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Pseudo-Hans Döbringer
| Here begins Master Liechtenauer's art of fencing | |
|---|---|
| Hie hebt sich an meister lichtenawers kunst des fechtens | |
| Author(s) | Unknown |
| Ascribed to | Pseudo-Hans Döbringer |
| Date | before 1495 |
| Genre | |
| Language | Early New High German |
| Manuscript(s) | MS 3227a |
| First Printed English Edition |
Żabiński, 2008 |
| Translations | |
"Pseudo-Hans Döbringer" is the name given to an anonymous 15th century German fencing master.[1] At some point in the 15th century (or possibly the last decade of the 14th), he dictated a gloss on and expansion of the teachings of the grand master Johannes Liechtenauer, including the only biographical details of the master yet discovered; it is even speculated that he was personally acquainted with Liechtenauer, who was still alive at the time of the writing.[2] These comments were written into MS 3227a, a commonplace book, by an equally unknown scribe.
Contents
Treatise
Here it begins, Master Liechtenauer's Art of Fencing with the Sword on Foot and on Horse, Bare and in Harness. And before any incidents and confrontations, you shall note and know that there is just one art of the sword and it may have been invented and conceived many hundred years ago. And this is a foundation and core of all of the arts of fencing and Master Liechtenauer had internalized and applied it quite completely and correctly. Not that he invented and conceived it himself, as was written before, rather he had traveled through many lands. And through that sought the legitimate and truthful art for the sake that he would experience and know it. And this art is earnest, complete and legitimate; and everything proceeds from it the nearest and shortest, simple and direct. Just as if one would hew or stab someone and that person then bound a thread or cord to his point or edge of his sword and guided or pulled that very point point or edge to the opponent's opening. For he should hew or stab according to the nearest and shortest and most decisive of all. For one would prefer to deliver just that, because that same legitimate fencing will not have handsome and painstaking parries nor wide fencing-around. With those, people choose to procrastinate and delay themselves. As one finds according to many illegitimate masters, that say they have invented and conceived and possess for themselves from day to day some new art, better and greater. But I would like to see one that would conceive and perform just one application or one hew that does not come from Liechtenauer's art. Just that they will often mix-up and pervert an application. So with that, they give it a new name, each according to their head. Furthermore that they conceive wide fencing-around and parrying and often do two or three hews in place of a single hew. They will be praised by the uncomprehending just for the liveliness of it as they fiendishly arrange themselves with those beautiful parries and wide fencing-around and deliver wide and long hews slowly and sluggishly. With those they quite severely delay and hew-ahead of themselves and also with those give themselves firm openings because they have no measure in their fencing. And anyway, that is not called for in earnest fencing. In some cases, it could possibly be somewhat good in school fencing for exercise and enjoyment. But earnest fencing will proceed swift, straight and quite direct without any hesitation nor delay like a string or something like it determined the measure and trajectory. When one shall slash or stab whoever stands there before them, then truly no strike or stab backwards or to the side helps him, nor any wide fencing nor multiple hews. They that would like to end it with someone, they procrastinate and delay themselves so that they preclude the moment of truth. Rather, one must initiate their hew straight and directly to the person, to the head or to the body according to what is closest and surest. Just as he is able to attain it and judge it, swiftly and quickly and preferably with one strike. Because with four or six, he would give himself away with them. And that one comes effortlessly as opposed to all those because the fore-strike is a great advantage of this fencing as you will hear it hereafter in the text where Liechtenauer names just five hews with other plays that are sufficient for earnest fencing and teaches it according to the correct art, conducted straight and direct toward the closest and surest as it simply can approach and leaves all of the confusing work and new found hews foolishly considered by the illegitimate masters that nevertheless thoroughly depart from his art. |
[13v] HIe hebt sich an meister lichtenawers kunst des fechtens mit deme sw°te czu fusse vnd czu rosse / blos vnd yn harnüsche / Vnd vor allen dingen vnd sachen / saltu merke~ vnd wissen / das nür eyne kunst ist des swertes / vnd dy mag vor manche~ hvndert Jare~ seyn fvnden vnd irdocht / vnd dy ist eyn grunt vnd kern aller künsten des fechtens / vnd dy hat meist° lichtnaw° gancz vertik vnd gerecht gehabt vnd gekunst / Nicht das her sy selber habe~ fvnden vnd irdocht / als vor ist geschreben / Sonder / her hat manche lant / durchfaren vnd gesucht / durch der selbñ rechtvertigen vnd warhaftige~ kunst wille / das her dy io irvare~ vnd wissen welde / Vnd dy selbe kunst ist ernst gancz vnd rechtvertik / Vnd get of das aller neheste vnd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also note this and know that one cannot speak and explain or write about fencing quite as simply and clearly as one can easily show and inform it with the hand. Therefore act on your judgement and consider the best of it and therein, exercise the bulk of that yourself in play which you think is of the best in earnest. Because practice is better than empty art, for practice is fully sufficient without art but art is not fully sufficient without practice. |
¶ Auch merke das / vnd wisse das mã nicht gar eygentlich vnd bedewtlich von dem fechten mag sage~ vnd schreibñ ader auslege~ / als mã is wol mag / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also know that a good fencer shall, ahead all confrontations, command and clasp his sword certainly and surely with both hands between the hilt and the pommel. Because like this, he holds the sword much surer than when he clasps it by the pommel with one hand and also strikes much harder and surer like this, because the pommel overthrows itself and swings itself in accordance with the strike, so that the strike arrives much harder than when he clasps the sword with the pommel, because like this, he restrains the strike with the pommel, such that he may not arrive so completely and so strongly, because the sword is just like a scale. For if a sword is large and heavy, so must the pommel also be accordingly heavy, just like a scale. |
¶ Auch wisse das eyn guter fechter sal vör allen sachen syn swert gewisse vnd sicher füren vnd fassen / mit beiden henden / czwische~ gehilcze vnd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also know that when one fences with someone, so shall he fully take heed of his steps and be sure in them just as if he shall stand upright upon a scale, shifting backwards or forwards according to that as necessitates itself, connected and nimble, swiftly and quickly. And with good spirit and good consciousness or consideration shall your fencing proceed and without any fear as one will hear that hereafter. |
¶ Auch wisse wen eyn° mit eyme ficht / zo sol her syner schrete wol war neme~ / vnd sicher in den sey~ / wen her recht zam of eyner woge~ stehe~ sal · hindersich · ader vorsich · czu trete~ / noch deme als sichs gepürt / gefüge vnd gerinklich / risch vnd snelle / vnd gar mt gute~ mute / vnd guter gewissen ader vornu~ft / sal deyn fechte~ dar gehe~ / vnd an alle vorchte / als mã das h°noch wirt höre~ / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You shall also have measure in your applications accordingly as it necessitates itself and shall not step too wide, so that you may better adjust yourself to another's steps, done backwards or forwards according to that as it will necessitate itself. Also often itself necessitating two short steps for one long and often necessitates itself that one must do a little pre run with short steps and often that one must do a good step or spring. |
¶ Auch saltu mosse habñ yn deyme gefechte dornoch als sichs gepürt / vnd salt nicht czu weit schreite~ / das du dich deste bas ey~s- andñ schretes irholen magest / hinderdich / ader vordich czu tue~ / noch deme als sich wörde gepure~ / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And whatever one will readily conduct in play or in earnest, they shall make that foreign and confusing so that the opponent does not notice what this is meant to conduct against him. And as soon as [3] the opponent then comes at him and also has the measure of the opponent so that he thinks he will have and reach in the opponent well, so shall he brazenly hurry to the opponent and drive swiftly and quickly to the head or to the body. He hits or mises and shall always win the fore-strike and allows the opponent to come with nothing as you will better hear hereafter in the common lore, etc. |
¶ Vnd was eyñ redlichs wil treibñ czu schimpfe / ader czu ernste / das sal her eyme vor den ogen / fremde vnd vorworren machen / das ieñ nicht merkt was deser key~ im meynt czutreiben / [16r] Vnd alsbald bald we~ her deñe czu im ku~pt vnd dy moße also czu im hat das in dünkt her welle in im wol haben vnd irreichen / zo sal her ku~lich czu im hurte~ vnd vare~ / snelle vnd risch / czu koppe ader czu leibe / her treffe ader vele / vnd sal io den vorslag gewyñen / vnd iene~ mt nichte lassen czu~ dinge~ kome~ / als du bas h°noch wirst hören yn der gemeyne~ lere etc | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One shall also always prefer to target the upper openings rather than the lower and one drives in over the hilt with hews or with stabs, bravely and quickly. Because one reaches the opponent much better and further over the hilt than under it. And one is also much surer of all fencing like this. For the upper contact one is much better than the lower one. But if it comes to be as such that one were nearer to the lower, then he must target that as this often occurs. |
¶ Auch sal eyn° allemal liber den öbñ blößen reme~ / deñe den vndñ / vnde eyme ober deme gehilcze yn vare~ / mt hewe~ ader mit stiche~ / künlich vnd risch / we~ eyn° irreicht eyne~ vil bas / vnd / verrer öber dem gehilcze · den dorvnder / vnd eyn° ist auch alzo vil sicher alles fechtens / vnd d° obñ rure eyne / ist vil besser deñe der vndñ eyne / Is we~ deñe / das is alzo queme das eyner neher hette czu der vndñ das her der reme~ müste / als das ofte ku~ptc | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also know that one shall always come to the right side of the opponent in his applications. Because he may better have the opponent in all confrontations of fencing or wrestling than immediately in front of. And whoever knows this part well and delivers well, they are not a bad fencer. |
¶ Auch wisse / das eyner sal io eyme of dy rechte seiten kome~ / yn seyme gefechte / wen her eym~ do yn allen sachen / des fechtens ader ringens / bas gehabñ mag / deñe gleich vorne czu / vnd wer dis stöcke wol weis / vnd wol dar brengt / der ist nicht ey~ bözer fechter etc | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also know when one will earnestly fence, they contemplate a polished play, whichever he wishes that is complete and correct there and earnestly internalize that and keep it in his intent and spirit. Whatever he wishes upon someone just as if he would say: "This I mean to truly conduct" and so this shall and must go forward with the help of god, so it might fail him in nothing. He does what he should when he bravely hurries and charges there with the fore-strike, as one will often hear hereafter. |
[16v] ¶ Auch wisse / wen eyñ ernstlich wil fechten / der vasse im eyn vertik stöcke vör / wels her wil / das do gancz vnd gerecht sey / vnd neme im das ernstlich vnd stete in seyne~ syn vnd gemüte / wen her of eyne~ wil / Recht zam her sölde spreche~ das meyne ich io czutreibñ / vnd dal sal vnd mus vorgank habñ mt der hölfe gotes zo mag is im mt t nichte velen / her tut was her sal / wen her ku~lich dar hort vnd rawscht / mt dem vorslage / als mã das hernach oft wirt horen etc | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In all fencing |
[17r] Czu allem fechten · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Motion, that beautiful word, |
[17v] MOtus · das worte schone / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Here note that constant motion secures him in the beginning, middle and end of all fencing according to this art and lore. As such that one completes the beginning, middle and ending in one rush without pause and without the hindrance of his counter-fencer and does not allow the opponent to come to strikes with anything. Of this, the two words come: before, after. That is, the fore-strike and after-strike. Immediately and at one time as if left without any middle[7] |
¶ Hie merke~ · das · freque~s motus · beslewst in im / begy~nis / mittel · vnd ende / alles fechtens / noch deser kunst vnd lere / alzo das eyñ yn eyme rawsche / anhebu~ge / mittel / vnde endu~ge / an vnderlos vnd an hindernis synes wedervechters volbrenge / vnd iene~ mit nichte lasse czu slage kome~ / we~ of das ge~t dy czwey wörter · vor · noch · das ist / vorslag vnd nochslag / i~ mete r / i~ vna hõ / q~si dm p9 i~liqm sine ãqo meo / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is the general preface of the bare-fencing on foot. Mark this well.
|
[18r] Das ist eyne gemeyne vorrede / des blozfechtens czu fuße / Das merke wol JVng Ritter lere · Vnd was du | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is the general lore of the sword
General gloss hereafter.[10] 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 leave and come back into it. So are the hangings and the windings are the attachments and the revolutions 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, of course may not hit every single time; yet they can hit someone with those same plays hewing, stabbing or cutting; with treading out and in; and with stepping-around or springing. And if one mislaid or mis-extended the point of his sword with shooting or with lunging[11] then he may realign and retract and shorten it again with winding or treading-out,[12] in such a way that he again comes into the certain[13] 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.[14] |
[18v] Das ist eyne gemeyne lere des swertes wWIltu kunst schawen · ¶ Glosa gn°alis hui9 seq°r / ¶ Von allererste~ merke vnd wisse / das der ort des swertes ist das czentru~ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On second count, note and know that no part on the sword was invented and conceived without reason.[15] 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 andñ mal merke vnd wisse / daz keyn dink an dem sw°te / vm~e züst fu~den vnd irdocht ist / zvnder eyn fechter / den ort / beide sneiden gehilcze klos / vnd als das am swerte ist / nuetczen sal / noch dem [19v] als itzlieichs syn sönderleichs gesetze hat yn der ku~st des fechtens / noch dem als dy Vebunge hat vnd finder / 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 flesh-wounds or blows, rather always be in work and in contact so that the opponent cannot come to strikes. |
¶ Auch merke vnd wisse / mit deme als her spricht wiltu ku~st schawe~ etc / meynt her / das eyn ku~stlicher fechter / der sal den linke~ fuz vorsetzen / vnd võ der rechte~ seite~ mete hawen / gleich czu~ mañe / mit drewe hewen / zo lang / bis das her siet wo her iene~ wol gehaben mag / vnd wol dirreiche~ mit seine~ schreten / Vnd meynt / we~ eyn° stark wil fechte~ zo sal her võ der linke~ seiten of fechte~ / mit gancze~ leibe vnd mit ganczer kraft / czu köppe vnd czu leibe wo her nur treffen mag / vnd nu~mer czu key~ swerte / zvnder her sal tuen / zam iener keyn sw°t habe / aber zam hers nicht sehe / vnd sal keyne czecke~ ader ruren nicht vormeiden / zonder vm~ermer in erbeit vnd in berüru~ge sey~ das iener nicht czu slage mag komen ¶ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Auch meynt her das / eyner den hewe~ nicht gleich sal noch gehen vnd treten zonder etwas beseites / vnd krum~es vm~e / das her ieme an dy seite kome / do her in bas / mit allerleye gehabñ mag / deñe vorne czu / was her deñe[16] nür of ienen hewt ader sticht das mag im iener mit keynerleye durchwechsel ader andñ gefechten / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
[20r] ¶ Auch merke vnd wisse / mit deme als her spricht / · vor noch · dy zwey dink etc / do / nent her dy fünff wörter · vor · noch · swach · stark ·· Indes · an den selben wörtñ / leit alle kunst / Meister lichtnaw°s / vnd sint dy gruntfeste vnd der / kern / alles fechtens czu fusse ader czu rosse / blos ader in harnüsche / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 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 leading-off and defense 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 like this. 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 gut° fechter / sal alle mal den vorslag haben vnd gewiñen / † [her treffe ader vele / als lichnawer / spricht / Haw dreyn vnd hurt dar / rawsche hin trif ader la va] weñe 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 deñe 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 gehabñ mag / alzo das her ia den vorslag gewiñe / is tu ieme wol ader we · vnd sal auch mit dem / in syne~ 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 deñe 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 deñe 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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,[17] if it is possible to accomplish, the fore-strike and the after-strike, swiftly and promptly after each other. |
[21r] Weñe mit dem worte vor als e gesprochen ist / meynt her / das eyn° mit eyme guten vorslage ader mit dem ersten slage / sal eyn° ku~lich an alle vorchte dar hurte~ vnd rawsche~ / key~ den blössen czu koppe ader czu leibe / her treffe ader vele / das her iene~ czu hant als betewbet / mache vnd in irschrecke / das her nicht weis was her key~ desem solle weder tue~ / vnd auch e deñe sich ien° weder key~s irhole / ader wed° czu im selber kome / das her deñe czu hant den nochslag tue / vnd im io zo vil schaffe / czu were~ vnd czu schütze~ / das her nicht möge czu slage kome~ / deñe wen deser de~ erste~ slag / ader de~ vorslag tuet / vnd in ien° deñe weret / in dem selbe~ were~ vnd schutze~ / zo ku~pt deser deñe alle mal e czu dem nochslage den ien° czu de~ erste~ / den her mag / czu haut czu varn mit dem klosse / ader mag / in dy twerhewe kome~ / dy czu male gut syn / ader mag sost das sw°t dy twer vor werfen / do mite her in ander gefechte ku~pt / ader sost mancherleye mag her wol begiñen / e deñe ien° czu slage ku~pt / als du wirst hore~ wy sich eyns aus de~ and°n macht / das ien° nicht mag von im kome~ vngeslage~ / tut her and°s noch deser lere† [Weñe her sal mit eyme gedanke~ / vnd zam mit eyme slage / ab is möglich were / den vorslag vnd[18] nochslag tue~ / risch vnd snelle noch ey~nãd] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Auch möchte is wol dar czu kome~ / ab ien° de~ vorslag weret / zo müste her in were~ mit dem sw°te / vnd alzo müste her dese~ io an sy~ sw°t kome~ / vnd we~ deñe ien° eczwas trege vnd las were / zo möchte deser deñe an dem sw°te bleybe~ / vnd sal deñe czu hãt wi~den / vnd sal gar ebñ merke~ vnd fulen / ab sich ien° wil abeczihe~ võ dem sw°te / ader nicht / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Czewt sich ien° ab / als sy im vor mit ey~nander an dy sw°t sint kome~ / vnd dy orter key~ ey~nand° recken / czu de~ blossen / E deñe sich / deñe iener key~s haws ader stichs / of ey~ news weder [21v] irhole~ mag mit syme abeczihe~ · zo hat im deser czu hant / mit syme orte noch gevolget / mit eyne~ gute~ stiche czu der brost / ader söst vorne czu wo her in am schireste~ vnd neheste~ getreffe~ mag / alzo das im ien° mit nichte / ane schade~ von dem sw°te mag kome~ / we~ deser hat io / czu hãt mit syme nochvolge~ / neher czu ieme / mit dem als her syne~ ort / vor / an dem sw°te gestalt hat key~ ieme / noch de~ aller neheste~ vnd körczste~ / we~ das ien° mit syme abeczihe~ / of / ey~ news solde hewe ader stiche / weit vm~e / dar bre~ge~ / alzo mag io deser alle mal · e czu dem nochslage ader stiche kome~ / e deñe ien° czu dem ersten / Vnd das mey~t lichtnaw° mit dem worte / noch / we~ eyn° im de~ vorslag hat getan / zo sal her czu hant an vnderloz / of der selben vart den nochslag / tue~ / vnd sal vm~erm° in bewegu~ge / vnd in rüru~ge syn / vnd vm°mer ey~s noch dem and°n treibñ / ab ym das erste vele / dacz daz ander das dritte ader daz vierde treffe / vnd io iene~ nicht lasse czu ky~me slage kome~ / Wen keyn / mag grosser vorteil of fechte~ habñ / 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[19] and stay with him like this on the sword and shall quite precisely note and feel whether the opponent is weak or strong on the sword. |
¶ Ist aber das ien° an de~ sw°te bleybt / mit dem als her mit syme were~ vnd schutze~ desem an syn sw°t ist kome~ / vnd is sich alzo vorczage~ hat das deser mit im an de~ sw°te ist blebe~ / vnd noch nicht den nochslag hat getan · zo sal deser winden / of vnd mit im alzo an dem sw°te stehe~ / vnd sal gar ebñ merke~ vnd füle~ / ab / ien swach ader stark ist an dem sw°te / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[20] 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 deñe das deser merkt vnd fület / das iener stark herte vnd veste an dem sw°te ist / vnd dese~ / nü mey~t syn sw°t hin dringe~ · zo sal deser deñe swach vnd weich dirweder syn / vnd sal syñ sterke weiche~ vnd stat gebñ / vnd sal im syn sw°t / hin lasse~ preln vnd wer varn / mit sy~ dringe~ daz her tuet / vnd deser sal deñe syn sw°t snelle [22r] lassen abegleiten · vnd abeczihñ / balde vnd risch · vnd sal snelle dar varn key~ synen blosse~ / czu koppe ader czu leibe / wo / mit hewe~ stiche~ vnd snete~ / wo her nür / am neheste~ vnd schireste~ mag czu kome~ / wen e herter vnd e sürer ien° dringt vnd druckt mit syme sw°te / vnd deser deñe swach vnd weich dirwed° ist · vnd syn sw°t lest abegleite~ / vnd im alzo weicht / e verrer vnd e weit° deñe ieme sy~n sw°t wek prelt · das her deñe gar blos wirt / vnd das in deñe deser noch wonsche mag treffen vnd rüren / e deñe her sich selber / key~s 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. |
¶ Ist aber ien° an dem sw°te swach vnd weich alzo das is deser nü wol merkt vnd fület / zo sal deser deñe stark vnd herte dirweder syn / an dem sw°te / vnd sal deñe mit syme orte sterkliche~ an dem sw°te hin varn vnd rawsche~ key~ iens blosse~ gleich vorne czu / wo her am neheste~ mag / Recht zam im e snure ader vadem / vorne an syne~ ort were gebu~den / der im syne~ ort of das neheste / weizet czu ienes blossen / vnd mit dem selbe~ steche~ das deser tuet / wirt her wol gewar / ab ien° zo swach ist / daz her im sy~ sw°t lest alzo hin dringe~ vnd sich lest treffe~ Ist aber ab her stark ist vnd den stich weret vnd abeleitet / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 would win 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 sw°te / vnd desem syn sw°t abeweiset vnd den stich weret / also das her dese~ sy~ sw°t vaste hin dringt · zo sal deser aber swach vnd weich dirweder w°den / vnd sal sy~ sw°t lasse~ abegleite~ / vnd im weichen / vnd syne blosse~ rischlichen süche~ / mit hewe~ stiche~ ader mit snete~ wy her nür mag · Vnd das mey~t lichtnaw° / mit dese~ wörter / weich vnd herte / vnd das get of dy aucto’i-[22v] tas / als aristotyles spricht in lib° pyarmenias Oppo~ita iuxta se po~ita · m~g~ elucescu~t / vel / oppo~ita opposit~ cui aut° / Swach weder stark / herte weder weich / et eqt° / Deñe solde stark weder stark syn / zo gesigt allemal der sterker / ·dorvm get lichtnawer fechte~ noch recht° vnd worhaftiger ku~st dar / das ey~ swacher mit syn° ku~st vnd list / als schire gesigt / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Dorvem fecht° lere wol füle~ / als lichtnawer spricht / das fülen lere / Indes daz wort / sneidet sere / den wen du eyme am swte bist vnd fülest nü wol ab ien° swach ader stark am sw°te ist · Indes ader dy weile · zo magstu deñe wol trachte~ vnd wisse~ was du salt key~ im tue~ / noch deser vorgesproche~ lere / vnd ku~st / wen her mag sich io mit nichte abe czihe~ vom sw°te ane schade~ / Den lichtnawer spricht / slach das her snabe / wer sich vör dir czewt abe / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Tu noch deser lere / zo vestestu wol alzo das du io den vorslag habest vnd gewinest / vnd als balde / als du den tuest / zo tu deñe dornoch in eyme rawsche / inmediate an vnderloz den nochslag / das ist den and°n / den dritte~ / ader den vierden slag / haw aber stich / das io iener nicht czu slage kome / kömstu de~ mit im an daz sw°t / zo bis sicher an dem fulen / vnd tu als vor geschrebñ ist / wen dis ist d° gru~t des fechte~s das ey~ man vm~erm° in motu ist / vnd nicht veyert vnd kömpt is deñe an das fulen / zo tu / ut sup~ ptuit / Vnd was du treibest vnd begiñest / zo habe io moße vnd li~pf / als ab du im den vorslag / gewiñest / zo tu in nicht zo gehelich vnd zo swinde / das du nicht | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is the text, in this he names the five hews and other plays of fencing.
[No gloss] |
[23r] Das ist der / text / in deme her neñet / dy fünff / hewe vnd andere stöcke des fecht° FVnf hewe lere · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the Wrath-hew, etc.
Gloss. Here note and know that Liechtenauer calls an over-hew struck[22] 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[23] 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 ~ DEr[24] dir oberhawet · ¶ Glosa ¶ Hie merke vnd wisse das lichtnaw° / ey~ öberhaw slecht von der achsel / heisset den czornhaw / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Auch saltu nicht sere eylen mit deme krige / den ab dir ey~s velet obñ / des du remest / zo triffestu vnden als du wirst höre~ wy sich eyns aus dem and°n macht / noch rechtvertiger kunst / besu~der hewe stiche snete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Vnd salt nicht czu eyns sw°te hawe~ / zonder czu im selber / czu koppe vnd czu leibe / wo eyn° mag etc Auch mag mã vorneme~ / das der erste v°se mochte alzo stehen / wem du öberhewest czornhaw / deme drewt der ort / des czornhaws etc Nür tu noch deser lere / vnd bis vm~erm° i~ / motu / du treffest ad° nicht / daz ien° nicht czu slage Kome vnd schret io wol besytz aus / mit den hewen / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[26] it, for it has immediately shifted[27] somewhere[28] closer to him. |
Auch wise das nur czwene hewe seyn aus den alle ander hewe[29] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
Vnd ab is alzo queme / das ien° den vorslag gewuñe / zo sal deser sicher vnd gewis / vnd snelle seyn mit dem wende~ / vnd als bald als her im gewendet hat / zo sal her czu hant czuvaren | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the four openings, etc, etc.
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. |
[25r] Das ist von den vier blössen etc etc VIer blößen wisse · ¶ Glosa ¶ Hie merke / daz lichtnaw° / der teilt eyn menschen yn vier teil / recht zam das her eym von der scheitel / eyn strich vorne gleich neder machte an sym leybe / bis her neder czwische~ syne beyne / Vnd de~ and°n strich by der görtel dy czwere öber de~ / leib / zo werde~ vier vierteil ey~ rechtes vnd ey~ links öber der görtel / vnd alzo auch vnd° der gortel / das sint dy vier bloße~ · der hat itzlichs syñ sonder gefechte / der reme vnd nu~mer keyns swertes / zonder der bloßen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
About the four openings, how one breaks them.
[No gloss] |
Von den vier blössen / wy man dy bricht WIltu dich rechen / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the crook-hew, etc.
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. |
[25v] Das ist von deme krumphawe / etc KRump auf / behende · ¶ Glosa / ·¶· Hie merke vnd wisse das der kru~phaw / ist eyn oberhaw der do mit eyme guten ausschrete / krum~es dar / get / zam noch eyner seiten · Dorvem meynt lichtnawer / der den selben haw wol wil fure~ / der sal wol beseicz aus schreite~ czu der rechte~ hant / dañe her den haw bre~gt / vnd sal wol krumphawe vnd behendlichen / vnd sal synen ort / werfen / ader schißen / ieme ober syn gehilcze of / dy hende / vnd sal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[31] 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. |
[26v] ☞ ¶ Eyn / haw / heist der veller / vnd ku~pt aus dem kru~phaw · vnd der stet geschrebe~ noch deme twerhawe / do dy hant ist geschrebñ / vnd der sal vör deme therhawe sten / vnd der get von vnden dar krum~es vnd schiks / eyme ober deme gehilcze yn / mit ort schissen / Recht zam der kru~phaw von obñ neder / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[No gloss] |
[27r] ☞ ¶ Veller wer füret · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the thwart-hew, etc.
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[33] 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. For just as he delivers a thwart-hew, to whichever side it is: below or above, the sword then always goes up with the hilt before the head via the hand flung forwards, so that he is absolutely warded and covered. And one shall deliver the thwart-hews with some strength. |
Das ist von deme Twerehawe / etc Twere benym~et · [27v] ¶ Glosa / Hie merke vnd wisse / das of dem ganczen / sw°te / keyn haw / als redlich / zo heftik zo vertik vnd zo gut ist als der twerhaw · Vnd der get dar / zam dy twer · czu beyden seiten · mit beiden sneiden / der hindern vnd der vörd°n / czu allen blossen / vnden vnde oben · Vnd alles das von dem tage dar ku~pt / das sint dy öb°n hewe / ader was söst von obe~ neder gehet / das bricht vnd / weret eyner / mit den twer hewen / der dy wol kan dar bre~gen / ader das sw°t wol vörwirft / dy twer vor / das hawpt / czu weler seiten her wil / recht zam her in dy ob°n henge~ ader winden wolle kome~ / Nür das eyner in den twerhewe~ / dy flechen des sw°tes / eyne oben ader of / dy ander vnden ader neder kert · vnd dy sneiden / czu den syten / dy twer / eyne / czu der rechte~ / vnd eyne czu der linken / seiten · Vnd mit den selbe~ twerhewe~ / ist gar gut eyme an das sw°t czu kome~ / vnd wen den eyner eyme an das sw°t ku~pt / wy das nür dar kome~ ist / zo mag ien° mülich von im kome~ / her wirt von desem geslage~ · czu beiden seiten mit den twerhewe~ / den wy her eynen twerhaw nür dar bre~gt / czu weler seite~ is ist / vnden ader oben / zo get im io das sw°t obñ / mit dem gehilcze / mit vorworfner / hant · vor deme hewpte / das her io wol bewart vnd bedekt ist · Vnd eyner sal dy twerhewe / eczwas mit / sterke dar bre~ge~ / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 closes with someone, as soon as he realizes that he is able to engage the opponent with a step or a spring, he then bursts in there from the right side with a thwart-hew above at the head of the opponent with the back edge of the sword likewise[35] above 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 like this 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 vem syne~ hals sölde fechten So solde her schaffen / mit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the squint-hew, etc.
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 hand flung forwards 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...[36] |
[28v] Das ist von deme schilhawe : ~ SChiler in bricht · Glosa / Hie merke vnd wisse das eyn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[29v] WO man von scheidñ / | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the part-hew, etc.
[No gloss] |
[30r] Das ist von deme scheitelhawe etc ~ DEr scheitelere · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
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. |
Das ist von den vier leger / etc ~ VIer leger alleyne · ¶ Glosa etc ¶ Hie nent her vier leger ader vier hute~ / do võ etzwas czu halde~ ist / Doch vor allen sache~ / zo sal ey~ mã io nicht czu / lãge doryñe lege~ / We~ lichtnaw° hat eyn sölch sprichwort / wer do leit der ist tot / wer sich rüret der lebt noch / vnd das get of dy leger das sich ey~n mã sal liber rure~ mit gefechten de~ das her / der hute~ wart / mit dem her vorslosse~ möcht dy schancze | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[40] from the shoulder. |
¶ Dy erste hute / pflug / is / dy / we~ eyn° de~ ort vor sich of dy erde legt ader czu der seiten / noch dem abesetze~ / das heyssen and° / dy schranckhute / ad° dy pforte / Dy and° hute ochse / ist das oberhenge~ / von der achsel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The third guard, the fool, is the under-hanging.[42] 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. |
¶ Alber io bricht / Dy dritte hute / alber / ist das vnderhenge~ / mit der mã alle hewe~ vnd stiche / bricht / wer dy recht füret / ·Dy vierde hute / vom tage / ist der lange ort / wer den wol furet mit gestragtem arme~ / den mag mã nicht[43] mit hewe~ / noch mit stiche~ wol treffen / Is mag auch wol heissen / das henge~ ober dem hawpte | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.) |
¶ Auch wisse / das man alle leger vnd hute~ bricht mit hewen / mit deme / daz mã eyme ku~lich czu hewt / zo mus io eyn°[44] of varn vnd sich schutze~ / Dorvem helt lichtnaw° nicht vil von den legern ader hute~ / zu~der her schaft lib° daz sich eyn° besorge vor im / mit dem das her den vorslag gewi~t ut p[o]tuit[45] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the four 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. |
[32v] Das ist von vier vorsetczen / etc etc VIer sint vorsetczen · ¶ Glosa /:~ ¶ Hie merke / das vier vorsetczen sint / czu beiden / seiten / czu itlich° seiten / eyn obers / vnd eyns venders / vnd dy letcze~ ader brechñ / alle[illegible] hute~ ader leger / vnd wy du von obñ / ader von vnde~ / eyme / hewe stiche ader snete / mit deyme sw°te abeleitest / ader abweisest / das mag wol heissen vorsetcze~ / Vnd ab dir vorsatz w°t wy das dar ku~pt / zo czewch rislich abe · vnd haw snelle mete czu / yn eyme hurte / Ist deñe das du eyme vorsetzt / ader abewe~dest eyn haw ader stich / zo saltu / czu hant czu trete~ vnd nochvolge~ am sw°te das dir ien° icht abeczihe / vnd salt deñe tue~ was du magst / wy leichte du dich last vnd zümest zo nym~estu schaden / Auch saltu wol we~de~ / vnd allemal dey~ ort keren[46] key~s ey~s brust / zo mus h° sich besorgen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Auch sal ey~ guter fechter / wol lerne~ / eyme an das swert kome~ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the racing behind, etc, etc
[No gloss] |
[33r] Das ist von nochreisen etc etc NOchreisen lere · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the overrunning. Fencer seek within.
[No gloss] |
[33v] Das ist von öberlawfen · ffechter sich czu / WEr vnden remet · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about offsetting. Learn this well.
[No gloss] |
[34r] Das ist von abesetczen / das lere wol ~ LEre abesetczen · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the changing-through, etc, etc.
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. |
[34v] Das ist vom durchwechsel / etc etc DVrchwechsel lere · ¶ Glosa etc ¶ Hie merke / das durchwechsel gar gerade czugehet / czu beiden seiten / von oben neder / vnd von vnden of / wer is and°s rischlich treibet / ·Wiltu nu / czu der rechten hant / von oben neder durchwechseln / zo haw eyn öberhaw gleich czu ym / also das du dynen ort schüst / ym czu seyner linken seiten öber dem gehilcze yn / alzo das du das selbe löchel vnd fensterleyn / io gerade treffest / czwischen der sneide~ vnd deme gehilcze / triftz du / zo hastu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
And whoever binds-on with you, rush[48] past on his sword with your point against his opening. If he wards, then change-through as before or wind and feel is technique whether it is soft or hard. Thereafter seek hew, stab, or cut against the openings. |
¶ Vnd wer mit dir anbindet / zo rawsche an sym sw°te hin keyn seiner blöße / mit dym orte / w°t her[49] zo durchwechsel / also vor / ader wind vnd füle sein geferte / ab is sey weich ader herte / dornoch süch hewe stiche / ad° snete / key~ de~ blößen / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the disengaging. Fencer note.
[No gloss] |
[35r] Das ist vom Czücken / ffecht° merke / TRit nü in bünde · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the running-through. Look closely.
[No gloss] |
[35v] Das ist von durchlawfen / nü sich DVrchlawf loz hangen · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the severing, etc, etc
[No gloss] |
[36r] Das ist von abesneiden etc etc ~ SNeit abe dy herten · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the hand pressing, etc, etc.
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. |
[36v] Das ist von hende drücken/ etc etc DEyn sneide wende · ¶ Auch wisse / als bald / als du mt dem we~de~ / eyme ey~ haw ader stich / abe we~dest / zo saltu czu hãt czu trete~ / vnd rischlich dar varn czu eyme / wy leichte du dich last vnd zümest / zo ny~stu schaden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
¶ Auch merke vnd wisse / das man mit der vördern sneiden des swertes / vom mittel der selben sneiden / bis czu deme gehilcze / alle hewe ad° stiche abewendet / Vnd e neher eyme / eyn haw ader stich czu syme gehilcze ku~pt / of der selben sneiden / mit deme als her im gewendet hat dy selbe vörder sneide / e bas / vnd e kreftiger / her dy selben hewe ader stiche / abewenden mag / Weñe e neher czum gehilcze e sterker vnd e / mechtiger / Vnd e neher/czum orte / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The forward edge of the sword is called the right edge and all hews or stabs are ruined with the turning. |
¶ Dy vörder sneyde / am sw°te · heist dy rechte sneide / vnd alle hewe ad° stiche sint vorterbe~ mt de~ we~de~ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the hanging. Fencer learn this, etc.
Gloss, etc. Here note and know that to each side are two hangings: one under-hanging[50] and one over-hanging.[51] With them, you may come upon the sword of the opponent well. Because they come from the over-hews and the under-hews. Just when it happens that you bind on with someone or as you otherwise come to him on the sword, so shall you remain on the sword and shall wind and shall also quite merrily stay on the sword with him with a good spirit and bravely without fear. And shall quite precisely see, note and watch whatever he will do or what his situation, is with which he will go the rounds against you. And this standing like so on the sword, Liechtenauer calls this a speaking-window. And just when you stand with him on the sword, so shall you quite precisely note and feel his application whether it is soft or hard. Thereafter, you shall then orient yourself as is often spoken before. If he then withdraws himself from the sword before any situation, earlier than you begin, then you shall immediately pursue and shall strike hews or stabs whatever you may most surely deliver, before he comes to anything at all. Because you are always closer to him with that. Thus, you remain on the sword and extend your point against him. When the opponent withdraws with his, before he recovers himself of one of his strikes he delivered to you, immediately drive on with the point. But if he remains with you on the sword, then always test and note whether he is soft or hard on the sword. If it is that he is soft and weak, then you shall swiftly and bravely drive full on and charge there with your strong and shall force and press his sword out and shall press and force out his sword and seek his openings to the head, to the body; just wherever you can get to. If the opponent is subsequently hard and strong on the sword and means to force and force you firmly out, so shall you then be soft and weak against his strong and dissipate his forcing with your sword. And in that ebbing as his sword crashes and slides away, also as is written about that as before, in that or the moment as that happens to him, before he can recover himself again, so that he cannot come to any strikes or stabs, so shall you explore his openings with hews, stabs or cuts wherever you may most surely possess him according to the afore-written lore swiftly, bravely and quickly so that he can never come to blows. That's why Liechtenauer says I say to you truthfully, no one defends themselves without danger. If you have grasped this, he can barely come to blows. By this he means that no one may defend themselves without danger or harm if you do this according to the written lore. If you execute and win the fore-strike from him, then they must continually defend or must allow themselves to be struck. For when you execute the fore-strike, you hit or miss; so shall you swiftly execute the after-strike in one rush before when the opponent comes to any blows. For when you wish to execute the fore-strike, so shall you just as if in one thought and mind also execute the after-strike just as if you will execute them with one another because it likely defends. That's why Liechtenauer says Before, After, the two things, etc. Because if you execute the fore-strike, you hit or miss, then execute the after-strike verily in one rush, swiftly and quickly so that the opponent comes to blows with nothing and you shall work like this so that you always come earlier than the opponent in all confrontations of fencing. And as soon as you come earlier than the opponent and won the fore-strike, then you immediately execute the after-strike. When you shall execute no fore-strike, you still have the after-strike along with in sense and in spirit such that you always be in motion and neither dawdle nor hesitate with nothing, especially you always conduct one after the other swiftly and quickly, so that the opponent comes to nothing. If you truthfully do this, then he must be quite a phenom, whoever comes away from you unstruck. Because with this art or with the advantage that it often happens that a peasant or an unlearned strikes a good master with this for he conducts the fore-strike and bravely hurries there. Because however lightly it is overlooked, it hits within-this and shames him like this and strikes. Because one who takes watch of the blow and will wait for the defence, they are in greater danger than the one who strikes thereupon him and wins the fore-strike. Therefore orchestrate that you are the first in all confrontations of fencing and come to the right side of someone. There you will be surer of everything than the opponent. |
[37r] Das ist von hengen / ffecht° daz lere / etc Czwey hengen werden · ¶ Glosa etc ¶ Hie merke vnd wise 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gloss. Here note and know that the winds are the right art and fixed foundation of all fencing of the sword. From them, all other applications and plays come. And one might tediously be a good fencer without the winds, although numerous illegitimate masters, they dismiss and say whatever comes from the winds is quite weak and name it "from the shortened sword", for they are simple and approach naively and meaning that they are fought from the long sword whatever arrives with extended arms and with extended sword and whatever arrives quite fiendishly and strong from the entire power of the body will barely flourish to the end and that is terrible to behold when someone extends themselves like this just as if they will run-down a hare. And that is all against the winding and against Liechtenauer's art when there is no strength against. Because if whoever's art differs on this, you should prefer the strong every time. |
[39v] VOn beiden seiten / [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 / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Here the plays and the prescriptions of the unarmored fencing of Master Liechtenauer are recapped and elaborated differently with shorter and simpler speech so as to grant greater and better understanding and comprehension than as it was written before in the rhymes and glosses, unclearly and incomprehensibly. Thus with this short conversation, that will be overcome. |
[64r] HIe vornewt man · vnd vor/ander weit / dy stöcke vnd gesetze / des blozfechtens / meister lichtnaw°s · mit korczer vnd mit slechter rede / durch grösser vnd besser vorste~du~ge vnd vornemu~ge wille / Ab vor ichsicht ist geschrebñ · in den Reymen vnd in der glozen / unbedewtlich vnd unvornemlich · das · daz mit slechter rede körtzlich w°de öberlawfen / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First note and know that Liechtenauer's fencing lays entirely upon the five words: Before, After, Weak, Strong, Within. These are the foundation, the core and fundamentals of all fencing. And however much one is able to fence, if he doesn't know about the fundamentals, he will often be shamed by his art. And these same words were often explained before. At that moment, they were just getting at someone being in constant motion and to not celebrate nor idle so that the opponent cannot come to blows. Because before and after signify 'forestrike' and 'afterstrike' as was often written before. And this gets to that which is called 'start and finish', 'beginning and end'. Because a good, earnest fencer fences with someone such that he will slay them with his art and not become struck and this cannot be done without 'beginning and end'. If he will subsequently begin well, then he will ensure that he always has and wins the forestrike and not the opponent. Because the one who strikes at their opponent, they are always surer and better prepared by reason that the opponent must take heed of and watch out for your strike. When he subsequently executes and wins the forestrike, whether he hits or misses, he shall then immediately and without pause in that same rush, execute the afterstrike. That is, the second, the third, the fourth or fifth strikes, be it hew or stab in such a way that he is always in motion and executes one after another without pause so that he does not allow them to ever come to blows. Liechtenauer says about this: I say to you truthfully, no one defends themselves without danger (and without harm).[55] If you have understood this, he can hardly come to blows. Just do as was often written before and be in motion. The word Within gets at the words before, after because when one executes the forestrike and the opponent wards it, 'within' and during the moment that opponent wards it and defends themselves, they can come to the afterstrike well. It also gets at the words 'weak', 'strong'. These here signify 'the feeling' because when one is on the sword with their opponent, and feels whether they are strong or weak. Thereafter they then execute according to the often written lessons. And the fundamentals will have these principles in all confrontations: Speed, audacity, prudence, astuteness and ingenuity, etc. And also measure in all things. Now if he wins the forestrike, then he shall not do it so entirely forceful so that he cannot recover himself for the good of the afterstrike and shall also not step too wide so that he can recover himself for the good of another step forwards or backwards, if it bears itself. As Liechtenauer spoke: Thereupon you hold, all things have length and measure. Therefore one shall not be hasty and shall think through ahead for themselves what they will execute and then shall bravely execute and driving that swiftly to the head or to the body and never to the sword. Because if one quite wisely hews that at the head or at the body, that is, to the four openings; they nevertheless often comes to the sword without permission. If the opponent defends themselves such that he defends themselves with the sword, then in this way it comes to the sword. |
¶ Czu dem ersten merke vnd wisse / das lichtnaw°s fechten leit gar an den fünff wört°n · vor · noch · swach · stark · Indes · / Dy eyn gru~t / kern vnd fu~dament / seyn alles fechtens / vnd wy vil eyner fechtens kan · weis her nür des fu~damentz nicht / zo wirt her oft bey seyner ku~st beschemet / vnd dy selben wörter sint vor oft aus gelegt / wen si nür of das gehe~ das eyner vm~erm° in motu sey vnd nicht veyer ader lasse · das ien° icht czu slage kome / wen · vor · noch / bedewten / vorslag / vnd nochslag / als vor oft ist geschrebñ / vnd das gehet of das / daz do heisset / p°ncipiu~ vnd finis / anhebu~ge vnd endunge / wen eyn ernst° gut° fechter · ficht dorvem mit eyme / das her mit syner ku~st eyne~ wil slaen / vnd nicht geslage~ w°den / vnd das mag her nicht tue~ an anhebu~ge vnd ane endu~ge / wil her deñe wol anhebñ / zo schaffe her das her io den vorslag / habe vnd gewiñe / vnd nicht iener / den eyner der do slet of eyne~ / der ist io / [64v] sicher / vnd bas bewart / dez halben deñe iener der / dirslege mus war nemen · vnd · warten / wen her deñe den vorslag gewint vnd tuet / her treffe ader vele / zo sal her deñe dornoch / im~ediate ane vnderloz in dem selben rawsche den nochslag tuen / das ist den and°n slag / den dritten den vierdñ ader den fümften / is sey haw ader stich alzo das her vm~ermer in motu sey / Vnd eyns noch dem and°n treibe / ane vnderloz das her io ienen nicht las czu slage kome~ / Dorvem spricht lichtnawer Ich sage vorware / sich schützt key~ man ane vare + [sine ?ãpn(?)o] Hastu vornomen / czu slage mag her kleyne komen / Tu / nür als vor oft geschrebñ ist / vnd bis in motu / Das wort Indes get of dy wörter · vor noch · den wen eyner den vorslag tuet / vnd ien° den weret · Indes · vnd dyweile das in ien° weret vnd sich schützt zo mag deser wol czu dem nochslag / komen / Auch get is of dy wörter · swach · stark · dy do bedewten daz fülen / den wen eyner an dem sw°te ist / mit ieme vnd fület ab ien° stark ader swach ist / dornoch tut her deñe noch der oft geschrebñ lere / Vnd das fu~dame~t wil vor allen sachen dy pñcipia habñ / Kunheit / Rischeit / Vorsichtikeit / list / vnd klukheit / etc · Vnd och yn allen dingen moze / ab her nü den vorslag gewiñet / den sal her nicht zo gar swinde tuen das her sich deste bas des nochslags irholen mag / vnd sal och nicht czu weit schreiten / das | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liechtenauer says about this:
|
Dorvem spricht lichtnaw° / Haw nicht czum sw°te / |
Here begins the fighting with the staff Who will learn to fight with the staff he shall first before all know and mark that a staff shall rightly be twelve spans long, and that the fighting with the staff is taken from the sword, and as one fights with the sword so he fights also with the staff; and the principles that there pertain to the sword such as, Before, After, Braveness, Quickness, Cunning, Prudence ect… They pertain also to the staff. |
[78r] Hie hebt sich an fechte~ mit der stangen · WEr do mit der stangen wil fechte~ lernen der sal von aller ersten wissen vnd merken / das eyn stange von rechte / sal czwelf spañen lang / seyn / vnd das daz fechten mit der stange~ / ist / aus dem swerte genomen / Vnd als eyner ficht mit dem sw°te / zo fechte her och mit der stange~ / Vnd dy pñcipia / dy do gehoren czu~ sw°te / als · vor · noch · ku~heit · rischeit · list klukheit etc dy gehoren och czu der stangen / |
Here begins the fencing with the langen Messer Because the sword was designed based on the knife, anyone who wants to learn fencing with the long knife should know that the foundation and principles that belong to the sword also belong to the knife. |
[82r] Hie hebt sich an fechte~ mt dem lãge~ mess° WEr do mit dem langen messer wil fechten lernen / wen aus dem lãgen messer / ist / das swert genomen vnd funden / Der sal von ersten / merken vnd wisse~ das · daz fundame~t vnd dy pñcipia / dy do gehoren czu~ sw°te / dy gehoren auch czum messer / |
A man has only two hands, and from the hand he has two strikes from above and also from below. From these come thrusts and cuts with the winding, just as it does with the sword. And each man has four steps, one forward and one backward and one to each side. All elements of this are based on this writing, which here explain the foundation and the principles. |
[82v] ¶ Eyn man hat nür czwn hende / vnd hat von ider hant czwen slege oben / vnd vnden auch czwene / aus den kome~ stiche vnd snete / als of dem sw°te ist / mit den winden / Vnd eyn° hat vier schrete / vorsich eynen vnd hindersich eyne~ / vnd czu itzlicher syten eyne~ / dornoch sichs gepürt / noch dem gesetze des gefechtes / Off dise geschrebñ rede / mt sampt dem fu~dame~t vnd pñcipia do sint alle dink auf gebawet / deser ku~st / |
Also know that no part of the knife has been invented and constructed for no reason and you should use and handle everything correctly, as the art demands. Also, there should be no part or limb of the man be idle and passive when it happens that the art demands to be used. |
¶ Auch wisse recht zam nichtesnicht am mess° vem zost ist irdocht vnd gemacht / zonder daz man is alles bedñ vnd nütcze~ sal / noch dem als sichs gepürt / vnd als dy ku~st fordert vnd begert ad° heist / als sal och keyn°leye dink noch gelid am mensche~ syn / daz do / feyer vnd ruge / wen is dorczu ku~pt / syn daz dy ku~st begert vnd fordert / czu der selbñ erbeit / |
Also know that the right hand should be the enemy of the left and left be the enemy of the right. And one hand should displace and lead off and the other should do damage. |
¶ Auch wisse das dy rechte hant der linken veynt sal syn / vnd dy linke der rechten / vnd dy eyne hant sal hin setcze~ vnd abeweisen / vnd dy ander sal schaden tuen / |
Also know that there are two shield steps, which are useful for many fencing techniques: One step backward and one forward and these steps are done by crossing one leg over the other in a slinging or slanting motion. |
¶ Auch wisse / das czwene schilt trete syn / dy czu allerleye gefechte gut vnd nütcze syn / |
Here begins the fencing with the dagger Whoever wants to learn fencing with the dagger he should note, that the blade should be sharp at the point as it is seen in Alexandria:[58] |
[84r] Hie hebt sich an fechten mit de~ degen WEr do wil fechten lernen mit deme degen · der sal merken vnd wissen / daz daz swert vorñ gespiczt sol sein solsein vnd ist gesehñ in allexandria |
If the dagger, or the short knife that is used in duelling, is turned against you, wind it from your opponent with an inverse grip of your left hand. So that you grab his arm with your left hand and that his knife comes down over your arm ; then turn his arm and knife around and he will loose it. |
¶ Der degen / ader das kurcze mess° das czu kamp stiche · key~ dir gestalt vnd gericht / ist / das saltu mt dyner linken hant / mit yngrif(?) aus winden / alzo das du im syn arm begrif dyn° linke~ hant / vnd das dir syn messer ober dyme arme sey / zo wend im den arm mit dem mess° öm / zu muss her is lassen |
Also one may defend this winding with four different methods.[59] |
¶ Auch mag eyner das windñ eyme fyerleyw |
The first is, when someone tries to grab the knife with the left hand, he should turn the point upwards so that he turns around the knife with an inverse grip with the tip pointing upwards, so one winding is defeated. And then you can do what you want. |
¶ Czu~ erste~ / wen im eyner alzo mit der linken hant noch dem mess° greift zo sal her den ort lassen of gen / yn dy hö alzo das her mt vorworfner hant daz mess° vm keret vnd den ort of / zo ist ienes winden alles vorlorn / vnd du magst dy weyle tue~ was du selber wilt / |
The second is, when someone again goes for the knife as above, as soon as he notices this, so pull the knife quickly and strongly back towards himself or push it against him again and cut through his arm, hand or thumb whatever he can get with the pulling and instantly he will be free to thrust again. |
¶ Czu~ ander mol / wen im eyner greift noch dem mess° als vor / als balde als her das nur merkt / zo rükke her vnd czihe syn mess° |
If someone wants to defend and then break the second method, so he should follow the hand of the so he may get behind the opponent. However, if he does not follow but holds against with strength, he will sustain damage and the other one will win. |
¶ Wil deñe iener das were~ vnd andere bröche / zo sal her desem syner hãt noch volgen / alzo als her im den arm begriffen hat / zo mag her im of den rücke kome~ / wy leichte her aber nicht noch volget alzo / das her harte weder helt / zo nympt her schaden / vnd deser from~e |
Also, when he managed to grab and hold the arm or hand with his left hand, so he drive his right hand quickly between his left holding hand and the dagger. And with an inverted grip, so that the thumb faces downwards and the small finger upwards, grab the dagger and turn it out of his hand. |
¶ Auch / wen her ym den arm / ader dy hãt mit syn° linke~ hant begriffen / vnd gevange~ hat / zo sal her mit syn° rechte~ hant / gar snelle auch dar varn / czwische~ syn° linken hãt mt der her iene~ begriffe~ hat vnd czwische~ ienes dege~ / vñ mt vorworfn° hãt / das syn dawme / vnde~ / vnd d° kleyne vi~ger obñ kome / vnd winde im deñe den den dege~ alzo aus / |
Now if the adversary is slow with the defending and winding, and as soon as he holds the arm tightly, the he should threaten with the dagger, turn the point against his face and press upon him, just as he would intend to thrust him with brute strength. Now the adversary will want to defend this quickly; and Indes he should wind or squeeze out the dagger outwards from the adversaries arm or inwards and then quickly go for him again with his dagger to the nearest target. This is possible because when he presses in with his dagger using threatening strength, the adversary will not think about the possible winding out and will not expect it - So he will be fooled. And this is based on the words Vor and Nach, and it means that someone threatens with one technique just as he would really intend to do it, so the one who wants to defend will be fooled if he is not prepared for the second technique. And then, as soon as the adversary does not expect it, he should rush in with the method he already wanted to do. And with this principle you can deceive many people. |
¶ Ist deñe das dezer mit deme were~ vnd wi~den / laz ist vnd trege / mt deme / alz her ieme den arm begriffen hat / vnd in gar veste helt / zo sal iener mit syme / dege~ im drewe~ vnd of in dringe~ / recht zam her in mt gewalt wölle steche~ / vnd den ort io key~ |
This is about wrestling Whoever wants to learn wrestling, he should note at first that the principles Vor, Nach, speed, courage deceit and wits etc also belong to wrestling. And know that all grace and skill comes from wrestling and all fencing comes basically from the wrestling. At first the fencing with the long knife and from that the fencing with the long swords comes and so on. |
[86r] Das ist von deme Ringen :~ DEr[60] / do wil lernen Ringen / der sal czu dem ersten / merken vnd wissen das dy pñcipia / vor · noch · Rischeit kunheit list vnd klugheit / etc dy gehören och czu deme Ringen / Vnd wisse das alle höbischeit kompt von deme ringe~ vnd alle fechte~ kome~ ursachlich vnd gru~tlich vom ringe~ / Czum erste~ das fechte~ mit dem lange~ messer / aus dem ku~pt das fechten mt dem sw°te / etc |
Know that Master Liechtenauers wrestling with its different running-ins and other techniques is difficult and hard to understand because it was his intention that not everyone who reads it can understand it. |
[87r] ¶ Merke Ringen in czulawfen mancher wezen vnd geverte / meist° lichtnaw°s / vnd |
The first technique is good for finding an opportunity how he can be trapped or thrown. Listen what I teach: When he comes running at you so see to it that you bump him off from you to both sides. And practice stepping, bumping and winding so you will find many openings. And learn the second: Learn to put both legs in front and how to break hands whoever he may grab you: Wind your hands around his so his must slide off, high and low, everywhere. With this you throw him: When he grabs your shoulders hard, you should do nothing else but put your hands crosswise up from below and grab his and press your hands over his. And as you press pull his hands apart and push them away. |
¶ Das erste geverte gut ist do mite suche alle mol deine list / wy her gevalle alle mol / höer was ich lere / weñe her lewft czu dir / zo merke / daz du en stozest von dir / czu peiden zeiten / alle mol lere schreiten / stozen vnd winden / mache blözen do mã mite windet vnden czu~ zeite~ / Peide peyn vorsetcze~ / vnd hende brechen / wo her dich an greift / zo winde deine hende vm syne / vnd syne müßen deñe gleiten / oben vnden öberal / do mite machstu im eine~ val / Wen her an dy achsel greift harte / zo machstu / vnd salt nicht / anders tun / we~ du salt deine / hende / lege~ die twere lege~ / ober syne drücke~ / vnd in dem selbe~ drücken / dyne hende von ey~nander czücken / vnd syne weg drücken |
This is the set-up for six felling techniques by putting one leg in front or not. And if your hands are quick or slow, do it as you wish, it is all the same. 1st follow-up from the break of the grab: The first note, that you may grab around, one hand pressing against his heart and putting one leg in front you will throw him down using your whole body. |
¶ Dornoch vnd dorof / gen sechs vallen ader weze~ / alle mol pein vorsetczen / ader nicht / wy du selber wilt / vnd las dy hende endelich gen / ader lang fan wy du selber wilt / zo ist es als eyns / Doraus das erste merke / das du en mögst vem greiffen / vnd dyne hant an syn hercze drucke / vnd eyn peyn vorsetcze / zo wurfstu en ober daz selbe peyn mit sym gancze~ leybe |
The second is done after the set-up by grabbing the elbow, putting one leg in front and throwing over one leg. |
¶ Das ander get noch dem broche / alzo daz du mögst an syne~ elboge~ greifen / vnd ey~ peyn vorsetcze~ / vnd en ober das selbe pey~ geworfen |
The third is done after the setup when he has pushed the adversary’s hands high, he should keep pressing, and step in front with one leg, and press forward will all strength while jerking his hands upwards and then pushing them away. |
¶ Das dritte get aus dem broche / wen her of gewirft die hende / zo mag her sy wol drucke~ / mit ey~ pey~ vorsetcze~ vnd vorsich stoze~ mit ganczer kraft / vnd syne he~de / mit dyne~ hende~ oberrücke hin weg stoßen |
The fourth is after the grab is broken. Then drive your hand against his face from the front against his nose or chin and drive the other hand behind his back. And then by putting one leg in front you throw him over it. |
¶ Das vierde ist / wen her erste mal gebricht / dornoch var im mit dyner hant / an syn antlitz / [87v] czu vor aus an dy naze / ader kyñe / vnd mit der / and°n hant an den rucke / vnd mit ey~ pey~ vorsetcze / vnd wirf in dorober |
The fifth is, that you may push him at the chest with one hands and grab his head with the other, and by putting one leg in front you throw him on the head. |
¶ Das fünfte ist / das du en magst an dy prust stoze~ / aber mit eyn° hant an das hewpt greifen / mit ey~ pey~ vorsetcze~ / wirfstu en of den kop |
The sixth is, that you may grab him by the elbow and by putting one leg forwards throw him on the side, and press with your hand his to the ground. Remember that these techniques described above can be done with one leg forward or without, as you wish. |
¶ Das sechste ist / das du en magst neme~ dornoch / mit eyn° hant / pey dem elboge~ / mit ey~ pey~ vorsetczen wirf in of dy zeite / vnd drücke mt dyn° hãt dy syne wol czu der erde~ / Vnd merke das du alle~ deze~ vorgnante~ geverte~ / magst pey~ vorsetcze~ / ader lossen / wy du wilt |
The seventh is, that you may reach into his arm with your hand and with the other grab his hand and with your feet kick his foot on the other side where you are holding him and so he falls on his face. Alternatively, you may place your leg behind him so you can throw him on his back and break his arm. |
¶ Das sibende ist / das du magst mit dyn° eyne~ hant in syne arm gereichen / vnd mit der eyne~ hant syne an greifen / vnd mt dyne~ eyne~ fuße / syne~ fus stozen / an das ander wo du hin greifest / zo vellet her of das antlitz / ader magst das ander pey~ hinder in setcze~ / zo wirfstu in of / den rücke / vnd brichst im den arm |
The eighth is similar to the last one, but he will turn his elbow outward and press it towards the other hand which is in front. And with this shove him to the side. |
¶ Daz achte ist als das do itczu~t gesprochñ ist / zonder daz her mit eyn° hant / syne an greifet / vnd den elboge~ ausweñig hin lenke / vnd mt der and°n hant / an syne ander hãt do vorne vnd stoz in of eyne seite / |
[The next sentence /och me was../ does not make any sense.] |
Och · me · was aus dem erste~ gen arm das mey~ ich hernoch sage~ |
Also note that in all techniques you should put the leg in front on the side from which you want to throw him or with which hand you intend wish to throw him. And in all Techniques, if someone traps you by placing his one of his own legs forward, you should kick it away quickly with your other leg and push quickly upwards with your hands and over his back, so he will fall in all trappings. |
¶ Och merke das du in alle~ geverte~ / das selbe pey~ salt vörsetcze~ / von weler seite~ / ader mit weler hant du in wilt neder werfen / Vnd in allen geverte~ / weñe mã dir vorsetzt / mt ey~ pey~ / das selbe saltu mit dyme ander peyne / risch hinweg slon / vnd stoz snelle obe~ mt den hende~ ober rücke / zo vellet her in alle~ vorsetcze~ |
Sometimes the most direct method is that you grab him by one hand and leave his other, and by placing one leg in front and turning around with his hand you lean or break him over the leg and so he will fall very hard. |
¶ Och mag / das / daz neste syn / daz du in nym~est pey der eyne~ hant / vnd lest im dy ander gen / mt eym peyn vorsetcze~ / vnd dich mt syn° hant vm gekart / vnd neige ader prich in ober [88r] das pey~ zo vellet her sere |
The other set up is also that you push away hands high, and here are nine techniques for this. It is done this way, when he holds you at your shoulders so put your elbow in his hand on the inside and push his hand away. And do the same with the other hand. After that you may use the nine techniques that have been described before in breaking the arms. |
¶ Das ander breche~ ist / das du och oben salt hende weg stoze~ / vnd dorof gen och newn geverte / Daz get alzo dar / wen her dich heldit obñ pey den achseln / zo lege dein elboge~ in syne hãt yñeweñig / vnd stoz ym dy hant weg / Vnd och tustu das mt der and°n hant / Dornoch magstu dy newn geverte treibñ als vor geschrebñ ist von de~ arm breche~ |
Now learn how you should break low holds, and there are also two methods. Learn, If he holds you, so push with your hand against his joint from both sides and upwards. From this break there are also nine techniques. The second low breaking is when you push hard up into his elbows with your hands and from there you can also use nine techniques as it is written before. This are now four [breakings]. |
¶ Nu merke wy du salt vnden breche~ auch czwey Merke wen her dich heldit / zo stoz mt dyne~ hende~ an syn gelenke von peider hant / vnd von vnde~ of / Dorof / gen auch newn / Daz ander das du magst gestoze~ von of yn dy elboge~ / harte mt dyne~ hende~ / do magstu auch newne geverte aus bre~ge~ / als vor / das syn itczu~t vire |
Now learn another four, so that you may break the arms. If he holds you at the shoulders so you should push your hands away downwards with your elbows and so his hands will come at your head. And pull him towards your side, and take care that you grab his arm joint and that you hold his hand back strongly with your head, and with the other hand push away against his chest so you break his arm.[61] If you then place your leg behind him, he will fall very hard. |
¶ Merke aber vire / daz du magst arm breche~ / czu dem erste~ mal / wen her dich heldit pey den achseln / zo saltu dyne hende mt dyme elboge~ / von oben nyder weg / stoze~ / zo kome~ syne hende dir an das hawpt / vnd drucke yn czu dir an dyn zeite / vnd merke io das du ym kum~est mt dyn° hant an syne~ arm gelenke vnd das du dyn hewpt hinden harte heldist ym |
The other technique is similar to the last one, except that you strike upwards your hands to wind his away; and so his hand will come under your arm and so you can let him run around you, or you put a foot under him and so he will fall. The same methods you may use from the other side, so these are also four. Now this would be eight.[62] |
¶ Das ander geferte ist auch alzo / sunder daz du von vnde~ of slest dyne hant / zo windestu syne weg / zo ku~pt syne hant / vnder dyn arm / zo lestu yn vm lawfen / ader setczest ym eyn fus vnder zo vellet her / Das selbe geverte magstu tu~ czu der and°n hant auch czwei / zo w°de~ auch viere / das werden deñe nu achte |
Now learn if you hold close to his body pressing your head hard against his chest and when he then grabs against his chin with one hand and against the head with his other, so push him away. Then push his hands away by placing one leg forward. Now he might kick away your leg with his foot and your body with his hands. And against this you can defend with your wrestling and with your strength. |
¶ Doch merke we~ du/yn vemgreifest mit dem leibe / ad° vm den leip / vnd dyn hewpt |
Now there are eight breaks described, and from each break nine Techniques. Now learn another four and from these can be done nine as before. When he grabs you frontally at your chest, so push his hands in yours downwards against your chest as it is written before and from there you also have nine, and this is the first. |
¶ Vor hatzstu nu achte [88v] vnd aus itzliche~ newn / Nu merke aber and° vire vnd aus itzliche~ gen irer newne als vor / Wen her dich begreift an dyne brust vorne / zo drucke syne hende mt dyne~ von obñ neder an dy brust / als vor / der hastu noch newne / daz ist nu das erste |
The second is, as before, pushing with your elbow downwards, winding around his hands so you have nine again. |
¶ Daz ander als vor mt deyme elboge~ von obñ neder / als vor vm syne hende gewu~dñ / zo hastu doraus arber newne |
The third is pushing upwards against the chest and so you have nine again, |
¶ Das dritte von vnde~ of pey der brust / gestoze~ / zo hastu aber newne |
And the fourth is pushing upwards with your bone (Elbow/forearm strike) so you have nine. So you have twelve breaks with nine techniques each. |
¶ Das vierde võ vnden of mit dyne~ knochen / zo hastu ir aber newne / Alzo hastu ir czwelfte / vnd aus itzliche~ newne / |
Note, with this lock or pressing you may move someone away from you. Wherever he tries to hold you, at the sleeve, at the hand, at the sleeve at your elbow joint, or with one hand at the chest or anywhere else – you may drive him away with he same strike and winding around. And after that you may push him as you wish so that he may neither get to you nor that he may lay hand upon you anywhere on your body. |
¶ Merke mit dem selbe~ sloffe ader stosse~ vnd |
Learn another running in, when he leaps towards you, and you have placed a leg into his path, he may avoid you with another leap, grabbing your leg with one hand and pushing against your chest with the other so you are going to fall onto your head – and this is another technique – As soon as he goes for your leg, pull it quickly backwards and pull him with it so he falls onto his face. |
¶ Eyn ander czulawfen merke / we~ her czu dir nü spri~get / vnd du ym eyn pey~ hast vorsaczt / zo mag her mit eym spronge dir entgen / mit eyn° hant gegriffe~ noch dem pey~ vnd mit syn° and° hant an dy brust gestossen das du of das hewpt vellest / Das ist do weder / wen her noch dem beyne greifet / zo czucke is hinderweit / vnd rucke yn noch dir zo vellet her of das antlitzt / |
Learn another principle. If he leaps at you, so he may grab you around the body under your arms and by stepping further with his leg he will throw you on your back fairly hard. And this counters it: As soon as he reaches around you, quickly fall to your side, and this is the fast (buesse) for wrestling. |
¶ Merke das ander gesetcze / wen her kege~ dir springt / zo mag her dich vnder den arme~ vm greife~ / vnd mt seym pey~ hin noch schreite~ / wirft dich of de~ / rucke gar harte / Das ist dorweder / wen her dich zo vm greift / zo valle balde vnd snelle of dy seite dyn / das ist dy beste büße / czu de~ ringe~ / |
Learn the third principle if he leaps or steps at you so that may reach you with his both hands frontally at the chest, and then falls down, pulling you over himself by jumping with his feet against you so that you get thrown away very hard, this is the counter: As soon as he grabs you, let yourself drop on him quickly and follow him, so he may not do anything against you. |
¶ Merke das dritte gesetcze wen her czu dir spri~gt ader schreit / zo mag her dich derwischen mit syne~ peide~ vör dy prust dyn / vnd vellet neder vnd rückt dich of noch ym / vnd springt dir mt syme fuze enkege~ / vnd wirft dich ober sy~ hawpt / [89r] das du verre enweghin schüst / Das ist do wider / wen her dich zo greift / snelle vnd gar balde valle of yn / vnd volge ym / zo mag her dir nicht getun /
|
For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.
| Work | Author(s) | Source | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation (13v - 65r) | Christian Trosclair | Wiktenauer |  |
| Translation (74r) | Michael Chidester | Wiktenauer | |
| Translation (78r) | Betsy Winslow | Wiktenauer | |
| Translation (82r - 89v) | Thomas Stoeppler | Private communication |  |
| Transcription | Dierk Hagedorn | Index:Pol Hausbuch (MS 3227a) | |
Additional Resources
- Alderson, Keith. “Arts and Crafts of War: die Kunst des Schwerts in its Manuscript Context”. Can The Bones Come to Life? Insights from Reconstruction, Reenactment, and Re-creation 1: 24-29. Wheaton, IL: Freelance Academy Press, 2014. ISBN 978-1-937439-13-2
- Burkart, Eric. “The Autograph of an Erudite Martial Artist: A Close Reading of Nuremberg, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Hs. 3227a”. Late Medieval and Early Modern Fight Books. Transmission and Tradition of Martial Arts in Europe: 451-480. Ed. Daniel Jaquet, et al. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2016. doi:10.1163/9789004324725_017
- Chidester, Michael. The Long Sword Gloss of GNM Manuscript 3227a. Somerville, MA: HEMA Bookshelf, 2021. ISBN 978-1-953683-13-7
- Chidester, Michael and Hagedorn, Dierk. “The Foundation and Core of All the Arts of Fighting”: The Long Sword Gloss of GNM Manuscript 3227a. Somerville, MA: HEMA Bookshelf, 2021. ISBN 978-1-953683-05-2
- Dürer, Albrecht and Wassmannsdorff, Karl. Die Ringkunst des deutschen Mittelalters. Liepzig: Priber, 1870.
- Verelst, Karin. "Finding a Way through the Labyrinth: Some Methodological Remarks on Critically Editing the Fight Book Corpus". Late Medieval and Early Modern Fight Books. Transmission and Tradition of Martial Arts in Europe: 117-188. Ed. Daniel Jaquet, Karin Verelst, and Timothy Dawson. History of Warfare 112. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2016. doi:10.1163/9789004324725_008
- Vodička, Ondřej. “Origin of the oldest German Fencing Manual Compilation (GNM Hs. 3227a)”. Waffen- und Kostümkunde 61(1): 87-108, 2019.
- Wallhausen, James. Knightly Martial Arts: An Introduction to Medieval Combat Systems. Self-published, 2010. ISBN 978-1-4457-3736-2
- Welle, Rainer. "...und wisse das alle höbischeit kompt von deme ringen". Der Ringkampf als adelige Kunst im 15. und 16. Jahrhundert. Pfaffenweiler: Centaurus-Verlagsgesellschaft, 1993. ISBN 3-89085-755-8
- Żabiński, Grzegorz. “Unarmored Longsword Combat by Master Liechtenauer via Priest Döbringer.” Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts: 59-116. Ed. Jeffrey Hull. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-668-3
References
- ↑ This name stems from the false assumption of many 20th century writers identifying him with Hans Döbringer. It has been argued that this name is inappropriate because the treatise attributed to pseudo-Döbringer (and also pseudo-Peter von Danzig) are not true pseudepigrapha—they are internally anonymous. However, many Ancient and Medieval pseudepigraphic texts were originally anonymous and were assigned their false attributions by later readers, and this is also the case with these two glosses in our fledgling tradition.
- ↑ The manuscript uniformly lacks the typical prayer for the dead when mentioning his name.
- ↑ The silver "soon" was added later above the line
- ↑ lit: entirely finished sword
- ↑ lit: verses
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Page has a round hole at this point.
- ↑ latin
- ↑ Remainder is blacked out.
- ↑ alt: behold, peer-into, witness, probe, observe, perceive, inspect, investigate, realize, comprehend. alt: show, present, embody, illuminate
- ↑ latin
- ↑ lit: tread-full. completing a step or completing the course of a thing.
- ↑ alt: giving-way, stepping-off. to give something up. to let something go.
- ↑ alt: safe, sure
- ↑ alt: has success
- ↑ ume züst => umsonst
- ↑ Text gives "deñe her"; correct order based on markings is given here.
- ↑ schlage, not schlag
- ↑ Word is almost illegible.
- ↑ aufwinden: 1) to entangle, wind into a ball 2) to turn or twist upwards.
- ↑ hindringen: to break or force through. overcome
- ↑ "Wisely" inferred from the summary
- ↑ alt: straight
- ↑ darfahren: unversehens dazu kommen
- ↑ A guide letter “w” is visible under the “D” (apparently ignored by the rubricator), making the intended word “Wer”.
- ↑ Continued up the side margin; due to paper clipping, the bottom line is unclear. 65r gives "gewisse".
- ↑ wegen preposition
- ↑ wegen verb
- ↑ ienen
- ↑ "Ander" is placed after "Hewe" in the manuscript, with markings indicating the correct order.
- ↑ Inserted in the margin
- ↑ dargehen: the approach something in a hostile manner. Literally: to go-there.
- ↑ The page is clipped. only 'hew' remains. This manuscript spells 'haupte' as 'hewpte'
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "Hew" is inserted in the margin.
- ↑ alt: directly, immediately
- ↑ The comment ends here and remains unfinished.
- ↑ Inserted in margin.
- ↑ Inserted in the margin.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ überhangen: to hang over, to lean over, to incline
- ↑ Grimm: setzen C.2)a)
- ↑ unterhangen: hang down, like the branches of a tree
- ↑ Inserted in margin.
- ↑ Inserted in margin.
- ↑ Latin: "as [they] are able"
- ↑ Inserted in margin
- ↑ Inserted in the margin.
- ↑ rauschen: like a strong wind rustling quickly through the trees
- ↑ Inserted in the margin.
- ↑ unterhangen: hang down, like the branches of a tree
- ↑ überhangen: to hang over, to lean over, to incline
- ↑ Inserted in the margin.
- ↑ Inserted in the margin.
- ↑ menen: treiben, fuhren, leiten
- ↑ latin: dampno => damno => harm
- ↑ »Nicht« appears in the margin, but its proper placement is unclear.
- ↑ Text cuts off here, and the rest of the page is blank.
- ↑ Latin passage follows; very difficult.
- ↑ Please note that there are only three methods described against the turning-out.
- ↑ A guide letter “w” is visible under the “D” (apparently ignored by the rubricator), making the intended word “Wer”.
- ↑ Alternate description follows, it hopefully should make the method clearer:
- If he holds you by the shoulders, and you grab his shoulders from the outside. Then you sling your right arm with the elbow over his left and below his right, and push downwards, so his right arm moves up. Take this arm over your head and secure the grip with your left hand behind your head; and then push against his chest with your right again. This will lead to a painful breaking lock.
- ↑ This is a partner exercise, similar to one I know in chinese shuai chiao
