath-hew, etc.

27 Whoever over-hews you,
 The Wrath-hew point threatens them.
28 If he becomes aware of it,
 Take it off above without fear
29 Be stronger, wind against,
 Thrust. If he sees it, take it below.
30 Precisely note this:
 Hews, stabs, position soft or hard
31 Within and before, after
 Without charging to the wars. Do not be rash.
32 Whoever's war targets
 Above, he will be shamed below.
33 In all winds,
 Learn to find: hews, stabs, cuts.
34 You shall also, with that
 Test hew, stab or cut
35 In all hits
 Of the masters, if you wish to dupe them.
xvi Do not hew to the sword,
 Rather, stand watch for the openings
xvii In the head, in the body
 If you wish to remain without harm
xviii You hit or miss
 Aspriring thusly so that you target the openings
xix In every lesson,
 Turn the point against the openings.
xx Whoever hews around widely,
 They will often be shamed severly.
xxi At the closest of all,
 Deliver sudden hews, stabs.
xxii And one shall also always step
 To the right side
xxiii So you may begin
 Fencing or wrestling with advantage.

Gloss. Here note and know that Liechtenauer calls an over-hew struck[14] from the shoulder the wrath-hew. When one is in his fury and wrath of someone, there is no hew as ready as this same over-hew struck from the shoulder to the man. About that, Liechtenauer means when someone begins to hew at you with an over-hew, so shall you counter-hew the wrath-hew against him, and also that you firmly shoot the point against him. If he wards your point from you, then immediately draw off above and drive suddenly[15] to the other side of his sword. But if he wards that, then be hard and strong in the sword and wind and stab immediately and bravely. If he wards your stab, separate and immediately initiate a hew below, where you hit to the legs in such a way that you continuously conduct one after the other, so that they cannot come to strikes. And the afore-spoken words: before, after, within-this, weak, strong and hews, stabs and cuts; you shall have them brought to mind at the same time and forget with nothing in the applications.

Das ist von deme Czornhawe etc ~

wDEr dir oberhawet ·
czornhaw ort deme drewet /
Wirt her is gewar ·
nym is oben ab / ane vaer /
Pis sterker / weder
wint / stich / siet her is / nym is neder /
Das eben merke ·
hewe · stiche · leger weich · ader herte /
Indes vnd · vor · noch ·
ane hurt deme krige sey nicht goch /
wes der krig remet ·
oben / neden wirt her beschemet /
In allen winden /·
hewe · stiche · snete · lere finden /
Auch saltu mete ·
prüfen hewe stiche ader snete /
In allen treffen /·
den meistern wiltu sie effen /
Haw nicht czum swerte ·
zonder stets der blößen warte /
Czu koppe czu leibe ·
wiltu an schaden bleyben /
du trefts ader ader velest ·
zo trachte das du der blossen remest
* {In aller lere /
den ort / keyn den blößen kere /
Wer weit vmbe hewet /
der wirt oft sere bescheme[t]
Off das aller neste /
brenge hewe stiche dar gew[isse?]
Vnd salt auch io schreiten /
eyme czu der rechten seiten /
[So magstu mit gewynne][16]
fechtens ader ringens begynnen/

Glosa Hie merke vnd wisse das lichtnawer / eyn öberhaw slecht von der achsel / heisset den czornhaw / Den eyn wen eym itzlichem in syme grymme vnd czorne [23v] zo ist im keyn haw als bereit / als der selbe oberhaw slecht von der achsel / czum manne / Dorüm meynt lichtnawer / Wenn dir eyner czu hewt / mit eym obirhaw / zo salt du keyn im weder hawen den czornhaw / alzo das du mit dyme ort vaste keyn im schisset / wert her dir dyn ort / zo czewch balde oben ab / vnd var czu der andern syten dar / syns swerts · wert her dir daz aber / zo bis harte vnd stark im swerte / vnd wind / vnd stich balde vnd kunlich / wert her dir den / stich / zo smeis vnd haw balde vnden czu / wo du trifst / czun beynen / alzo das du vmmermer eyns noch dem andern treibest / das iener nicht czu slage kome / Vnd dy vorgesprochen wörter · vor · noch · Indes · swach · stark / vnd · hewe · stiche · vnd · snete · der saltu czu male wol gedenken / vnd mit nichte vorgessen in deme gefechte

You shall also not seriously rush with the war, because if one of which you target fails above, then you you hit below as you will hear how one makes itself out of the other according to the legitimate art, particularly: hews, stabs, cuts.

And [one] shall not hew to the opponent's sword, rather into the opponent, to the head and to the body, wherever one may, etc. One may also consider that the first verse may also state: Whomever you over-hew the wrath-hew, the point of the wrath-hew threatens them, etc. Just act according to this lore and be continuously in motion. Either you hit or do not so that the opponent cannot come to strikes. And with the hewing, always step-out well to the side. Also know that there are only two hews, all other hews come from them however they are preferred to be named locally. That is the over-hew and the under-hew from both sides. They are the chief hews and foundation of all other hews. However, those hews causally and accordingly come from the point of the sword. Which is the core and the center of all other plays here like what was written well before. And from those same hews come the four displacements from both sides. With them one disrupts and breaks all hews, stabs or positions. And from them one also comes into the four hangings. From them one may conduct art well as one shall hear hereafter. And however one may particularly fence someone, so shall the point ever and always be turned against their face or breast so that each and every time the opponent must discourage themselves so that he cannot come before by sake of[17] it, for it has immediately shifted[18] somewhere[19] closer to him.

Vnd salt nicht czu eyns swerte hawen / zonder czu im selber / czu koppe vnd czu leibe / wo eyner mag etc Auch mag man vornemen / das der erste verse mochte alzo stehen / wem du öberhewest czornhaw / deme drewt der ort / des czornhaws etc Nür tu noch deser lere / vnd bis vmmermer in / motu / du treffest ader nicht / daz iener nicht czu slage kome vnd schret io wol besytz aus / mit den hewen / [24r] das ist der öberhaw · vnd der vnderhaw / von beiden seiten · dy sint dy hawpt hewe vnd grunt aller ander hewe / wy wol dy selben vrsachlich vnd gruntlich / auch komen aus dem orte des swertes / der do ist der kern vnd das czentrum aller andern stocke / als das wol vor ist geschrebn # {vnd}} aus den selben hewen komen dy vier vorsetczen von beiden seiten / mit den man alle hewe vnd stiche ader leger / letzt vnd bricht / vnd aus den man auch yn dy vier hengen kumpt / aus den man[20] wol kunst treiben mag / als man hernoch wirt horen} Vnd wy eyn man nur ficht / zo sal io allemal den ort keyn eyns gesichte / ader brust keren / zo mus sich iener alleczeit besorgen · das her icht · e kome wenn her · wen her io neher czu im hat wenn iener /

And if it happens like this that they won the fore-strike, so shall the fencer be secure and sure and be quick with the winding and as soon as he has wound, so shall he begin to drive to the side agilely and courageously. And his point shall shall seek the opponent's breast, turning and positioning themselves against it. As you will hear better hereafter. And the point, as soon as he comes upon the sword of someone, it shall always come to be around a half an ell away from another's breast or face and take quite good care that it intends to arrive inside that and certainly to the closest and not wide around, so that the opponent cannot come first by sake of this. Provided the fencer will not allow themselves to become lax and hesitant and ward too lazily nor be willing to arrive too wide and too far around.

This is about the four openings, etc, etc.

36 Know to target the four openings
 so you strike certainly
37 Without any danger
 without doubt however he behaves.

Gloss. Note here that Liechtenauer, who tiles a person in four parts, just as if he made a line in front of them from the top of the head downwards on his body just to down-here between his legs. And the second line by the girdle that crosses over the body thus becoming four quarters: a right and a left above the girdle and also in the same way under the girdle. Those are the four openings, which each have their particular applications. He targets them and never against the sword, rather the openings.

About the four openings, how one breaks them.

38 If you wish to reckon yourself,
 breaking the four openings artfully,
39 Double above,
 Mutate there-below directly.
40 I say truthfully,
 no one defends themselves without danger.
41 If you have understood,
 he may scarcely come to blows.

This is about the crook-hew, etc.

42 Crook up swiftly,
 throw your point onto the hands.
43 Whoever waits well crooked,
 disrupts many hews with stepping.
44 Hew crooked to the flats
 of the masters if you wish to weaken them.
45 When it sparks above,
 Then dismount, that I will praise.
46 Crook not, hew short.
 Change through and with that expose him.
47 Crook whoever misleads you.
 The noble war baffles them
48 That he truthfully truthfully
 Does not know where is without danger.

Gloss. Here note and know that the crook-hew is an over-hew which travels crooked along with a good step outwards, likewise to one side. What Liechtenauer means about this is whoever wishes to command this hew properly, they shall step-out to the right side fully flanking, then he delivers the hew and shall crook-hew fully and swiftly and shall throw or shoot his point over his hilt upon the hands of the opponent or shall hew to the opponent's flat. If he then hits the flat, then he shall remain strong thereupon and press firmly and shall see whatever he may then deliver the most decisive and straightest with hews, stabs or cuts and shall hew too short with nothing and shall not forget of the changing-through if it bears itself.

A hew called the failer, and comes from the crook-hew and it stands written after the thwart-hew (where the hand is drawn), and it should stand before the thwart-hew, and it besets[21] crookedly and obliquely from below, in over the hilt of the opponent, with point shooting right the same as the crook-hew from above downwards.

53 The failer misleads
 It wounds according to desire from below.
54 The inverter dominates.
 The runner through also wrestles with it.
55 Take the elbow wisely
 Spring into his stance.
56 The failer doubles.
 One connects the slice with might.
57 Double it further
 Step to the left and do not be lazy.
xxiv Because all fencing
 Will by all rights, have speed
xxv Also in it: audacity,
 Prudence, astuteness and ingenuity.

This is about the thwart-hew, etc.

49 The thwart seizes
 Whatever comes from the roof.
50 Thwart with the strong
 Remember your work with it.
51 Thwart to the plow
 Yoke it hard to the ox
52 Whoever thwarts themselves well
 Threatens the head[22] with springing

Gloss. Here note and know that of the entire sword, no hew is as efficient, so fierce, so complete and so good as is the thwart-hew. And it besets like a crossbar[23] to both sides: with both edges, the back and the front; to all openings, below and above. And everything that arrives from above, those are the over-hews or whatever otherwise goes from above downward, one breaks and wards those with the thwart-hews.

They that can deliver or fling the sword forwards well, they twirl before the head to whichever side he wishes. Just like would would come in the upper hangings or windings, only that for someone in the thwart-hew, the flats of the sword turn: one above or upward, the other below or downward; and the edges to the sides. They twirl, one to the right and one to the left side. And it is quite good to come upon the sword of the opponent with these thwart-hews.

And then, when one comes upon the sword of the opponent, just as it arrives, so that the opponent must come away from it burdensomely, he will be struck from this with the thwart-hews to both sides. Then just as he delivers a thwart-hew, to whichever side it is: below or above, the sword always goes above him with forward-thrown hand with the hilt before the head, so that he is absolutely warded and covered. And one shall deliver the thwart-hews with some strength.

And when one shall fence for their neck, so shall they proceed with the afore written lore so that they win the fore-strike with a good thwart-hew. When he approaches someone, as soon as he realizes that he may somehow reach there with a step or a spring, he then springs-into there from the right side with a thwart-hew above with the back edge of the sword also somewhat above into the head and shall let the point shoot and shall quite fully twirl so that the point careens and winds or girds itself around the opponent's head, like a belt. Because when one thwarts well with a good stepping out or spring, then the opponent must burdensomely defend or escape this. And when he then wins the fore-strike with the thwart-hew thusly to the one side, whether he hits or misses, the he shall then immediately win the after-strike in a rush directly without pause with the thwart-hew to the other side with the forward-edge before any strike or little thing somehow redeems them according to the afore-written lore. And shall then thwart to both sides into the oxen and into the plows. That is, into the high openings and into the low from one side to the other, below and above, ceaselessly without pause in this way, so that he is always in motion and does not allow the opponent to come to strikes. And each time he does a thwart-hew above or below, so shall he thwart completely and throw the sword above that they twirl well before his head so that he is well covered.

Vnd wen eyner üm synen hals sölde fechten · So solde her schaffen / mit her der vorgeschreben [28r] lere / das her mit eyme guten twerhawe den vorslag / gewunn· wen her mit eyme czu ginge als balde als her irkente / das her ienen dir reichen mochte / mit eynem schrete ader spronge das her denne dar placzte / mit eyme twerhaw oben von der rechten seiten / mit der hindern sneiden ieme gleich oben czu hawpte czu / vnd sal den ort lassen schiessen / vnd sal gar wol tweren das sich der ort wol lenke / vnd winde / ader gorte vm iens hawpt / zam eyn rime / we denne wen eyner wol tweret / mit eyme guten ausschrete ader spronge / zo mag sichs iener mülich schutzen / ader abewende/ Vnd wenn her denne den vorslag alzo gewint mit dem twerhaw her treffe / czu der eynen seyten / her treffe ader vele · zo sal her denne als balde in eyme rawsche immediate an vnderloz / den nochslag gewinnen / mit dem twerhaw czu der andern seiten / mit der vördern sneiden / ·· den sich iener keyns slags ader ichsichcz irhole / noch der vorgeschreben lere / Vnd sal denne twern czu beiden seiten / czum ochsen vnd czum pfluge / das ist / czu den obern blössen vnd czu den vnder/ von eyner seiten of dy ander / vnden vnd oben / vmmermer / an vnderloz / alzo das her vmermer in motu sey vnd ienen nicht losse czu slage komen / vnd als oft / als her eynen twerhaw tuet oben ader vnden / zo sal her io wol tweren / vnd das swert oben dy twer / wol vor syn hawpt / werfen / das her wol bedekt sey /

This is about the squint-hew, etc.

58 The squinter breaks
 inside Whatever the buffalo cuts or thrusts.
59 Whoever threatens to change,
 the squinter robs him of it.
60 Squint. If he short changes you,
 The changing through defeats him.
61 Squint into the point
 And take the neck without fear.
62 Squint to the top of the head
 If you wish to ruin the hand.
xxvi Squint against the right,
 if you desire to fence well.
xxvii The squint-hew I prize,
 if it does not arrive too lazily.

Gloss Here note and know that a squint-hew is an over-hew from the right side with the back edge of the sword that the left side is approached and goes there just as slanted or skewed, stepping out to one side to the right with a twisted sword and forward-thrown hand and this same hew breaks as the buffalo, that is a peasant, might strike from above downward as they incline to do. This also breaks just like the thwart-hew as was written before. And whoever threatens with changing-through, they become shamed with the squint-hew. And one shall squint-hew fully and long enough and shoot the point firmly. Otherwise, he will become impeded with changing-through and one shall squint fully with the point into the throat bravely without fear and...[25]

This is about the part-hew, etc.

63 The parter
 Is dangerous to the face;
64 With it's turn
 The chest is yet endangered.
65 Whatever comes from him
 The crown removes.
66 Slice through the crown
 So that you break it beautifully and hard;
67 Press the strokes
 Snatch them away with slicing.
xxviii The scalp-hew I prize
 If it arrives not too lazily.

Liechtenauer holds just a little about the four positions. In that they proceed from the over and under hangings, and from there one may surely bring applications.

This is about the four positions, etc.

68 Four positions alone
 From there hold and flee the common.
69 Ox, plow, fool,
 From-the-roof are not despised by you.

Gloss, etc. Here he names the four positions or four guards. About them, little is to be held. Instead, in any confrontation, a person shall absolutely not lay too long therein. For Liechtenauer has a particular proverb: Whoever lays there, they are dead. Whoever rouses themselves, they yet live. And that pertains to the positions that a person shall preferably rouse themselves with applications. Because he that idles [in] the guards, he might preclude the moment of truth with that.

The first guard, plow, is this in which one lays the point forward, upon the earth or to the side. After the offsetting, this is otherwise called the barrier-guard or the gate.

The second guard, ox, is the over-hanging from the shoulder.

xxix The fool always breaks
 Whatever one hews or stabs
xxx With hanging strokes [and]
 Immediately place the racing-to.

The third guard, the fool, is the under-hanging. With it, one breaks all hews and stabs, whoever commands it correctly.

The fourth guard, from-the-roof, is the long-point. Whoever commands it with extended arms, one may not hit them well with hews nor with stabs. Also, it may well be called the hanging over the head.

Also know that one breaks all positions and guards with hewing. For one bravely initiates a hew at the opponent with them so they must urgently drive up and defend themselves. Therefore Liechtenauer does not hold much about the positions or guards, rather he preferably crafts it so that someone discourages themselves before him so that he then wins the fore-strike. (As they are able.)

This is about the four displacements

70 Four are the displacements
 Which also severely disrupt the positions.
71 Guard yourself from displacing
 If that happens, it also severely beleaguers you.
72 If you are displaced,
 And as that comes to be,
73 Hear what I advise:
 Deftly leave the cut with haste.
74 Place at four extremities
 Learn to remain upon them if you wish to finish.
xxxi Whoever displaces well,
 This technique disrupts many hews.
xxxii Because in the hangings
 You swiftly come with the displacements.

Gloss. Here note that the four displacements are to both sides. To each side, one over and one under. And they disrupt or break all guards or positions and however you, from above or from below, carry off or reject someone's hew, stab or cut with your sword, that may well be called displacing. And if they will displace you, as that arrives, then withdraw swiftly and with that, quickly initiate a hew in one charge. If you then displace someone or turn away a hew or stab, so shall you immediately tread in and pursue on the sword so that the opponent cannot withdraw from you and shall then do what you may. However lightly you hesitate and delay yourself, so you take harm. You shall also wind well and turn your point against the opponent's chest every time, so that he must discourage himself.

Also a good fencer shall fully learn coming onto the sword of the opponent and he must do that well with the displacements, because they come from the four hews. From each side, an over-hew and an under-hew and go into the four hangings. For as soon as one displaces from below or above, so shall they immediately come into the hangings. And as he winds-off all hews and stabs with the forward edge, it is as with the displacements.

This is about the racing behind, etc, etc

75 Learn to race behind
 Twice or cut into the weapon
76 Yoke the two to the outside
 The work begins thereafter
77 Testing the attack
 Whether it is soft or hard
78 Learn to feel it
 Within-this, this word cuts sharply
79 Racing twice
 With that make the parting cut.
xxxiii Follow all hits
 Then strengthen if you wish to dupe the masters
xxxiv In every lesson,
 Turn the point against one's face.
xxxv With the entire body
 Race behind, always keep your point there.
xxxvi Also learn to swiftly
 Race, so you may end well.

This is about the overrunning. Fencer seek within.

80 Whoever hunts below
 Overrun, then they will be shamed.
81 When it clashes above,
 Strengthen, This I wish to praise.
82 Make your work
 Or press hard twice.
xxxvii Whoever presses you down,
 Overrun them, slash sharply again.
xxxviii From both sides
 Overrun and remember the cuts.

This is about offsetting. Learn this well.

83 Learn to offset
 Artfully disrupt hews, stabs.
84 Whoever stabs upon you
 Your point hits and his breaks.
85 From both sides
 Hit everytime, if you will step.
xxxix In every lesson,
 Turn the point against one's face.

This is about the changing-through, etc, etc.

86 Learn to change-through
 From both sides, with that stab sharply.
87 Whoever binds upon you,
 Change-through, surely find him.
xl When you have changed-through,
 Do not slash, stab or wind lax.
xli Do not hew into the sword
 Change-through, with that watch.

Gloss. Here note that the changing-through goes in completely straight from above downwards and from below upwards to both sides if it is otherwise conducted swiftly. Now if you wish to change-through to the right side from above down, then hew an over-hew straight into him also so that you shoot-in your point to his left side above the hilt also so that you hit the same little hole and little window between the edges and the hilt completely straight. If you hit, then you have won. If he wards it so that he leads off and presses-out your point with his sword, then let your point sink from the same side under his sword around it to the other side, not wide around, rather, below on his sword so you may keep close and from there drive-in quite swiftly above the hilt with a good, complete stab and when you feel that you hit, fully pursue.

And as you do from one side, below and above, so you do from the other. And whoever binds-on with you, rush[28] past on his sword with your point against his opening.

This is about the disengaging. Fencer note.

88 Tread near in the bind
 The disengaging gives good discoveries.
89 Disengage. If he hits, disengage more.
 If he works, wind that does him woe.
90 Disengage all hits
 Of the masters if you will dupe them.
xlii Disengage off from the sword
 And always ponder your drive.

This is about the running-through. Look closely.

91 Allow the hanging, run-through.
 Grab with the pommel if you wish to wrangle.
92 Whoever comes against the strong
 Runner-through, with that, note,
xliii Run-through and shove.
 Invert if he grabs for the pommel.

This is about the severing, etc, etc

93 Sever the hard-ones
 From below in both drives.
94 Four are the cuts
 With two below, two above.
xliv Cross whoever wish to cut.
 It easily evades the harm.
xlv Do not cut in fright,
 Always consider racing before this.
xlvi You can cut well
 Any cross, just omit the racing.
xlvii If you wish to remain without harm,
 Then do not be too eager with the cutting.

This is about the hand pressing, etc, etc.

95 Turn your edge
 Into the flats. Press the hands.
xlviii Another is turning
 One's winding. The third, hanging.
xlix If you wish to make the fencers
 Weary, then press with contention.
l Over the hands,
 If one hews, cut swiftly.
li Also draw the cuts
 Above, out over the head.
lii Whoever presses the hands
 Without harm, retracts the forefinger.

Also know as soon as you turn away the opponent's hew or stab with the winding, so shall you immediately tread-in and swiftly drive there into the opponent. However lightly you hesitate and delay yourself, so you take harm.

Also note and know that one with the forward edge of the sword, from the middle of that side to the hilt, turns away all hews and stabs. And the closer the opponent's hew or stab comes to the hilt upon that edge, with that, as he turns his forward edge with it, the better and the more powerful he can turn away hews or stabs. Because the nearer to the hilt, the stronger and the mightier. And the closer to the point, the weaker and the sicklier. Therefore, whoever wishes to be a good fencer, they shall learn to turn away well before anything. For if he turns that away well with this, he comes immediately into the winds. From them he can conduct the skill and beauty of the technique well.

The forward edge of the sword is called the right edge and all hews or stabs are ruined with the turning.

This is from the Hängen (hanging), fencer learn this

[96]

[97]

[98]

[99]

[100]

[101]

[liii]

[liv]

[lv]

[lvi]

[lvii]

[lviii]

[lix]

[lx]

[lxi]

[lxii]

Two hangings
from one side from the ground
in all techniques
strikes thrusts cuts guards soft or hard
Do the Sprechfenster (speaking window)
stand happily and observe him
Strike that he falters
when he pulls off from you
I tell you truthfully
no one defends without danger
Have you understood this,
he may not come to strikes
Be it that you stay
at the sword so you can do
strikes thrusts and cuts,
learn the feeling
without all hesitation,
and you should not flee from the sword
because a masters fencing
is rightfully at the sword
those who bind you
will be forced with the Krieg
The noble winding
may also find him open
With strikes with thrusts
with cuts you find him defenceless
In all windings
you should learn to find strikes thrusts and cuts
the noble hanging
cannot be without the hanging
because from the hanging
you should practice the winding.

Comment: here learn and know that there are two hangings each side, one Unterhängen (lower hanging) and one Oberhängen (upper hanging) with which you can get at his sword well, because these come from the Oberhau and Unterhau (high strike and low strike). If it now happens that you bind with your opponent on purpose or without so you should well stay at the sword and use the winding. So you can stand happily with relaxed mind and without fear at the sword and see, notice and wait for what he tries to do next; and what his plan is he intends to execute. And the standing at the sword is called the Sprechfenser (speaking window) by Liechtenauer. If you now stand at the sword with him, you should notice and feel his technique, be it soft or hard. And according to this you should act, as it has been written before. Now if he pulls off from the sword before you could begin your technique, so you should follow with him and beat strike or thrust him whatever you can bring surest, before he can do anything himself before you. You can do this because by staying at the sword and extending yourself your (point) moves nearer to him. If someone pulls off because he has to recover from a strike he just executes, then follow in with the point. If he instead stays at the sword you have to gauge and notice whether he his soft or hard at the sword.

If he is soft and weak, you should quickly and bravely proceed and hurry at him with the strength of your sword and force his sword aside with pressure, seeking his openings, to the head or the body wherever you may get at.

If he is hard and strong at the sword and intends to force you aside strongly, you should be soft and weak against his strength, and yield to his strength and forward pressure, thus evading with your sword. And with this evading as his sword swings about, as it has been written before, and now as this happens and while he is recovering from that and thus cannot execute strikes or thrusts, you should attack his openings, with strikes thrusts or cuts, wherever you may hit him best. According to the teaching you should do this quickly bravely and fast so that your adversary cannot come to strikes. As Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no man defends without danger, if you have understood it, he will not come to strikes. And by this he means that the adversary will not be able to safely defend if you act according to this teaching. As soon as you have done the first strike the adversary has to defend against it or has to take the hit. When you do the first strike, may you hit or muss, so you should quickly in one rush follow with the Nachschlag before he comes to strike. If you want to do the Vorschlag, you should also do the Nachschlag just with same thought or the same intention if possible. This is why he says: Vor and Nach those two things etc... If you do the Vorschlag, no matter if you hit or miss, you should do the Nachschlag in one rush quickly and fast, so that he cannot under any circumstances to his strikes.

So see to it that in all instances of fencing you act before your opponent and as soon as you move before him and have gained the Vorschlag so do the Nachschlag with moving in. You should never do a Vorschlag if you have not prepared the Nachschlag in your senses and mind as well, so that you are always in constant motion and never you should pause or hesitate. Always do one after the other quickly and fast so that your adversary cannot do any technique. Really, if you do exactly that, then he must be a really good (skilled) man to get away from you without being struck.

Because with this art or advantage it often happens that a peasant or anyone untrained defeats a skilled master by gaining the Vorschlag and rushing in quickly. Because it is easily missed that Indes hits him and also defeats and humiliates him. Because one that observes the strikes and waits for the defense is in greater danger than the one who strikes him and thus wins the Vorschlag. So always be that you are the first in all instances of fencing that you get to ones right side, there you are safer than your adversary.

[37r] Das ist von hengen / ffecht° daz lere / ~

Czwey hengen werden /
aus eyner hant von der erden /
In allen geferten /
hewe stiche leger weich ader herte /
Sprechfenster mache /
stant frölich sich syne sache /
Sch Slach das her snabe /
wer vor dir zich czewt abe /
Ich sage vor ware /
sich schützt keyn man ane vare /
Hastu vornome~ /
czu slage mag her kleyne komen /
Is das du bleibest
am swerte da mete auch treibest /
Hewe stiche ader snete /
das fülen merke mete /
An alles vorczhczihen /
vom swerte du auch nicht salt flien /
wen meister gefechte /
ist am swerte von rechte /
wer an dich bindet /
der krik mit im sere ringet /
Das edle winden /
kan in auch schire vinden /
Mit hewen mit stichen
mit sneten vindest in werlichen /
In allen winden
hewe stiche snete saltu vinden /
Das edle hengen /
wil nicht syn an dy windñ
wen aus den henge~ /
saltu dy wi~den bre~gen /

/ Glosa / etc Hie merke vnd wisse das czu itzlicher seiten sint czwey hengen / Eyn vnderhengen / vnd eyn öbirhengen / mit den du eyme wol an das swert magst komen / wen dy kome~ aus den öb°hewe~ vnd vnderhewen / Wen das nu geschiet / das du mit eyme an bindest / ader wy du süst mit im an das swert kömps zo salt du an dem swerte bleybñ vnd salt vnd salt winden • vnd salt alzo mit im gar [37v] frölichen / mit gutem mute / vnd künlichen an alle vorchte / an dem sw°te stehen / Vnd salt gar ebñ sehen / merken vnd warten was her wolle tuen / ader was syne sache sey / der her key~ dir pflegen wölle / Vnd daz stehen / alzo an deme swerte / das heisset lichtnaw° eyn sprechvanster / Vnd wen du nü mit im alzo an dem sw°te stehst / zo salt du gar ebñ merken vnd fülen syne geferte / ab sie sint weich aber herte / dornoch salt du dich deñe richte~ als vor ofte gesproche~ ist / Ist / das her sich vör allen sachen / e deñe du noch ichsicht begyñest / abe czewt von deme sw°te / zo salt du czu hant noch volgen vnd salt in slaen hawe~ ader steche~ was du am schiresten magst dar bre~gen / e den her czu keyn°leye dinge kome / weñe du hast io neher czu im mit dem das du am sw°te blibest / vnd dyn ort key~ im reckest / we~ iener mit syme abe czihen / den e her sich ey~s slags erholt dir dar brengt / zo var czu hãt dar mt dy~ orte/ Bleibt her aber mit dir an dem sw°te / zo prüfe / io vnd merke / ab her sy weich aber herte an dem swerte / Ist das her ist / weich vnd swach / zo saltu rischlichen vnd künlichen volvaren vnd dar hurten / mit dyner sterke / vnd salt / im syn swert hin dringen vnd drücken / vnd süche~ syne bloßen / czu koppe ader czu leibe / wo du nür czu magst komen / Ist iener deñe herte vnd stark an deme sw°te / vnd meynt dich vaste hin dringen vnd stossen / zo saltu deñe weich vnd swach seyn / keyn syner sterke / vnd salt syner sterke vnd syme dringen mit dynen sw°te entwychen [38r] vnd yn dem weiche~ als im syn sw°t im hin prelt vnd wischt / als vor auch von deme geschrebñ ist / In deme ad° dy weile als das im geschit / e deñe her sichs weder irholen mag / dar her czu keyme slage ader stiche kome / Zo saltu selber syner blössen war neme~ / mit hewe~ stiche~ ader sneten / wo du in am schireste~ gehabñ magst / noch der vorgeschrebñ lere / risch / künlich vnd snelle das io iener mit nichte czu slage kome Dorvm spricht lichtnaw° / ich sag vorwar • sich schutzt key~ man ane var / Hastu vornomen / czu slage mag er kleyne kome~ / Do mitt meynt her / das sich keyn° mag ane var ader ane schaden schutcze~ / Is das du tust noch der geschrebñ lere / Ab du im den vorslag gewyñest vnd tust den mus io iener were~ / ad° mus sich lasse slaen / wen du deñe den vorslag tust / du trefst ader velest / zo saltu rischlich vnd in eyme rawsche den nochslag tue~ / e deñe iener czu keyme slage kome / Deñe wen du den vorslag wilt tue~ / zo saltu recht / zã yn eyme gedanke vnd mute den nochslag auch tue~ / recht zam du sy mit ey~nander wellest tue~ / we~ is möglich were / Dorvm spricht her / vor • noch / dy cwey dink etc ~ den tust du den vorslag / du treffest / ader velest / zo tu io / in eyme rawsche / risch vnd snelle den nochslag / das iener mit nichte [38v] czu slage kome / vnd alzo saltu schaffen das du yn allen sache~ des fechtens io e komest deñe iener / vnd als balde als du e kum~est deñe ien° / vnd den vorslag gewiñest / zo tu czu hãt den nochslag / Wen du salt key~ vorslag tue~ / du habst io / de~ nochslag auch mete ym synne vnd ym mute / also dastu vm~mer in motu seist / vnd mit nichte feyerst ader last / zonder vm~erm° eyns noch dem and°n treibst / risch vnd snelle das iener czu keyne~ dingen moge kome~ / Vorwar tustu / das / zo mus her gar eyn guter syn der ungeslage~ von dir kum~t / Weñe mt der selben ku~st / ader mt dem vorteil das / ku~pt is oft / das ey~ pawer ader eyn ungelarter eyn gute~ meist° / slet / mt deme • das her den vorslag tuet / vnd künlich dar hurt / den wy leiche ist das obersehñ / das in/deß trift vnd in alzo beschemet vnd slet / deñe eyn° der der slege war nym~et / vnd des schütcze~s wil warten / der ist io in grosser var / deñe ien° der do of in slet / vnd den vorslag gewyñet / Dorvm~e schaffe / das du yn allen sache~ des fechtens der erste bist / vnd io eyme of dy linkerechte / seiten komest / do bist du wol aller dinge sicher deñe ien° /

[108]

[106]

[107]

[105]

[lxiii]

[lxiv]

From both sides
learn eight windings with the according steps
And each
of those has three techniques
So there are twenty
four windings, count them one by one
Fencer this observe
and correctly understand the windings
And learn to use them well
so you may hit the four openings
Because every opening
has six sure ways to be hit.

Comment: Here learn that the winden are the real art and the base of all fencing with the sword and from these all other techniques and methods come from. And one rarely is a good fencer without the windings. Just as the Leychmeister disdain them and say that fencing from the winding is weak and they call it from the shortened sword because that they are done simple and stupid. And they mean that these are fenced from the long sword which is done with outstretched arms and extended sword and also aggressively with all strength of the body only by pressing themselves forward.

And this is painful to watch! If one stretches just as running after a rabbit this is not the way, neither the windings nor Liechtenauers art, because there is no strength against (the opposing strength)! Whoever does it differently should prefer strength.

[39v] VOn beiden seiten /
ler acht wi~den mit schreite~ /
Vnd io ir eyne /
der wi~de~ mt drey~ stöcke~ meyne /
So synt ir czwenczik •
vnd vier / czele sy enczik /
ffechter das achte /
vnd dy winden rechte betrachte /
Vnd lere sy wol fure~ /
zo magst du dy vier blößen rüre~ /
Wen itzliche blösse /
hat sechs ruren gewisse /

[40r] / Glosa / :• Hie merke / das dy winden / sint dy rechte kunst / vnd gru~tfeste alles fechten / des sw°tes / aus den alle ander gefechte vnd stöcke kome~ / vnd is mag mülich eyn guter fechter /syn / ane dy winden / Wy wol etzliche leychmeistere • dy vornichte~ / vnd spreche~ is sy gar swach was aus den winden ku~pt / vnd neñen is / aus dem korcze~ sw°te / dorvm~e das sy slecht vnd ey~veldik dar gen / vnd meyne~ das sy / aus dem lange~ sw°te gefochte~ / was dar get / mt gestracke~ arme~ / vnd mt gestrakte~ swerte / vnd was gar veyntlich vnd stark von alle~ krefte~ des leybes dar get / nur durch wol stehens wille / vnd das is grawsam an czu sehñ ist / we~ sich eyn° alzo strekt / recht zam her eyne~ hazen wolle irlawfen / vnd daz ist alles nicht / weder dy winden vnd weder lichtnaw°s kunst / wen do ist keyne sterke weder / deñe worvm~e wer anders ku~st / solde allemal dy sterke vörczihen /

  1. Text is blacked out.
  2. alt: behold, peer-into, witness, probe, observe, perceive, inspect, investigate, realize, comprehend. alt: show, present, embody, illuminate
  3. latin
  4. lit: tread-full. completing a step or completing the course of a thing.
  5. alt: giving-way, stepping-off. to give something up. to let something go.
  6. alt: safe, sure
  7. alt: has success
  8. ume züst => umsonst
  9. In front of the words “denne” and “her” there are oblique insertion marks, which indicate a reverse order – as shown here.
  10. schlage, not schlag
  11. Here the writing is cut off by manuscript trimming.
  12. aufwinden: 1) to entangle, wind into a ball 2) to turn or twist upwards.
  13. hindringen: to break or force through. overcome
  14. alt: straight
  15. darfahren: unversehens dazu kommen
  16. Supplemented according to fol. 29v.
  17. wegen preposition
  18. wegen verb
  19. ienen
  20. At this point there is an ink stain which might hide an original “g” (which can only be seen indistinctly).
  21. dargehen: the approach something in a hostile manner. Literally: to go-there.
  22. The page is clipped. only 'hew' remains. This manuscript spells 'haupte' as 'hewpte'
  23. twer: noun: something that gets in the way, something that cuts across something else, something that crosses. verb: to twist, to twirl, to turn obliquely in relation to something
  24. "Hew" is inserted in the margin.
  25. The comment ends here and remains unfinished.
  26. Unlike other places where there are definitely passages originally forgotten and inserted with a caret, such is missing here. Thus, it can be conjectured that this is a later addition or comment.
  27. Illegible deleted character.
  28. rauschen: like a strong wind rustling quickly through the trees