Martin Syber

Martin Syber
Born	15th century (?)
Died	15th century (?)
Occupation	Fencing master
Influences	Johannes Liechtenauer (?)
Genres	Fencing manual
Language	Early New High German
Notable work(s)	New Zettel
Manuscript(s)	MS M.I.29 (1491) MS E.1939.65.341 (1508) MS Varia 82 (1570)
Concordance by	Michael Chidester
Translations	English translation Deutsch-Übersetzung Magyar fordítás

Martin Syber (Mertin Siber, Martein Syber) was a 15th century German fencing master. Hardly anything is known of Syber beyond his New Zettel ("New Recital"). His surname signifies that he came from a family of sieve makers, but gives us no indication of his birthplace. According to Syber's own account, he learned the art from a variety of masters from across Europe, including men from Bohemia, Brabant (or possibly Provence), England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Prussia, Russia, and Swabia. The inclusion of his Recital in Codex Speyer and the Glasgow Fechtbuch suggests a connection to the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer, and his mention of an "earlier Zettel" is likely a reference to that of Liechtenauer; however, Syber does not appear on the roll of the Fellowship of Liechtenauer recorded by Paulus Kal in ca. 1470, so the extent of his relationship is unclear.

Syber's Recital comes in the form a cryptic poem describing six Gänge, set sequences of strikes and parries. Unfortunately, no gloss is currently known to exist for Syber's verse, so its meaning is difficult to decipher. Conversely, it is worth noting that the 16th century Freifechter Joachim Meÿer not only had access to Syber's verse (which is included in his final manuscript), but also employed much of the master's unique terminology in his own teachings. Meÿer may thus hold the key to interpreting Syber's techniques.

The Salzburg version of Syber's text is followed by an additional page of verse. This poem shares some common terminology with Syber's writings and has been attributed to Syber by some authors in the past, but its omission from the other two versions of his text call this attribution into question. In addition, another version of the poem was included in one of Hans Talhoffer's manuscripts almost fifty years earlier, which indicates that if Syber were indeed the author, his career must have been much earlier than currently believed.

Treatise

Long Sword

Complete Translation by Christian Trosclair	Complete Translation (Salzburg only) by Jeffrey Hull	Complete Translation (Salzburg only) by Jens P. Kleinau	Salzburg Version (1491)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Glasgow Version (1508)  by Dierk Hagedorn	Rostock Version (1570)  by Dierk Hagedorn
[1] Hereafter written is a new recital of the long sword and an extraction from the previous recital and many other good plays from other master's hands Master Martin Syber had set together and is partitioned in six courses. And the ox and the plow and the part-hew named therein, together with other hews have another art and explanation than in the first recital and also approaches differently.	[1] Thusly Master Mertin Siber has made and set the new summary written hereafter. It is a teaming of manifold masterly skirmishes. It is dealt and set into six goings. And in the summary are the ox, the plough, and the skull-hew—not thus as in the first summary of the book, rather together in explanation.	[1] The hereafter written new markverses had been made and written by Martin Siber, and it is a piece from various masters plays and is divided in six plays. And in the verses are the Ox and the Plow and Parting Strike, not {to understand} as in the first verses of the book, but in another interpretation.	[1r] Item dye hernach geschriebenn nüwe zettell hat gemacht vnd gesetz meinster mertin Siber vnd ist ein zuck auß mangerley meinster gefechtenn vnd ist geteiltt vnd gesetz In sechs geng Vnd in der zittell ist der ochß vnd der pflug vnd scheyttell haulb nicht also als in der ersten zettell des puchs Sunder eyñ ander vß legüng	[24v] Hernach geschribn ist ain newe zetl des langen schwerts vnd ein außzug aus der voringen zetl / vnd vil ander guetter stuck võ manches maisters handt / die hat zu samen gesetzt maister Martein Syber vnd ist getailt in segs geng / Vnd der ochß vnd der pflueg darin genant mit sambt ettlichen hewen hat ain ander art vnd auslegung da in der voringen zetl vnd gett auch anderst zu /	[39v] Das hernach geschribenn ist ein newe tzetel des lanngenn schwerts vnnd ein auszug aus der vorigenn tzetelnn, vnnd vil annder guter stuck, von manches meisters handt, die hat tzusamen gesetzt meister Merten Siber, vnnd ist getailt in Sechs genng, Vnnd der Ochs vnd Pflug darin genent, mit sampt etlichenn hewenn, hat ein annder artt, vnnd auslegung dan in der vorgemelten tzetelnn vnnd gehet auch anders tzu.
[2] Now here begins the forward and lessons of the recital, thereafter the six courses. Whoever wishes to acquire honor  Before princes and before lords In fencing with the sword  That is good and proper. That follow my lessons,  They triumph continually. Hold the six courses in guard  They are quite praiseworthily good In them is encapsulated well  Many good masters' wisdom From Hungary, Bohemia, Italy,  From France, England, and Alemannia, From Russia, Prussia, Greece,  Holland, Provence, and Swabia. In them, you shall tread left  Thereby remember the deception In thrusting, lash strongly  So you may well succeed If you see the window standing open,  Enter them from there Strike or thrust swiftly  So you may fail hard In the work, tread around.  That makes-good the first-pass If you now wish to undertake this,  You must have a strong spirit Proper understanding is also good  Guard yourself from great wrath To such, bring the parrying to them.  Through that, you may well succeed. In all your fencing, be swift.  This forward has an end.	[2] Now heave yourself at the foreword and the lore of the summary, and thereafter, the six goings. Whosoever will earn honour  before princes and before lords in fighting with the longsword,  he is good and rightful, who follows my lore,  he is blessed evermore. The six goings hold wards  which are quite preciously good, wherein is wealful comprehension  of the cunning of quite many goodly masters: from Hungary, Bohemia, Italy;  from France, England and Alemania; from Russia, Prussia, Greece,  Holland, Provence and Swabia. In the goings, should you tread left,  while then, bethink the misleading. In thrusting press strongly,  so may you achieve it well. When you sight through the window, stand open,  see through it, go to it, strike or stab swiftly,  so may you be hard-felled. In the work tread roundabout—  thus the daring fellow wins out. Will you raise and strengthen yourself—  then you must have the right, yet reason is also good.  Ward yourself from great wrath, bring forsetting to such,  thereby may you achieve it well when in all your fighting you are nimble.  This forelore ends.	[2] Now begins the foreword and lore of the markverses, thereafter the six plays. Who will earn honor  In front of lords and masters In fighting with the sword,  {By all} that is good and rightly, Who follows my lore,  Wins evermore, The six plays well hold in regard,  They are highly praised good, In them well included is  Many a good master’s trick From Hungary, Bohemia, Italy,  From France, England, and Germany, From Russia, Prussia, Greece,  Holland, Provence, and Swabia. In them you should step left  Consider to seduce with it, In thrusts strongly press,  So it may work out for you. If you see a window open,  Look inside, leave it And strike or thrust fast.  So you may toughly fall {on him}. In the working step slantwise,  Take part in the engagement. If you want to begin this  A strong {courage} you must have. Proper prudence is also good,  Of great rage you beware. To such parrying bring him  By this you may succeed. In all your fighting be nimble,  The common lore has an end.	Nu hebt sich an dy vor rede vnd lere der zettell dar noch die sechß genng ~ Wer ere will erwerbenn vor furstenn vnd vor herenn Im vechtenn mit dem Swertt dz ist gutt vnd gerecht der volge mÿner lere der gesiget ymermere dy sechß genng halt in hu°tt die sintt gar prißlich gutt in den woll begriffen ist vil manges gutte~ meinsters list auß Vngern Behem Ÿtalia auß Franckrich Engellant vnd almania auß rewßen Prewßen Gretia Hollant Profant vnd Sweuia In den soltu tretten linck der verfurüng do by gedennck In stichenn strarg dring so mag dir wol geling Sichstus venster offen stan Si hinein gee dar von schlag oder stich schnell So magstu hartt geuell in der arbeÿtt d vmb tritt daß egeuertt mach mitt Wiltu sie me hebenn an ein ein starcken müstu han Recht vernüfft ist auch gutt von großem zornn [1v] dich behutt zu sollicher versatzüng yn den pring dar durch dir mag wol geling In allem dinem vechten biß behende dÿ vor lere hat ein ende ~	Hie hebt sich die vorred an der selben newen zetl / Wer ere wil erwerben vor fu~rsten vnd vor herren / Im vechtñ mit dem schwert / das ist gut vnd bewert / der volg meiner lere / der gesÿeget ymmermere / die sechs geng halt in huett / die sind gar preislich gutt / in den wol begriffen ist / vil manches gutten maisters list / Aus vngerñ behem aus italia / Aus Franckreich Engelant hollant prabant vnd aus sweuia / In den soltu treten lenck / der vorforu~ng da pey gedenck / In stich starck dring / So mag dir wol geling / Sichtüs venster offen stan / Sye hin ein gee darvon / schlache oder stich vmb schnele / so magstu hart felen / Indes arbait tritt / das egefert mach mit / wildu sy nu heben an / ein starcken muet müestu han / recht vernufft ist auch gutt / vor grossen zorñ dich behuet / zu sõlicher versatzung yn da pringe / dar dürch dir wol mag gelinge / In allen deine~ vechtñ piß behent / die vorred hat hie ein endt /	[40r] Hie hebt sich an die vorrede der selbenn newenn tzetelnn, Wer ehr wil erwerbenn, vor fursten vnd vor hernn, Im fechtenn mit dem schwert, das ist gut vnd gerecht. Der volg meiner lehre, der gesiget immermehr. Die Sechs geng halt in hut, die sind gar preislich gut. In den wol begriffen ist, viel manches guten meisters list. Aus Vngernn, Beham, aus Italia, Aus Franckreich Engellandt, vnnd Almania, Aus Reussen Preussen Graecia, Holland, Prabandt, vnnd aus Sweuia. In den soltu treten lenck, der Verfurung dabey gedenck, In Stich starck dring, So mag dir wol gelingen, Sichstu das fenster offen stan, Sihe hinein gehe daruon, Schlag oder stich schnel, so magstu hartt gefel. In der arbeit vmbdrit, das Egeuert mach mitt. Wiltu sie me heben an, ein starchen mut mustu han. Rechte vernunft ist auch gut, Vor grossen tzorn dich behut. Zu solcher versatzung in do bring, dardurch dir wol mag geli[ng] In al deim fechten biß behend, die vorred hat hie ein endt.
[3] The First Course Has Five Plays Flick the weak to the right  Wind through in the fencing With that, make the Flicker  To both sides twice. Besiege his shield strongly  Strike the bowed thrust violently. In all work, tread around  With the right bowed thrust.	[3] The first going Speed the weak to the right  Wind through amid the fight Do the speeder with might  To both sides twice Overwind his ward strongly  Shove-strike his elbow swiftly In all work tread roundabout  away the right-elbow	[3] The first play Spring the weak to the right  Wind through on engagement That is how to do the Spring Strike  To both sides two times By winding engage his ricasso strongly  The Fiddlestick jab, hit fast In all your work step slantwise  The Fiddlestick on the right jab too.	Der erst gangck Snell dy swech züm rechten Durch wind im vechtenn Den schneller do mit mach Zu beyden sitenn zwiffach Seins schilt starck verwindt Den bogenn stos schlag geswinde In aller arbeit vmb tritt Den rechtenn bogenn stos mitt	Der Erst ganck hat funff Stück Schnel die schwech zwm rechten / durch wint im fechtn / den schneller da mit mach / zu paider seÿttñ zwifach / Gens schilt starck verwint den pogen stoß schlag geschwind / In aller arbait vmb tritt den rechtñ pogen stos mit /	Der erst ganng hat funf stuck. Schnel die schwech tzum rechten, durchwind im fechtenn. Den schneller damit mach, tzu baider seitten tzwifach. Jenes schilt starck verwind, den pogen stos schlag geschwindt In aller arbeit vmbdrit, den rechten pogen stoß mit.
[4] The Second Course Has Six Plays Crook in the strong  wind through with note Wind running over  Ready the point and pommel Stab him into his face  With that, fence the work of the cross The deceptive pommel, that, you should think of  Upon your head, if you would like to harm him In all work, tread around  This makes-good the first-pass.	[4] The second going Crumple within your strong  Wind through with marking Wind and overlope  Forweaponed point and knop Stab him in the face  With the cross work and fight Should you bethink the misleading knop  Then you make him ill upon his top In all work tread roundabout  The daring fellow wins out	[4] The other play Crook into the strong  Notice to wind through with it Wind run over /  Interweave point and pommel Thrust him to the face  With the crossbar’s work fights The misleading pommel as you should remember  On your head you make him weak. In all work step slantwise,  Take part in the engagement.	Der ander ganck Krümb in dy sterck Durch wind mit merck Wind vberlaüff / verwoppen ortt vnd knouff Stich im zu dem gesichtt Des crutz arbeitt mit vichtt Des verfurtenn knouffs das soltu gedenckenn auff din haubt machstu yn krenckenn In aller arbeitt vmb tritt dz egeuertt mach mitt	Der ander gang hat sechs stuck Krumb in die sterck / durch wint da mit merck / wint vberlauff / verwoppen orth vnd knauff/ Stich yn zu seim gesicht / des kreutz arbait damit ficht / des verserten knauffe soltu gedencke~ / auff dem haupt magstu in krencke~ / In aller arbait vnd trit / das egefert mach mit /	[40v] Der ander gang hat Sechs stuck. Krump in die sterck, durchwend mit merck. Wind vberlauff, verwapen ort vnnd knauff. Stich in zu seim gesicht, des Creutz arbeit mit ficht. Des verfurten knaufs soltu gedencken, auf dem hauptt machtu in krenckenn. In aller arbeit vmbdrit, das egeuert mach mit.
[5] The Third Course Has Seven Plays Squint whatever comes from-the-day  Thwart-through, do not go crooked Therein examine his struggle  The half-squinter makes-good Take off quite swiftly  Threaten the hew against him Force out his shield strongly  Defeat him with running-over In the strong of his edge  In all work, tread around This makes-good the first-pass.	[5] The third going Squint at what comes from roof  Through thwarter goes not crumpler Look into his tactics  Then hew squinter with might Offtake rather nimbly  Threaten the hew against him Strongly advance the ward at him  Overcome him with overloping Within the strong of his blade  In all work tread roundabout Thus the daring fellow wins out	[5] The third play Squint what comes from the roof,  Cross through, step in not crook, In it behold his case  The Shoulder Strike do with, Take it of nimbly  Strike again him in the shield, strongly Push away with Running over  Overcome him in the strong of his blade. In all your work step slantwise,  Take part in the engagement.	[2r] Der tritt ganck Schil wz von tag kümpt durch zwirch gein nit krümpt dar in schaulb sin sach den halb schiller mit mach nyms ab gar behende droe den haulb wider in den schiltt ym starck verdring mit vberlouff in bezwing in der sterck siner klingenn In aller arbeitt vmb tritt dz egeuertt mach mitt	[25r] Der trit gang hat Syben Stück Schil was vom tag kumbt / durchwirchgen nit frümbt / darin schaw sein sach / den halbschaittler mit mach / nym ab gar behendt / dw den haw wider endt / den schilt im starck verdring / mit vberlauff in bezwing in der sterck seiner klingen in aller arbait vmbtritt / das egefert mach auch mit /	Der drit gang hat, Sieben stuchk. Schil was vom tag kumbt, durchtzwirch gem nit frumbt. Darin schaw sein sach, den halbschaitler mit mach. Nimbs ab gar behend, dro, den haw wider endt. Denn schilt im starck verdring, mit vberlauf in betring, in der sterck seiner kling. In aller arbeit vmbdrit, das egeuert mach mitt.
[6] The Fourth Course Has Five Plays Thrust through the Ox  With two great steps Wind and counter wind  Violently make the scalper-hew Wind, then strike the hitter immediately  In the belly and upon the neck In all work, tread around  This makes-good the first-pass.	[6] The fourth going Ram through the oxen  Shove with two big steps Wind and counter-wind  Swiftly make the skull-hew Strike that hitter straight away  the belly and to the neck In all work tread roundabout  the daring fellow wins out	[6] The fourth play The Ox thrust through  With two great steps Wind and counter wind  The Parting Strike do nimbly, wind / the Hitting Strike directly  In the belly and on the neck. In all your work step slantwise,  Take part in the engagement etc.	Der virdt ganck Den ochßenn durch stos Mitt zwienn schrittenn groß Windt vnd wider windt Den scheitteller haulb mach geschwindt windt / den treffer bald schlag in den buch vnd vff den nack In aller arbeitt vmb tritt daß egeuertt mach mitt ~	Der viert gang hat fünff Stück Den ochsen durch stoß / mit zweÿen schrittñ groß / windt vnd wid~ wint / den schaittler haw mach geschwint / windt den treffer pald schlag / in den pauch vnd auff den nack / in aller arbait vmb reyt das egefert mach mit /	Der vierd ganng hat funff stuck. Den Ochsen durch stos, mit tzwayn schritenn groß. Wind vnd wider wind, den den Schaitelhaw mach geschwind, Wind, den treffer pald schlag, In den bauch vnd auf dẽ nack. Inn aller arbeit vmbdrit, das Egeuert mach mit.
[7] The Fifth Course Has Five Plays Thrust through the long point  Disengage, counter thrust, then kill Allow the blind-hews to bounce  So you may roll against well. Hang against, immediately  Tread behind, rebound Upon the head, into the belly  So you make a right fool out of him In all work, step around  This makes-good the first-pass.	[7] The fifth going Thrust the long-point through  Tug stab again then morte Let the blind-hew bounce  So may you go well and flow Hang against thus soon  Hintertread and speed against At the head and to the bread-box  Thus you make of him a real gawk In all work tread roundabout  Thus the daring fellow wins out	[7] The fifth play Thrust through the Long Point  Twitch counter the Murder Strike The Blinding Strike let bounce  So you may well want to step Hang to counter very quick  Step behind {him} again fast On the head and in the belly  So you make a fool of him In all your work step slantwise,  Take part in the engagement.	Der funfft ganck Durch stich den langenn ortt Zu°ck wider stich denn mortt Den plintt haulb laß prellenn So magtu gen wol wellenn [2v] Heng wider also baldt Hinder tritt wider schnall Vff denn kopff in den bu°ch So machstu auß im ein rechtenn gauch In aller arbeitt vmb tritt Das egeuertt mach mitt	Der fünff gangk hat fu~nff stuck Durch schreich den langen orth / zuck wider stich den mort / den plinthawen laß prellen / so magstu gen wol fellen / heng nyder also pald hindtertruck wider / schnãll auff den kopf in den pauch / so magstu aus im ein rechte~ gauch / in aller arbait vmb trit / das egefert mach mit	Der funft gang hat funf stuck. Durchstreich denn lanngenn ort, tzuck, Widerstich denn mordt. Denn Plinthaw las Prellenn, so magstu genen wol fellenn [41r] Heng wider also baldt, hintertrit wider schnal. Auff denn kopff in denn bauch, so machst aus im ein Rechtenn gauch. In aller arbeit vmbdrit, das Egeuert mach mit.
[8] The Sixth Course has Four Plays From-the-Day Drive-through long  Protect yourself with entwining. Thwart-through him immediately  Rebound the blind-hew Hew the point into his chest  According to all of your desire. In all work, step around  This makes-good the first-pass.	[8] The sixth going From roof reach and fare through  With overwinding ward yourself Thwart through him really soon  blind-hew speed anew Hew the point into his breast  to his loss In all work tread roundabout  Thus the daring fellow wins out	[8] The sixth play From the roof traverse long  With twisting save yourself Cross through him {his action} very quick  The Blinding Strike again fast The Point Strike in his breast  After all that your lost In all your work step slantwise,  Take part in the engagement.	Der sechst ganck Vom tag lang durch var Mit verwindenn dich bewar Durch zwuerch ym gar baldt Den plyntt haulb wider schnall Den ortt haulb in sein brust Nach allem deim verlu°st In aller arbeitt vmb tritt Daß egeuertt mach mitt	Das sechs ganck hatt vier stuck Vom tag lang dürch far / mit verwinten dich bewar / durchzwirch ym gar palde den plint hawe wider schnalle / dein orth haw yn sein prust / nach allem deinem verlust in aller arbait vmb tritt des egefert mach mit /	Der Sechst gang hat vier stuck. Vom tag lang durch far, mit verwinten dich bewar. Durchtzwirch inn gar bald, den Plinthaw wider schnal. Denn ort haw in sein brust, nach allem dein lust. In aller arbeit vmbdrit, das Egeuert mach mit.
[9] Here the new recital has an end. Martin Sibers recital with six courses, as exactly as he set-down, from many masters applications. Whoever can understand it well is well to be praised as a good master of the long sword before other masters.	[9] Finished and so forth...	[9] End of the thing.	Finis etc~	Finis huig materie	Hie hat die new tzetel ein enndt. Mertenn Sibers tzeteln mit den .6. gengen, Als ers tzusamenn gesetzt hat, vonn mancherley meisters gefecht, wer die wol kann, vnnd versteht, ist wol tzu breysenn fur ein gutenn meister des lanngenn schwerts vor vil andern meisternn.

Copyright and License Summary

For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.

Work	Author(s)	Source	License
Translation	Christian Trosclair	Wiktenauer
Salzburg Version	Dierk Hagedorn	Index:Codex Speyer (MS M.I.29)
Glasgow Version	Dierk Hagedorn	Index:Glasgow Fechtbuch (MS E.1939.65.341)
Rostock Version	Dierk Hagedorn	Index:Fechtbuch zu Ross und zu Fuss (MS Var.82)

Additional Resources

• Hull, Jeffrey. "The Longsword Fight Lore of Mertin Siber." Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts. Ed. Jeffrey Hull. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-668-3