The Berlin Sketchbook (Libri Picture A.83) is a German manuscript created in ca. 1512, probably in the workshop of Albrecht Dürer.[citation needed] The original currently rests in the holdings of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin in Berlin, Germany. This manuscript was a sketchbook, not a true fencing manual, and its focus is on accurately depicting the fighters rather than on explicating their techniques. It seems to be connected in some way to the Nuremberg manuscript group, and also incorporates the dagger content from Hans Talhoffer's 1443 manuscript and sword and buckler devices of unknown origin.
Provenance
Contents
Folio
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Section
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1r - 6v
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Images
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Draft Translation by Anonymous
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Transcription by Anonymous (with Dierk Hagedorn)
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Two guards
SwingPiece To the thrust
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[1r-a] zwo huet
- schwungstuck zum stich
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{binding} Outside and inside through the arm thrusted and then standing up
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[1r-b] Aussen vnd In Wendig durch den Arm gestochen vnd dan auff gestanden
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To grab with the sword releasing at the follow of the knee the hip
- A piece against the ox (first) with it thrust through the arm
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[1v-a] das fassen mit dem schwert losen an der kelen die huff
- Stuck zum ersten dam[it] gestochen durch den arm
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free strike
- two breakings, point and pommel to the neck
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[1v-b] frayer straÿch
- Zwen pruch spitz vnd knopf an den hals
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push hit and tear
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[2r-a] stossen schlahen vnd reyssen
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deathstrike (thunderstrike)
thrust through for the visor break the left hand at his hilt and with the pommel through winded
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[2r-b] Donerschlag vnden durch geschossen fur das visir pruch die linck hant an seyn gehultz vnd mitt dem knopf durch gewunden
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In the hilt break wind over with the blade and tear downwards
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[2v-a] In das gehultz pruch vber win[d] mitt der kling vnd hinder reit
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twitching sword over neck
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[2v-b] Zucken schwert vber hals
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7r - 32v
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Longsword illustrations from the Nuremberg tradition
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33r - 36r
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Illustrations of longsword and buckler
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36v - 65v
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Dagger illustrations from the Nuremberg tradition and Hans Talhoffer
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Gallery
Additional Resources
References