[1] Here begins the gloss and the interpretation of the Epitome on the Long Sword This has been composed and created by Johannes Liechtenauer, the one High Master in the Art, may God be gracious to him, so that princes, lords, knights, and soldiers shall know and learn that which pertains to the Art. Therefore he has allowed the Epitome to be written with secret and suspicious words, so that not every man shall undertake and understand them. And he has done that so the Epitome’s Art will little concern the reckless Fencing Masters, so that from those same Masters his Art is not openly presented, nor shall it become common. And the same secret and suspicious words of the Epitome which stand hereafter, the glosses teach and explain thus, so that everyone who otherwise can fence may well undertake and understand them.

[2] Here mark what the red writing is in the beginning of the techniques described hereafter: it is the text of secret words of the Epitome of the Long Sword. And always the black script after it is the gloss and the explanation of the secret and suspicious words of the Epitome.

[3] This is the preface: 1 Young knight learn

To have love for God, honor maidens, 2 So waxes your honor.

Practice Knighthood, and learn 3 Art that adorns you,

And in wars brings honor. 4 Wrestle well, grappler.

Glaive, spear, sword, and knife, 5 Manfully handle,

And in others’ hands ruin. 6 Hew therein, and swift there.

Rush in, hit or let drive. 7 Knowing this

Hastens the man seen praised. 8 Thereon you grasp,

All Art has length and measure.

[4] This is a general lesson of the Long Sword in which very fine Art is held: Text 9 If you will show Art,

You go left, and right with hewing. 10 And left with right

Is how you most strongly fence. Gloss: Mark, that is the first art of the Long Sword, that you shall learn the hews correctly before all things, so that you will otherwise fence strongly, and undertake that thus: When you stand with your left foot before and hew from your right side, if you do not follow after the hew with a step forward of your right foot, then the hew is false and incorrect. When your right side remains behind, the hew becomes too short thereby and may not have its correct path downwards to the other side before the left foot.





[5] Or, if you stand with your right foot before and hew from the left side, and you do not follow after the hew with your left foot, then the hew is still false. Therefore mark when you hew from the right side that you always follow after the hew. Do also likewise the same when you hew from the left side. So put your body therewith correctly in the balance, and thus the hews become long and hewn correctly.[6]

[6] This is the text and the gloss of yet a lesson: 11 Whoever goes after hewing,

He deserves little joy in his art. Gloss: This is when you come to him with the pre-fencing: then you shall not stand still and look after his hews, waiting for what he fences against you. Know that all fencers that look and wait on another’s hews and will do nothing other than parrying deserve such very little joy in their art, since they are destroyed and become struck thereby.

[7] This is the text and the gloss of yet a lesson: 12 Hew near what you will,

No Change comes on your shield. 13 To the head, to the body,

The Lighter-hits do not shun. 14 With the entire body,

Fence so that you most strongly drive. Gloss: Mark, that is when you come to him with the pre-fencing: what you will then fence, drive it with the entire strength of your body, and hew in therewith near to the head and to the body, and remain with your point in before his face or the breast so he cannot Change-through before your point. If he parries with strength and lets the point go out from you on the side, then give him a Lighter-hit[7] on the arm. Hau nohent was du wilt

kein Wechsler kumpt an deinen schilt

Zu kopff, zu leib

die zeck nit vermeid

Mit gantzem leib

ficht was du starck gerest treibn Glosa Wen du mit dem zu vechtenn zu im kompst, was du dann fechtenn wildt, das treyb mit ganzer sterckh des leibs, unnd haw im domit nahet ein zu kopf, unnd zu leib, Unnd beleib ime mit dem ort vor dem gesicht oder brust, So kan er vor deinnem ort nit durchwechsln

[8] Or, if he drives high up with his arms with the parrying, then strike him with a free hew below to the body, and step quickly backward therewith, so he is struck before he comes in.

[9] This is the text and the gloss of yet another lesson: 15 Hear what is bad there:

Fence not above left, if you are right. 16 If you are left,

With the right you also sorely limp. Gloss: Mark, this is a lesson and touches upon two persons, a righty and a lefty, and is how you shall hew so that one does not win the Weak of your sword with the first hew, and undertake that thus: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, if you are then a righty, then do not hew the first hew with purpose from the left side, when he is Weak, and may not hold against therewith when he hews strongly in with you. So therefore hew from the right, so that you may well hold strongly against, and work what you will on the sword. Hör was da slecht ist

Vicht nicht oben linck so du recht pist

Ob dw linck pist

Im rechten aug sere hinckes |Glosa |Merck das ist ein ler |vnd trift an zwo person |Einem gerechten vnd einem lincken |Vnd ist |wie dw solt hauen das man dir die swech in dem swert |mit dem ersten haw nicht an gewinn |vnd das vernÿm also |wenn du mit dem zu° vechten zu ÿm kumpst pistu denn gerecht so haw mit nam e en den ersten haw nicht von der lincken seÿtten |wenn er ist swach |vnd magst

[10] Likewise, if you are a lefty, then also do not hew the first hew from the right side, since it is quite perilous for a lefty to practice Art from the right side, the same as it is also for a righty from the left side.

[11] This is the text and the gloss of yet another lesson: 17 Before and After, these two things,

Are to all Art a well-spring. 18 Weak and Strong,

Meanwhile, that word therewith mark. 19 So you may learn

Working and defending with Art. 20 If you readily frighten,

No fencing ever learn. Gloss: Mark, this is that before all things you shall rightly undertake and understand these two things, which are the Before and the After, and thereafter the Weak and Strong of the sword, and then the word “Meanwhile”, whence comes the entire foundation of all the Art of Fencing. When you think on, undertake, and understand them rightly, and do not forget the word “Meanwhile” in all techniques that you drive, then you are a very good Master of the Sword and may teach princes and lords well, so that they may be best in combat and in earnest with the correct Art of the Sword.

[12] Here mark what is there called the Before: This is that you shall always come Before (be it with the hew or with the stab) before he does. And when you come before with the hew or otherwise, then he must parry that, so work Meanwhile nimbly before yourself with the sword in the parrying, or otherwise with other techniques. Then he may come to no work.

[13] Here mark what is there called the After: The After are the breaks against all techniques and hews the opponent drives on you, and that undertake thus: When he comes Before with the hew, and you must parry him, then work Meanwhile with your parrying nimbly with the sword to the nearest opening. Then you break his Before with your After.

[14] Here mark the Weak and the Strong of the sword: Understand the Weak and the Strong thus: On the sword from the hilt to the middle of the blade is the Strong of the sword, and further above the middle to the point is the Weak. (And how you shall work with the Strong of your sword after the Weak of his sword you will learn hereafter.) Schwech und Sterckh vernim also, am Schwert von dem gehultz pis in

[15] This is the text and gloss of Five Hews: 21 Five Hews learn

From the right hand. Who they defend, 22 Them we vow

In Arts to reward well. Gloss: Mark, there are Five hidden Hews of which many Masters of the Sword know nothing to say; these Hews you shall learn correctly from the right side. Whichever fencer, whom you then hew with correct Art, that can break these without injury, will be praised by other Masters, so that his Art shall become rewarded more than other fencers. And how one shall hew the Hews with their techniques, that will be clarified to you hereafter.

[16] This is the text and the gloss of techniques of the Epitome: 23 Wrath hew, Crooked, Thwart,

Have Squinter with Parter. 24 Fool, Forfends,

Travelling-after, Over-running, Set hews, 25 Changing-through, Pull,

Run-through, Slice-off, Press hands, 26 Hang, Wind, with openings,

Blows, grasp, strike, stab with thrusting. Gloss: Mark, here have become named to you the right Chief Techniques of the Epitome on the Long Sword (how they are each called particularly by their names), so that you can remember and recall them all the better.





The first are the Five Hews, and how they are particularly named: Item: The first is called the Wrath-hew.

Item: The second the Crooked-hew.

Item: The third the Thwart-hew.

Item: The fourth the Squint-hew.

Item: The fifth the Parting-hew.

[17] Now mark the techniques: Item: The first, they are the Four Guards.

Item: The second, the Four Forfendings.

Item: Thirdly, the Travelling-after.

Item: The fourth, Over-running.

Item: The fifth, the Setting-off.

Item: The sixth is the Changing-through.

Item: The seventh is the Pulling.

Item: The eighth, the Running-through.

Item: The ninth, the Slicing-off.

Item: The tenth is the Hand Pressing.

Item: The eleventh are the Hangings.

Item: The twelfth are the Windings.

[18] And what you shall fence from the techniques, and how you shall give openings with the Hangings and Windings, you will thus find described hereafter, one after another to the next.

[19] Mark. Here begins the text and the gloss. First, of the Wrath-hew with its techniques: Text 27 Whoever Over-hews you,

Wrath-hew point threatens him. Gloss: Mark, the Wrath-hew breaks all Over-hews with the point, and yet is nothing other than a simple peasant strike, and drive it thus: When you come to him with the pre-fencing, if he then hews at your head from above on his right side, then hew also with him wrathfully from your right side from above, without any parrying, on his sword. If he is then Soft on the sword, then shoot in the long point straight before you and stab him to the face or the breast. So Set-on him. |Des ersten von dem zorñhäw mit seinen stucken

Wer dir oberhawt

zorñhaw ort dem drawt |Glosa |Merck der zorñhaw pricht mit dem ort alle oberhaw |vnd ist doch anders nicht |wenn ein slächter paurñ slagk |vnd den treib also |Wenn dw mit dem zu° vechten zu ym kumst |haut er dir denn von seiner rechtñ seitten oben ein zu° dem kopff |So haw auch von dein° rechten seitten von oben an alle vor satzung |Mit im zornigklich ein auf sein swert |Ist er denn waich öm swert |so seüß im den ort gericht für sich lanck ein |vnd stich im zu° dem

[20] This is the text and the gloss of yet another technique of the Wrath-hew: 28 If he becomes aware of it,

Then take off above without danger. Gloss: Mark, that is when you hew in on him with the Wrath-hew, then shoot the long point into the face or breast, as the fore-described states. If he becomes aware of the point and parries strongly and presses your sword to the side, then wrench up over it with your sword on his sword’s blade, off above from his sword, and hew him to the other side, yet on his sword’s blade, into the head. That is called “taking off above”.

[21] Break against the taking off above When he takes off above, then bind above on his sword strongly, in with the long edge to his head.

[22] This is the text and the gloss on yet another of the Wrath-hew: 29 Be Stronger against,

Wind, Stab. If he sees, then take it down. Gloss: Mark, that is when you hew in on him with the Wrath-hew, if he parries and remains Strong with the parrying on the sword, then remain also Strong against with your sword on his, and drive high up with your arms, and Wind your hilt on his sword in front before your head, and stab him above into his face. If he becomes aware of the stab, and drives high up with his arms and parries with his hilt, then remain standing thus with your hilt before your head, and set the point in below on his neck, or on his breast between both his arms (as painted hereafter).[8] Pis stercker wider

wind stich siecht ers so nym es nÿder |Glosa |·M·erck das ist |wenn du im mit dem zoren haw ein hawst vor setzt er |vnd pleibt mit der vor satzu~g starck am swert so pleib auch wider starck mit deine~ swert an dem seinem |vnd var hoch auf mit den armen |vnd wind an

[23] This is the text and the gloss of a lesson of the Wrath-hew: 30 This precisely mark:

Hew, stab, Leaguer, Soft or Hard, 31 Meanwhile, and Before, After,

Without haste. Your War should not be rushed. Gloss: Mark, this is when he has bound with you, with a hew or with a stab (or otherwise on your sword): then from the Winding before you, you shall not too quickly leave his sword. When one sword clashes on the other, very precisely mark if he is Soft or Hard in the bind, and when you have found that first, then work Meanwhile with the Winding, after the Soft and after the Hard, always to the nearest-standing opening as you will be taught hereafter and trained in the techniques.

[24] This is the text and the gloss of the War: 32 Whoever enters the War

Above, he becomes ashamed below. Gloss: Mark the War, that is, the Winding and the work with the point that goes from there to the Four Openings, and drive it thus: when you hew in with the Wrath-hew, then as quickly as he parries, drive up well with your arms and Wind the point of your sword above in to the upper opening of his left side. If he then sets the upper stab off, then remain thus standing in the Winding with the hilt before your head, and let the point sink down to the lower opening yet on his left side. If he then follows after your sword with the parrying, then search with the point for the lower opening on his right side. If he then follows after your sword further with the parrying, then drive up with your sword on your left side, and hang the point in above to the upper opening on his right side. Thus he becomes ashamed with the War above and low, if you drive correctly from one to the other.

[25] This is the text and the gloss of yet another lesson from the Wrath-hew: 33 In all Winding,

Learn to find hew, stab, slice. 34 Also shall you, with

Proving, hew, stab, or slice. 35 In all hits

You will trick the Masters. Gloss: Mark, this is when you hew in to him with the Wrath-hew: then you shall be very well trained and entirely ready with the Winding on the sword, since each single Winding has three particular techniques, which are a hew, a stab, and a slice. And when you Wind on the sword, then you shall think precisely well, so that you do not incorrectly drive the technique that pertains in that Winding (so that you do not hew when you should stab, and not slice when you should hew, and not stab when you should slice). And thus you shall always know to drive the technique that correctly pertains thereto in all hits and binding on the sword, if you will trick or deceive the other Masters when they are set against you. In allen winden

haw stich snÿt lere vinden

Auch soltu nit

prüfen haw stich ode° schnit

In allen treffen

Den maisterñ wiltu sÿ effen |Glosa |Merck das ist wenn

[26] And how you shall drive the Windings, and how many there are, you will find described in the last technique of the Epitome, which says “Whoever drives well and correctly breaks…”[9]

[27] This is the text and the gloss of the Four Openings: 36 Four Openings know;

Aim so you hit knowingly 37 In all driving,

Without confusion for how he acts. Gloss: Mark, whoever will be a Master of the Sword, he shall know how one shall search the Four Openings with art, if he will otherwise fence correctly and wisely. The first opening is the right side, the other the left, of the upper-half above the girdle of the man. The other two openings are the right and left side of the lower-half below the girdle. Now, there are two drivings whence one shall search the openings. First, one shall search from the pre-fencing with Travelling-after and with shooting-in the long point. Secondly, one shall search with the Eight Windings when one has bound the other on the sword. Vier plossen wisse

Reme so slechstu gewisse

In alle far

An tzweifel wie er gepar |Glosa |·M·erck wer ein maister des swertz sein wil |Der sol wissen die wie man die vier plöss mit kunst suechen sol |wil er anders gerecht vnd gewis vechten |Die erst plöss ist die recht seit |die ander die linck oberhalb der Wir plossen wisse,

raume, so schlechstu gewisse,

an alle far,

on Zweifel wie er gebar Glosa

[28] That you shall thus understand: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, you shall always aim at the Four Openings boldly without any fear (with a hew or with a stab, to whichever you may best come on) and regard not what he drives or fences against you. Therewith, you force the man so that he must parry you, and when he has parried, then search quickly in the parrying with the Winding on his sword yet to the nearest opening, and thus aim always at the openings of the man and fence not to the sword, as in the technique which says, “Set-on four ends; Learn to remain thereon if you will end.”[10]

[29] This is the text and the gloss how one shall break the Four Openings: 38 If you will reckon

The Four Openings artfully to break, 39 Above Double,

Below correctly Mutate. 40 I say to you truthfully,

No man protects himself without danger. 41 If you have understood this,

To strikes may he seldom come. Gloss: Mark, when one earnestly hews in at you, if you will then reckon on him and win on the openings with art, so that he must let you strike without thinking, then drive the Doubling against the Strong of his sword, and the Mutating when he is Weak on the sword. So I say to you truthfully that he may not protect himself from strikes before you, and cannot come to strikes himself. Wiltu dich rechen

Die vier plöss kunstlich prechen

Oben duplier

Niden recht mutir

Ich sag dir für wär

Sich schutzt |Glosa |Merck wenn dir einer erñstlich ein hawt |wiltu dich dann an im rechten |vnd ÿm die plössen mit kunst an gewinnen das er sich an seinem danck slahen mues lassen |So dreib das duplirñ gegen der sterck seins swertz |vnd das mutirñ |wenn er swach am swert ist |So sag ich dir fur war |Das er sich für dir vor slegen nicht beschützen mag |vnd kan selber zu° slegen nicht kümen Wiltu dich rechen,

die vir plos kunstlich prechen,

oben dup= Glosa Wenn dir einer ernstlich einhauet, wiltu dich dan am im rechn, und im die plossen mit kunst angewinden, das er sich on seinen danck schlahen mus lasen, so treib das dupliren gegen der sterck seines schwerts, und das mutiren wen er schwach ist am schwert, so sag ich dir fur war, das er sich fur dir vor schlegen nicht geschutzen mag, und kan selber zu schlegn nicht kumen

[30] Here mark how you shall drive the Doubling to both sides: Mark, when he hews above to you from his right shoulder: then hew also from your right with him, likewise above strongly to the head. If he parries and remains Strong on the sword, then drive up Meanwhile with your arms, and thrust your sword’s pommel with your left hand under your right arm, and strike in with the long edge with crossed arms, behind his sword’s blade on his head. Merck wan er dir oben zuhaut, von seiner rechten achsall, so haw auch von deiner rechten mit im geleich starck oben ein zu dem kopff, ver=

[31] Another: Mark, if he hews you with the long edge in to your head from above his left shoulder, and you do likewise, if he then remains Strong on the sword again, then quickly drive up with your arms and strike in with the short edge, behind his sword’s blade on his head. |Merck haut er dir von seiner lincken achsal mit der langen schneid oben ein zw dem kopff vnd tue ym also

[32] Thus you have learned to bring your sword to the War and pass through it.

[33] Here mark how one shall drive the Mutating to both sides: Mark, when you hew strongly on him from above your right shoulder to his head, if he parries and is Soft on the sword, then Wind on your left side with your short edge on his sword, and drive up well with your arms, and drive in with your sword’s blade above over his sword, and stab into the lower opening.

[34] Another: Mark, when you hew to his head from above your left side, if he parries and is Soft on the sword, then drive up with your arms and hang in the point above over his sword, and stab into the lower opening. Thus you may drive the two techniques from all hews thereafter, as you find the Weak and Strong on the sword.

[35] These are the fencings with the sword, and embody the work that is exalted.

[36] This is the text and the gloss of the Crooked Hew with its techniques: 42 Crooked on nimbly,

Throw the point on the hands. 43 Whoever sets well Crooked

With steps injures many hews. Mark, the Crooked hew is one of the Four Forfendings against the Four Guards, and breaks the guard that is called the Ox therewith, and also the Over-hew and the Under-hew. Drive it thus: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, if he then stands against you and holds his sword before his head in guard of the Ox on his left side, then set your left foot before and hold your sword on your right shoulder in the guard, and spring with your right foot well on your right side against him, and strike in with crossed arms[11] over his hands with the long edge.

[37] Another: Mark, you may also drive the Crooked hew from the Barrier-Guard on both sides, and in that guard position yourself thus: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand with your left foot before and hold your sword with the point near your right side on the earth (so that the long edge is above), and give an opening with the left side. If he then hews to the opening, then spring from the hew with your right foot well on your right side against him, and strike him with the long edge with crossed hands, with the point on his hands.

[38] Of the Barrier-Guard Thus position yourself with the Barrier-Guard on your left side: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand with your right foot before and hold your sword near your left side on the earth with crossed hands (so that the short edge is above), and give an opening with the right side. If he then hews to the opening, then spring from the hew against him with your left foot well on his right side, and strike him with the short edge over the hands in the spring. |Also schick dich mit der schranck hu°t zw° deiner lincken seitten |wenn du mit dem zu° uechten zu° ÿm kumpst |So stee mit dem rechten fuëß vor |vnd

[39] This is the text and the gloss of a good technique from the Crooked hew: 44 Hew Crooked to the flat.

The Masters will you weaken. 45 When it clashes above

Then stand off, that will I praise. Gloss: Mark, you shall drive this technique against the Masters from the bind of the swords, and drive it thus: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand with the left foot before and lay your sword to your right side in the Barrier-Guard (or hold it on your right shoulder). If he then hews above to the opening, then hew strongly with your long edge with crossed arms against his hew, and as quickly as the swords clash together, then Wind Meanwhile against your left side with the short edge on his sword, and stab him to the face. Or, if you will not stab him, then hew him with your short edge Meanwhile, from the sword to his head or to his body. Hau krump zu den flechn,

den meinstern wiltu sie schwechn;

wen es glitzt oben,

so stand ab das will ich loben Das stuck soltu treiben, gegen den maisternn aus dem pant des schwerts, Unnd das treib also, Wen du mit dem Zufechten zu im kumpst, so leg dein schwert zu deiner rechtenn seitn, in die schranckhut, unnd stee mit dem linckhn fus vor, oder halt es ann deiner rechten achseln, Haut er dir dan oben zur plos, so haw starck mit der langn schneidn, aus gekreutzten armen, gegen seinem haw, und als bald die schwert zu samen glitzen, so wind indes gegenn deiner lincken seiten, die kurtz schneid an sein schwert und stich im zu dem gesicht, Oder wiltu

[40] This is the text and the gloss of yet another from the Crooked-hew: 46 Crooked not, Short-hew.

Changing-through therewith show. Gloss: Mark, this is when he will hew you from above his right side: then drive high up with your hands and do as if you will bind him on his sword with the Crooked hew, and drive through under his sword with your point, and stab him to the other side, to his face or his breast, and see that you are well protected above with the hilt before your head.

[41] You also break the guard of the Ox with this technique, drive it thus: when you go to him with the pre-fencing, when he then stands against you and holds his sword with the hilt on his left side before his head, then throw your sword on your right shoulder and do as if you will bind him with the Crooked hew on his sword, and hew short and Change-through therewith below his sword, and shoot in the long point to the other side, under his sword, in to his neck. Then he must parry, and you come to strikes therewith, and to other work with the sword.

[42] This is the text and the gloss of yet another technique from the Crooked hew: 47 Crooked, who makes you astray,

The noble War confuses him, 48 That he truthfully

Knows not where he is without danger. Gloss: Mark, when you will drive the Crooked hew then you must always therewith give openings, and undertake it thus: when you hew him with the Crooked hew from your right side, or bind on his sword, all the while you are open with the left side. Thus, if he is then clever and will hew you from the sword after the opening, and you will make him confused with agility, then remain with your sword on his, and follow his sword thereon after, and Wind in your point to his face, and work in before you with the War (that is, with the Winding to the openings). Then he becomes confused before you, so that he truthfully does not know which end he shall protect before you against hews or stabs, etc.

[43] Here begins the text and the gloss of the Thwart Hew with its techniques: 49 Thwart takes

What comes From the Day. Gloss: Mark, the Thwart hew breaks the guard From the Day and all hews that come hewing down from above, and drive the Thwart thus: when you come with the pre-fencing, then stand with your left foot before and hold your sword on your right shoulder. If he then stands against you and holds his sword high over his head with outstretched arms and threatens to hew in at you from above, then come before him with your hew and spring with your right foot well on your right side against him, and in the spring Wind your sword with the hilt before your head so that your thumb comes under, and strike him with the short edge against his left side to the head. Twer benÿmpt

was vom tag her chumpt |G·losa |Merck der twer haw pricht die hu°t vom tag |vnd alle haw die von oben nÿder gehauen werden |vnd die twer treib also |wenn du mit dem

[44] Or, if he comes before with the hew down from above before you, then spring from the hew with your right foot well on your right side, with the parry described before, so that you catch his hew on your hilt and strike him with the Thwart to the left side of his head.

[45] Here mark the break against the Thwart Hew: Mark, when you stand against him in the guard From the Day, then hew him boldly above to the head. If he then springs from the hew, and he means to come Before with the Thwart Hew and strike you therewith to your left side to the head, then fall in with the long edge on his sword. If he then strikes around to your other side with the Thwart, then come Meanwhile before, also with the Thwart, in front, under his sword, on his neck. So he strikes himself with your sword. |Merck |wenn dw gegen ÿm stest in der hu°t vom tag |So haw ÿm künlich oben ein zu° dem kopff springt er denn aus dem haw |vnd maint er wöll vor kume~ mit dem twer haw |vnd slecht dir do mit zw° deiner lincken seitten zw° dein kopff |So val ÿm mit der langen schneid auff das swert |Slecht er denn mit

[46] Note Mark, when a fencer has bound you on his sword, if he then strikes around from the sword with the Thwart to your other side, then fall in on his hands or on his arm with your long edge, and press his arm from you with your sword (with the slice with your all), and then strike him on his head with the sword (from the slice on his arm).



[47] Here mark the break against the Over-slice on the arm: Mark, when you strike him with the Thwart to his right side, if he then follows you with the slice on the arm, then strike him in his mouth with the Doubling, behind his sword’s blade with the short edge. |Merck |wenn dw ÿm mit der twer zu° seiner rechten seitten slegst |velt er dir denn mit dem schnÿt in die arm~ |So slach im mit dem duplierñ mit der kurtzen schneid hinder seiner swertz

[48] Or, if you strike him with the Thwart to his left side, and he then follows you with the slice on your arm, then strike him in his mouth with the Doubling, behind his sword’s blade with the long edge.

[49] Mark, break him thus against the Doubling: when you slice him above on his arm, if he then strikes above with the Doubling to your head, then drive up against the strike and Wind your sword under his, and drive in with the short edge, with your sword on his neck.

[50] This is the text and the gloss of yet a technique from the Thwart hew: 50 Thwart with the Strong,

Your work therewith mark. Gloss: Mark, this is when you will strike with the Thwart: then you shall strike him with the entire strength of your body, and always bind on his sword with the Strong of your sword, with which you win the opening. Undertake it thus: when you hew to him with the Thwart from your right side, if he then parries and binds strongly on your sword therewith,[12] then drive the Doubling. Or thrust his sword off to the side from the Thwart with your hilt, and strike him therewith to the other side. Twer mit der sterck

Dein arbait do mit schreck |Glosa |Merck das ist |wenn dw mit der twer slachen wilt |So soltu sÿ slachen mit gantzer sterck deins leibs |vnd das dw mit der sterck deines swertz albeg pindest an sein swert |Do mit gewinstu ym die plöß an |Das vernÿm also |Wenn dw ÿm mit der twer von dein° rechten seÿtten zw° haust |vor setzt er |vnd pint do mit starck an dein swert |So treib das duplirñ ·Oder |Stos ÿn aus der twer mit deinem gehültz

[51] Yet another: When you strongly hew to him from your right side with the Thwart, if he then parries and is Soft on the sword, then drive in with the short edge of your sword to his right side on his neck, and spring with your right foot behind his left foot, and shove him over with the sword’s blade thus, or drive the Mutating in to the lower opening.

[52] Thus break that: When one drives on your neck with the sword, then drive up with the pommel inside his sword and let your blade hang low, and thrust his sword therewith from your neck, and strike him with the snapping above to the head. Or strike him with your right hand above with the Doubling below to his face, over his sword, while he has his sword on your neck.

[53] This is the text and the gloss of the Thwart strike to the Four Openings: 51 Thwart to the Plow,

To the Ox hard joined. 52 What you well Thwart

With springing, the head endanger. Gloss: Mark, you have heard before how the Ox and the Plow are named two Leaguers (or two guards), so are they here called the Four Openings. The Ox is the upper two openings on the right and the left sides of the head, and so is the Plow the lower two openings, also the right and the left side of the lower half of the girdle of the man. You shall strike the same openings with the Thwart in the pre-fencing, and seek all four.

[54] Mark, thus strike the Thwart strike to the Four Openings: Mark, when you come to him with the pre-fencing then stand with your left foot before, and then, when you are near him, spring well on his left side with your right foot against him, and strike the Thwart with vigor against his left side to the lower opening. That is called “striking to the Plow”. If he parries, then strike him quickly to the upper opening on his right side. That is called “[striking] to the Ox”. And then drive the Thwart strikes quickly, always one to the Ox and the other to the Plow, crosswise from one side to the other, that is to the head and to the body. |Merck |wenn dw mit dem zu° vechten zu° ym kumpst |So stee mit dem lincken füess vor |vnd |wenn es dir eben ist |So spring mit dem rechten füess gegñ ÿm wol auff sein lincke seitten |vnd slach ÿn aus der twer mit krafft gegen sein° lincken seitten zw° der vnderñ plöss |Das haist zw° dem phlueg geslagen |vor setzt Wenn du mit dem zufechten zu dem man kumpst so stee mit dem linckn fues vor,Unnd wenn es dir eben ist so spring mit dem rechten fues gegn im woll auf sein lincke seitn unnd schlag in aus der Zwer mit kraft gegenn seiner linckenn seytenn zur unndern plos das hayst zum Pflug geschlagn Versetzt er so schlag im pald zu der obern plos seiner rechten seiten das haist zu dem Ochsenn und treyb dann die Zwer

[55] Also you shall always think to spring out wide on the side against him with each Thwart strike: so may you hit well to his head, and see also that you are well guarded above with the hilt before your head.

[56] Here mark a break against the lower Thwart strike: Mark, when he strikes you above to your head with the Thwart (from his right side to your left), then parry with the long edge and remain with the point before his breast. If he then strikes around with the Thwart, from the sword to the lower opening on your right side, then strike also with the Thwart below through (between you and him), also against his right side, and bind therewith on his sword, and remain in the bind and stab him Meanwhile to the lower opening.

[57] This is the text and the gloss of the technique that is called the Failer: 53 Failer misleads.

Hit from below after your wish. Gloss: The Failer is a technique which many fencers plan and hit with as they wish, and strike those who like parrying and who fence to the sword (and not to the openings of the body).

[58] Mark, when you come to him with the pre-fencing, then do as if you will strike him with a free Over-hew to the head, but pull the hew and strike him with the Thwart to the lower opening of his left or his right side (to whichever you want), and see that you are well-guarded with the hilt over your head. You may also drive this thus with the Thwart-hew.

[59] This is the text and the gloss of the technique that is called the Inverter: 54 Inverter forces

Running through, also with wrestling. 55 The elbow knowingly take;

Spring into the balance. Gloss: Mark, the Inverter is called “the half-hew” or “the turned-hand” by fencers. Therewith one forces the man, so that he may Run-through him and grasp him with wrestling.



Glosa Den Verkerer haissen die fechter den halb haw oder die wendhant domit zwingt man den mann das man im mag durchlauffenn und gefassen mit ringn





[60] Drive that thus: When you go to him with the pre-fencing, then go with your left foot before, and hew the half-hew with inverted long edge from the right side, each and every, up and down, still with your left foot. When you have come to him, and as quickly as you bind on his sword, then Meanwhile hang the point in above and stab in to his face. If he parries the stab and drives high up with his arms, then Run-through him. |wenn du mit

[61] Or if he remains low with his hands in the parrying, then grip his right elbow with your left hand and hold him fast therewith, and spring with your left foot before his right and thrust him thus over the foot.

[62] Or, if you will not thrust him over the foot by the elbow with your left hand (as the fore-described states), then drive in with your left arm behind around his body, and throw him before you over your left hip.

[63] This is the text and the gloss of yet another Failer: 56 Failer twofold,

Hit him, then make with the slice. 57 Twofold it proceeds,

Step in left and be not lax. Gloss: Mark, this is called the twofold Failer, drive it thus: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand with your left foot before and hold your sword on your right shoulder, and when he is even to you, then spring well against him with your right foot on his left side, and do as if you would hew him with a free Thwart-strike to the left side of his head, but pull the hew before it hits, and spring with your left foot on his right side, and strike there to his head. If he parries and you hit his sword, then spring over to the same side near him, and slice him in his mouth with the short edge, behind his sword with the Doubling. Or fall in with your sword over both arms with the slice. Veler zwifach

Trift man den schnidt mit mach

Zwifach es für pas

Schreit in linck vnd pis nicht las |Glosa merck |Das haist der zwifach veler |den treib also |Wenn dw mit dem zu° vechtñ Feler zwifach

trift man den schnit mit mach

zwifach es furpas

schreit in linck und pis mit las Glosa Das heist der zwifach feler denn treib also, wen du mit dem zufechtn zu im kumpst so stee mit dem lincken vues vor unnd halt dein schwert ann deiner rechten achsell unnd wen es dir ebenn ist so spring gegn im woll auf mit dem rechten fues auf sein linck seyten unnd thu als du in mit einem freyhn zwerschlag zu seiner linckn seytn zu dem kopf wollest hauen unnd verzuck den hau und spring mit dem linckn vues auf sein rechte seyten und schlag in do selbst hin zum kopf vor setzt er unnd du trifft in schwert so spring zu der seytnn neben

[64] Also, you may thus drive the Failer as well from the Over-hew as from the Thwart strike, when you are even (or when you want).

[65] Here begins the Squint-hew with its techniques: Text 58 Squinter breaks

What the Buffalo strikes or stabs. 59 Whoever threatens to change,

Squinter robs him therefrom. Gloss: Mark, the Squinter[13] breaks the guard that is called the Plow, and is a good, strange, and serious hew when it breaks with force one who is hewing in or stabbing in, and it goes with inverted sword. There are many Masters of the Sword around that know nothing to say of this hew.

Schilär ein pricht

was püffel schlecht oder sticht

wer wechsel draut

Schilär dar aus In beraupt |Glosa |Merck der schilär pricht die hu°t die do haist der pflugk |vnd ist ein seltzam

[66] Here mark how one shall do the Squinter-hew: Mark, when you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand with your left foot before and hold your sword on your right shoulder. If he then hews above in to your head, then turn your sword and hew long against his hew with the short edge, over his sword with stretched arms above in to his head. If he is then clever and Fails with the hew, and will Change-through below your sword, then let the point shoot in long before you with the hew, so he may not Change-through below.

[67] Another: When you stand against him and hold your sword on your right shoulder, if he then stands against you in the guard of the Plow and will stab below to you, then hew him long in above with the Squinter, and shoot the point long in to the breast, so may he not reach you below with the stab.

[68] This is the text and the gloss of a lesson of the Squinter: 60 Squint that he is short on you,

Changing-through defeats him. Gloss: Mark this lesson, when you come to him with the pre-fencing, so shall you Squint with the face and see if he fences short against you. You shall perceive if, when he then hews to you, he stretches the arms not long from him with the hew; so is his sword shortened. Schil kurtzt er dich an

Durchwechsel gesigt im an Glosa Die ler merck wenn du mit dem zufechten zu im kumpst so soltu schillen

[69] Or, if you lie before him in the guard of the Fool, if he will then fall Crooked thereon with the sword, so is his sword but shortened.

[70] Or, if he lies against you in the guard of the Ox or the Plow, so is his sword but shortened. Also know that all Winds with the sword before the man are short and shorten the sword, and whatever fencer drives the Winding thus, then freely Change through from hews and from stabs, and shoot in the long point therewith into the nearest opening. Therewith you force him so that he must parry, and so you come to your correct work.

[71] This is the text and the gloss of how one breaks the Long Point with the Squinter: 61 Squint to the point,

And take the neck without fear. Gloss: Mark, when you come to him with the pre-fencing, if he then stands against you and holds the Long Point against your face or breast, then hold your sword on the right shoulder and squint with your face to the point, and do as if you will hew him there, but then hew strongly with the Squinter, with the short edge on his sword, and shoot in the long point to the neck therewith (with a step to of the right foot). Schül zw dem ort

vnd nÿm den hals ane vorcht ※ |G·losa ※

[72] This is the text and the gloss of yet a technique from the Squint Hew: 62 Squint to the upper

Head, hands will you harm. Gloss: Mark, this is another break when he stands against you in the Long Point. Squint with your face to his head, and do as if you will strike him thereon, but strike him with the Squint-hew with the point on his hands.

[73] Here begins the text and the gloss of the Parting-Hew: Text 63 The Parter

Is dangerous to the face. 64 With its turn

Very dangerous to the breast. 65 What comes from him,

The Crown takes that off. 66 Slice through the Crown,

So yet you break hard. 67 Press the strike,

With slicing you pull off. Gloss: Mark, the Parter breaks the guard that is called Fool, and, with its turn, is very dangerous to the face and the breast.

De° m schaitlär

dem antlutz ist gevär

Mit seiner ker

Der prust vast gever

was von ÿm kumpt

Die kron das |Glosa |Merck der schaitlär pricht die hu°t die da haist alber |vnd ist dar zu° dem antlütz |vnd der prust mit seiner ker gar gevardlich

[74] That drive thus: When you come to him with the pre-fencing, if he then lies against you in the guard Fool, then set your left foot before and hold your sword on your right shoulder in the guard, and spring to him, and hew strongly down from above with the long edge to his head.

[75] If he then parries the hew so that his point and hilt both stand over him, that is called the Crown. Then remain high with your arms, and with your left hand lift your sword’s pommel over you, and sink the point in over his hilt to his breast. If he then drives up with his sword and thrusts your point upwards with his hilt, then Wind your sword through under his Crown with the slice in his arms and press. Thus is the Crown again broken, and with the pressing slice fast in the arms, and then pull yourself off with the slice.

[76] This is the text and gloss on the Four Leaguers: 68 Four Leaguers alone

Therefrom hold, and curse the common. 69 Ox, Plow, Fool,

From the Day, are not unpleasant to you. Gloss: Mark the Four Leaguers, that is, the Four Guards from which you shall fence.

[77] [This is the first guard:] The first guard is called the Ox, position yourself thus with it: stand with your left foot before and hold your sword near your right side, with the hilt before your head so that your thumb is under the sword, and hang the point in against his face.



[78] Mark, on the left side position yourself thus in the Ox: stand with your right foot before and hold your sword near your left side, with the hilt before your head so that your thumb is below, and hang the point in against his face. That is the Ox on both sides.

[79] This is the second guard: Mark, the other guard is called the Plow, there position yourself thus with it: stand with your left foot before and hold your sword with crossed hands, with the pommel below you near your right side on your hip, so that the short edge is above and the point stands in against his face.

[80] Mark, on the left side position yourself thus in the Plow: stand with your right foot before and hold your sword near your left side, with the pommel below you on your hip, so that the long edge is above and the point stands in against the face. That is the Plow on both sides.

[81] This is the third guard: Mark, position yourself thus in the guard called Fool: stand with your right foot before and hold your sword with stretched arms before you, with the point on the earth so that the short edge is turned above.

[82] This is the fourth guard: Mark, the guard is called From the Day, therein position yourself thus: stand with your left foot before and hold your sword on your right shoulder, or with up-stretched arms high over your head, and stand thus in the guard.

[83] This is the text and the gloss of the Four Forfendings: 70 Four are the Forfendings

That also sorely injure the Leaguers. Gloss: Mark, you have heard before that there are Four Guards. So you shall now also know the Four Forfendings that break the same Four Guards. Also hear that the Forfendings are nothing more than breaking with four hews.

[84] Mark, the first hew is the Crooked-hew, which breaks the guard that is called the Ox.

[85] Mark the second hew, that is, the Thwart-hew, which breaks the guard From the Day.

[86] Mark the third hew, that is, the Squinter, which breaks the guard that is called the Plow.

[87] Mark the fourth hew, that is, the Parter, which breaks the guard that is called the Fool.

[88] And you shall find how you shall break the four guards with the hews before, in the descriptions of the same hews.

[89] This is the text and the gloss that one shall not parry: 71 Guard yourself against parrying.

If that happens it also sorely troubles you. Gloss: Mark, that is that you shall not parry as the common fencers do: when they parry they hold their points high or to the side, and that is to understand that they do not know to seek the Four Openings[14] with the point with their parrying, therefore they often become struck. When you will parry, then parry with your hew or with your stab, and seek Meanwhile the nearest opening with the point; so may no Master strike at you without being injured.

[90] This is the text and the gloss on what you shall drive against him when one has parried you: 72 If you are parried,

And how that there comes, 73 Hear what I teach you:

Wrench off, hew quickly with threat. Gloss: Mark, that is when one has parried you and will not withdraw from your sword, and means to not let you come to techniques: then wrench with your sword upwards on his sword’s blade, as if you would take off from his sword above, but remain on his sword and hew him, striking in with the long edge on his blade again, into his head.

[92] This is the text and the gloss of the Four Settings-on: 74 Set-on four ends;

Learn to remain thereon if you will end. Gloss: Mark, there are Four Settings-on that you hear you shall drive in earnest when you will quickly strike or injure him. Drive them thus: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, then lie with your sword in the guard of the Ox or the Plow. If he will then hew above or stab below, then mark while he lifts up his sword and will strike, or pulls it to himself below and will stab, and then come Before and shoot the long point into the nearest opening before he brings ahead his hew or stab, and see if you may Set-on him. Likewise do that also when he hews to you with Under-hews: then shoot the point in before he comes up with the hew from below, and drive that to both sides. Setz an vier enden

pleib dar auf lere wildu enden |G·losa |Merck es sein vier ann setzen die gehörent zw° dem erñst |die soltu treibñ |wenn dw einen pald slachen wild oder letzen |Die treib also |wenn du mit dem swert zw° fechten zw° Im kumpst |So leg dich mit dem swert Inn die hu°t des ochsens |oder des phluegs |wil er dir denn oben ein hawen oder vnden zw° stechen |So merck die weil er sein swert auff hebt |vnd wil slachen |oder vnden zw° Im zeucht |vnd wil dich stechen |So küm du vor |vnd scheus Im den langen ort

[93] If he then becomes aware of the Setting-on, then remain with your sword on his and work in nimbly to the nearest opening.

[94] This is the text and the gloss of the Travelling-after: 75 Travelling-after learn

Twofold, or slice in the weapon. 76 Two Outside Conducts,

The work thereafter begins. 77 And prove the drivings,

If they are Soft or Hard. Gloss: Mark, the Travelling-afters are many and multiple, and pertain to driving from hews and stabs with great prudence against the fencers that fence with free and long hews (and otherwise do not hold well to the correct Art of the Sword).

[95] Drive the Travelling-after thus: When you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand with your left foot before in the guard From the Day, and see well how he will fence against you. If he then hews long above in to you, then watch so that he does not reach you, and mark while his sword goes under you against the earth with the hew. Then spring to with your right foot and hew him above into the head before he comes up again with the sword; so is he struck. |Wenn dw mit dem zw° fechten zw° im ku~pst |So stee mit dem lincken fuess vor in der hu°t vom tag |vnd sich gar eben was er



[96] This technique described hereafter[15] is called the Outside Conduct: Mark, when he fore-hews you, and you Travel-after him with the hew to the opening, if he then drives up quickly with the sword and comes below you on your sword, then remain strong thereon. If he then heaves fast upwards with the sword, then spring with your left foot behind his right and strike him with the Thwart (or otherwise to his head on his right side), and work quickly again around to his left side with the Doubling (or otherwise with other techniques thereafter, as you find if he is Soft or Hard on the sword).

[97] Here mark a good Travelling-after on the sword from Under-hewing: Mark, when you fence against him from Under-hewing, or from the slashing, or lie against him in the guard that is called Fool, if he then falls with his sword on yours before you therewith come up, then remain thus with your sword below on his and heave upwards. If he then Winds on the sword with the point into your face or breast, then do not let him off from the sword, and follow him thereafter, and work in with the point to the nearest opening. Or, if he strikes around from the sword, then follow him or Travel-after with the point as before. |Merck |wenn du gegen im vichtest aus vnder hawen oder aus den streichen oder ligst gegen |Im |In der hu°t die da

[98] Mark, you shall travel after him from all hews and from all guards[16] as quickly as you can when he fore-hews from you or opens himself with the sword. And see that afterward you do not open yourself nor fore-hew with the Travelling-after, and mark that to both sides.

[99] Here mark the text and the gloss of the Feeling and of the word that is called “Meanwhile”: Text 78 Learn the Feeling.

“Meanwhile”, that word slices sorely. Gloss: Mark, the Feeling and the word “Meanwhile” are the greatest and the best art with the sword, and who is a Master of the Sword (or wants to be), if he cannot understand the Feeling and the word “Meanwhile”, then is he not a Master, but he is a Buffalo of the Sword. Therefore you shall, before all things, learn well these two things so that you understand them rightly.

Das fülñ lere

Inndes das wort schneidet sere |Glosa |Merck das fülñ |vnd das wort |Inndes die gröst |vnd die pëst kunst im swert ist |vnd wer ein maister des swertz ist oder sein wil |vnd kan nicht das fülñ |vnd vernÿmpt nicht dar zw das wort |Inndes |So ist er nicht ein maister |wenn er

[100] Here mark the lesson of the Feeling and of the word that is called “Meanwhile”: Mark, when you come to him with the pre-fencing, and bind one another on the sword, then, as the swords clash together, you shall Feel with the hand simultaneously if he has bound Soft or Hard on you, and as quickly as you have found out, then think of the word “Meanwhile”: that is, that simultaneously as you find the same, you shall nimbly work on the sword so he is struck before he becomes aware of it.





[101] Here you shall mark… That the Feeling and the word “Meanwhile” are one thing, and one may not be without the other, and undertake it thus: when you bind on his sword, then you must Feel with the hand (with the word “Meanwhile”) if he is but Soft or Hard on the sword, and when you have Felt, then you must but work Meanwhile after the Soft and after the Hard on the sword; thus are they both naught than one thing. And the word “Meanwhile” is in all techniques previously, and that undertake thus: “Meanwhile” Doubles, “Meanwhile” Mutates, “Meanwhile” Changes through, “Meanwhile” Runs through, “Meanwhile” takes the slice, “Meanwhile” wrestles with,[17] “Meanwhile” takes the sword; “Meanwhile” does what your heart desires. “Meanwhile”: that is a sharp word wherewith all Masters of the Sword who know not to name this word become sliced. That is the key of the Art. |Das das fülñ |vnd das wort |Inndes ein dinck ist |vnd ains an das ander nicht gesein mag |vnd das vernÿm also weñ du Im an sein swert pindest |So müstu ze hant mit dem wort |Inndes fülñ |Aber am swert waich oder har hert ist |vnd wenn dw hast gefült |So müstu aber Inndes arbaitten nach der waich |vnd nach der hert am swert |Also sein sÿ paidew nicht wenn ein dinck |vnd das wort |Inndes das ist zw° vor aus In allen stucken |vnd das vernÿm also |Inndes dupliert |Inndes mutirt ~~ Das das fulenn unnd das wort inndes ein dynck ist unnd eins an

[102] Here mark the text and the gloss of yet a Travelling-after: 79 Travel-after twofold.

One hits, make with the Ancient Slice. Gloss: Mark, that is that you shall drive the Travelling-after to both sides and you shall not forget the slice there. Undertake it thus: when he fore-hews in front of you (be it from the right or from the left side), then hew in boldly After to the opening. If he then drives up and binds below you on the sword, then mark as quickly as the swords clash on each other, and then slice him Meanwhile after his neck, or fall in with the long edge on his arms and slice fast.

[103] Here mark the text and the gloss of the Over-running: 80 Whoever aims below,

Over-run, then he becomes ashamed. 81 When it clashes above,

Then strengthen, that I praise. 82 Your work make,

Or press hard twofold. Gloss: Mark, that is when you come to him with the pre-fencing: if he then hews below to your lower opening, do not parry that, but hew in above strongly to his head. Or, if he hews to you with Under-hewing, then mark before he comes up with the Under-hew, and shoot the long point above into his face or his breast, and Set-on him above so he may not reach you below (since all upper Settings-on break and defeat the lower). If he then drives up and binds below on your sword, then remain with the long edge strongly on his sword, and work nimbly to the nearest opening, or let him work and come Meanwhile so that you hit him.



Wer unden rempt

uberlauf den der wirt beschempt

wen es glitzt oben

so sterck das ger ich loben

dein arbeit mach

oder hert druck zwifache Glosa Das ist wenn du mit dem zufechten zu im kumpst haut er dir denn unndenn zu den undern plossen das versetz im nicht sunder hau im oben starck ein zu dem kopf oder haut er dir zu mit unnderhauen so merck ee wenn er mit dem underhau auf kumpt so scheus im den ort obenn lanck ein zum gesicht oder der prust unnd setz im obn an so mag er dich unnden nicht erlangn Wenn alle obern ansetzn prechn unnd ledign die unndern Vert er den auf unnd pindt

[104] Here mark, this is the text and the gloss on how one shall Set-off stabs and hews: 83 Learn Setting-off,

Hews, stabs, artfully injure. 84 Whoever stabs on you,

Your point hits and his breaks. 85 From both sides

Hit all, if you will step. Gloss: Mark, drive the Setting-off thus: when you come to him with the pre-fencing, if he then stands against you as if he will stab, then set your left foot before and stand against him in the guard of the Plow on your right side, and give an opening with your left side. If he then stabs to that same opening, then Wind against his stab with your short edge on his sword (and your sword on your left side), and therewith Set-off, and therewith step to him with your right foot and stab him Meanwhile to the face or the chest. Lerre absetzen

hau stich kunstlich letzn

wer auf dich sticht

dein ort trifft und seinen pricht

von paiden seitn

triff allemol will du schreiden Glosa Merck die absetzen treib also wenn du mit dem zufechtn zu im kumpst

[105] Another technique: Mark, when you stand on your right side in the Plow, if he then hews into your left side above to your head, then drive up with the sword and Wind therewith on your left side against his hew with the hilt before your head, and step therewith to him with your right foot, and stab him to the face or breast. Drive this technique from the Plow on both sides.

[106] This is the text with the gloss on how one shall Change-through: 86 Changing-through learn

From both sides with stabs sorely. 87 Whoever binds on you,

Changing-through closely finds him. Gloss: Mark, the Changing-throughs are many and multiple; you shall drive them against the fencers that readily parry and that hew to the sword (and not to the openings of the body). You shall learn to drive it well with prudence, so that one cannot Set-on you or come in with something[19] while you are Changing-through.

[107] Drive the Changing-through thus: When you come to him with the pre-fencing, then hew in above strongly. If he then hews against your sword (and not to your body), then let the point go through his sword with the hew, below between you, before he binds on your sword, and stab into the other side to his breast. If he becomes aware of the stab, and drives quickly after the stab with parrying with the sword, then Change-through yet again, and always do that when he drives after the sword with parrying.

[108] Another When you come to him with the pre-fencing, then set your left foot before and hold the Long Point against his face. If he then hews to your sword down from above (or up from below), and will strike that away or bind strongly thereon, then let the point sink underneath and stab him to the other side. Drive that against all hews wherewith one hews to your sword. |Wenn dw mit dem zü fechten zw Im kumpst |So setz den lincken fues vor |vnd halt Im den langen ort gegen dem gesicht |hawt er dir deñ von oben nider oder von unden auff zw dem swert |vnd wil dir das wegck slahen oder starck dar an pinden |So lass den ort vndersich sencken |vnd stich Im zw° der anderñ seitten das treib gegen

[109] That even mark… How you shall Change-through so that one will not Set-on you while you are doing so, and undertake it thus: when he parries and lets his point go out near your side, then bravely Change-though and stab him to the other side. Or, if he remains with the point before your face (or otherwise against the opening), then do not Change-through but remain on the sword, and work therewith to the nearest opening so he may not Travel-after you with Setting-on.

[110] Here mark the text and the gloss of the Pulling on the sword: 88 Step near in binding.

The Pulling gives good findings. 89 Pull; if he hits, Pull more.

He finds work that does him woe. 90 Pull all hits

If you want to trick the Masters. Gloss: Mark that Pulling pertains to driving against the Masters who bind strongly on the sword, and in the bind of the swords remain standing still, and will wait to see if one will hew off, or will draw off from the sword before them so that they can then use Travelling-after to the opening. If you will trick or deceive those same Masters, then drive the Pulling against him thus: hew in from the right side above strongly to his head. If he then drives with the sword strongly forward with the hew and will parry, or hews to your sword, then pull your sword on you before he binds on you, and stab into the other side. And do that against all hitting and binding-on of the swords. Trit nahent in pünden

das zucken gibt gu°te fünde

Zuck trift er zuck mer

Arbait erfinde Das thuet ÿm we

Zuck allen treffen

den maisterñ wiltu sy effen |Glosa |merck das zucken gehört zu° treibñ gegen den maisterñ die do starck an das swert pinden |vnd am pant des swertz beleiben still sten |vnd wöllen warten ob man sich für In ab wolt hawen oder vom swert ab tzÿehen |Das sÿ denn möchten nachgeraisen zu° der plöss

[111] Mark another Pulling: When he has bound on your sword, if he then stands against you in the bind and waits to see if you yourself will draw off from the sword, then do as if you will Pull, but remain on his sword and Pull your sword on you as far as half the blade, and stab in quickly again into his face or his breast. If you do not hit him correctly with the stab, then work with the Doubling or otherwise with other techniques which are best.

[112] Here mark the text and the gloss of the Running-through and of the wrestling on the sword: 91 Run-through, let hang

With the pommel. Grip if you will wrestle. 92 Whoever is Strong against you,

Running-through therewith mark. Gloss: Mark, the Running-through and the wrestling are of two kinds with the sword: the Running-throughs are the body wrestling, and then thereafter are the arm wrestlings. And they pertain to driving against the fencers that like to run in.

[113] The Running-through, drive the first of that thus: Mark, when he runs into you and drives high up with the arms and will overwhelm you above with strength, then drive also up with your arms, and hold your sword by the pommel over your head with your left hand, and let the blade hang down behind over your back, and Run with your head through your arm against his right side, and spring with your right foot behind his right, and with the spring then drive in with your right arm against his left side in front, well around his body, and grasp him thus on your right hip and throw him before you backwards on his head.

[114] Yet another body wrestling: Mark, when he runs into you with up-stretched arms, and you do so against him, then Run-through him with the head to his right side, and let your sword hang behind over your back (as the before stated describes), and step with your right foot in front before his right, and drive in with your right arm through below his right arm, behind, around his body, and grasp him on your right hip and throw him behind you. Drive these two wrestlings to both sides. |Merck |wenn er dir ein lauff mit auff gerackten armen |vnd thue im wider |So lauff Im durch mit dem haubt zw° seiner rechten seitten |vnd lass dein swert hinden vber den ruck hangen als vor geschribñ stet |vnd schreit mit dem rechten fuess vorñ für seinen rechten |vnd var Im mit dem rechtñ arm~ vnder seinem rechtñ arm~ durch hinden vmb den leip |vnd vaß In auff dein rechte hüff |vnd würff In

[115] Yet another body wrestling: Mark, when he runs into your right side and is high with his arms, and you are also, then hold your sword in the right hand with the pommel reversed, and thrust his arms and his sword from you with your hilt, and spring with your left foot in front before both his feet, and drive in with your left arm well behind, around his body, and grasp him on your left hip and throw him before you.

[116] Yet another body wrestling: Mark, when he runs into you and is high with his arms, and you are also, then hold your sword in your right hand and thrust his arms from you therewith, and spring with your left foot behind his right, and drive in with your left arm through, below, before his breast on his left side, and grasp him on your left hip and throw him behind you. Drive these two wrestlings also to both sides.

[117] Here mark now the arm wrestling with the sword: Mark, when one runs into you with the sword and holds his hands low, then invert your left hand and grip his right inwardly therewith (between both his hands), and press him therewith on your left side, and strike in with the sword with the right over his head. |Merck wenn er dir ein laufft Im swert |vnd helt sein hentt nider |So verker dein lincke hant |vnd begreiff do mit sein rechte Innwendig zwischen seine~ paiden

[118] Another If you will not strike, then spring with your right foot behind his left, and drive in with your right arm in front or behind his neck, and throw him thus over your right knee.

[119] Yet an arm wrestling: Mark, when he runs into you with the sword and is low with his hands, then let your left hand drive from the sword, and drive in with your right with the pommel out over his right hand, and press down therewith, and grip him with your left hand by his right elbow, and spring with your left foot before his right and thrust him over thus.

[120] Yet an arm wrestling: Mark, when he runs into you with the sword, then let your sword fall and invert your right hand, and grip his right outwardly therewith, and with your left grasp him by the right elbow, and spring with your left foot before his right, and thrust his right arm over your left with your right hand, and heave him over you therewith. Thus may you break his arm, or throw him over your left leg before you (if you want).

[121] Here mark a sword taking: Mark, when one runs into you with the sword, then invert your left hand and drive therewith over his right arm, and grip his sword by the handle therewith (between both his hands),[21] and press therewith on your left side; so you take his sword.

[122] Yet another sword taking: Mark, when he parries or otherwise binds on your sword, then grip both swords in the middle with your left hand on the blades, and hold them both fast together, and with your right hand drive with the pommel below, through, in front over both his hands, and press upwards therewith on your right side. Then you remain with both swords.

[123] Here mark the text and the gloss of Slicing-off: 93 Slice off the hard ones

From below in both drivings. Gloss: Mark, that is what you shall drive when one binds on your sword strongly above, or falls thereon, and undertake it thus: when you fence-to with the Under-hewing or with the slashing, or lie against him in the guard Fool, if he then falls with his sword on yours (before you come up therewith), then remain below on his sword and heave upwards with the short edge fast. If he then presses your sword downwards fast, then slash off from his sword from below on his blade with your sword behind yourself, and hew in to the other side on his sword’s blade quickly again, above into his mouth. Schneid ab die herten

von vnden In paiden gefertten |Glosa merck |das ist was dw solt treibñ |wenn man dir starck oben auff dein swert pintt oder dar auff velt |vnd das vernÿm also |Wenn du zu° vichtest aus den vnder häwen |oder aus den streichen oder ligst gegen Im In der hu°t alber |Velt er dir denn mit dem swert

[124] Yet another: When you fence-to him with Under-hewing, or lie in the guard Fool, if he then falls with the sword on yours nearby the hilt (before you come up therewith), so that his point goes out to your right side, then drive up nimbly with your pommel over his sword and strike with the long edge to his head. Or, if he binds on your sword so that his point goes out to your left side, then drive with your pommel over his sword and strike in with the short edge to his head. That is called the Snapping.

[125] Here mark the text and the gloss of the Four Slices: 94 Four are the Slices,

Two below, with two above. Gloss: Mark the Four Slices: know that the first are the two Overs, which pertain to driving against the fencers that like to strike around with the Thwart (or otherwise to the other side) from the parrying or from the bind of the sword. Vier sind der schnit

Zwen vnden zwen oben mit |Glosa |Merck die vier schnit wiß des erstñ die zwen öberñ die gehorent zw° treiben

[126] Break that thus: When he binds you on your sword to your left side, and strikes quickly again around therewith with the left foot on your right side, then fall in with the long edge above over both arms and press from you with the slice. You shall always drive that to both sides when he strikes around from the parrying, or hews from the sword.

[127] Mark That the two Under-slices pertain to driving against the fencers that like to run in with outstretched arms. Drive it thus: when he binds on your sword and drives high up with his arms, and runs in to you on your left side, then invert your sword so that your thumb comes below, and fall in with the long edge in his arm, under the pommel, and press upward with the slice.

[128] Or, if he runs with out-stretched arms to your right side, then invert your sword so that your thumb comes below, and fall in with the short edge in the arms, under his pommel, and press upwards with the slice. Those are the Four Slices.

[129] Here mark the text and the gloss of the turning of the slices: 95 Your edge turn

To escape, press the hands. Gloss: Mark, that is how you shall drive the two Over-slices from the two Under-slices. Undertake it thus: When he runs in to you on your left side with up-stretched arms, then invert your sword and fall with the long edge in the arm, under his pommel, and press fast upwards and step therewith on his right side, and Wind your pommel below through, and come not from his arms with the sword, and turn the sword from the Under-slice into the Over-slice with the long edge over his arms.

[130] Another If he runs in with up-stretched arms to your right side, then turn your sword against his arms with the short edge, under the pommel, and press fast upwards, and step on his left side therewith and let the pommel go through below, and turn your sword with the long edge over his arm and press from you with the slice.

[131] Here mark the text and the gloss of the two lower hangings: 96 Two hangings come

From one hand from the earth. 97 In all drivings,

Hew, stab, Leaguers, Soft or Hard. Gloss: Mark, the two hangings from the earth, that is, the Plow on both sides: and when you will fence therefrom, or are fencing, then you shall therein also have the Feeling if he is Soft or Hard in hewing, and in stabbing, and in all binding of the swords.

[132] Also you shall therefrom drive the four Windings, and from each Winding feature a hew, a stab, and a slice, and otherwise also drive all driving as from the two upper hangings.

[133] Here mark the text and the gloss of the Speaking-Window: 98 Speaking-Window make.

Stand freely, see his business. 99 Strike in so that he snaps.

Whoever pulls off before you, 100 I say to you truthfully,

No man can protect himself without danger. 101 If you have understood,

To strikes may he barely come. Gloss: Mark, you have heard before how you shall position yourself before the man with the sword in the Four Guards, and you shall fence therefrom. So shall you now also know the Speaking-Window, which is also a guard that you may well stand in, and the guard that is called the Long Point is the noblest and the best ward with the sword. Whoever correctly fences therefrom can force the man, that he must let you strike as you desire, and may not come to strikes and stabs himself before the point. Sprechfenster mache

Stant freÿleich besich seine sache

Schlach in das er schnabe

Wer sich fur dir zeuchet abe

Ich sag dir fur war

Sich schützet kain man ane var

Hastu ver nomen

zw schlag mag er klein chumen |Glosa |merck dw hast vor gehört |wie dw dich vor dem mann mit dem swert solt schicken In die vier hu°tten dar aus dw vechten solt |So soltu auch nw wissen das sprechfenster das ist auch ein hu°t dar Inn dw wol sicher sten magst |vnd die hu°t das ist der lang ort der ist die edelst |vnd die pëst |wer am swert wer do recht dar aus vechten kan der twingt do [S]prechfenster mache

streylich besich sein sache

Schlach in das er schnabe

wer sich fur dir zeuchet abe

ich sag dir fur war

sich schutzet kein man one var

haustu vornomen

zu schlag mag er klein kumen [D]u hast vor gehort wie du dich vor dem man mit dem schwert solt schickn in die vier huttn daraus du vechtenn solt so soltu auch nu wyssenn das sprechfennster ist auch ein hut darin du wol sicher steenn magst unnd die hut das ist der lang ort der ist die edelst unnd pest wer am schwert wer do recht daraus vechtn kan

[134] Position yourself thus in the Speaking-Window: When you go to him with the pre-fencing, with whatever hew you then come on him (whether it be a Under or an Over-hew), then let the long point always shoot in to his face or his breast with the hew. Therewith you force him, so that he must parry you or bind on the sword, and when he thus has bound on, then remain strongly with the long edge on the sword and stand freely and see his business (what he will further fence against you). If he pulls off backwards from the sword, then follow after him with the point to the opening. Or, if he strikes around from the sword to the other side, then bind after his hew strongly above to his head. Or, if he will not draw off from the sword or strike around, then work with the Doubling (or otherwise with other techniques) thereafter as you find him Weak or Strong on the sword. [W]enn du mit dem zufechtenn zu im geest mit welichm hau du den ann in kumpst es sey unnder oder ein oberhau so las in denn ort mit dem hau alweg lang einschissenn zu dem gesicht oder der prust domit zwingstu in das er versetzenn mues oder an das schwert pindenn unnd wenn er also angepundenn hat so pleib im starck mit der langenn schneid auf dem schwert freylich unnd besich sein sach was er furpas gegenn dir fechtenn will zeucht er sich zuruck ab vom schwert So volg im nach mit dem or zur plos Oder schlecht er vom schwert umb dir zur anndernn seytn so pint seinem hau nach im starck obenn ein zu dem kopf oder will er sich vom schwert

[135] This is another stance And is also called the Speaking-Window. Mark, when you come close to him with the pre-fencing, then set your left foot before, and hold the long point with your arms against his face or his breast before you bind him on the sword, and stand freely and see[23] what he will fence against you. If he then hews in to your head long above, then drive up and Wind against his hew with the sword in the Ox, and stab into his face. Or, if he hews to your sword and not to your body, then Change through and stab in to the other side. If he runs in and is high with his arms, then drive the Under-slice. Or, if he runs in through with wrestling and is low with his arms, then drive the arm wrestling. Thus you may drive all techniques from the Long Point. |vnd haist auch das sprechfenster Merck wenn dw mit dem zw fechten schir zw ÿm kömen pist |So setz den lincken fues vor vnd halt Im den ort lanck aus den armen gegen dem gesicht oder der prust ee wenn dw Im an das

[136] Here mark the text and the gloss of the explanation on the Four Hangings and the Eight Windings with the sword that the Epitome holds: 102 Whoever drives well, and correctly breaks,

And finally well accounts, 103 And breaks particularly

Each of the Three Wounders, 104 Whoever correctly hangs well,

And brings therewith Winding, 105 And eight Windings

With correct weighing considers, 106 And to unite them

The Windings are triple, I mean, 107 So are they twenty-

And-four pieces only. 108 From both sides

Learn eight Windings with steps, 109 And prove the driving,

Nothing more, only Soft or Hard. Gloss: Mark, this is a lesson and an admonition of Hanging and of Winding with the sword; therein you shall well meditate on and take account of, so that you boldly drive with agility and break against the others fencers’ techniques correctly, and drive boldly against him therefrom. When the hangings are the Ox above on both sides, these are the two upper hangings; and the Plow below on both sides, these are the lower two hangings. From the Four Hangings you shall bring Eight Windings, four from the Ox, and four from the Plow, and the same Eight Windings you shall further thus consider and correctly weigh, so that from every particular Winding you shall drive the Three Wounders (that is a hew, a stab, and a slice). Wer wol furet vnd recht pricht

vnd endlich gar bericht

Vnd prich besunder

Iglichs i~ dreÿ wunder

wer recht wol henget

vnd windñ do mit pringet

vnd winden acht

Mit rechtñ wegen betracht

Vnd zw ir eine

Der winden selb dritt ich meine

So sind ir zwaintzigk

vnd vier zell si entzigk

von paiden seittñ

Acht winden lere mit schreitten

vnd pruf die gefert

Nicht mer nür waich oder hert |Glosa |Merck das ist ein ler vnd ein dermanung der hengen vnd der winden Im swert dor In soltu gar wol geübet |vnd bericht sein |das dw behendlich kündest füren

[137] Here mark how you shall drive the four Windings from the right side and from the left side from the two upper hangings, that is, from the Ox:[24] These are the first two Windings from the Ox on the right side alone, drive them thus: When you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand with your left foot before and hold your sword on your right side before your head in the Ox. If he then hews from above on his right side, then Wind against his hew on your left side with the short edge on his sword, yet still in the Ox, and stab above into his face. This is one Winding. [D]ie erstnn zwei windenn aus dem Ochsen allein von der rechtenn seitenn die treyb also Wenn du mit dem zu fechtn zu im kumpst so stee mit dem linckn vues vor unnd halt dein schwert zu deiner rechtenn seytn fur dem haupt in dem Ochsenn Haut er dir denn obenn ein vonn seiner rechtenn seytn so wind auf dein linck seitn gegenn seim hau die kurtz schneid an sein schwert aber in den ochsenn unnd stich

[138] Mark If he parries the stab with strength and forces your sword on the side, then remain on the sword and Wind again on your right side over in the Ox, and stab above into his face. These are the two Windings on the sword from the one upper hanging from the right side. |Vor setzt er den stich mit sterck |vnd dringt dir das swert auff die seitten so pleib am swert |vnd



[139] Here mark, these are the two other Windings from the Ox on the left side. Drive them thus: When you come to him with the pre-fencing, then stand on your left side in the Ox, and if he then hews in above from his left side, then Wind against his hew on your right side with the long edge on his sword, and stab above in to his face. That is one Winding.

[140] Mark If he parries the stab and presses your sword to the side, then remain on the sword and Wind on your left side, yet in the Ox, with the long edge on his sword, and stab in above to his face. These are the four Windings from the upper two hangers on the left and on the right side.



[141] Now you shall know… That the Plow on both sides are the two lower hangings. When you lie therein, or will fence therefrom, then you shall also drive four Windings therefrom, from the left and from the right side with all your fencing as from the upper hanging, so the Windings become Eight. And mark, as you Wind, then think of the hew and of the stab and of the slice in each Winding particularly. Thus, four-and-twenty techniques come from the Eight Windings, and how you shall drive the four-and-twenty techniques from the Eight Windings, you shall find all that described before in the glosses. |Das der phlueg von paiden seitten das sind die vnderñ zwaÿ hengen |wenn dw dich dar ein legst |oder dar aus vechten wild |So soltu dar aus auch treiben von der lincken |vnd von der rechten seitten |vier winden mit allen iren gefertñ als aus den oberñ hengen so werden der winden acht |vñ merck als offtu windest so gedenck in