How to Teach an Understanding of Parrying - Part III
The Two Positions

By  J. Clements
ARMA Director
Summer 2002

I still freqeuntly encounter practitioners who claim that in the historical source manuals on longsword edges were used in parrying.  “Where are the flat parries described?”, they ask (…the real question is, “Where are the edge parries described?”  But we’ll come back to that).  

I now think there has been a tremendous misconception in asking about evidence for flat parries, and in wondering why they are seemingly not explained more carefully as blocking positions in the source manuals.  I now believe people have more or less been looking for the equivalent of an 18^th & 19^th century conception of parries as used in sport saber fencing, which clearly aren’t there in the longsword material.

There is no need for this any more.  The flat parries are in the Medieval manuals.  They have been right there under our noses all this time, but I now feel were just missed as people kept looked for something else.

To explain, we must realize that source texts such as those by Mair and Meyer include two specific instructions for displacing “mit der flech” –with the flat.   These are from the middle position of the plow and from the hanging technique (Pflug and Hangentorte).  In both cases they say to receive the attacking blow on the flat so that it slips off or away.   Doing each of these parries with the flat as instructed by the masters not only permits the flexible portion of the blade to take the impact, but keeps your edge aligned to make an immediate counter slice or cut.

The Pflug and Hangentorte cover it all.  They are the only two “direct parrying positions” really needed.  The biomechanics of this are simplicity. Think about it: They protect from thigh to shoulder, and from head to elbow (lower attacks are defended by either slipping the leg away, striking the blow down, or even closing against it; plus both the high outside Ochs and the low Alber and Schrankhut positions can also be used as parries).

Even the technique of the Schrankhut (the "crossed" or "barrier" ward), wherein leading with the left leg, the blade is held before the body on the right side, point down with the arms uncrossed, can itself be used to receive blows on the flat of the strong (as seen in Joerg Wilhalm's work of c.1523, for example). There's no need or value in doing it edge on. When performed correctly, this position, equivalent to a low Hengen, again leaves your edge poised to cut or to allow you to swiftly close in.

Further, the four Hengen ("hangings") as first described by the master Liechtenauer, consisting of the Ochs and Pflug in Winden ("winding" on either side), can be interpreted as actually corresponding to all the possible positions achievable when engaging against the opponents blade while still maintaining your sword point aimed at them. Each position rises and lowers its hilt or point as necessary to maintain the contact, but still essentially holds an upper or lower Ochs or Pflug stance in guarding. This is one of the reasons why there is a close relationship between the Ochs position and the later Hangentorte ("hanging point") technique, as the upper Hengen are simply variations of Ochs performed in Winden. What is also interesting is that while simultaneously looking continually for openings, these positions also ward 360-degrees around the fighter, typically by keeping their flat oriented toward the opponent's blade.

Thus, the reason there are not any other flat parries or numbered parrying positions described is because these two “passive” defenses can cover and protect against most any cut from any angle.  This is not done statically as two separate actions of parry and riposte as in later saber fencing, but as one fluid motion of setting aside.  Of this we are now fully convinced. As I’ve often advised, think about this well and give it a try for a lengthy time. 

…Always remember though, in defense you preferably void the attack, if not, then displace it by counter-striking (using your edge on their flat), and only when that’s not possible do you directly block by receiving on the flat –from Pflug or Hengen.  And of course, you can always enter in against a cut to stifle or preempt it with the Kron or something similar.  Also, don’t confuse the use of the Kron/Corona (used in binding, closing, winding, and pressing) with a being static edge-parry.  As well, deflecting or parrying with half-swording has to be done with the flat or else you’ll cut your palm right open (of course, once you've closed to press, the edge can then be turned into theirs in order to gain leverage). Finally recall Liechtenauer’s warning against the bad parries of poor fencers, Ringeck’s on over reliance on defending passively, and especially Meyer’s warning not to use Auffangen–or intentional edge blocks.  This is what the Masters were teaching. Keep in mind, historically they were doing all this with sharp blades with thin edges.

Some students of the sword have suggested, “Well, you can do either edge or flat parries, it doesn’t matter.”   But if this is admitted, that they can both be used, then you have to also acknowledge it does matter.  Because one preserves your edge, the other doesn’t, and one leaves your edge aimed at the opponent to immediately cut or slice them, while the other doesn't.  So which are you going to preferably use?

As to where instructions on edge parries are described in the Medieval and Renaissance manuals teaching on cutting swords…we are still waiting for evidence.  We can’t find them anywhere –excepting when they say not to use them.

Go to Part I

Go to Part II

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