The Recital of the Chivalric Art of Fencing of the Grand Master Johannes Liechtenauer
Johannes Liechtenauer was a German fencing master who was believed to live sometime in the 14th or 15th century. He is credited with almost singlehandedly establishing the late medieval German…
The Recital of the Chivalric Art of Fencing of the Grand Master Johannes Liechtenauer
Introduction
Johannes Liechtenauer was a German fencing master who was believed to live sometime in the 14th or 15th century. He is credited with almost singlehandedly establishing the late medieval German fencing tradition as we know it. His work would go on to inspire other masters like Hans Talhoffer, Paulus Kal, as well as the other members of the Fellowship of Liechtenauer.
His work is encapsulated by a cryptic poem that was designed to remind his students of key techniques and teachings while being unintelligible to the uninitiated. After its creation, other fencing masters wrote extensive explanations of the Zettle allowing modern practitioners and historians to interpret this seminal work.[1]
The Recital opens with the following
This is the Prologue Young knight, learn to love God and revere women; thus your honor will grow.
Practice knighthood and learn the Art that dignifies you, and brings you honor in wars.
Be a good grappler in wrestling; lance, spear, sword, and messer handle manfully, and foil them in your opponent’s hands.
Strike in and hasten forth; rush to, let it hit, or go by. Thus those with wisdom, the ones who are revered, will envy him.
This you should grasp: All arts have length and measure.”[3]
The Zettle in its entirety, as well as a complete collection of glosses from Master Sigmund ain Ringeck, Master Peter von Danzig, and Master Paulus Kal among others, can be found here.[4]
This is a lecture by Michael Chidester, the head of Wiktenauer, about Liechtenauer and his system.[5]
This is a seminar by renowned HEMA scholar Jake Norwood about Liechtenauer’s tactical approach to the fight.[6]
The Medieval European Martial Arts Guild Presents a technical demonstration of the techniques Liechtenauer describes.
Part 1[7]:
Part 2[8]:
Works Cited
“File:MS 44 A 8 2v.Jpg - Wikimedia Commons.” Accessed March 20, 2019. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MS_44_A_8_2v.jpg.
Forte Productions. IGX 2018 Lecture: Syllabus vs. System: The Method of Johannes Liechtenauer by Michael Chidester. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCv2ABv9aZI.
“Johannes Liechtenauer ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiunt.” Accessed December 10, 2017. http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Johannes_Liechtenauer.
MEMAG. The Art of the Sword of Grandmaster Liechtenauer - Part 1. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unz0bO0--9A&t=309s.
———. The Art of the Sword of Grandmaster Liechtenauer - Part 2. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRUSviaT6U8&t=428s.
“Wiktenauer-Liechtenauer-Long-and-Short-Sword-Gloss-Compilation-2016-1.Pdf.” Accessed December 10, 2017. http://hroarr.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2016/08/wiktenauer-Liechtenauer-long-and-short-sword-gloss-compilation-2016-1.pdf.
xKDF Network. Liechtenauer’s Approach To The Fight - Jake Norwood. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7prpa_e9bQA.
“Johannes Liechtenauer ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiunt.” ↑
“File:MS 44 A 8 2v.Jpg - Wikimedia Commons.” ↑
“Wiktenauer-Liechtenauer-Long-and-Short-Sword-Gloss-Compilation-2016-1.Pdf.” ↑
“Wiktenauer-Liechtenauer-Long-and-Short-Sword-Gloss-Compilation-2016-1.Pdf.” ↑
Forte Productions, IGX 2018 Lecture. ↑
xKDF Network, Liechtenauer’s Approach To The Fight - Jake Norwood. ↑
MEMAG, The Art of the Sword of Grandmaster Liechtenauer - Part 1. ↑
MEMAG, The Art of the Sword of Grandmaster Liechtenauer - Part 2. ↑
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