| 1295 |
Anonymous |
Tower Fechtbuch or "Walpurgis
Manual" |
MS I.33 |
Royal Armouries Leeds |
|
| Fechtbuch MS I.33 - (in the Royal Library
Museum, British Museum No. 14 E iii, No. 20, D. vi) - the "Walpurgis"
manual, an anonymous 13th century German "sword and buckler"
manuscript. A Medieval German manuscript on the use of the sword
and buckler (currently the earliest known European martial arts
work). |
|
|
ARMA Public Library
|
| 1389 |
Johannes Liechtenauer (Hanko Döbringer) |
Untitled |
Cod. HS. 3227a |
Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nürnberg |
| Influential German fechtbuch of 1389 on
swordsmanship and other weapons (only portions survive through the
commentaries of later masters) by the earliest known Fechtmeister
as written down by the priest and master at arms, Hanko Döbringer. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1430 |
Andres (ander) Liegnitzer (Lignitzer) |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
Unknown |
| 14th century German master who wrote on
sword and buckler, and possibly material on spear, short sword, werestling,
and dagger fighting. His sword and buckler material is a description
of six different series of attack and defence combinations to practice.
It is found almost word for word repeated in numerous Fechtbucher
(fencing manuals) such as Peter von Danzig's Fechtbuch of c. 1452
and Sigmund Ringeck's "Commentaries" of c. 1440. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| c. 1400s |
Anonymous |
On the Use of the Two-Hand Sword |
Harleian MS 3542 |
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel |
| An obscure 15th century English text that
presents in verse form a brief glimpse at one of the few examples
of a Medieval English method of using a single long blade. Unfortunately,
its words are nearly indecipherable and open to considerable interpretation.
A similar work has also recently been found. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| c. 1400s |
Anonymous |
La Jeu de la Hache |
No MS Des. |
Unknown |
| An anonymous 15th century work on the use
of the medieval poleaxe. Portions appear in Alfred Hutton's 19th century
"Old Swordplay" (or was it "Sword and the Centuries"?).
Also translated by Prof. Sydney Anglo. |
|
ARMA Public
Library |
| c. 1400s |
Anonymous |
The strokes if ij hand swerde |
Cottonian MS Titus A. XXV |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
|
|
|
| c. 1400s |
J. Ledall |
Untitled |
Add. MS 39564 |
|
| A previously unrecorded 15th century English
velum scroll on swordplay (possibly great-sword). Apparently penned
by one "J. Ledall". Although cryptic, its content of cuts,
thrusts, footwork, and strikes shed light on similar works. |
|
ARMA Public
Library |
| c. 1400s |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
KK 5013 |
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna |
| Related to and probably preceding the "Gladiatoria." |
|
ARMA Members Area |
|
| c. 1400 - 1450 |
Anonymous |
Gladiatoria |
MS.Germ.Quart.16MS |
Bibliotheca 1 Regia Berlinenstadt. Currently in the
collection of Jagiellonian Library, Krakow |
| A mid-15th century manuscript presenting numerically
indentified techniques and counter-techniques (accompanied by an illustration)
described by simple explanations of their execution rather than named
and associated with a larger systematic method or even core principles.
Instead, a tacit understanding of leverage, balance, and the under
workings of swordplay, dagger fighting, and wrestling are assumed
as well armored combat. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| c. 1425 - 1475 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Cod. Vindob. 11093 |
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Vienna |
| An anonymous 15th century manual on parchment. Sothwestern
German in origin with approximately 46 pages with illustrations on
every page. Contains long sword in armor on foot, axe fighting in
armor, wrestling, and mounted sword combat. Clothes, armament and
weapons point to the middle of the 15th century. Configuration, scope,
and contents imply that this is of those manuscripts that are not
explicitly in the "Liechtenauer tradition". |
|
|
| c. 1450 - 1500 |
Anonymous |
Codex Wallerstein |
Von Baumann's Fechtbuch, Cod.I.6.40.2 |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek?, Universitätsbibliothek
Augsburg? |
| Collection of anonymous German text and somewhat stylized
illustrations from c. 1470 mostly on judicial dueling and including
material on the Langenschwert, Messerfechten, dagger, and wrestling.
Actually consists of two works, one late 14th/early 15th century and
the other mid-16th century. One version dated to 1549 notes it as
"Von Baumanns' Fechtbuch". |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| c. 1450 - 1500 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Cod. Guelf.78.2Aug.20 |
Universität Heidelberg? Herzog August Bibliothek? |
|
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1490 |
Peter Falkner |
Untitled |
P5012 |
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna |
| Fechtbuch from 1490. Includes long-sword,
sword & buckler, messer, poleaxe, dagger, and wrestling. |
|
|
| 1410 |
Fiore dei Liberi |
Flos Duellatorum
in Armis |
No MS Des. |
Unknown |
The Pierpont-Morgan Library manuscript
is the former Codex Soranzo MCCLXI, and the former Sneyd manuscript
first described by F. Novati, originally ?from the library of the
Abbate Canonici in Venice.? The earlier Soranzo Codex was bound as
part of a larger work (folios 1-240), likely compiled from various
sources on martial arts. The Pisani-Dossi Manuscript reprinted by
Novati is currently in a private collection. Two other versions of
Fiore?s treatise whose location or existence is currently unknown
include: Codex LXXXIV (Ms. 84) from the former Biblioteca Estense
in Ferrara. This consists of 58 Folios bound in leather with a clasp
with the first page showing a white eagle and two helmets. Codex CX
(Ms. 110) was last located in the same institute and consists of 15
small format folios on unbound parchment. It Is not known if these
represent copies of one the other three versions or independent editions.
Fiore dei Liberi was a leading master of the Bolognese school of fighting,
and his work is only one of two surviving treatises from Italy during
this era. His is the primary source today for Italian long-sword,
grappling, dagger fighting, and other weapons. He studied under German
masters (one in Swabia named ³Hans²) but developed his own style,
which he taught to knights and nobles. Three surviving editions are
known of his work.
|
|
|
| 1410 |
Fiore Furlan dei Liberi da Premariacco |
Fior di Battaglia |
Accession Number 83.MR.183 Call Number: MS Ludwig XV
13 |
Getty Museum |
One modern Italian version was edited
and published by F. Novati, Bergamo, 1902. Another translation was
produced in 1998 by historical fencing researcher Marco Rubboli and
published in Italy by Gladiatoria.
The Getty Museum manuscript is the former Codex Marcello mentioned
by F. Novati in 1902 |
|
|
| 1410 |
Fiore Furlan dei Liberi da Premariacco |
Fior di Battaglia ("Flower of Battle") |
M.383 |
Pierpoint Morgan Library |
This was originally part of a larger collective
binding entitled Arte di armeggiare a piedi ed acavallo, of which
it composed pages ff 241-259. The work was split up in 1780 and its
other contents are unknown.
|
|
ARMA Public Library
|
| 1440 |
Sigmund Ringeck |
Fechtbuch des Sigmund Ringeck (Commentaries
on Liechtenauer) |
Mscr.Dresd.C487 |
Sachsische Landesbibliotek Dresden |
| Fechtbuch from the 1440s. Interpretations
on Liechtenauer. One of the most thorough but not complete views of
the pragmatic art of Medieval German fencing as earlier conceived
by Liechtenauer. Ringeck wrote, "To fence with your whole body
and with force is your wish." (Lindholm, p. 18). Includes Liechtenauer
kampffechten. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| c. 1425 - 1475 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Ambrasser Codex |
HS.XIX,17-3 |
Gräfl. Schloss Königsweggwald |
| Talhoffer was the master-of-arms for the army of Prince
Koenigsegg and was himself a member of the Jorgsbrueder, or Brotherhood
of St. George fighting guild. |
|
|
| c. 1425 - 1475 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Untitled |
P5342BCod. Nr. 55 Ambras |
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna |
|
|
|
| 1443 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Erster Gothaer Codex |
MS. Chart. A558 |
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel? Forschungsbibliothek
Gotha? |
| Reprinted by Gustav Hergsell, Prague, 1901 |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| c. 1450 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Untitled |
78A15 |
Kupferstichkabinett der StiftungPreußischer Kulturbesitz,
Berlin |
|
|
|
| 1459 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Untitled |
Thott 290 20 |
Königliche Bibliothek Kopenhagen |
| Reprinted by Gustav Hergsell, Prague, 1890.
A translation of this text is also available in the member's area.
|
|
ARMA Members Area
Königliche
Bibliothek Kopenhagen |
| 1467 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Zweiter Gotaher Codex |
Cod.Icon. 394a |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
| Reprinted by Greenhill Publications, London,
2000. Translated by Mark Rector. |
|
ARMA Public Library
|
| 1460 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Untitled |
Cod. Vindob. Ser. Nov. 2978 |
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Vienna |
|
|
|
| 1461 |
Hans Talhoffer |
Untitled |
Cod.1.6.20.1 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
| German fechtbuch images with text captions
existing in different editions from 1443, 1449, and 1467. One of the
more widely known but much less detailed fighting treatises. Covers
longsword & other weapons. Includes some material on wrestling. |
|
|
| c. 1450 - 1455 |
Jud Lew |
Fechbuch des Juden Lew |
I.6.40.3 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
|
|
|
| c. 1449 - 1452 |
Peter von Danzig |
Fechtbuch des Peter von Danzig |
Cod.44A8 [Cod. 1449] |
Biblioteca dell'Academica Mazionale dei Linci e Corsiniana
Suddeutschland |
| The manuscript of Peter von Danzig und Ingolstadt contains
the teachings on fighting and duelling by Meister Johanns von Liechtenauer,
Meister Andreas von Lignitz, the armoured foot combat with the half-sword
according to the teachings of Meister Hundsfeld, and the Austrian
Meister Ott. Peter von Danzig copied the comments of Sigmund Ringeck
in a literal or almost literal manner. Includes complete versions
of Liechtenauer's roszfechten and kampffechten. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| c. 1458 - 1467 |
Paulus Kal |
Untitled |
MS. 1825 |
Universitätsbibliothek Bologna |
|
|
|
| c. 1450 - 1500 |
Paulus Kal |
Untitled |
P5126 |
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna |
|
|
|
| c. 1450 - 1500 |
Paulus Kal |
Untitled |
MS Cgm1507 |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
|
|
|
| 1462 |
Paulus Kal |
Untitled |
Copy of MS Cgm1507, MS Chart B 1021 |
Forschungsbibliothek Gotha |
| Covers long-sword, messer, sword &
buckler, dagger, and wrestling. Similar to Talhoffer's works. Kal
was a fencing master in the service of a Bavarian duke between 1458
and 1467. He wrote his fechtbuch in 1462 for the Dukes Ludwig and
Georg of lower Bavaria. Several editions still in existence (at least
one from 1507). |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1462 |
Hugues Wittenwiller |
Untitled |
Cgm. 558 |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
| This work is a codex of Middle High German
manuscripts covering personal combat and various other subjects of
Alemanic Switzerland, including non-martial works (mostly by Otmar
Gossow). The fencing work, spanning folios 125r to 136r, involve
unarmored longsword on foot, spear and staff versus halberd, mounted
sword and spear, mounted short sword or baselard, dagger, short falchion,
unarmed versus armed, and wrestling. It is uncertain whether
the author was a fechter or Fechtmeister , establishing
it as a major work on the Kunst des Fechtens. H. P. Hils refers
to this as a non-Liechtenauerian work. But this has yet to be confirmed. |
|
Courtesy
of HEMAC |
| 1478 |
Johannes Lecküchner |
Untitled |
Co.Pal.Germ.430 |
Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg |
|
|
|
| 1482 |
Johannes Lecküchner |
Kunst des Messerfechtens |
Cgm. 582 |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
| First of several PDF files located in the
ARMA member's area. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1482 |
Johannes Lecküchner |
Kunst des Messerfechtens |
Cpg. 430 |
|
| Covers only the "Langen Messer"
(falchion). |
|
|
| 1480 |
Hans Folz |
Untitled |
Q566 |
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Vienna Nationale
Forschungs |
| 11 sword techniques, summary of the techniques,
with distorted Liechtenauer verses on two of the pages. |
|
|
| c. 1482 - 1487 |
Filippo Vadi |
De Arte Gladitotia Dimicandi (On the
Gladiatorial Art of Fighting) |
Codice 1324 |
Biblioteca Nazionale di Roma |
| On long-sword/great-sword, dagger, spear, and wrestling.
A master from the town of Pisa who served noblemen and was master
at Urbino. His treatise is in 2 parts, one text and one mainly pictures
with explaining lines (not all very understandable). Vadi teaches
that fencing is a science, not an art and offers something of the
ethics of a Master at the time and that a Master only needs teach
to knights and noblemen, since they have the role or protecting widows
and orphans and weak people, etc. The weapons covered are mostly great-sword/long-sword,
dagger (including unarmed defense against the dagger), and short pike.
For the sword he writes of cuts and the thrust plus footwork, specific
techniques. The guards he uses often have the same names of the guards
of Fiore dei Liberi, but interestingly the position for the same name
not always identical. Obviously many guard names passed from various
schools and masters with modifications in name and/or position. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1491 |
Hans von Speyer |
Fechthandschrift |
Codex Universitatis Salisburgensis M.I.29 |
Universitätsbibliothek Salzburg |
| Allegedly a copy of the treatise of Jud
lew. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1492 |
Pietro Monte |
De Dignoscendis Hominibus |
No MS Des. |
Milan |
|
|
|
| 1509 |
Pietro Monte |
De Singulari Certamine Sive Dissentione |
No MS Des. |
Milan |
|
|
|
| 1509 |
Pietro Monte |
Exercitiorum Atque Artis Militaris Collectanea |
No MS Des. |
Huntingdon Library Santa Monica CA |
|
|
|
| 1509 |
Pietro Monte |
Peitri Moniij edtor Anon., Sections
of Monte's Collectanea |
Escorial MS.A.IV.23 |
Real Biblioteca Madrid |
| "Exercitiorum atque artis militaris
collectanea" was the first ever published work on wrestling (also
on swordsmanship and other weapons). "De Sungulari Certamine
Sive Dissensione", the fist ever published work on the duel (and
critical of private fighting). Monte was a master of the well-established
Bolognese school tradition and wrote extensively in the 1480's and
1490's on wrestling, swordsmanship, mounted combat, physical fitness,
duelling, military theory, and the use of shields and other weapons
as well as sword and cloak. |
|
|
| c. 1500s |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Cod.Guelf.1074 Novi |
Herzog August-Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel |
| Also known as "Fechtbuchleinn" |
|
Courtesy
of HEMAC |
| 1500 |
Anonymous |
Fechtreglen |
No MS Des. |
Historisches Archiv der Stadt Köln |
| In German. A Leychmeistere text according
to Hils. |
|
|
| 1500 |
Anonymous |
Das Solothurner Fechtbuch, "The
Solothurn Fightbook" |
No MS Des. |
Unknown |
| Features mainly armored fighting, long-sword,
dagger, unarmed. Swiss-German. Similar to Talhoffer, although its
date precedes him. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1500 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Lib. Pic. A. 83. |
Berlin Staadsbibliothek |
| Armored and unarmored longsword with some
sections identical to 1443 Talhoffer, others similar to Duerer. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1500 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Cod.862 |
Universitätsbibliothek Salzburg Fürstenbergische
Hofbibliothek, Donaueschingen |
|
|
|
| 1500 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
W* 150 |
Historisches Archiv Cologne |
|
|
|
| 1500 |
Ludwig von Eyb zum Hartenstein |
Untitled |
B26 |
Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen |
| Military compendium featuring sword and
buckler fencing. |
|
|
| 1508 |
Anonymous |
Fecht und Ringerbuch |
No MS Des. |
Scott Collection Glasgow |
|
|
|
| c. 1510 - 1520 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
MS.Germ.Quart.2020, MS 5879 |
Jagelonische Bibliothek Krakow |
| A significant work covering unarmored greatsword/longsword
combat and wrestling, actually a later version of the teachings of
Peter von Danzig (also another edition: MS.GERM.2020 from the Preußische
Königliche Staatsbibliothek). Except for minor differences concerning
orthography, dialect, and structure, the unarmored, or Bloßfechten,
section in the "Goliath" manuscript is said to be an almost
exact copy of the major portions of Peter von Danzig's work. Virtual
text-copy of Von Danzig's roszfechten & kampffechten, but with
illustrations of some of those plays. |
|
ARMA Public
Library |
| c. 1510 - 1520 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Mss.Var.83 |
Berlin Staadsbibliothek |
| Illustrations only. "Duereresque" in style. |
|
|
| 1512 |
Albrecht Dürer (ed. F. Dörnhöffer) |
Jahrbuch der Kunsthistorischen Sammlungen
des Allerhoch Kaiserhauses |
HS.26-232 |
Michigan State University |
|
|
|
| c. 1500 - 1523 |
Albrecht Dürer |
Albrecht Dürer's Fechtbuch |
Cod. 1246 |
Universitätsbibliothek Breslau |
| Superb artwork on wrestling and sword use by the famed
early Renaissance German artist (long/greatsword, wrestling, singlehand
swords) based on the content of the 15th century Codex Wallerstein
. |
|
ARMA
Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| 1516 |
Andreas Paurnfeindt |
Ergründung der Ritterlichen Kunst
des Fechtens durch freyfechter zu Vienn |
No MS Des. |
Königliche Bibliothek Kopenhagen |
|
|
|
| 1538 |
Andreas Paurnfeindt |
La noble science ses joueurs
d'espee |
No MS Des. |
Antwerp |
| Pauernfeindt transcribed Liechtenauer's
verses as prose and rearranged their order as well as added his own
passages and half-swording material. A French edition was produced
in 1538. |
|
|
| c. 1522 - 1523 |
Jörg Wilham |
Untitled |
Cgm3711 |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
|
|
|
| 1522 |
Jörg Wilham |
Untitled |
Cod.I.6.40.5 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
|
|
|
| 1522 |
Jörg Wilham |
Untitled |
Cod.I.6.40.3 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
|
|
|
| 1523 |
Jörg Wilham |
Untitled |
Cod.I.6.40.2 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
|
|
|
| 1556 |
Jörg Wilham |
Untitled |
Cgm3712 |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
| Large handwritten color Fechtbuch from
1523 on Liechtenauer this work contains some of the largest range
of longsword & greatsword techniques of any manual, both armored
and unarmored. Over 50 pages of paintings with captions, and another
50 without plus 18 pages of additional text. Three other later versions
also survive. Includes messer and mounted combat. An earlier with
cleaner illustrations includes sword and buckler combat as well as
sword versus lance, including unarmored man on horseback vs. armored
man, 79 plates of unarmored greatsword with captions and text, 36
plates of mounted in armor (lance and sword) with captions and text,
77 armored (mostly half-sword), 29 plates of sword & buvkler images
(13 by an earlier artist), and some 100 pages of text. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1530 |
Hans Lebkommer |
Lecküchner's Kunst des Messerfechtens |
No MS Des. |
|
| Covers only the "Langen Messer"
(falchion). |
|
|
| 1531 |
Christian
Egenolph |
Der Altenn Fechter anfaengliche Kunst
(Egenolffsches Fechtbuch) |
No MS Des. |
Jagelonische Bibliothek Krakow |
|
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1531 |
Antonio Manciolino |
Opera Nova |
No MS Des. |
Venice |
| Cut & Thrust sword. The first surviving
Italian printed manual. Concentrates on arming sword and buckler,
also cloak, two swords, round shield, and pole arms. Not illustrated. |
|
|
| 1532 |
Guido Antonio di Lucca |
Opera de Scherma |
No MS Des. |
Biblioteca Nationale in Rome, Instituto Italiano in
Stockholm |
| Work on fencing |
|
|
| 1533 |
Gregor Erhart |
Fechtbuch |
Cod.I.6.20.5 |
|
| Illustrated fechtbuch. Includes work on
longsword, falchion, spear, and dagger. |
|
|
| 1533 |
Anonymous |
La Noble Science |
Sloane MS 2530 |
Paris |
| Reprint edited by Herbert Berry 1991. This
is a partial French translation of an earlier German work on the two-handed
sword, staff, messer (braquemard), and sword & buckler. |
|
|
| 1536 |
Achile Marozzo |
Opera Nova |
No MS Des. |
Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nürnberg |
|
|
ARMA
Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| 1568 |
Achile Marozzo |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
|
| One of the first to focus on the use of
the thrust over the cut. Considered by many an "early rapier"
manual despite his use of a clearly cutting and thrusting blade. Considered
one of the more significant masters. Modern Italian edition recently
published. |
|
|
| 1538 |
Hans Czynner |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
|
| little known fechtbuch on armored longsword
& dagger. Dated 1538 but reflecting 15th century combat. Features
approximately 70 pages of half-swording and then dagger combat in
color with accompanying captions and approximately 40 text pages. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1539 |
Fabian von Auerswald |
Der Ringer-Kunst des Fabian von Auerswald |
No MS Des. |
|
| Wrestling techniques |
|
|
| 1539 |
Sigmund Schining |
Untitled |
Cod.I.6.20.5 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
| Based on Sigmund Ringeck. Illustrations
of longsword reminiscent of Paulus Hector Mair |
|
|
| 1539 |
Hans Niedl |
Untitled |
MS Codex I.6.2.5 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
| Fechtmeister from Salzburg,
Austria. Interprets the teachings of Liechtenauer. |
|
|
| 1542 |
Paulus Hector Mair |
Brief Instructions Upon My Paradoxes
of Defence |
Mscr.Dresd.C93/94 |
Sächsische Landesbibliothek Dresden |
|
An enormous and luxuriously illustrated multi-volume fencing compendia
of 1542, Paulus Hector Mair, a municipal official in Augsburg and
voracious collector or Fechtbuchs as well as a practitioner of the
craft, give us one of the most authoritative examples of for the
credibility of Renaissance Martial Arts literature. Mair stated
he after he had participated in having all the fighting techniques
personally verified for him he had the artwork for the volumes prepared
by two experienced fencers posing for each image under his supervision.
(Hils, p. 200???)
Mair was obsessed with collecting arms and armor and fencing texts.
His compilation exists in at least three versions and is quite significant
in the range of techniques, weapons, and information it provides.
One verion (Codex Vindobonensis Palatinus 10825, 271 f. Folio. Saec.
16., Oesterreichieche Nationalbibliothek, Veinna) includes dagger
fighting which the other does not. The "C 93" Mair compendium
(from Dresden Saechsische Landesbibliotek) dates after 1542 by Joerg
Breu. Contains Liechtenauer and Ott's teachings, but is based primarily
on Hans von Speyer's and Jorg Wilhalm's manuscripts. It contains
an extensive range of arms and techniques including commoner weapons
such as flail, sickle, scythe, and heavy club. A more substantial
amount of material on the halberd is also included. Mair was apparently
not only a collector of fencing books but also a practitioner, even
adding commentary in his own handwriting to some images.
|
|
|
| 1542 |
Paulus Hector Mair |
Untitled |
Cod.Icon.393 |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
|
|
|
| 1542 |
Paulus Hector Mair |
Untitled |
Cod.Vindob.10825/26 |
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Vienna |
|
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1553 |
Paulus Hector Mair |
Untitled |
Schätze 82 Reichsstadt |
Stadtarchiv Augsburg |
| |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1545 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Cod.I.6.20.4 |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
|
|
|
| 1550 |
Francesco Altoni |
Trattato della arte di scherma |
No MS Des. |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
|
|
|
| 1552 |
Martinus von Heemskerck |
Fechten und Ringen |
No MS Des. |
|
| Woodcut engravings associated consisting
of detailed engravings of cut & thrust sword, two-handed sword,
and wrestling (reminiscent of Agrippa's art, though predating his
work). Compiled together with a second by Sigmund Schining, 1539. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1553 |
Camillo Agrippa |
Treatise on the Science of Arms and
the Dialoque on the Same Theme |
No MS Des. |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
| Another of the first to focus on the use
of the thrust over the cut. One of the earliest rapier manuals yet
still includes several cutting techniques. Considered another one
of the more significant Italian masters. (cut & thrust sword/rapier) |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1555 |
Christian Egenolphs Erben |
Die Ritterliche, Mannliche Kunst und
Handarbeyt des Fechtens und Kempffens gedruckt |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
| Compilation of fectbuch published c. 1558
and then in later editions. Primarily sword & buckler and longsword
material. 40 woodcuts by H. Weitz [1644]. |
|
|
| 1560 |
Anonymous |
Modi di metter mano alla aspada |
No MS Des. |
Venice |
| "Ways to put hand to the sword".
42 plates with text. |
|
|
| 1560 |
Camillo Palladini |
Descorso sopra I'arte della scherma |
No MS Des. |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
| "Discourse on the art of Fencing".
On single sword, sword & dagger, sword & cape, single dagger,
dui spada, two-handed sword, halberd and pike, but not sword &
buckler, or sword & targa. |
|
|
| 1569 |
Jeronimo De Carranza |
De libro que tratta dela philosiphia
de las armas |
No MS Des. |
|
|
|
|
| 1582 |
Jeronimo De Carranza |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
|
| One of only two of the known major Spanish
renaissance fencing manuals that have survived. |
|
|
| 1570 |
Giacomo Di Grassi |
His True Arte of Defense |
No MS Des. |
|
| "The Correct Method of Safely Using
Arms, Both for Offense, as Well as for Defense, with a Treatise on
Deceit, and with a Way to Train on One's Own, in Order to Obtain Strength,
Judgment, and Dexterity". Translated into English in 1594, this
work presented instruction in side-sword/early rapier (with buckler,
dagger, and cloak), as well as two-hand sword and various pole arms.
Its approach reflected some of the transition from military to civilian
fencing that was then occurring. |
|
ARMA
Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| 1570 |
Hans Senger |
The Duelling School |
No MS Des. |
Venice |
| Reportedly a series of woodcuts possibly
influenced or copied from Joachim Meyer. Covers longsword, dussack,
short staff, long staff, and halberd. |
|
|
| 1560 |
Joachim Meyer |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
|
| Handwritten text of 80+ color plates on
great-sword, rapier, and dussack with diagrams. |
|
Lunds
Universitet, Sweden |
| 1570 |
Joachim Meyer |
Gründtliche Beschreibung der
Kunst des Fechtens |
No MS Des. |
Strassburg |
| "A Thorough Description of the Free
Knightly and Noble Art of Fencing", A major Renaissance work
on the longsword, dussack, and messer, repier, hastate weapons, the
staff and wrestling. Contains 73 exceptional woodcuts. A second edition
of Joachim Meyer's 1570 Fechtbuch (which covered mostly the then obsolete
greatsword) was even reprinted in 1610, at the very height of the
age of the slender rapier. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1580 |
Joachim Meyer |
Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss |
No MS Des. |
|
| The fourth version of his known works. |
|
|
| 1573 |
Henry de Sainct Didier |
Tracte' contenan les ecrets du premierlivre
del'espee seule |
No MS Des. |
Paris |
| "Treaty containing the secrets of
the first book on the single sword". Inspired by Marozzo and
Agrippa, this is the only known French fencing treatise of the Renaissance
and the only one prior to the mid 17th century. |
|
|
| c. 1575 - 1600 |
Paternoster |
A Beautiful Discourse
on the Single Sword. |
No MS Des. |
|
|
Fragment of a short document offering teachings on the Italian rapier.
Note that the name "Paternoster" can be translated as "Our
Father". |
|
|
| 1575 |
Angelo Viggiani |
Lo Schermo |
No MS Des. |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
|
|
|
| 1577 |
Mecurio Spetioli da Fermo |
Capitolo di schermire etcavacare |
No MS Des. |
Bologna |
| Fermo was a 16th century Italian master
of arms who produced only a short poem on swordsmanship. |
|
|
| 1579 |
Heinrich von Gunterrodt (Henri a Gunterrodt) |
De veris principiis artis dimicatoiae
tractatus brevis |
No MS Des. |
Wittemberg |
|
|
|
| 1580 |
Giovanni Antonio Lovino |
Traite d'Escrime |
No MS Des. |
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel |
|
|
|
| Undated |
Giovani Antonio Lovino |
Modo di cacciare mano al spada [and]
Ragionamento sopra la scienza dell' arme |
MS Italien 959 |
Biblioteque Nationale Paris |
| On rapier, as well as other swords and
weapons. Also the unpublished appendix, the Ragionamento. |
|
|
| c. 1580 |
Girolamo (Hieronymo) Cavalcabo |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
|
| Fencing book of approx. c. 1580, French
translation edition of 1597, another of 1609, and German editions
of these in 1611/12. Concerned primarily with sword & dagger,
and also with single sword and sword & cape. He was a tutor to
the French court. His work was influential and French translations
of his text were produced in 1597 and 1609, with German editions of
these in 1611 and 1612. Modern English translation forthcoming |
|
|
| 1584 |
Alfonso Fallopia |
Nuevo et Brieve Modo di Schermire |
No MS Des. |
Nationalbibliothek Rome |
| On the civilian rapier. |
|
|
| 1587 |
Federico Ghisliero |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
Universitätsbibliothek Graz |
|
|
|
| 1587 |
Frederico Ghisliero |
Regole do molti cavagliereschi esserciti |
No MS Des. |
Italy |
| "Rules of Many Chivalrous Armies".
A work by a young Italian soldier and swordsman revealing connections
to Spanish styles. Offers some fascinating material and alternative
views. Previously thought lost. |
|
ARMA Public Library
|
| 1591 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Cod.Guelf.83.4Aug.40 |
Österr. Nationalbibliothek Wien |
| Parchment of 116 pages. Pages 2-19/ 36
items with longsword, 22-37/ 31 items with staff, 38-56/ 38 items
with halberd, 59-66/ 16 items with dagger, 69-73/ 10 postures with
Dussack, 76-85/ 19 items with Dussack, 87-101/ 30 items with assorted
dagger, etc. 103-105/ 15 items of various dagger used at the table(!),
107-116/ 18 items with wrestling. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1594 |
Vincentio Saviolo |
His Practice in Two Books |
No MS Des. |
|
| The first intreating of the use of the
rapier and dagger. The second, of honor and honorable quarrels. London,
Thomas Scarlet for John Wolfe. His Practise In Two Bookes is one of
the more influential (and now today popular) of the true rapier manuals. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1599 |
Don Luis P. de Narvaez |
Libro de las Grandeza de la Espada |
No MS Des. |
|
|
|
|
| 1672 |
Don Luis P. de Narvaez |
Nueva sciencia |
No MS Des. |
Madrid |
|
|
|
| 1599 |
George Silver |
Paradoxes of Defence
(Presentaion copy of the manuscript) |
No MS Des. |
British Library |
| Quarterstaff, dagger, cut & thrust
sword/back-sword/short-sword with dagger or buckler. The primary source
for English method of martial arts from the Renaissance. |
|
ARMA
Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| c. 1600 - 1650 |
Don Ruggiero di Rocco |
Precetti e vere regole della nobili
art della scherma date in luce, da Don Ruggiero di Roco |
No MS Des. |
|
| "Garnishments and True Rules of the Nobil Arte."..
An obscure 17 th century work on single rapier written for Prince
Carl of Polonia. Rocco was hired as a fencing instructor by Charles,
King of Poland c.1600/1650. Little is known about him or his work.
He used only four guards. |
|
|
| c. 1600 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
|
| Dutch fencing work obtaind from the Chicago Art Institute
|
|
ARMA Members Area |
| c. 1600 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
|
Corble Collection, Netherlands |
| Anonymous Spanish book of 33 fencing plates |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1600 |
Don Pedro de Heredia |
Traite des Armes |
No MS Des. |
Kelvinggrove Museum Glasgow |
| The R. Scott library treatise of Heredia
is in two volumes written in French. The first comprising some 213
pages of text and the second volume consisting of 54 l water color
drawings each with an explanatory legend and reference to the text
volume. However, one modern bibliographic source suggests a Spanish
might still be known. |
|
|
| 1600 |
Hans Wurm |
Das Ringersbuch der Hans Wurm |
No MS Des. |
|
| 23 plates from a little known German wrestling
manual. |
|
ARMA Public Library
|
| 1600 |
Marco Docciolini |
Trattato in materia de scherma |
No MS Des. |
Florence |
| On rapier. |
|
|
| 1603 |
Giovanni Alberto Cassani |
Essercito militaire, il quale dispone
l'houomo a vera cognitione del scherima de spada |
No MS Des. |
Naples |
| "Military Exercise, which prepares
a Man to the True Knowledge of Fencing with the Sword, and Dispose
the Army for Battle". Naples, Appresso T. Longo. |
|
|
| 1605 |
George Silver |
Brief Instructions Upon My Paradoxes
of Defence |
No MS Des. |
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel |
|
|
ARMA Public Library
|
| 1606 |
Nicoletto Giganti |
Scola overo Teatro.. |
No MS Des. |
Venice |
| Rapier |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1606 |
Salvator Fabris |
Sienz e Practica d'Arme |
No MS Des. |
|
| "About Fencing, or Rather, the Science
of Arms". Rapier. |
|
ARMA
Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| 1609 |
Herionimo (Girolamo) Cavalcabo |
Neues Kunstliches FechtbuchGerman ed. |
No MS Des. |
Jena |
|
|
|
| 1610 |
Andre Desbordes |
Discours de la theorie de la practique
ed de l'excellence des armes |
No MS Des. |
Nancy |
| On rapier, sword & dagger, and duelling. |
|
|
| 1610 |
Ridolfo Capo Ferro |
Gran Simulacro |
No MS Des. |
|
| ("Great representation/description").
Considered the great Italian master of the rapier and father of modern
fencing. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1611 |
Michael Hundt |
Fechtbuch im Rappier.. |
No MS Des. |
Leipzig |
| "A New Style Fencing Manual for Rapier"
In Latin and German. Images and 100 plates of text on rapier and two-weapon
fighting (sword and dagger/sword and cloak) including fighting against
multiple opponents. |
|
|
| 1612 |
Gerorgio Basta |
Il governo della cavalleria leggieria |
No MS Des. |
Venice |
|
|
|
| 1612 |
Jacob Sutor |
New Kunstliches Fechtbuch |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
| Assorted weapons derived mostly from Meyer. |
|
ARMA Public Library
|
| 1613 |
Antonio Quintino |
Gioielo di sapienza nel quale si contengono
mirabilis secreti, e necessarii advertimenti |
No MS Des. |
|
| "Jewels of Wisdom." A text produced
by a commoner and included 16 pages of grappling and wrestling in
swordplay as well as material on animal fighting. Its true authorship
is obscure. Titled in English: "Advertisements necessary for
defending oneself against an enemy in many ways, according to various
accidents which might occur. Added thereunto also the way to keep
yourself safe from many harmful animals." Collected by Giovanni
Briccio, Roman. And brought to light by Lorenzo Leandro, Venetian."
Viterbo, 1613. Carl Thimm also under a "Boiccio" lists the
work as edited by one Antonio Quintino and entitled, Gioielo di sapienza
or "Jewel of Wisdom in which are contained wonderful secrets
and necessary advertisements for defending oneself against men and
many animals." |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1614 |
George Hale |
The Private Schoole of Defence |
No MS Des. |
|
| An English work commenting on fighting
schools of the day as well as recommendations on the rapier method.
Contains interesting theories and terms but little in the way of actual
methods. A short but highly practical work with interesting views.
Reveals further the influence of Italian civilian fencing on English
fighting styles. |
|
ARMA Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| 1615 |
Sebastian Heüsler |
Kriegsman und Freyfechte |
No MS Des. |
|
| Over 100 illustrations. Based on Italian
& French texts. |
|
|
| 1615 |
Alexander Doyle |
Neu Alamodische ritterliche Fecht- und
Schirmkunst |
No MS Des. |
Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg |
|
|
|
| 1615 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
ABC der Soldaten zu Fuss |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
|
|
| 1615 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
Kriegkunst zu Fuss |
No MS Des. |
Oppenheim |
|
|
|
| 1615 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
deBry, L'art militaire pour l'infantrie |
No MS Des. |
Oppenheim |
|
|
|
| 1616 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
Kriegkunst zu Pferd |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
|
|
| 1616 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
Kriegsmanual |
No MS Des. |
Hanau |
|
|
|
| 1616 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
Ritterkunst |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
|
|
| 1616 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
Romanische Kriegkunst |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
|
|
| 1616 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
Art militaire a cheval |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
|
|
| 1616 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
De la milice romaine |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
|
|
| 1617 |
Johan Jacobi Wallhausen |
Kunstliche Piquen Handlung |
No MS Des. |
Hanau |
|
|
|
| 1616 |
Atanasio de Ayala |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
Spain |
| Short text dealing with staff weapons. |
|
|
| 1617 |
Joseph Swetnam |
The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy
Science |
No MS Des. |
|
| Rapier, cut & thrust sword, others |
|
ARMA Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| 1619 |
Joachim Koppen |
Neuer Diskurs Kunst des Fechtens |
No MS Des. |
|
| Rapier |
|
|
| 1620 |
Hans Wilhelm Schöffer |
Grundtliche und eigentlichte Beschreibung
der freyen Adelichen und Ritterlichen Fechtkunst im einfachen Rappier
und Dolch, nach Italianscher Manir und Art |
No MS Des. |
Marburg |
| 15 color gouache drawings and 36 lines
of text showing 8 on unarmed, 2 on dagger, 3 on dussack, two-hand
sword, long staff. |
|
|
| 1620 |
Hans Wilhelm Schöffer |
Gründtliche und eigentliche Beschreibung
der Fecht Kunst |
No MS Des. |
Marburg |
| Large text on Italian rapier. Contains
672 crude illustrations all fully described and annotated by the author.
Volume I has five preliminary figures (showing the four "haupt
Guardien" and a diagram of the rapier) and then 321 pairs of
rapier fencers, Vol. II has 345 pairs of rapier and dagger fencers |
|
|
| 1622 |
Nicoletto Giganti |
TheaterGerman ed. Of 'Teatro' |
No MS Des. |
Frankfurt |
|
|
|
| 1628 |
Nicoletto Giganti |
Scola overo Teatro |
No MS Des. |
|
|
|
|
| 1623 |
Anonymous |
Untitled |
Cod.Vindob.10799 |
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Vienna |
|
|
|
| 1623 |
Francois Dancie |
L¹Espée de Combat, Ou L¹Usage de la
Tire des Armes |
No MS Des. |
Tulle (France) |
| On single sword and duelling. |
|
|
| 1625 |
Faminio della Croce |
L'essercito della cavalleria |
No MS Des. |
Antwerp |
|
|
|
| 1627 |
Bonaventura Pistofilo |
Il Torneo |
No MS Des. |
Italy |
| Knightly use of poleax in tournament pageants
in armor. |
|
|
| 1629 |
Antonio Ansalone |
Il cavaliere descritto in tre libri |
No MS Des. |
Messina |
|
|
|
| 1630 |
Girard Thibault d'Anvers |
Academie De L'Espee |
No MS Des. |
France |
| Rapier. The most elaborate and lavishly
illustrated Renaissance fencing text. Written in French by a Flemish
master teaching a version of Spanish fencing. An English translation
by John Michael Greer is in progress. Part One: Philosophy and Practice
($11.95) is available now (1998), with Part Two: Advanced Techniques
forthcoming. Contact Fir Mountain Press, P.O. Box 95674, Seattle,
WA 98145. |
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1630 |
Sebastian Heussler |
Neu Kunstlich Fechtbuch |
No MS Des. |
Nurnberg |
|
|
|
| 1632 |
Bernardino Capitelli |
Gran simulacro dell'arte e dell'uso
della scherma |
No MS Des. |
|
|
|
|
| 1635 |
Jean Baptise la Perche du Corday |
L'Exercise des Armes |
No MS Des. |
France |
| Rapier. |
|
|
| 1639 |
G.A. |
Pallas Armata- The Gentleman's Armory |
No MS Des. |
England |
| Rapier and cut & thrust sword. Aylward
speculates that the author was Gideon Ashwell. |
|
ARMA Public Library
ARMA Members Area
|
| c. 1639 - 1640 |
Luis Mendez de Carmona |
Libro de la destreza berdadera de las
armas |
No MS Des. |
Spain |
| Unpublished manuscript on paper recently discovered
again. Carmona was a fencing master in Seville, who previous wrote
a work on Carranza's method. A substantial manuscript covering
the principles and fundamentals of fencing and tactics to use in specific
situations. The manuscript consists of two books: a lengthy Adbirtencias
praticas y primeros principios para el conosimiento de lo que se ubiere
de dezir o enseñar en este Libro (in 178 numbered sections),
and a shorter Primeros principios y fundamentos para comensar [?]
por nuestros tres caminos . Following this are two apparently earlier
working drafts (and a fragment of a third), plus several incomplete
later drafts. The sequence of composition is unclear, and each draft
includes substantial alterations and additions not present in the
others, perhaps suggesting he was editing or changing his method.
The substantial corrections and annotations may also suggest it was
perhaps being prepared for publication. The opening leaves include
a dedication to the Conde de Peñaflor, plus sonnets addressed
to the author (among them several by other fencing masters and another
by a physician) |
|
|
| 1640 |
William Cavendish Marquis of Newcastle |
Mathematical Demonstration of the Sworde |
Hareliean MS 5129 |
England |
|
|
|
| 1640 |
William Cavendish Marquis of Newcastle |
Truthe off the Sorde |
Hareliean MS 4206 |
England |
| English version of Spanish rapier style. |
|
|
| c. 1640 - 1653 |
Francesco Ferdinando Alfieri |
La Scherma |
No MS Des. |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
| published in Padua |
|
|
| c. 1640 - 1653 |
Francesco Ferdinando Alfieri |
La Picca |
No MS Des. |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
| published in Padua |
|
|
| c. 1640 - 1653 |
Francesco Ferdinando Alfieri |
La Spadone |
No MS Des. |
|
| One of the last of the Renaissance Italian rapier teachers
of the 17 th century. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1642 |
Don Luis P. de Narvaez |
Libro de las grandezas de la espada
commentary on Carranza? |
No MS Des. |
Pampilona |
| "Book of the Grandeur of the Sword
in Which Many of the Secrets of the Methods Developed by Comendador
Geronimo de Carranza are Explained". On rapier. One of only
two of the known major Spanish renaissance fencing manuals that have
survived. |
|
|
| 1644 |
Francesco Ferdinando Alfieri |
Quesiti del cavaliero instrutto nell'arte
dello schermo |
No MS Des. |
Padua |
|
|
|
| 1651 |
Anonymous |
Avertimenti cavalereschia verbatim
crib of Messario |
No MS Des. |
Padua |
|
|
|
| 1653 |
Charles Besnard |
Untitled |
No MS Des. |
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Munich |
|
|
|
| 1653 |
Francesco Ferdinando Alfieri |
Lo Spadone |
No MS Des. |
Padua |
|
|
|
|
Significant post-1650 works reflecting Renaissance teachings
|
| 1665 |
Sebastian Heussler |
Künstliches Abprobites und Nützliches
Fecht-Buch... |
No MS Des. |
Nürnberg |
|
|
|
| 1670 |
Giuseppe Moristaco Pallavincini |
La scherm illustrata |
No MS Des. |
Palermo |
|
|
|
| 1670 |
Philibert de La Touche |
Les Vrayes Principes l'espee seule |
No MS Des. |
Paris |
|
|
|
| 1681 |
Alvaro Guerra de la Vega |
Comprehension of Destreza |
No MS Des. |
|
| An interesting and valuable work comparing
Italian and Spanish schools of small-sword. Translation by Miguel
Gomez. |
|
ARMA
Public Library |
| 1687 |
Sir William Hope |
The Scots Fencing-Master |
No MS Des. |
Edinburough |
|
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1692 |
Sir William Hope |
The Fencing-Masters Advice |
No MS Des. |
Edinburough |
|
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1692 |
Sir William Hope |
The Complete Fencing Master |
No MS Des. |
Edinburough |
|
|
ARMA Members Area |
| 1694 |
Sir William Hope |
The Swordsman's Vade-Mecum |
No MS Des. |
Edinburough |
|
|
ARMA Members Area |
