Fencing by the Book

In this episode I sit down with Tea, Stevo and Micky C to round out this mini-series by summing up our feelings about 3227a as a source for historical fencing.

In this episode I sat down with Tea Kew and Steve Cheney to work our way through the Other Masters section in MS 3227a. https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Other_Masters_(14th_Century)

In this episode I sit down with Michael Chidester, Steve Cheney and Tea Kew to continue our speed run through the MS3227a unarmoured longsword content.

Ok, now we get into the substance of the book (until we run out of steam). In this episode I talk with Stephen Cheney, Michael Chidester and Tea Kew about the contents of MS3227a - its missing content, its original content and how it front loads theory before examples. https://msmallridge.wordpress.com/springing-in-cod-i-6-4o-3-mike-s-02-01-2020/ - An old article on how 'springing'is used in Lew. https://www.coachescompendium.org/FOURSITUATIONS.HTML - An epee article on distances in fencing.

I sit down with Jess Finley, Johanna Hopfgartner, Kendra Brown and Michael Chidester to discuss MS3227a's dating, dialect, text that crops up elsewhere, and what armour people wore under the sea. There's a sale on Lulu at the moment, so now is a great time to pick up Michael Chidester's MS3227a companion volume: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/dierk-hagedorn-and-michael-chidester/the-foundation-and-core-of-all-the-arts-of-fighting/hardcover/product-1e4j2rge.html We also talk about: Kendra's Merfolk research: https://darthkendraresearch.wordpress.com/2021/06/04/lets-go-down-to-the-mermaid-cafe/ Jess' Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessfinley Talaga's MS3227a research: https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-was-added-58392802 Jen's Beringer dating: https://talhoffer.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/ms-g-b-f-18-a-modus-dimicandi-magistri-h-beringois/

A bonus interview with the self-proclaimed long sword hipster Connor Kemp-Cowell. Connor and I chat about a new translation and interpretation of Vadi that he and Ian M Davis have put out 'Wielding the Light of Mars'. There were some technical difficulties two minutes into the episode. Such a professional outfit... You can follow Connor on his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HipsterLongsword And you can buy the book here https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/philippo-vadi-and-connor-kemp-cowell-and-ian-davis/wielding-the-light-of-mars/hardcover/product-mv6k87.html

Last time around we deliberately left out one of the prominent early Liechtenauer glosses. Too much of a distraction, too weird, and too different. Now we're delving back into the book to correct that oversight with a small mini-series. With this second season we've trimmed things down a bit - rather than a large round panel discussion, the episodes will (try to be) shorter and more focused. No more Liechten-hour jokes, pls :'( This first episode with Michael Chidester and Kendra Brown sets the scene before we delve into the long sword section. We talk about the location and provenance of the source, as well as the not-swords contents in the book. You can find out more about MS3227a and read it in translation on Wiktenauer - https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Pol_Hausbuch_(MS_3227a) Michael Chidester runs Wiktenauer and the HEMA Bookshelf (which is super cool, check it out - https://www.hemabookshelf.com/ ) Kendra Brown has a neat research blog up at https://darthkendraresearch.wordpress.com/ - chuck it in your bookmarks. The best place to stay up to date with FbtB is https://www.facebook.com/fencingbythebook

A bonus episode from the whole team, discussing Dierk Hagedorn and Christian Tobler's recent work. Dierk deciphered a crossed out section of the 1452 fencing book, which had previously been overlooked. It explains how a certain technique had been used against Hans Talhoffer in front of a Duke, slicing Hans in the hand and hitting him in the head. Not only is this evidence that actual RDL techniques were used in fencing, it also ties RDL to Hans Talhoffer the historical person for the first time.

The conclusion of Season 1. In this episode we answer your questions, look back on the show, and ask where we want to go next. So long and thanks for all the fish! https://www.amazon.com/This-Fencing-Advanced-Performance-Principles-ebook/dp/B07RV4W4R6 https://www.medievalacademy.org/general/custom.asp?page=PandemicWebinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10f8ihBfCBM https://discord.gg/qstdj6a

This episode continues our discussion on winding, now also with Jess' input. Of course, Jess brings the medieval hunting uses of winden...

In this episode we look at lines 102-109 on winding. Winding is a pretty big deal in Liechtenauer's text, so we spend a while unpacking the word so that it becomes more than magical woo. Wind, turn, coil, spool and twist all get suggested. We discuss how if 'aus winden' is a thing then it's the opposite of how modern HEMAists use it. And we get stuck on the difference between winden and wenden.

In this episode we look at lines 96-101 on hanging and sprechfenster. Mike S also does his best to drag cricket into every conversation like a knock off Andy Zaltzmann. Steve put together a document of all the use cases here. Michael Chidester's Patreon. A cool talk about non-destructive pigment ID in MSs. Textual evidence that sprechfenster and sprechfenster aren't the same thing. Later, alternative understandings of sprechfenster.

In this episode we look at couplet 95 on pressing the hands; - "Dein schneid wende zw flechen druck dÿe hende". Tune in and find out what it actually refers to...

This episode covers Ab schneiden (slicing off/slicing away) in lines 93/94 of the zettel. Unfortunately we had some technical issues recording, so there are a few jarring moments. Sorry for that, but we hope you're still getting your money's worth... 😉

We continue to look at the wrestling at the sword gloss, this time focusing on the 'arm grappling' plays. Why are the glosses so different here? Why don't we see these plays in the modern game? Why were these ones selected and not more seemingly fundamental ones? Have none of these questions answered in this week's episode! (Kendra also talks about a recent article on medieval book edges. You can find it here.)

Recorded back at the end of November, this bonus episode is another look at "Indes", now with Jess' input. Mostly we discuss adjectives vs. adverbs and the spatial vs. temporal use of the word over time. But mostly we just have fun with it. We also look at how the only contemporary translation of the poem deals with it... or doesn't.

In this episode we discuss lines 91-92 on wrestling. Specifically we talk about the first half of the gloss here - hip throws when the hands go high. (Durchlauffen at the Paris HEMA Open, Guillaume Laisney closing so fast he left his gloves behind.) (a hip bump from Ringeck) Have a bunch of links to wrestling clips without any context: https://youtu.be/IHKuZtX9uqo https://youtu.be/xr2A_j72wCQ https://www.instagram.com/p/CIbLqoVndGx/?igshid=1usiydrigt7m4 https://youtu.be/hIHawIySaxk https://youtu.be/9HujXWUYRxY

Lines 88-90 of the zettel on Zucken, which can translated as pulling/jerking/tugging/yanking 😘 A pretty straightforward section but where none of our glosses contain all three plays. We also discuss it's applicability to armoured and mounted fencing (our good old tincan and pony.) A page referenced during discussion: Daniel Pope's article on horse gaits and HEMA Steve's current interpretation

Durchwechsel or 'Changing Through' is the term used for a type of disengage in the sources we work in. Lines 86-7.

Absetzen, 'setting aside.' Lines 38-35. What is it and how are we meant to remember which is absetzen, ansetzen, vorsetzen or versetzen? Does it even matter?

In this episode we put down the word Indes to continue on to lines 80-82. These lines and their gloss are the best insight we have into how the Liechtenauer longsword system deals with attacks from below (or is it low attacks?) Also learn why the standard 'triangles' approach and explanation isn't there in the text.

'Das fulñ lere / Inndes das wort schneidet sere'. This is the second part of our bumper episode on 'Indes' Our giant panel for this episode is Michael Chidester, Kendra Brown, Steven Cheney, Jess Finley, Tea Kew, Johanna Hopfgartner and Michael Smallridge. We mention a load of things in the next few episodes, so the links are here on the website.

Couplet 78 of Liechtenauer's Zettel goes 'Das fulñ lere / Inndes das wort schneidet sere'. This is Liechtenauer explaining that they use the word 'Indes' to mean 'tempo' in fencing. Just pulling your leg, it's a lot more complicated than that. The word 'indes' and how it's used is complicated enough for us to have recorded a two-parter episode on it, and still want to record more in the future. Our bumper panel for this episode is Michael Chidester, Kendra Brown, Steven Cheney, Jess Finley, Tea Kew, Johanna Hopfgartner and Michael Smallridge. We mention a load of things in the next few episodes, so the links are here on the website.

In episode of Fencing by the Book, we tackle a particular confusing (or confused) section of text. The ausser mynne or ausser nim are some of those plays that tend to get skipped over by modern practitioners, and we discuss why. Joey couldn't make it, so be prepared for some terrible German. Instead we're joined this week by Kendra Brown, who helps to shed some light on the source by bringing the Latin version of Lew to the party.

Nachreissen - rushing after, pursuing. A couple of techniques or an early understanding of fencing tempo? Joining us to discuss it is our special guest Jess Finley. You can check out her translation work on her patreon. We also answer Brandon's question by talking about Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, give a MOF reading list, and surely talk more about Kendo then historical fencing.

This is the first of two special guest episodes. Jess Finley (fencer, armoured fighter, horserider, translator and all round badass) joined our regular panel of Johanna Hopfgartner, Michael Chidester, Steve Cheney and Tea Kew. This week we talk about an setzen, setting on your point or planting it on your opponent. Check out Jess' Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/jessfinley

In this episode discuss the thorny question of the 'vier versetzen', or four.. displacements? Using the named actions we've been talking about before to... break? an opponent's... guard?

Four guards, or positions. Lines 68-69. What are they and why did Liechtenauer single them out, when the system mentions in passing other positions? How important are guards to RDLN? We're also taking a short break from recording episodes. If you have any comments or questions for when we return then please ask away, and we'll talk about it on the show when we get back.

In this episode we cover the Schaitelhau, which is the Apex/Vertex/Parting/Peak/Crown/Scalp hew.

In this episode we discuss lines 61-62, on using the Shielhau... well really we just disgress on to side rings.

In this episode we continue our discussion of the Shielhau, the Squinter. Jess Finley's Talhoffer and Tacos discussion: https://vimeo.com/451640540?fbclid=IwAR0z11qlw99E4SwjLooAO_nXBaff9AIqJUdF5Vks0YlJ0lpxBZMuXzATQaQ

where we take an in depth look at the early Liechtenauer longsword glosses. This episode is on lines 58-59 of the Zettel on the Shielhau, or the Squinter: |Schiler ain pricht |was püffel slecht oder sticht |wer wechsel drawt |schiler dar aus Inn beraubt

We complete the Twerhau section, discussing the verkerer. We also discuss the Digital Dutch Lion's Cup, the Fiore facsimile project and Stevo doing judo: https://www.facebook.com/dutchlionscup/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/manuscript-facsimile-fior-di-battaglia#/ https://youtu.be/RuCzOqiDQ8Y

We've now managed to work our way through our backlog: Couplets 53, 56-57 of the zettel.

Kendo story time.

14:10 - Zettel Reading, Gloss Summary (Yeah we spent ages chatting nonsense, sorry not sorry.) 16:50 - In Sparring 20:20 - Distance 29:30 - Lew vs Ringeck/Danzig 40:38 - Soft and Hard Choices 44:15 - Lew's Sequence

1:30 Episode Start 15:50 Zettel and Gloss Reading 17:53 Pronunciation and Translation 28:15 Interpretations 42:55 - Making it Work in Sparring 55:20 - Thumb Grip 1:02:06 - Zwer into a Thrust? 1:05:19 - Zwercopter 1:12:00 - Differences from Krump and Schill 1:16:22 - High Vom Tag

In this episode the panel continues our discussion of the krumphau plays. 1:00 Zettel Reading 3:10 Short Hew 5:00 Shortening 9:00 Ringeck's Short Hew 14:00 Lew's Short Hew 22:15 Noble War 25:20 Ringeck's Noble War 32:50 Lew's Noble War 37:04 3227a's Short Hew

In this episode we continue discussing the krumphau.

2:25 - Episode Start, Zettel and Gloss Reading 6:40 - Krumphaw 10:51 - Krump Against Ox 30:40 - Schrankhut 41:04 - To the Hands Against a Hew

The last few plays of the Zornhau: 8:42 - Zettel Reading 9:35 - Duplieren and Mutieren 11:30 - Earnest/Revenge 21:55 - Setup 25:15 - Tactics 29:50 - Sparring 38:35 - Transforming 39:40 - Winding 43:15 - Targeting

E9 time stamps: 1:40 - Episode start 9:37 - Exposures 12:47 - Zettel and Gloss Reading 15:42 - Differences in Versions 17:25 - Four Openings 24:09 - Pursuit, Shooting in, Winding 40:33 - Do not regard what he fences against you 46:30 - General Lesson 48:24 - Joachim Meyer's Head Division

This episode shoots from the hip. Timestamps: 2:39 - Episode start 4:10 - Zettel Reading 5:18 - Krieg (War) 26:59 - Soft and Hard 28:56 - Don't be Rushed in Your War 30:00 - Whoever Aims High is Shamed Below 34:47 - Hew, Stab, Slice

In this episode we discuss some of the actions from a bind - leaving it or being strong in it.

In this episode we discuss the Zornhau (or Angry-hew...). Timestamps: 9:37 - Zettel reading 11:45 - "Without any parry" 21:05 - Guards (cutting from/through/into guards) 23:45 - Counter cut (defining the zornhaw) 27:05 - "Simple peasant strike" 30:25 - Cutting angle 35:43 - Footwork 38:53 - Targeting/distance 48:42 - "Soft at the sword" 57:40 - "Threaten to stab him"

Five episodes. This is about five hews. Or five master strikes? Five counter-attacks? Are there really five of them? What does hew even mean? Hew knew.

In this episode we revisited some of the ideas from last week that needed further discussion, such as Vor and Nach, initiative and priority (and whether they're synonyms).

Episode 3 is an episode of thank yous. Thank you to our panel for showing up to talk about such a niche subject. Thank you to Steve for jumping in and editing the show for me. Most of all a big thank you to Doug and to Adrien, who each donated enough to cover 10 weeks of hosting for the podcast. Check out our website for the texts discussed, or you can get in contact via Facebook

In our second episode we have a lot of awkward pauses until Mike goes off on a tangent about pole-axes. Joey also admits she prefers the English. The panel for this episode is: Johanna Hopfgartner Michael Chidester Stephen Cheney Tea Kew hosted by Mike Smallridge Check out our website for the texts discussed, or you can get in contact via Facebook

In this, our first episode, we outline the sources and give them a little context. The panel for this episode is: Johanna Hopfgartner Michael Chidester Stephen Cheney Tea Kew hosted by Mike Smallridge Check out our website for the texts discussed, or you can get in contact via Facebook