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Miscellaneous Maneuvers

Outside Taking:

This is a technique mentioned in Liechtenauer; Ringeck gives two examples, the Starhemberg Commentaries give one. The Ringeck examples are both techniques in

which a counterattack is delivered while remaining in contact with the opponent’s sword, but this does not appear to be the case with Starhemberg. There is reason to doubt whether the term was still much in use by the mid-1400s, as neither text is very clear about its meaning. The Lew version resembles the one in Starhemberg.

Chasing:

This term often refers to an attack made once the opponent has already gathered for or delivered an attack, so that the combatant is in the state of the After. Meyer recommends it against those who fight with their weapons sweeping too wide. It can also be used more imprecisely for attacks that generally crowd in at the opponent, or that are executed from the state of the After.

Ringeck gives two versions, one that is essentially a stop-attack into the opponent’s preparation [36v-37r], the other an evasion from the opponent’s attack, followed by a counterattack [37r].

Winding:

Winding Cut, Winding Through

Meyer 51r ff. an important section on Winding.

An action in which one remains in the bind while winding one’s blade about the opponent’s weapon for a followup attack, typically with the point, foible [Meyer 55r] and/or short edge [Meyer 39v, 40r.2]. The medieval tradition identifies 8 types of winding, generated by a series of options: the initial bind can be high or low, it can be on the left or the right side of the opponent’s blade, and the wind itself can be moving toward the left or right [Ringeck 48r]. Each of these winds can lead to a cut, slice, or thrust, generating 24 variations in all [Ringeck 22r, 48v].

Winding to the R is, for example, to go from L Ox to R Ox; winding to the L is from R Ox to L Ox [Ringeck 40v, 47.2v-48r]. Meyer generally uses the terms “winding in” (apparently, moving one’s blade deeper past the opponent’s blade) and “winding out” (moving the blade out from behind the opponent’s blade) [20v, 30r, 51v]. Winding shortens the user’s reach [Starhemberg 24r; Meyer 54v]. Meyer associates it with snapping and flicking [Meyer 55r]. Meyer 3v says winding attacks are mostly made at the head. Ringeck also has a winding technique that changes leverage [19v-20r]. Meyer 30r.2 offers a good example of how winding works in the absence of thrusts. The term can also be used of the hilt (see Winding Through).

Winding Through:

Where it just means pulling the pommel under the arm. A wind executed with the hilt underneath the opponent’s weapon, usually to catch the opponent’s arm or weapon.

Gripping Over:

To let some of one’s right-hand fingers go over the quillon. This can be used to allow the long edge to turn further around in the hand, and may also be used for extra leverage. Can also mean to Catch Over

Slinging:

In Meyer, this is a flinging cut delivered from a distance. The Egenolph version is less clear, and appears to be quite different. Speed and distance may be the advantage. Meyer 60v may imply a technique using the flex of the wrists to deliver an attack with the flat, perhaps similar to a flick or Tag-Hit. It is unclear why Meyer classifies this under Handwork rather than the cuts.

Cutting Away:

A cut delivered to cover the combatant’s retreat from engagement. This technique is best

documented by Meyer [see especially 23r-v]. Hints of this technique can be found in earlier treatises. Meyer distinguishes three forms of withdrawal, Before, After, and Simultaneous. For the Before, he recommends pressing your opponent so that he is on the defensive, then cutting through with a withdrawal cut as you pull away [23r, 26r].

 

For the After, he recommends either waiting for the opponent to execute the withdrawal cut, then cutting over it; or feigning to prepare a withdrawal and withdrawal cut to draw the opponent to attack and miss, then cutting over the opponent’s weapon [23r-v]. For the Simultaneous withdrawal, he recommends an attack that comes from the opposite direction from the opponent’s cut to land on top of it, assisted by stepping out [23v, 26r].

 

 

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