Chapter 8
Of The Strikes
Ringeck:
This is the first tenet of the long sword: learn to strike blows equally well from both sides if you want to learn to fence well.
Note: If you want to strike from the (your) right side, make sure, your left foot is forward (at the beginning); if you want to strike from the left side, the right foot must be forward.
If you strike an Oberhau from the right side then, follow the blow with your right foot.
If you do not the blow is wrong and ineffective, because your right side stays behind. Because of this, the blow will fall short and cannot travel in its proper arc towards the left side. If you strike from the left side and you do not follow the blow, it too is wrong. That is why no matter from which side you are striking follows the blow with the same foot. Therefore, you will succeed in all techniques. This is how you shall strike all blows.
When you are closing to an opponent, do not watch his blows and do not wait for what he might use against you. Because all fencers, who just wait for their opponents blows and do not do anything else than warding them off, do not succeed very often. They are defeated very often.
Note: Always fence using all of your strength! When you're close, strike at his head and at his body, so he may not be able to change through (Durchwechseln) in front of your point. After the blow, from the bind, strike light blows at his next opening, as is described in the section about different blows and other techniques.
Note: This tenet is addressed to left-handers and right-handers. If you are a right-handed fencer, and you are closing to an opponent and you think you can hit him, do not strike the first blow from the (your) left side. Because you are, weak there and you cannot resist, if he binds strongly against your blade. Because of this, strike from the right side, you can work strongly "Am Schwert" ("on the sword") and you can use all techniques you like. So, if you are left-handed, do not strike from the right side, since left-handers are usually not used to strike effectively from the right side and vice versa.
Goliath:
He who strikes after deserves a less joyful art.
Analysis
That is when you come to him in fencing, then you shall not stay still and wait to see with what strike he would fight against you. Know that all fencers who wait to see the other's strike and who will do nothing but displace the other, deserve indeed less joy in their art when they are overcome and struck.
Text
Strike closely at him as you will, that nothing comes unto your hilt, head, or body, you let nothing be cut. With the entire body fence as strongly as you can drive.
Analysis
When you come to him in pre-fencing, as you would then fence, then drive with your body's full strength, and strike closely to him, one to his head, and to his body, and always keep your point ahead at his face or chest, Thus he can't change through past the point. If he displaces strongly, and your point goes off to the side, then give him a retreating cut to the arm, Or if his arms go high in the displacement, then hit him with a free strike below to his body and step backward with it. Thus, he is struck even as he would (strike) himself.
Text
Hear what is bad. Fight not to the left if you are right, and if you are left, the right is very limiting
Analysis
This lesson is intended for two people, one right handed and one left, and regards how you should strike, that one is weak when he strikes the first strike not to engage, and this is shown thus: when you come to him in pre-fencing, and are on the right, then undertake not to strike the first strike from the left side where he is weak and does not want to engage again and he strikes strong with you, thereon thus strike from the right where you will engage strongly and work at the sword. Similarly if you are left then strike the first not from the right side, when the left is a wild art to drive from the right side, similarly for the right from the left side.
Wrathful strike, Bend, Thwart, has Glance, with Vertex, Fool displaces, Traveling After, Overrun, lets strike, Change through, Twitch, Run Through, Cut Away, Hand Hit, Wind with openings, Slash against strikes, Stab with thrusting, Here will be named the proper head parts of the verses of the Long Sword, how they are known, as well as their names, that thereon you know well and can understand. The first are the five strikes, as they are specially named. The first is called the Wrath Strike, the second the Bend Strike, the third the Thwart Strike, the fourth the Glance Strike, the fifth the Vertex Strike. Now mark these parts, the first being the four Guards, the next the four Displacements, the third the Traveling After, the fourth Running Over, the fifth the Setting Aside, the sixth is Changing Through, the seventh is the Twitching, the eighth Running Through, the ninth is Cutting Off, the tenth is Hand Hitting, the eleventh is Hanging, the twelfth is the Winding. In addition, what you shall fence from the parts, and how you shall give openings with the Hanging and winding openings, that you will go from one to the next, you will find described after here.
I must interject here that the fight masters stated that above all strike the master strikes are the most important.
Goliath says:
“Teach five strikes from the right hand, that the weapon will be praised in an art well learned
There are five secret strikes of which many masters of the sword know nothing to say. These you shall learn to strike well from the right side , which you can then strike with proper art to break and damage the fencer, which will be praised by other masters, that these shall be learned fully. And how one strikes when one strikes with your parts will be clarified afterward.” Wrathful strike, Bend, Thwart (traversal), Glance, Vertex
Danzig:
Wrathful strike bend thwart, glance with the vertex, fool displaces. Following after, over running, strike displacement, Change through, run through, cut off hand impact, hang wind with openings. Slash against strikes, stab with thrusting.
Meyer:
Now I come to write of the artful and free Knightly exercise, namely to the Strikes, which is a major Heading in Fencing in that the basics are given here, the number is told, each is described, and how they are executed to the full, will here be noted and told, and from here alone the friendly reader will afterward be reminded, that between the Sword
Fighting times, when our forefathers and the ancients used them, and our time, there is a great difference, in that not only the point was used, as is today, but of old much more of the Sword was used in the strikes, and they fenced sharply with both strikes and stabs, and thus shall I present this and other points of knowledge.
However, as of now the Strikes with the Sword belong to two underlying principles, as in the direct and turned strikes. The Direct strikes are named such as they strike against the opponent with the long edge and outstretched arms. There are four, the Over, Wrathful, Middle and Under Strikes, and from these all the others come forth, and in the world will still be found none conceived as such, and of them not one of these will be feebly grasped and joined by you. These are named the Lead or Principal Strikes.
The Inverted Strikes are thus, when in Striking one's opponent handles the Sword wrongly so that he cuts not with full or Long edge, but somewhat with the half edge, flat, or meets you in the corners, face this with the Slide, Short, Crown, Glance, Bend, Traverse, Bounce, Blind, Wind, Knee Hollow, Plunge, and Changer Strikes. Thus, you come to the four above cited Strikes, and from there, the various strikes are named.
Now from these both come five for further reading, as the Master Strikes will be named, not that one can thus fully use the weapon Rightly, and Master this art so soon, but that from them one can Master all proper artful pieces which will be acted on from knowing them here, and thus you can Fence properly at need, and become an artfully striking Fencer, who retains all Master principles at the same time, and against whom nothing can be borne. These Strikes are Wrathful, Bent, Traversal, Glancer, and Vertex.
In addition, he also states
“Even though onward many of the strikes and their results will be questioned, which is why they are demonstrated, because the four Principle Strikes along with the Glancing Strike are sufficient to grasp and understand the other countering strikes, I must then remind the gentle reader that, in this art, everything up till now rests upon fully grasping the five Master Strikes, and indeed similarly all grows onward from here only in furthering this art to more flowing and useful levels, and from other sections move onward to find the art, and behave according to the underlying differences, thus you have firmly wrapped this art into another and thus more easily and lightly grasped it by being prepared for different views”
Principle Strikes all long edge, and are primarily used in the beginning or at the withdrawal.
Over, middle, under, and wrath, (traverser, glance, and the bent strikes can also be used in the beginning even though not long edge blows.)
Turned, Inverted, or Secondary strikes (strikes with short edge) used primarily when opponent strikes short (edge) or has shortened reach (primarily used in the middle or war phase.)
Short,
Crown, Glance, Arc, Traverse, Bounce, Blind, Wind, Knee Hollow, Plunge, and
Changer Strikes.
Wrath, Over, Traverse, Glance, and Bent.
Wrath and Over are long edge
Traverse and Glance are short edge
Bent can be used short edge, long edge, as an Over strike or
an Under strike. Can be Used in different forms... like a
windshield wiper in front of you against his flat, or the
point is thrown out to the opponents hands, forearms, etc.
Over Strike (Oberhauw)
Dobringer:
30R
This is regarding the Scalp strike [Scheitelhawe]
The scalp strike [Scheitelere] is a danger to
your face. With its turn it takes the breast
fast and what comes from him the crown
[Crone] will take. Cut through the crown
[Krone], that is how it is strongly broken.
Press the strike in there, with cuts pull
it away. The scalp strike [Scheitelhaw] I
praise, if it does not come too slowly.
Ringeck:
The "Parting Strike"
Note: the parting strike is aimed at the face or breast. Do it like this: If he
is in the guard Alber, strike vertically downward with the long edge, and while
striking, keep your arms up high and move your point to his face.
If you move the point at his face from above with the parting strike and he displaces the point with the (his) hilt up, turn your sword, lift the (your) hilt high above your head and thrust him down into the breast.
When you strike a parting strike and he displaces with the hilt high above his head, then this displacement is called "the crown", from there you can rush in.
If he breaks the parting strike or any other Oberhau with the crown and tries to rush in, cut him in the Arm under his hands and push upward, so that the crown is broken. Then turn your sword from the low cut into a high one and free yourself in this way.
Goliath:
Of the Vertex Strike
Text
The top of the face is endangered with your turn, the attempt is to take the threat that comes from the Crown, cut through the crown thus break hard as the strike hits with the edge to twitch off.
Analysis
The Vertex breaks the guard called fool and endangers the face and the chest with your turn. Then drive this thus, when you come to him in pre-fencing, and he stands against you in the fool's guard, then put your left foot forward and hold your sword in guard on your right shoulder and burst to him and strike strongly with the long edge from above to his head, when he displaces the strike so his point and grip are above and to each side in the stance called the Crown, then keep your arms high and with your left hand raise the sword's pommel high and sink your point over his hilt to his chest, if he thrusts his sword to push your point away, then wind your sword under his crown with a cut to his arm and push, then breaking the crown again, and with the push then cut hard on the arm and pull out with a slice.
Danzig:
The top of the face is endangered with your turn, the chest is threatened by what comes from him, the Crown takes that out, cut through the crown thus break hard as the strike hits, withdraw with a slice.
Talhoffer:
Tafel 1
Oberhieb. - Unterhieb.
Overhand blow. - Underhand blow.
Oberhau and Unterhauw in the Liechtenauer terminology. These are the simplest cuts, both vertical. The purest Oberhau cuts from above with the true edge, the purest Unterhauw cuts from below with the true edge. The Oberhut is a high guard and an Unterhauw can be executed from the Fool's stance.
Tafel 5
The free cut from above. - Against it, make a blow against the neck.
Withdrawing the blade. (Taking a defensive guard).
The fighter on the left is pulling away, blade out, from a threat to grapple. He is moving into a defensive posture.
"Der greift die untere Blösse an. - Der schneidet von oben dagegen."
"He attacks the lower targets. - He cuts against it from above."
The fighter on the left is attempting a low plunging stab from a crossed grip. His opponent has preemptively struck against the stab in the moment it is chambered.
Meyer:
The Over Strike is a strong strike directly from Above, against your opponent's head or scalp; therefore it is also called Vortex Strike.
Wrathful Strike (Zornhauw)
Dobringer:
23R
This is regarding the Rage strike [Zornhaw]
When someone strikes at you from above,
strike a rage strike [Zornhaw] and draw (or
slide?) the point at him, and you shall also
step towards the right side. If he notices
this, take away from above without fear, be
stronger, turn [Wind] against it, and take it
down. If he notices this, then go down. Note
this; strike [Hewe], thrust [Stiche], guards
[Leger], soft [Weich] or hard [Herte]. At
once [Indes] and the before [Vor] the after
[Nach]– do not haste into war, what the
war strikes from above, is ashamed from
below. In all turnings [Winden], strikes,
thrusts and cuts learn to find. You shall also
try strikes, thrusts or cuts in all meetings
with the masters if you whish to fool them.
Do not strike at the sword, but always to
the openings, to the head, the body if you
whish to remain unharmed. If you hit or
miss, always search for the openings, in all
teachings turn the point to the openings.
He who strikes widely around, he will often
become seriously shamed. Always strike
and thrust at the closest openings.
Glossa. Here note that Liechtenauer strikes
an upper strike [Oberhaw] from the shoulder,
it is called the rage strike [Czornhaw].
23V
When you are angry and raging, then no
strike is as ready as this upper strike [Oberhaw]
struck from the shoulder at the opponent.
That is why Liechtenauer means
that when someone strikes an upper strike
[Oberhaw] against you, then you shall
strike a rage strike [Czornhaw] at him; that
is you move quickly in towards him with
your point leading. If he defends against
your point, then go quickly up and over to
the other side of his sword. If he defends
against that as well, then be hard and strong
in your sword and turn [Wind] quickly and
skilfully. If he defends against your thrust
then throw and strike quickly below and
you will hit him in the legs. That is you
should always try one after the other so
that he never has a chance to come to blows
himself. And the aforesaid words – Before
[Vor] after [Noch] at once [Indes] weak
[Swach], Strong [Stark], strike [Hewe],
thrust [Stiche] and Cut [Snete], these you
should think on well and never forget in
your swordplay.
Ringeck:
The Strike of Wrath and the Winding
Note: When your adversary strikes at you from his right side with a strike from above (Oberhau), then hit with a strike of wrath from your right shoulder against it. Strike with
your true edge and in your strong. When he is weak at the sword then, thrust into his face along his blade.
When you thrust against his face from the strike of wrath and he notices this and displaces the thrust with strength, pull your sword upwards, away from his. Then strike to the head from the other side, also along his blade.
When you strike a strike of wrath and he displaces it and remains strong at the sword, hold strongly against it. With the strong of your sword, slide up to the weak (schwech) of his blade, wind the hilt in front of your head while remaining on the sword (am schwert) and thrust into his face from above.
When you thrust from the Winding as described and he displaces the thrust by lifting up his arms and his hilt, stay in the Winding and take the Ort (point or thrust) down between his arms and breast.
Note: When you engage at the sword ("binden") with strength and your adversary pulls his sword upwards and strikes at your head from the other side, then bind strongly with the true edge and strike him on the head.
You must notice immediately, if someone is weak or strong at the sword if he binds at your sword with a strike or a thrust. If you have noticed that, you shall know simultaneously, if it is better to fight him in the "before" (Nach) or the "after" (Vor). Nevertheless, don’t engage rashly in close combat (Krieg), this is nothing else than Winding (Winden) at the sword.
In close combat, you should do the following: if you strike him with the strike of Wrath and he displaces it, lift up your arms and, at the sword, wind the point to the upper opening. When he displaces (Versetzen) the thrust, stay in the winding and thrust to the lower opening. If he follows your sword in the displacement (Versatzung), lead your point through under his sword (disengage under – "durchführen") and thrust to the other opening on his right side. This is how you can defeat him in close combat.
Thrust with the "long point" (Langer Ort), use the "traveling after" (Nachreisen) and all other opportunities. Don’t pay attention to what he’s up to, fence securely and you’ll hit so outstandingly, that he’ll not be able to get through with his own techniques.
If you want to break one of the four openings by force, then "Dupliere" at the upper opening, against the Starke (strong) of his sword, and then "Mutiere" to another opening. Against this, he cannot defend himself and he will not be able to either strike or thrust.
Duplieren: When you strike a strike of wrath (Zornhauw) or any other Oberhau and he displaces it with strength, with the left hand, immediately thrust the pommel of your sword under your right arm. With crossed hands, behind his blade and in between the blade and his body, strike him diagonally through the face, or strike him on the head.
Mutieren: If you bind against his sword, with an Oberhau or otherwise, wind the short edge at his sword, raise your arms and thrust at the lower opening from the outside along his blade. You can use that from both sides.
Goliath:
He who strikes you from above, Wrath Strike, point them out.
Analysis
The Wrath Strike breaks all high strikes with the point. Moreover, it is indeed nothing other than a bad peasant strike. And drive it thus: when you come to him in the pre-fencing: if he strikes to you from his right side high to the head, then also strike from high on your right on all (note in margin: in the weak on the sword) wrathfully displacing with him on his sword, if he is then weak on the sword, then judge to shoot ahead with the point and stab to his face, or the chest and set in the arm.
Text
If he is wary, then take off high without driving
Analysis
When you strike with him in the Wrath Strike, then thrust the point long to his face or chest as described before. If he is wary of the point and strongly displaces and punches your point to the side, then wrench off from his sword (note in margin: take off high) high above you with your sword on his sword's blade, and strike one to his other side, still again on his sword's blade, to his head, this is called taking off high.
Break against the take off
When he takes off above, then bind strongly on his sword above to his head with the long edge.
Text
Be stronger, wind farther, stab, stab first, and thus take it farther.
Analysis
That is when you strike in with a Wrath Strike, if he displaces and stays strong on the sword in the displacement, then also stay again with your sword strong on his sword, and drive on high with your arms and wind your hilt ahead on his sword forward to his head and stab high into his face, if he becomes aware of the stab and (note in margin: with the short edge) and drives on high with his arms, and displaces with the hilt, then stay thus standing with your hilt in front of your head and send your point below to the throat, or to the chest between his arms, as will be told later.
Text of a lesson on the Wrath Strike
Mark, the level strike stabs stances light or hard, Just As and truly, after, onward the war will not be simple.
Analysis
When he has bound on your sword with a strike or stab or otherwise, then you should not let yourself stay even in your winds, the before will be gained by marking if he is weak or strong when one sword glides against the other, and when you have determined this, Just Then work first by winding against the light and the hard, always to the next opening, as will be clarified and judged in parts after this.
Text on the War
When the war roams above, below he will be shamed.
The War is the Winding and the work to the four openings with the point that comes from it, and drive this thus: when you strike with the Wrath Strike, as soon as he displaces then drive on full forward with your arms and just then wind the point high on his sword to the upper opening on his left side. If he then displaces the high stab, then stay thus standing in the wind with your hilt in front of your head, and let your point sink below to your left side, if he follows after your sword in the displacement, then drive on to his left side with the sword and hang the point from high to his upper right opening, thus will he be shamed with the war high and low, in that you drive rightly to the other
Text of a lesson
In all windings, strike stab cut, teach finding, also should you not test, strike stab or cut, in all meetings, the mastery you will lose.
Analysis
This is when you strike with the Wrath Strike, then you should rise well and fully finish with the Winding, as a single wind has three special parts, that is one strike, one cut, and one stab, and when you wind on the sword, then you should indeed consider well that the parts aren't driven wrongly. Take heed in the winding that you not strike when you should stab, and not cut when you should strike, and not stab when you should cut. Thus you shall always know the parts, that by properly heeding them you will drive in all meetings and bindings with the sword, otherwise you will fail or lose the mastery when one displaces against you. How you shall drive the windings, and how many there are, you will find described in the last part of the verses, which will speak of what will drive well and break properly.
Another
When you have struck him strongly high to the head from your right shoulder, if he displaces and is weak on the sword, then wind the short edge on his sword to your left side and, driving on with your arms, drive your sword's blade high over his sword and stab his lower opening.
When you have struck high to his head from your left side and he displaces and is weak on the sword, then drive on with your arms and hang the point over his sword from above and stab to his second opening. Thus, you will drive the two parts from all strikes as you find him weak and strong on the sword. Thus are fencing and work with the sword retained to be praised.
Danzig:
The wrath strike
He who strikes you from above, Wrath Strike points them aside, Would he first be wary, Take off from above without driving. To the strong here again, Wind stab yours to his, take it again. The flatly made strike stabs stances light or hard. Just As and After truly onward the fight will be not clumsy. Should the fight roam above, below will he be shamed. In all windings, Strike, stab, cut, be unfound, that you shall with potent strikes stab or cut in all meetings, the mastering will you achieve.
Talhoffer:
The long wrathful point (thrust). - Against it is the crossed point (thrust).
The combatant on the left has extended a wrathful point into a thrust. The wrathful point probably followed a wrathful strike, or Zornhauw, a strike from the right shoulder often followed with a thrust from the bind. His opponent has gone around the point while transitioning to a crossed guard. He can now counterthrust. This seems to be an example of a disengage which flips over out of the bind to cross hands on the opposite side of an engagement. This may be an example of zucken or abnehmen.
Der vollführt den verschränkten Ort (Stoss). - Der haut von oben.
He drives forward into the crossed point (Stab). - He hews from above.
The fighter on the right has launched an overhead attack to his opponent's left. Your basic overhead attack, nothing special.
The fighter on the left has stepped forward with his left foot and raised his arms into a crossed guard. He is now pointing at his opponent. His opponent's blade is safely on the outside. He will now complete his thrust.
Tafel 3
Threatening with the wrathful point (thrust) - driving again the high strike.
A threat to stab with a wrathful point (Zornort, Wrathful Point) is driven away by a simple displacement.
Tafel 6
Against the lower openings. - Also at the lower openings.
First Look: these combatants are both in the free hanging point stance and attempting to plunge a thrust against the lower openings. Both are also binding the opponent's blade in a blade play meant to hold off the thrust. The guy on the right has crossed his stance and is in trouble.
Second look: there's probably a lot of winding in this engagement. The guy on the right is still in trouble.
Egenolph:
When you strike a “Zornhauw” or another downward strike and he displaces this and goes up with his arms, you both get close. If he is careful then and wants to hinder you executing a slice under the hands against the arms, follow his sword downward with the true edge, push and you will break his attempt.
Another.
But if you are both high with your arms and he closes in and wants to hit you with his pommel between your arms under your abdomen, under your eyes or to the breast, move the pommel strongly downwards with the arms, tear backward to yourself and strike him with your blade to his head.
Meyer:
The Wrathful Strike is a serious strike from your Right Shoulder, against your opponent's left ear, or through his face or chest, consider how it's done through two lines, with the lines drawn through the upper right and crosswise over one another, showing yourself crossed. This is the strongest beyond all others in that all one's strength and manliness is laid against one's opponent in fighting and fencing, therefore the ancients also named it Straight Strike or Father Strike. Along the considered lines you can move onwards, etc.
Sutor:
Attack your opponent from above then step and flatten to strike in a high traverse cut from your right as he withdraws so that you cut with the half edge to his left ear, close against further withdrawal, move to your right while transitioning left over his head, step and hit his right ear with another traverse with the Weak, striking through the middle line.
Middle or Upper Traversing Strike (Mittel oder Uberzwerchhauw)
Talhoffer:
Oberhieb. - Unterhieb.
Overhand blow. - Underhand blow.
Oberhau and Unterhauw in the Liechtenauer terminology. These are the simplest cuts, both vertical. The purest Oberhau cuts from above with the true edge, the purest Unterhauw cuts from below with the true edge. The Oberhut is a high guard and an Unterhauw can be executed from the Fool's stance.
Meyer:
C
G
The Middle or Traversing Strike can execute most effects the Wrathful Strike can the difference is only that while the Wrathful Strike is a serious high point, the upper traverse is brought full on. How the upper lines are traversed is shown in both illustration C (background) and illustration G (background). Such lines are also applicable to Dussack.
Under Strike (Underhauw)
Meyer:
B
This you execute thusly, strike so that you move into the Right Ox (more is said about this in the next chapter) and thus can bring your opponent fencer into range, and step to strike from below traversing above into their left arm, while coming into position with the hilt high above your head, and thus complete. Regarding this, see the figures fighting against the left in the background of illustration B.
Secondary strikes
Glancing Strike (Schielhauw)
Dobringer:
28V
This is regarding the Squinting strike [Shilhawe]
The squinting strike [Schiler] breaks what
the “buffalo” or a fool strikes or thrusts, he
who tries to change [Wechsel]; the squinting
strike [Schiler] robs him of it. Do a
squinting strike [Schil] if he comes to short
the changing through [Durchwechsel] defeats
him. Do a squinting strike [Schil] to
the point and take the neck without fear.
Do a squinting strike [Schil] to the upper
head if you wish to endanger the hands.
Strike a squinting strike [Schil] to the right
(probably the opponent’s right side, but it
could be your own as well), this is how you
wish to fence. The squinting strike [Schil] I
do praise, if it does not come too slowly.
Glossa. Here note and understand that the
squinting strike [Schiler] is an upper strike
[Oberhaw] from the right side using the
back edge on the sword, which is called the
left side, and it goes in a squinting way and
is sent to one side with a step to the right
with the sword and hand turned. And this
strike breaks what the buffalo [a peasant
that is] can strike from above to below, as
they are wont to do. Just as the cross strike
[Twerhaw] breaks the same, as is described
before. And he who tries with a changing
through [Durchwechsel] will be shamed by
the squinting strike [Schiler]. And you shall
squint well and long enough and shoot the
point well, or else the changing through
[Durchwechsel] will stop you. And one
shall squint well with the point to the neck,
courageously and without fear. And
29R Blank page
29V
When you see that you both pull the swords
from the sheats [Czucken], then you shall
be forceful and note well the steps. Before
[Vor] and after [Nach] these two things try
and learn with leaping of, follow all hits if
you want to humble the strong. If he defends
then follow and withdraw [Czucken]
thrust, if he defends then pull to him. The
turning [Winden] and hanging [Hengen]
learn to artfully do and try the [opponent’s]
intentions whether they are soft [Weich] or
hard [Herte]. And if he fights with strength,
then you are artfully prepared, if he grabs
widely and far around, then the shooting
defeats him. With his strike, he will hardly
defend himself, hit without fear, strike and
quickly rush in, regardless if you hit or miss.
Do not strike to the sword, but always to
the openings. Whether you hit or miss,
always seek the openings with both your
hands learn to bring the point to the eyes.
Fence with good mind and always win the
first strike [Vorschlag] if you hit or miss, at
once seek the after strike [Nachschlag] to
both sides, to the right hand side step in to
the opponent. Thus you can win fencing
Ringeck:
The "Squinter":
The Squinter is a strike, which primarily "breaks" the strikes and thrusts of
those fencers, who rely only on their strength. Do it like this: If he attacks
you from his right side, strike from your right side with the short edge and
extended arms against the weak of his sword and hit him on the right shoulder.
If he changes through, thrust him into his breast with your arms extended. You
should strike like this, too, if he faces you in the guard of the plough or if
wants to thrust you from below.
Note: You should always deceive him with your line of vision. Pay attention, if he fights short (feints).
You will know this when he does not extend his arms when striking. You should strike then, too, move your point trough under his sword and thrust him into the face.
Note: The Squinter breaks the "long point" and this is done as follows:
When he faces you and points his point against your breast or face with extended arms, place your left foot forward and look at his point. Feint a strike against his point, strike strongly against his sword with the short edge and "shoot" (thrust) , with a forward step with the right foot, your point against his throat, with your arms extended.
When he strikes an Oberhau, look at his head, as if you intend to strike him there. Then strike against his blow with the short edge and then strike at the hands with your point, along his blade.
Goliath:
Here you rise to the Glance Strike with its elements Text Glance strikes break once what buffalos strike or stab, He who changes out glances outward to deny Analysis The Glancer breaks the guard named the Plough and is a particularly well hefted strike when it breaks strikes and stabs with force and goes over with an inverted sword, many masters of the sword know not what to say of this strike
How one shall strike the Glancer.
Mark when you come to him in the pre-fencing to stand with the left foot forward and hold your sword on your right shoulder, if he strikes then to your head from above then apply your sword and strike long against his strike with the short edge with your arms direct above over his sword to his head. If he is then thus unsuccessful and disabled on your sword and would then change through below, then let your point shoot far forward from yourself so he won't try to change through below.
A Second
When you stand against him and hold your sword on your right shoulder, if he then stands against you in the guard of the plough and would stab you from below, then immediately strike him with the Glancer to point high and long to his chest, thus he will not reach you with the stab from below.
Text of a lesson on the Glance Strike
You glance on him short his Changes Through face on
Analysis
Mark the lesson when you come to him in pre-fencing, then you should glance with the face off and see if he would fight short against you, that you should both know when he would strike right to you if he does not strike with his arms long from him then his strike will be shortened, Or when you stand before him in the fool's guard if he will then bend to fall out with the sword, but then his sword is shortened, Or when he stands against you in the guard of the Ox or the Plough but then his sword is shortened. Also know that all windings with the sword are short in front of the man and shorten the sword and the Changes which the fencer thus drives through freely from strikes and from stabs and shots in the long point, from one to the next opening you swing thus that he must displace, thus you come to work properly.
Text on how one breaks the Long Point with the Glancer
Glance to the point and take the throat without effort
When you come to him in pre-fencing, if he then stands against you and holds the long point to your face or chest then hold your sword on the right shoulder and glance facing the point and do as you would and strike strongly with the Glancer with the short edge on his sword and shoot the point long to his throat with a step ahead with the right foot.
Text on just one element of the glance strike
Glance high, you will bring your lead hand above
Analysis
Mark that this is a second break, when he stands against you in the long point, then glance to him with the face to the head and act as if you would hit outward, and strike in from the glance strike with the point over his hands.
Danzig:
The glance strike
Glancing breaks what buffalo’s strike or stab. Strike shortly where he changes through facing him on. Glance to the point and take his throat without force. Glance above to his head, your leading hand above.
Talhoffer:
Tafel 36
Aus dem Schielhieb vorfallen in das gewappnete Ort.
From the Glancing strike position; fall forward into a half-sword thrust.
The Glancer (See Schielhau, Glancing Strike) is master strike where one strikes through incoming attacks by glancing them off the blade and onto the strong while counter thrusting. This example shows a form of the glancer where the left hand moves forward during the parry to enable a half sword strike. (See Goliath, page 152).
It seems as if the thunder strike is an overhead pommel strike and here we see two attacks starting with it. The first fakes out the half sword glancer, drops the hammer, and moves to a leg throw. The second Thunder strike is a bind against the sword to wrench with the quillons. "Thunder strike" is probably a reference to the thunder god's hammer, as the Donnerschlag is a hammer attack. This would make it Thor's strike.
The Thor's strike on the left is a feint to a thrown sword and leg throw. The strike on the right is a move to wrench the opposing guard. This must be interesting with bare hands and sharp swords.
Egenolph:
Schlaudern take out of the high guard. Strike against him with the long edge to his left ear. If he displaces it, let him think, that you would twitch (“Zucken”) but stay with the short edge at his left ear, then twitch and hurl from below with the flat of the blade at his right ear.
Break.
When somebody is hurling at you, cut the first strike off and displace the next from above, down with your true edge, so you might stick (“bestecken”) him.
Meyer:
The Glancing Strike is also a High strike, but has been so named in that one closes with a small glancing blow, which is done thus: put yourself in the Guard of the Roof or Wrath (as shown in the third chapter) with your left foot forward, from which you will be striking, and while striking be sure to wind your short edge against his strike, and hit with evening hands at the same time as closing with him, step fully with your Right Foot toward his left side, and so take his head off, thus have you done it rightly, and will stand as shown by the figures fighting on the left side of illustration G.
Sutor:
The image on the left shows a man in the position called the Glancing Strike: stand in the High or Wrathful Guard with the left foot forward and when your opponent strikes at you, you strike also, but in the motion of the strike, meet his blow with the false edge and hit with free hands on the inside, step with your right foot to his left while simultaneously hitting him on the head.
If you cross from below in such a way that he can't get under your sword, then catch his cross and shift ahead to his hilt, thrust your pommel ahead while extending your right arm, wind your long edge to the outside from below while thrusting out from the pommel. Note that if you attempt a glancing strike against a long strike, target his right side, don't let him come against your sword but change under, strike to his right and drive through on your left and inside his long edge..
Note: this is describing the action taken by the fighter on the left. He is breaking a free strike with a glancing traverse counter to his opponent's right. This is a winding down thrust that starts from a crossed guard and glances off an incoming blow and can then skip up inside the opposing blade to counter
Bend Strike (Krumphauw)
Dobringer:
25V
This is on the Crooked strike [Krumphawe]
Go crooked [Krump] with skill and throw
the point at the hands, strike crooked
[Krump] at he who sets well, with steps
you will hurt many strokes. Strike crooked
[Krum] to the flat of the master when you
wish to weaken him.
When it flashes above step away that I will
applaud. Do not crooked [Krum] short
strikes, changing through [Durchwechsel]
and then do a crooked strike [Krum], whoever
wishes to deceive you the noble war
will confuse him, so that he does not know
if he is out of danger.
Glossa. Here note that the crooked strike
[Krumphaw] is an upper strike [Oberhaw]
that goes out well to the side with a step,
and then goes in a crooked manner to one
[the other] side. Therefore Liechtenauer
means that if you wish to do this strike well,
you shall step well out to the right side as
you strike. And you shall throw or shoot
your point in over the cross guard at the
(opponent’s) hands. And you shall strike
with your flat, and when you hit the flat
(of the opponent’s sword?) you shall remain
on it with strength and push firmly and see
were you can easiest and straightest hit
him with strikes or thrusts or cuts and you
shall not strike too short and not forget the
changing through [Durchwechsel ], were it
is suitable to do it.
26R Blank page
26V
A strike is called the feint/error [Veller] and
it comes from the crooked strike [Krumphaw]
and it is described after the cross
strike [Zwerchhaw] which is described
firstly and it shall be before the cross strike.
And it goes crooked [Krumt] from below
and is shot in over the cross guard at him by
shooting the point just as the [Krumphaw]
from above and down.
Ringeck:
The "Krumphauw": This is how you should strike the Krumphauw at the hands. When he attacks you from his right side with an Oberhau or Underhauw, jump out of the strike with your right foot towards his left side and with crossed hands strike against his hands using the point.
This is how you can Absetzen ("set aside") the cuts from above with the Krumphauw: If he attacks you from his right side with an Oberhau, step towards his left side with your right foot and put your point in the Schrankhut. Practice this from both sides. From the setting aside you can strike him on the head.
If you want to weaken a master, then while he strikes an Oberhau from his right side strike a Krumphauw with crossed hands against his sword. When you strike him with the Krumphauw against his sword, from the sword immediately strike upwards against his head with the short edge. Or after the Krumphauw wind the short edge at his sword and thrust him into the breast.
When he strikes an Oberhau from his right shoulder, pretend as if you are going to bind against his sword with a Krumphauw. However, let your strike fall short, lead your point trough under his sword and wind your hilt over your head and to your right side. Then thrust him in the face.
This is how you can break the Krumphauw: If you attack him from your right side with an Oberhau and he displaces this with a Krumphauw with crossed hands from his right side, then strongly hold your sword against his, and "shoot" (thrust) the point at his breast with your arms extended.
Another defense against the Krumphauw: If you attack him from your right side with an Oberhau and he displaces (Versatzung) this with a Krumphauw with crossed hands from his right side and if he pushes your sword to the ground, then wind towards your right side, raise your arms over your head and thrust at his breast from above. If he displaces that, stand as you are, with the hilt in front of your head and nimbly work with the point from one opening to the other. This is called the "noble war" and with this, you’ll confuse him so much , that he will not know how to defend himself against your attacks.
Goliath:
Text on the Bend Strike with its elements.
Bend on nimbly; throw your point to the hands, he who bends will place many strikes struck with strides.
Analysis
The bend strike is one of the four displacements against the four guards, in that with it one breaks the guard named the Ox, and it thus also drives onto the Over and Under Strikes. When you come to him in the pre-fencing, if he stands against you holding his sword before his head in the guard of the Ox, on his left side, then put your left foot forward, and hold your sword on your right shoulder, in the guard, and burst with the right foot, well to your right side against him, and strike in with the long edge, to crossed arms, over the hands.
Another
You should also try the bend strike from the barrier guard, from both sides, And in the guard set yourself thus, when you come to him in the pre-fencing, then stand with the left foot forward, and hold your sword close on your right side, with your point to the ground, so that your long edge is above, and give an opening on the left side. If he Strikes then to the opening, then burst out from the strike with your right foot against him, well to your right side, and strike in with crossed hands, from the long edge with the point out to his hands.
From the Barrier Guard
Thus put yourself in the barrier guard, to your left side, when you come to him with it in the pre-fencing, then stand with the right foot forward, and hold your sword near your left side, to the ground with crossed hands, that the short edge is above, and give an opening with your right side, if he Strikes to your opening, then burst out of the strike against him with the left foot well to his right side, and strike in the burst with the short edge over the hands.
A good Piece of text regarding the Krumphauw
Bend strike to the flat that most wilt thou weaken. When it glides above then stand off that will I praise.
You shall drive this piece, against most parts of the sword, And drive this thus, When you come to him in the pre-fencing, then lay your sword to your right side, in the barrier guard, and stand with the left foot forward, or hold it on the right shoulder, if he then Strikes high to the opening, then strike strongly with the long edge, to cross arms, against his strike, and as soon as the swords glide together, then wind the short edge just then against your right side, on his sword, and stab him in the face, Or if you would.
Danzig:
The bend strike
Bend out nimbly, throw your point at the hands, and bend to he who would engage, striding allows many strikes. Strike bent to the flat, you will master the weak. When it glides above, stand off that I will praise. Bend not short strike, change through with intent. Bend who assails you, the Noble fight will be in the before. That he knows not how to advance, where he will be without driving.
Meyer:
D
This strike is described thus: stand in the Wrath Guard with your left foot forward, when your opponent strikes, step with your right foot fully away from his strike and against his left side, strike with the long edge and crossed hands against his strike, or between his pommel and blade, high traverse over his hands, and fully overshoot his arms to lay on the blade, as shown in illustration D by the figures on the upper right hand side.
Sutor:
If your opponent strikes high at you from pre-fencing, step and strike from your left with crossed hands and the short edge against his right arm. In this Krumphauw (Bent Strike) step full on to him, push your sword through, follow under him to your right while he is raising his arms high so that you can get under them, then drive with your hilt between his arms, take your left hand off the grip to grab your sword's blade and wrench him over. This crosses while the left hand is free, so he thus raises to strike in vain, and you follow after his upward movement to cut against his arms and so not allow him to operate further.
Thwart (Zwerch)
Dobringer:
27R
This is on the cross strike [Twerehaw]
The cross strike [Twere] takes away what
comes from the roof, do the cross strike
[Twere] with the strong and note your
work.
Cross strike [Twere] to the plough [Pfluge]
and follow hard to the ox [Ochsen] he who
do the cross strike [Tweret] well with a
leap will hit the head. He who lead the
feint/error [Veller] , hits from below as
he wish, [Vorkerer] forces, runs through
[Durchlawfer] and wrestles [Ringet] take
the elbow with skill, jump him in the scale.
Feint twofold and if you hit do the cut as
well. Twofold further on step to the left and
do not be slow. Since all fencing desires
quickness from the right, and also courage,
caution and understanding
27V
Glossa. Note and know that from the whole
sword no strike is as good, ready and strong
as the cross strike [Twerhaw]. And it goes
across to both sides using both edges the
foremost and the rearmost at all openings
below and above. And all that comes from
the roof [Dem tage], that is the upper strike
[Oberhaw] or what comes from above and
goes down, that the cross strike [Twerhaw]
will break and defends against for you if
you do the cross strike [Twerhaw] well, or
if you cast the sword aslant in front of the
head on whichever side you wish, just as
you do when you want to get into the hangings
[Hengen] or the turning [Winden]. In
the cross strike [Twerhaw] you turn the flat
sides of the sword, one up and one down
with the point horizontal, one [edge] to the
right and one to the left side. And it is good
to bind the opponent’s sword with this cross
strike [Twerhaw]. When this has happened
then the other can come away with difficulty
and he will then be struck on both
sides with the cross strike [Twerhaw]. So
when you make a cross strike [Twerhaw],
regardless of the side or if it is high or low,
you will go up with the sword with your
hand turned and the cross guard in front
of your head so that you are well guarded
and covered. You shall do the cross strike
[Twerhaw] with a certain amount of power.
And when you must fight for your neck [i.e.
for your life] , then you shall use the earlier
described
28R
teachings and seek and win the first strike
[Vorschlag] with a good cross strike [Twerehaw].
When you go against another, then as
soon as you think that you can reach him,
with a step or leap, explode with a cross
strike [Twerehaw] from high on the right
side using the back edge straight at the
head. And you shall let the point shoot out
and move across well so that you drive the
point well and turn [Winde] or tightens it
around the opponent’s head like a belt. So
that when you do a cross strike [Twerehaw]
with a good step or leap out to the side,
it is impossible for the opponent to protect
himself or turn away. And when you
thus win the first strike [Vorschlag] with
the cross strike [Twerhaw] at one side, then
regardless if you hit or miss, you shall at
once and without delay win the after strike
[Nachschlag] with the cross strike [Twerhaw]
to the other side using the forward
edge before the other can collect himself
and come to blows or other techniques according
to the afore described teachings.
And you shall cross strike [Twern] to both
sides, to the ox [Ochs] and to the plough
[Pflug] that is to the upper and the lower
opening, from one side to the other, above
and below continuously and without any
interruptions so that you are in constant
motion and the opponent can not come to
blows. And each time that you do a cross
strike [Twerhaw] above or below, then you
do it well and throw the sword across above,
well in front of your head so that you are
well covered.
Ringeck:
The Zwerchhau
The Zwerchhau counters (literally "breaks") all downward strikes made from above. Do it like this: If he strikes an Oberhau at your head, "jump" (make a large, explosive step) to his left side with your right foot, while you jump, turn your sword, so that your hilt is high in front of your head and your thumb is down (on the flat of the blade) and strike at his left side with your short edge. So, you catch his strike with your hilt and hit him simultaneously on the head.
This is how you can work with the stark (strong) from the Zwerch: If you strike with the Zwerch, pay attention to strike strongly with the strong of your sword against his blade. If he strongly holds against it, strike him -at the sword- on the head behind his blade with your hands crossed, or cut him trough the face.
When you bind at his sword with the strong of your sword with the Zwerch and he strongly holds against it, push down his sword to your right side with your hilt, and immediately strike again with the Zwerch to the right side of his head.
If you bind against his sword with the Zwerch and he is "soft" at the sword, place the short edge at the right side of his neck, jump behind his left foot with your right foot and tear him over with the sword.
If you bind against his sword with the Zwerch and he is "soft" at the sword, push his sword down with the Zwerch and lay the short edge at his throat.
A defense against the upper Zwerch:
When you bind at his sword with an Oberhau or another strike from your right side and he strikes with the Zwerch at your other (left) side, forestall this with a Zwerch to his neck under his sword.
This is how you can strike to the four openings with the Zwerch: When you close in with your adversary with the "Zufechten", at the right moment, jump towards him and strike with the Zwerch to the lower opening of his left side. This is called "striking towards the plow".
When you have attacked the lower opening with the Zwerch, immediately strike another Zwerch to the other side, at his head. This is called "striking towards the ox", and then strike swiftly alternating the Zwerch towards the plow and the ox, crosswise from one side to the other. Then you can disengage from him with an Oberhau to the head.
When you strike the Zwerch, you shall always jump to his flank, namely towards the side on which you want to hit him, so you can hit his head, and pay attention that you cover the front of your head with the hilt while jumping.
Goliath:
Text on striking athwart to the four openings
Thwart to the Plough, to the Ox fly hard. That is you traverse with springing to the head.
You heard the Ox and the Plough being named before. These two stances or guards are named here as they address the four openings, for the Ox the upper two openings and the right and left of the head, the plough is to the lower two openings on the left and the right below the opponent's belt. You should also try for these same four openings with traverse strikes in pre-fencing.
Thus, strike the traverse to the four openings
When you come to your opponent in pre-fencing, stand with your left foot forward and when you are even spring against his left side with the right foot and strike an artful traverse to his left side's lower opening. This is called striking to the Plough. If he displaces then hit him quickly to the upper right opening, which is to the Ox, and then always drive the traverse strike nimbly once to the Ox and another to the Plough, across from one side to the other, that is to the head and to the body. You should also consider that you always shall spring far to his side in every traverse strike, thus you will hit well to the head, but be sure that you meanwhile keep your hilt high before your head.
Break against the Lower Thwart Strike
Here observe the break against the Strike Athwart (Traverse Strike) note: athwart, across, and traverse are interchangeable.
When you stand against him in the guard of the roof then strike high to his head, if he then springs from the strike and means to come forward with a traversing strike by striking to the left side of your head, then let your swords long edge fall on his sword, if he then strikes across over to the other side, just then strike your sword ahead traversing under his sword to his throat so that he cuts himself with your sword.
Note
Mark that when you have bound on a fencer's sword, if he then swipes from the sword over in a traverse to the other side, then let the long edge fall on his hand or arm and hit with the edge of the sword with your arms fully out from you and slash the sword's edge out from his arms to his head.
Break against the high cut to the arm
When you strike a traverse to his right side, then feint with a cut to the arm, and then strike and double with the short edge behind his blade to his mouth, or if you strike with a traverse to his left side, then feint a cut to the arm, and then strike and double with the long edge behind his blade to his mouth. Mark if he breaks the doubling when you cut high to his arm, to double high to his head, thus drive on and wind against the blow with your sword under it and drive the sword's short edge to his throat.
A piece of verse on the Thwart Strike
Thwart with the strong, mark your work with it.
Analysis
That is when you will strike with a Thwarter, then you should strike with your body's full strength and always bind on his sword with the strong in order to win and take the openings. Thus when you have struck with a Thwart from your right side, if he displaces then drive a double or thrust in from the Thwart with the hilt of your sword off to the side and then strike in to the other side.
Break
When you have had a sword driven to the throat, then drive your sword inward with the pommel and let the blade hang down and thrust his sword from your throat and strike high to his head with a snap, or strike a double with the right hand high over his sword under the face while he has his sword at your throat.
Break against the Lower Thwart Strike
When he strikes you with a Thwart from his right side high to your head's left, then displace with the long edge and stay with the point in front of the chest, if he then strikes from the sword over with a traverse to your lower right opening, then you also strike a traverse through low between you and also to his right side, and bind thus on his sword and stab just then to his lower opening.
Danzig:
The thwart strike
Thwart takes what comes from the Roof, thwart with the strong and mark how you strive. Thwart to the plough, to the Ox lead hard. What you should do is spring with the sword to the head. Feints mislead from below against intent to hit. Turning over swings run through with grappling too, the elbows know to spring in the effort. Missing twice hits one in the cut with twofold effort to the left, and lets nothing else come.
Talhoffer:
With the open Point step forward and stomp in the belly.
This seems to be a version of a zwerchhau (thwart strike) where the zwerch riposte is accompanied by a kick to the midsection. In other swords, when breaking a high strike with a zwerchhau, step in a passing burst and accompany the sword strike with a good solid kick.
Den Oberhieb erlugen (fintieren), und nach dem Arm schlagen.
Fake (feint) an overhead cut and then slash at his arm.
The fighter on the left has faked his opponent into defending high and then quickly slashed at his arm. This is probably a tight circular move. (See tafel 19 for an upward curved cut).
The defender on the right looks to have moved into a high free guard to break the faked attack. He is attempting to respond with a traversing strike, or Zwerchhau. It looks like the left fencer is keeping his eye on the zwerchhau, and is staying under its arc.
Tafel 5
The free cut from above. - Against it, make a blow against the neck.
The combatant on the left has moved in a simple overhead attack. His opponent has engaged to the right and wound to the left Ox, which put his blade against his opponent's neck.
Tafel 6
Against the lower openings. - Also at the lower openings.
First Look: these combatants are both in the free hanging point stance and attempting to plunge a thrust against the lower openings. Both are also binding the opponent's blade in a blade play meant to hold off the thrust. The guy on the right has crossed his stance and is in trouble.
Second look: there's probably a lot of winding in this engagement. The guy on the right is still in trouble.
Egenolph:
Remember, when you strike the “Zwerch” and somebody tries to anticipate also with a “Zwerch” under your sword to your throat, use the true edge(wraith or mittelhauw) and fall “Indes” strong onto his sword and you will break his break. Then use the nearest opening.
Meyer:
You send yourself into the Thwarter thus: assume the primary stance of Wrathful Guard to the right (as shown in the previous chapter), that is you put your left foot forward and hold your sword over your right shoulder, as if you would strike a wrathful strike, and when your opponent strikes you from the roof or above, strike closely with your short edge, breaking against his strike from below, holding your hilt high above to displace near your head, and strike to close by stepping full onto his Left side, thus displacing and closing against the other as shown by the left background figures of illustration H. This can be executed to the left thus striking his right side with a changed point, in that you will strike against his right by engaging with the long edge.
Sutor:
The image on the left shows a man in the Traversing
Strike: when you bind high, or close when he strikes, if he wants to strike
forcefully with the Traverser, strike to his front and break through under his
sword and strike his throat.
From your stance in pre-fencing bring your sword high and transition to the Right Ox (for fencers who must counter with the double Bounce Strike) twitch your sword ahead, strike with a twisting Weak from your right down the sword to your Strong so you can duck your head under his strike while following the spindle, step forcefully with your right leg to his left and follow your unwinding hands to hit your intended target with the far Weak.
Note that you move to the Ox from your stance by raising your sword to your head, strike with the far Weak directly to his left ear while crossing with your right Strong, then continue on course against his head, hit with the far Weak from the right side to break against this secondary fencing strike, then you will defeat it well.
Short Strike (Kurtzhauw)
Dobringer:
26V
A strike is called the feint/error [Veller] and
it comes from the crooked strike [Krumphaw]
and it is described after the cross
strike [Zwerchhaw] which is described
firstly and it shall be before the cross strike.
And it goes crooked [Krumt] from below
and is shot in over the cross guard at him by
shooting the point just as the [Krumphaw]
from above and down.
*completed short edge zornhauw from the completed kurtzhauw
Goliath:
Text on a part of the bend strike, strike bent not short, show changes through with it.
Analysis
That is when he will strike one high from his right side, then drive on high with the hand and as he does you will bend strike to bind on his sword, and drive the point through under his sword and stab to his other side into his face or chest, and be sure you wait to keep your hilt high before your head. Also to break the guard of the Ox with this piece, you drive thus when you (note in margin: against the Ox) go to him in pre-fencing, when he stands against you and holds his sword with the hilt on his left side, in front of the head, then throw your sword to your right shoulder and be as if you would bind onto his sword as with the Krumphauw, strike short and change through with it below his sword, and shoot your point long under his sword to the other side and at his throat, thus he must displace, then you will come to hit and work with the sword
Talhoffer:
Tafel 8
Applying the blade, meeting a blow with a blow.
Fighter on left is threatening a cut, the fencer on the right steps forward from the left Ox or Plough, engaging his opponent's strong with his own, and pivots over it to slash his blade down, cutting his opponent with the false, or short, edge.
Tafel 9
Left against right must fence strongly.
The fencer on the left is delivering a strong Unterhauw; the fencer on the right has gone forward and left to deliver a downward counter to the arms. The counter moved left to strike strongly to the right. This is an example of a Kurtzhauw.
Die Krumme schnell hinauf. - kehre die spitze dagegen.
The quick curved strike. - Turning the point against it.
The quick curved strike is a fast shallow cut executed to get around one's opponent's sword. The counter is to bring your point up and over it - turn your point against it.
Hier ist der krumm hieb vollbracht.
Here the curved strike was successful.
The fighter on the right has successfully executed a curved cut and has struck his opponent on the neck or shoulder. His stance shows his body has moved to the left and forward with his attack. This is a forward moving tight slash to the high targets.
Meyer:
First part B Second part B
This is a secretive attack, and is described thus: when your opponent strikes you from above, stand as if you would respond with a Bent Strike, that is to bind his sword with the half edge, but let it fall and drive through under his sword, strike with the half edge and crossed arms over his right arm to hit his head, thus you have closed off his sword with the long edge, and accomplished the Short Strike, and stand as is shown by the smaller figure (far left) on the right of illustration B fighting against the left
Sutor:
When you move from pre-fencing and come into the High Guard, let the sword drop in front of you and strike on your left, twitch to the head, step and strike a high breaking traverse cut to the right side of his neck with the true edge, subtly switch its course, step and strike a high cut directly from above with the true edge.
These three actions must be struck swiftly against your opponent, giving you more space to switch your lead and head to the left. Pull the weak or false edge upward on your left side and strike through on his right against his strike to your right, again raising your sword high in the air, strike with the middle edge from above down and then raise crossed hands to your right ear as a fail safe and a lead into a false edge Wrathful strike to his left. (*picture from liechtenauer) Thus, you have put him away.
This is a wordy description of a Kurtzhauw, a short edge Krumphauw. Basically: fake a high strike left, step left and re-strike with the false edge, and end up in the Right Ox to finish him off.
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Slide Strike (Glitzhauw)
Meyer:
The Slide Strike is described as follows: when you are attacked from above, hit with even or free hands against his strike, aiming at his upper left opening, let your blade's midsection ride up his blade so that the short edge will swing over his hands and hit his head.
Bounce Strike (Prellhauw)
Meyer:
There are two of these: one is single time, the other is double. The single is described thus: when your opponent strikes you from above, engage his strike with a Traverser, and, similar to the Slider, twitch your Sword up near your head, and from your left side hit his ear with an out-winding far weak, as is shown by the foreground figure on the right side of illustration K (above), so that the Sword will bounce back in the strike, so you can twitch it back over your head while bouncing back, strike leftward with the strong, thus it is completed.
The double is executed thus: if from pre-fencing your opponent raises his sword high to strike, then stand in the Right Ox (as shown in the next chapter), twitch your Sword above you, and strike with an in-winding weak with your strong on his blade so that you bring your pommel down as you follow the spindle of the strike, as is shown by the left foreground figure of illustration I (below), and in the strike step with your right foot full onto his left side, and thus glide or move to follow it over him, twist to close against his left side, and out-wind to hit again with even hands at the same opening with a level weak, so that it bounces thus strongly. Thus have you done it right.
Sutor:
The image on the right shows a man in the Bounce Strike, which is both a single and double strike. The single Bounce Strike is a response to an overhead strike. Engage first at the Weak, barely touching, then raise the sword over your head and hit from the left with a quick agile strike against his ear, allowing the sword to follow through the momentum with a slice to his head (second strike) while pushing against the strong. The man on the right started in the position called Hanging Point: stand with your right foot forward, hold your sword with arms outstretched ahead and over your face, so the sword hangs somewhat downward.
For another view of the Prellhauw or Bounce Strike, see Meyer
The image on the left shows a man in a Guard stance extending a Long Point: stand with your left foot forward, hold your weapon with outstretched arms in front of your face, so that your far point is aimed at his face. You now can recover the outstretched arms by stepping and striking at his left ear, so he must quickly parry and withdraw, follow through with a false edge cut to his left while sinking down, and thrust with your grip overhead, strike swiftly with a false edge cut to his right ear so that your hands complete the strike in crossed position.
Blind Strike (Blendthauw)
Meyer:
Bind your opponent's sword from your right side, wind through in the clash against his left side with your hilt or haft below, when your opponent tries to swipe away the winding, quickly move the weak with crossed hands from your right toward his left against his head, that is the forward point, wind your hands through again or twist out to your left with the half edge. Thus you have fully executed the Blind Strike, which can be made in many ways and from there further on in places.
Sutor:
When he binds with outstretched blade against your sword, react as soon as he makes contact, rapidly disengage and change under and through, quickly flick past on the other side of his blade with your Strong and strike to his ear. From this following through there are many good hits, think about them. Attack once in the pre-fencing from under, then strike him high on his sword, and see that you cross in front and come under his blade where he cannot meet you soundly with the Strong, and let your sword reach far and high under his hanging blade, strike him thus with your quillons under you so that you can put your sword into a half cut to his head.
(This is an instruction to disengage under, match plane and strike upward.)
Wound Strike (Windthauw)
Meyer:
The Wound Strike is described as follows: if your opponent strikes from above, then strike against his sword with crossed hands from the left and below, so that your pommel sits under your right arm, and thus quick to glide, step strongly from him from your left side with your left foot, swing your sword's pommel out farther in an arc toward your left side so that the swing moves your long edge over his right arm behind his pommel or hits atop his right arm, as is shown by the figure in the right side foreground of illustration H, and closely thereafter your sword flies out from close to your side, and again strikes against the hands through the cross, so it is done.
Crown Strike (Kronhauw)
Meyer:
This you hold thus: when you stand in the Plough or in a similar stance (which are discussed in an earlier chapter) which allow stabs from below, and your opponent strikes at you from above, then drive above you with a high traversing cross, intercept his strike above on your ricasso or quillons, and as soon as he slides, bring your pommel up high and strike with the half edge behind his blade onto his head, thus you have rightly executed the Crown Strike.
Knee Hollow Strike (Kniechelhauw)
Meyer:
This strike takes its name from the joint against which it is tried, and is completed thus: when at first you hold your hands high above your head, and your opponent is moving under his sword so his head is held between both arms, then strike with a traversing strike under his sword's pommel, with a view to his knee hollows or to the joints between hand and arm. If he holds his hands much too high, then strike with a rising traverse Strike from below up against the knob of his elbows, thus is it completed.
Plunge Strike (Sturzhauw)
Talhoffer:
Tafel 13
Two overhead points (thrusts).
This is simply an illustration of one of the secondary guards given as two views. The stance appears to be the unicorn or einhorn.
From the bind, fall forward (fall outward) into a downward thrust.
This appears to be an example of mutieren where the right fencer has plunged over his opponent's blade, which has been wound, to the right Ox. This play is from the bind.
Meyer:
Although this strike is an Over Strike, be aware that between one and the other lies a minor difference, from which comes this strike's name of Plunge Strike, that one strikes through by plunging from above, and that the point comes against one's opponent's face from the Ox, and can thus be executed from the start or pre-fencing.
Change Strike (Wechselhauw)
Talhoffer:
Tafel 2
Plunging blow. - Changing blow.
The plunging blow is simply a plunging thrust delivered from an Ox guard. The responding changing blow shows the combatant stepping forward and around, past his opponent's point, with his blade held low. He is now in position to respond with an upward cut and/or thrust.
Meyer:
The Change Strike is nothing other than changing from one side to the other, from above to below and back again, before striking your opponent, thus make it so.
Rusher or Twitch-Pull (Schneller oder Zeckrur)
Talhoffer:
Tafel 10
A free Strike - The rushing.
The free strike is a zornort, a high thrust from a free guard. The rushing seems to be a pommel lunge, which will trip one's opponent if he is in motion and your blade gets between his feet. As a purely cutting or stabbing move, it is weak and difficult to target.
This may be shown as an example of why not to step with your right while moving left, i.e. do not cross your stance, you may get tripped by the silliest of moves.
Meyer:
Rusher or Twitch-Pull is basically a move which is not struck alone should you strike, but will be a quickener. It will be completed in the middle or full work stage, when one has been joined, and is taken from above or on both sides, or from below against your opponent with the weak or outer part of the blade, the weapon catches on or rushes in as a swing above or under his blade.
In short, this was only a description of the usual Sword Fighting Strikes which, on the one hand, you will use to know the blows, steps, and strikes skillfully, which were described here, but on the other hand come to know what fencing can be, thus have I willingly described to the kindly Reader all the close forms of how to place each of the just described strikes, which satisfies the one hand, and on the other hand moving onward to skillful flowing can be accomplished. From there on, I have undertaken to go farther with supporting descriptions for good onward progress.
Of The Strikes
Even though onward many of the strikes and their results will be questioned, which is why they are demonstrated, because the four Principle Strikes along with the Glancing Strike are sufficient to grasp and understand the other countering strikes, I must then remind the gentle reader that, in this art, everything up till now rests upon fully grasping the five Master Strikes, and indeed similarly all grows onward from here only in furthering this art to more flowing and useful levels, and from other sections move onward to find the art, and behave according to the underlying differences, thus you have firmly wrapped this art into another and thus more easily and lightly grasped it by being prepared for different views.
