Famous Duelists of 13th thru 15th century.

[Grant Hall]

Hey guys, I was trying to gather as much info as I can about any famous duelists of the 13th thru 15th century.

I'm looking for both Quality (skill at the blade) and Quantity (number of duels) though those individuals who show both Quality and Quantity are the most highly sought after.

I don't think its neceasry but just incase I'll mention that it is Western Duelists (or Eastern Duelest in the West) that I am after.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers & God Bless!

[Scott A. Richardson]

Alfred Hutton's book The Sword and the Centuries is a good place to start. While he doesn't go into a lot of detail about any one duel -- and he is oozing that late-Victorian contempt of earlier swordsmen -- at least he gives basic information about several fights that you can use to research in greater detail.

Kindly let me know whatever you discover.

[Grant Hall]

Hey Scott, thanks for the lead... looks like I've got yet another book to add to the list .

It accured to me after I posted this thread that a good place to start would be with the Masters, I mean surely to call yourself a Master would be invitation to young upstarts to try and challenge you, which would lead to atleast one or two duels to show you deserved the title, not to mention the duels you'd have to have won to earn the title in the first place.

I think I'm going to start my research with Johannes Liechtenauer as his journies to "many lands" seems promising, also I believe that there is mention of atleast one of the Masters engaing in atleast 5 duels, though I can't remember whihc one it was.

Cheers!

[Stacy Clifford]

Don't forget to check our Research & Reading list:

http://www.thearma.org/reading.htm

There are a lot of dueling titles listed in there.

[Grant Hall]

Thanks for that Stacy, I should have thought to begin my search there, too many projects too little time, tis all getting confusing.

Cheers!

[Jaron Bernstein]

also I believe that there is mention of atleast one of the Masters engaing in atleast 5 duels, though I can't remember whihc one it was.

Cheers!

That would be Fiore. He describes it one of his introductions.

[Grant Hall]

Hey, thanks, I didn't feel like going thru all the manuals to find out which one it was.

My research into Johannes Liechtenauer as expected hit dead ends fast, I do have one more avenue to try but it will probably turn up little if anything.

Perhaps I'll delve into Fiore's history a little bit more.

Cheers!

[LafayetteCCurtis]

Jacques de Lalaing, anyone?

http://www.thearma.org/essays/Lalaing.htm

and there's also William Marshall, who's a bit earlier than your intended timeframe since his glorydays were in the 12th century, but he may be worth checking since his memoirs have been translated into modern English and published recently.

[Grant Hall]

Jacques de Lalaing, anyone?

http://www.thearma.org/essays/Lalaing.htm

and there's also William Marshall, who's a bit earlier than your intended timeframe since his glorydays were in the 12th century, but he may be worth checking since his memoirs have been translated into modern English and published recently.

Unfortunately almost all of Sir Jacques' fights were with the Poleaxe or Lance from horse back, where as I am looking more for Sword duels. Also all of his fights were in full armor, where I am looking for unarmoured combat whereever possible.

I'm not famillar with William Marshall but I'll look into his exploits.
Thanks for the comments.

Cheers!

[Scott A. Richardson]

In addition you may want to research the life and times of John Hawkwood, the infamous English mercenary of the 1300s. While he doesn't so much seem to type to accept honor duals -- he was a self-serving mercenary who was very willing to switch sides to get as much money as possible -- he was a professional soldier in a dangerous time, and so likely fought a few simply to survive.