Hungarian Fechtbücher?

[Derek Gulas]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody has found any evidence of Fechtbücher in Hungary? I know that the Hungarians were very active militarily during our period of interest. It would seem like they would have had a real need for skilled fighters, and after all those wars that they would have a good number left over to teach. If one of use could find one of these books it might give us some important new resources. So, anybody heard anything? <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Gene Tausk]

Nothing I am aware of, which is a shame. My parents are fluent in the language and now that they have lots of spare time, it would be nice to give them a manual to translate so that I could take credit for it and receive the ensuing fame, riches and adulation of the adoring masses.

<img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Perhaps there are no manuals (note: I am not saying there are not any, just offering a hypothesis) because the literary language developed later. The Germans, Italians, English and Spanish all developed written chronicles in the Middle Ages and perhaps Hungarians simply wrote in German (Hungarians are very close to the Germans in terms of culture, but their language is completely different). As I said, this is a guess. ARMA has a study group in Hungary, perhaps the members of that group can shed some light on this.

It would be great is a fechbuch was discovered.


--------------&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;gene tausk
SFS
Study Group Leader - Houston ARMA Southside

[Derek Gulas]

Hmmm... maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing (for us) if these manuals actually were in German. They might be easier to find, and then translate and interpret. Sometimes we have a hard time figuring out what the Germans are trying to say. I can only imagine how much ambiguity a language like Hungarian might leave. Anyway, it would still be really cool to find a Hungarian Fechtbuch, no matter what language its in.

[Allen Johnson]

There is an interesting manual just outside of the main ARMA area of studies (right in the middle of mine - however <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />
Its a short series of plates called "Hungarian and Highland Broadsword" by Henry Angelo. This 18th century manual offers little by way of actual instruction but has some great artwork. Its not much but its the only thing I can think of that actually claims anything Hungarian. I've spent time with it from a Scottish Broadsword angle and its nice to look at but dosent cover any new ground.

http://www.thearma.org/pdf/HungarianHighlandBroadsword.pdf

[Adam Bodorics]

I've learned something new... We are close to the germans in terms of culture??? <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />
We are closer to the turks, as we came from around there, and they've occupied us for 150 yrs, AND we have been figthing with them for a veeery long time.
Most of our texts are in latin, not german... And there were already texts about hungarian history in the 1300's...
I don't know about any kind of fechtbuch coming from here... Maybe we were too busy fending off our neighbours?
But if I'm right, we're mentioned in Doebringer's fechtbuch. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Gene Tausk]

"I've learned something new... We are close to the germans in terms of culture??? "

Don't shoot the messenger! <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

I am only relating the histories related to me by my parents and grandparents. My mom is a Budapest native and her family goes back (wayyyyy back) in Hungarian history. My father was born in Transylvania after 1919 so although he is a Romanian by birth, Hungarian was his first language and my paternal grandparents never did learn to speak Romanian very well (although my dad obviously did). All members of my family told me that Hungarians were close to Germans (although, once again, obviously not the [impossible] language) in terms of culture (i.e. food, religious belief, customs, etc.) They never said they were the same as Germans, of course. They were always proud (and still are) to be from Hungary.

Don't forget as well that Hungary was a part of Austria (or, to be more specific, the dual monarchy) for 100 years so Hungary and German culture (through Austria) were joined at the hip for a long time.

If you mentioned to my parents (and grandparents!) that Hungarians were close to the Turks, they would do mean things to you. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

But, as I said, I am but a humble messenger. I never learned the language (which as you know is next to impossible unless you are brought up with it!) and I am sort of the black sheep of the family because I became fluent in Russian (which, as you know, there is a lot of 'history' between the two nations...1848...post WWII, etc....). Da zdrastvujet Rossija!!!

Anyway, fun as this is, this is off topic. If you want to continue the discussion, PM me and we will enjoy a good glass of Tokaj together.

--------------------&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;gene tausk
SFS
Study Group Leader - Houston ARMA Southside

[lukas nicinski]

dear gene
as polish who lives in germany two things first ifyou are looking for fechtbücher from hungary its easier to look at polish comunities because saberfencing in poland was influenced by polishking from hungary stephan batory.
second thing germany and austria is like us. and canada the both speek the same language but thats all
i hope i was help