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Difference between revisions of "Pseudo-Hans Döbringer/Thomas Stoeppler LS 2006"

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<section begin="6"/>Also know and learn when he speaks: “''Vor'' ''Nach'' those two… etc” there he means the five words, ''Vor'' ''Nach'' ''Schwach'' ''Stark'' ''Indes'' and within these words lies all art of Master Liechtenauer and these are the basic foundation and the core of all fencing on foot or mounted, with armour and without.<section end="6"/>
 
<section begin="6"/>Also know and learn when he speaks: “''Vor'' ''Nach'' those two… etc” there he means the five words, ''Vor'' ''Nach'' ''Schwach'' ''Stark'' ''Indes'' and within these words lies all art of Master Liechtenauer and these are the basic foundation and the core of all fencing on foot or mounted, with armour and without.<section end="6"/>
  
<section begin="7"/>By the word “''Vor''” he means that every good fencer should always gain the ''Vorschlag'', may he hit or miss. And when Liechtenauer says “Strike and hurry to the man, rush in may it hit or miss”. This means, as soon he approaches his adversary by stepping or running, he should instantly attack as soon as he is sure he could reach him with either a step or a jump. Then he must attack to his head or to his body, without any fear to the opening which he can hit best. So he should gain the ''Vorschlag'', and it is not imp''Ort''ant, if it directly hurts the adversary or not. He must also be sure with the correct measure of his steps, so that he may not step too short or too long.
+
<section begin="7"/>By the word “''Vor''” he means that every good fencer should always gain the ''Vorschlag'', may he hit or miss. And when Liechtenauer says “Strike and hurry to the man, rush in may it hit or miss”. This means, as soon he approaches his adversary by stepping or running, he should instantly attack as soon as he is sure he could reach him with either a step or a jump. Then he must attack to his head or to his body, without any fear to the opening which he can hit best. So he should gain the ''Vorschlag'', and it is not important, if it directly hurts the adversary or not. He must also be sure with the correct measure of his steps, so that he may not step too short or too long.
  
 
If he now hits with the ''Vorschlag'', so instantly follow through with the hit. However, if the defends the ''Vorschlag'' so that he turns aside or leads off the attack, be it a strike or a thrust, away from the intended opening with his sword, you should now, with the swords are still being in contact, feel or be aware whether he is soft or hard, weak or strong at the sword.
 
If he now hits with the ''Vorschlag'', so instantly follow through with the hit. However, if the defends the ''Vorschlag'' so that he turns aside or leads off the attack, be it a strike or a thrust, away from the intended opening with his sword, you should now, with the swords are still being in contact, feel or be aware whether he is soft or hard, weak or strong at the sword.
  
If he now feels how the adversary acts in his fencing, if he is strong or hard, in the very moment he realizes this he should, while the adversary is still protecting himself, become soft and weak and in the case of the adversary being weak, vice versa. To make sure that one cannot come to strikes, he should instantly execute the ''Nachschlag'', that means that he attacks again while the other is still protecting himself from the ''Vorschlag'', be it with a strike or a thrust. So he can employ different techniques for hurrying or rushing towards his openings and thus he is permanently in motion and very close to him and this should make him so irritated and confused that he is only busy protecting himself and cannot come to his own strikes. If one has to defend himself or has to be aware of the strikes which are directed against him, he is in much greater danger than the one who strikes at him, because he either can defend or be hit. And this makes it very difficult for him to gain the opp''Ort''unity for his own strikes. So Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no one defends without danger, if you understood this, he will not come to strikes.
+
If he now feels how the adversary acts in his fencing, if he is strong or hard, in the very moment he realizes this he should, while the adversary is still protecting himself, become soft and weak and in the case of the adversary being weak, vice versa. To make sure that one cannot come to strikes, he should instantly execute the ''Nachschlag'', that means that he attacks again while the other is still protecting himself from the ''Vorschlag'', be it with a strike or a thrust. So he can employ different techniques for hurrying or rushing towards his openings and thus he is permanently in motion and very close to him and this should make him so irritated and confused that he is only busy protecting himself and cannot come to his own strikes. If one has to defend himself or has to be aware of the strikes which are directed against him, he is in much greater danger than the one who strikes at him, because he either can defend or be hit. And this makes it very difficult for him to gain the opportunity for his own strikes. So Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no one defends without danger, if you understood this, he will not come to strikes.
  
 
If these five words, which this teaching and all other fencing is based upon, are not adhered,<section end="7"/>
 
If these five words, which this teaching and all other fencing is based upon, are not adhered,<section end="7"/>
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| Hang, wind to the openings,<br/>&emsp;strike, catch, swipe, thrust repeatedly
 
| Hang, wind to the openings,<br/>&emsp;strike, catch, swipe, thrust repeatedly
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="19"/>
+
<section end="19"/>
  
 
<section begin="20"/>'''This is about the ''Zornhau'''''<ref>Wrath strike</ref>
 
<section begin="20"/>'''This is about the ''Zornhau'''''<ref>Wrath strike</ref>
Line 212: Line 212:
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>35</small>
 
| <small>35</small>
| In all binds<br/>&emsp;learn to pull and jerk against the skilled fencers if you wish to fool them.
+
| In all binds learn to pull and jerk<br/>&emsp;against the skilled fencers if you wish to fool them.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅺ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅺ</small>
Line 254: Line 254:
  
 
<section begin="24"/>And if it happened, that the adversary got the ''Vorschlag''<ref>first strike</ref> so he should be well practiced and quick with the ''Abwenden''<ref>turning-off</ref> and as soon as he has turned off the (attacks of) the adversary, he should move quickly as soon as possible, and his point should always aim for the chest as you will hear now. And the point should, as soon as he comes at the adversary's sword, be always within a half Elle<ref>roughly 30 cm</ref> of either chest or face. Also he should be well aware if he can move in boldly for the next opening. And he should never move too far around so that the adversary cannot come forward before him, which will surely happen if the adversary comes forwards and is not hesitating, slow or moves too far.<ref>''Vorreben''?</ref><section end="24"/>
 
<section begin="24"/>And if it happened, that the adversary got the ''Vorschlag''<ref>first strike</ref> so he should be well practiced and quick with the ''Abwenden''<ref>turning-off</ref> and as soon as he has turned off the (attacks of) the adversary, he should move quickly as soon as possible, and his point should always aim for the chest as you will hear now. And the point should, as soon as he comes at the adversary's sword, be always within a half Elle<ref>roughly 30 cm</ref> of either chest or face. Also he should be well aware if he can move in boldly for the next opening. And he should never move too far around so that the adversary cannot come forward before him, which will surely happen if the adversary comes forwards and is not hesitating, slow or moves too far.<ref>''Vorreben''?</ref><section end="24"/>
<!--
+
 
<section begin="25"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the four openings, etc, etc.}}
+
<section begin="25"/>'''This is about the four openings'''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>36</small>
 
| <small>36</small>
| Know the four openings<br/>&emsp;Take aim so that you strike wisely
+
| Know the four openings,<br/>&emsp;target these and you will hit for sure.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>37</small>
 
| <small>37</small>
| Without any fear<br/>&emsp;Without doubt however they are situated.  
+
| Go for them,<br/>&emsp;do not bother about hitting or missing.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss}}. Note here that Liechtenauer partitions a person in four parts, just as if he drew a line right down the front of their body from the top of the head to down between their legs and a second line that crosses over their body at their waist,
+
Comment: Here learn that Liechtenauer would part a man in four parts, just as he would draw a line down from the vertex on his body to the groin.
 
 
In this way they become four quarters: a right and a left above the girdle and also below the girdle in the same way.
 
 
 
These are the four openings, each of which have their particular applications.
 
  
He takes aim of these and never the sword, only the openings.<section end="25"/>
+
And another line horizontally along the girdle on the body, and so there are four quarters, one right and left above the girdle, and also below the girdle and these are the four openings of which each has its own technique which never go for the sword, but always to the openings.<section end="25"/>
  
<section begin="26"/>{{red|b=1|About the four openings, how one breaks them.}}
+
<section begin="26"/><br/>
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>38</small>
 
| <small>38</small>
| If you wish arrange yourself<br/>&emsp;To artfully break the four openings
+
| If you want to defeat him<br/>&emsp;and hit the openings with art,
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>39</small>
 
| <small>39</small>
| Double high<br/>&emsp;Mutate right down
+
| ''Duplieren'' against the upper opening<br/>&emsp;and ''Mutieren'' against the lower one.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>40</small>
 
| <small>40</small>
| I say to you truthfully<br/>&emsp;No one defends themselves without danger
+
| I tell you truthfully,<br/>&emsp;no man can defend safely.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>41</small>
 
| <small>41</small>
| If you have understood this,<br/>&emsp;They can scarcely come to blows, etc.  
+
| If you have understood it,<br/>&emsp;he may not come to strikes.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="26"/>
+
<section end="26"/>
  
<section begin="27"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the crooked cut, etc.}}
+
<section begin="27"/>'''This is about the ''Krumphau'''''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>42</small>
 
| <small>42</small>
| Crook up swiftly<br/>&emsp;Throw the point onto the hands
+
| ''Krump'' quickly<br/>&emsp;and throw the ''Ort'' on his hands.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>43</small>
 
| <small>43</small>
| Crook. Whoever besets well<br/>&emsp;Disrupts many cuts with stepping.
+
| The ''Krumphau'' with correct steps<br/>&emsp;defends against many strikes
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>44</small>
 
| <small>44</small>
| Cut crooked to the flats<br/>&emsp;Of the masters if you wish to weaken them
+
| Strike the ''Krump'' to the flat<br/>&emsp;of the skilled fencer, this will weaken him.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>45</small>
 
| <small>45</small>
| When it sparks above<br/>&emsp;Then dismount, that I will praise
+
| As soon as the swords hit high above,<br/>&emsp;strike to the man, this will be honored.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>46</small>
 
| <small>46</small>
| Don't crook, short cut<br/>&emsp;With that, look for the disengage
+
| Never strike the ''Krump'' too short<br/>&emsp;otherwise your Opponent can change through.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>47</small>
 
| <small>47</small>
| Crook whoever bewilders you<br/>&emsp;The noble war bewilders them
+
| Against a man who feints a lot,<br/>&emsp;use the ''Krump'' and confuse him in the ''Krieg''
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>48</small>
 
| <small>48</small>
| For they do not truthfully know<br/>&emsp;Where they are without danger
+
| So he may not know<br/>&emsp;where he can be without danger.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss}}. What Liechtenauer means by this is that if you will command this cut well, you shall step well out sideways<ref>to the side, apart, sideways</ref> to the right side, then deliver your attack and you shall crooked cut fully and swiftly and you shall throw or shoot your point over the opponent's hilt onto their hands {{dec|s|and you shall cut to the opponent's flats. Then if you hit their flat, remain strong upon it and press firmly}} and you shall cut with your flats. Then if you hit their sword, remain strong upon it and press firmly and you shall look for whatever you can subsequently deliver most decisively and directly using cuts, thrust or slices and you shall not cut too short with anything and you shall not forget about disengaging, when it merits it<section end="27"/>
+
Comment: Here learn and know that the ''Krumphau'' is an ''Oberhau'' which is done in a bent manner with a good step to one side.
 +
 
 +
This is why Liechtenauer says whoever wants to execute this strike, should step well to the right side while striking and shall throw or thrust the point over the hilt of the adversary onto his hands. And he should strike with the flat if he hits the blade and should stay strong against the sword and press forcefully. From there he may see what he can do best, in the most direct and surest manner, be it with strikes, thrusts or cuts. And he should not strike too short and should not forget the changing-through if it is appropriate.<section end="27"/>
  
<section begin="28"/>There is one attack called the failer and it comes from the crooked cut and it lay written after the crosswise cut where the hand is drawn and it should lay before the crosswise cut and it comes in crooked and oblique from below, over the hilt of the opponent, shooting in with the point, just like the crooked cut down from above.<section end="28"/>
+
<section begin="28"/>One strike is called the ''Fehler''<ref>feint</ref> and comes from the ''Krumphau'' and yet it is written after the ''Zwerchhau'' (where the mark is set) and it should be placed before the ''Zwerchhau''. And this is done from below in a bent curve over the hilt, in the same manner as the ''Krumphau'' which comes down from above.<section end="28"/>
  
<section begin="29"/>
+
<section begin="29"/><br/>
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>53</small>
 
| <small>53</small>
| The failer misleads<br/>&emsp;It wounds according to desire from below
+
| The ''Zwerch Fehler''<ref>feint</ref> misleads<br/>&emsp;and hits below
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>54</small>
 
| <small>54</small>
| The inverter constrains.<br/>&emsp;The one who rushes through also wrestles with it.
+
| The ''Verkehrer''<ref>inverse strike</ref> forces<br/>&emsp;the running through so you can wrestle.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>55</small>
 
| <small>55</small>
| Take the elbow surely<br/>&emsp;Spring into their stance.
+
| Take the elbow,<br/>&emsp;leap into his balance to throw him down.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>56</small>
 
| <small>56</small>
| The failer doubles.<br/>&emsp;If they make contact, make the slice with it.
+
| Double the ''Fehler''<ref>feint</ref>,<br/>&emsp;if he binds execute the old cut.<ref>Cut to the hands and then cut the throat</ref>
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>57</small>
 
| <small>57</small>
| Double it further<br/>&emsp;Step to the left and do not be lazy
+
| Double instantly,<br/>&emsp;step to the left do not be slow.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅲ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅲ</small>
| Because all fencing<br/>&emsp;Will by all rights have speed
+
| Because all fencing<br/>&emsp;requires speed
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅲ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅲ</small>
| Also in it: audacity,<br/>&emsp;Prudence, astuteness and ingenuity
+
| and also bravery<br/>&emsp;caution and wits.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="29"/>
+
<section end="29"/>
  
<section begin="30"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the crosswise cut, etc.}}
+
<section begin="30"/>'''This is about the ''Zwerchhau'''''<ref>transversal strike</ref>
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>49</small>
 
| <small>49</small>
| The crosswise cut seizes<br/>&emsp;Whatever arrives from the roof.
+
| The ''Zwerch'' defends<br/>&emsp;what comes from Tag<ref>from above; the high guard</ref>
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>50</small>
 
| <small>50</small>
| Cross with the strong<br/>&emsp;Remember your work with it.
+
| Use the ''Zwerch'' with strength<br/>&emsp;and remember its work.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>51</small>
 
| <small>51</small>
| Cross to the plow<br/>&emsp;Yoke it hard to the ox
+
| ''Zwerch'' strike to the ''Ochs''<ref>upper opening</ref><br/>&emsp;then to the ''Pflug''<ref>lower opening</ref> works well.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>52</small>
 
| <small>52</small>
| Whoever crosses themselves well<br/>&emsp;Threatens the head<ref>The page is clipped. only 'cut' remains. This manuscript spells 'haupte' as 'cutpte'</ref> by springing
+
| If you want to ''Zwerch'' correctly,<br/>&emsp;jump to hit the head.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss}}. Here note and know that of the entire sword, no cut is as intrepid, as intense, as definitive and as good as is the crosswise cut.
+
Comment: Here learn and know that of all fencing techniques with the sword, there is no strike that is as fair, forceful, perfected and good as the ''Zwerchhau''. And this strike is done just horizontal to both sides with both edges, the back and front edge, to all openings above and below. It also defends against any strikes from “vom Tag” wich are all strikes from high above or anything that comes down from above, and this all is defended with the ''Zwerchhau''.
 
 
And you undertake the crosswise cut together to both sides, with both edges, the back and the front; to all openings, below and above.
 
 
 
And everything that arrives from above, (which are either the descending cuts or whatever else comes down from above) one breaks those and one wards those with the crosswise cuts.
 
 
 
You can deliver these well or your sword well, respectively, if you hurl your sword out in front of your head, (to whichever side you wish) just as if you would come into the upper hanging or winding, only that in the crosswise cut, the flats of their sword are turned: one above or upward, the other below or downward; and the edges to the sides They cross, one to the right and one to the left side.
 
 
 
And it is quite good to come against the sword of the opponent with these crosswise cuts.
 
 
 
And that is because when you come against the sword of your opponent, at the moment it actually happens, they may arduously come away from it, but they will be struck on both sides with crosswise cuts.
 
 
 
Just at the point you deliver a crosswise cut, to whichever side it is, be it above or below, always move your sword up with the hilt in front of the head with your hand flipped over, so that you are absolutely warded and covered.
 
  
And you shall deliver the crosswise cuts with some strength.<section end="30"/>
+
If one wishes to execute these well, the sword should be thrown horizontally before the head to whichever side he wishes, just as he would intend to get into the hanging or winding positions, save the edge being oriented horizontally and the flat vertically.
  
<section begin="31"/>And when you shall fence for your neck, you shall proceed with the afore-written lore so that you win the Vorschlag with a good crosswise cut.
+
And with these ''Zwerchhau''<ref>crossing strikes</ref> it is easy to get at the sword of the adversary. And as soon this has happened, it is difficult for the adversary get away and will be struck at both sides by the ''Zwerchhau''.  
  
Whenever you close with your opponent, as soon as you realize that you are able to reach the opponent with a step or a spring, you burst in high from the right side with a crosswise cut with the back edge forwards directly to the opponent's head and you shall let your point shoot and you shall come crosswise so completely that the point winds and hinges (or wraps) itself around the opponent's head like a belt.
+
And wherever one wants to aim for with the ''Zwerchhau'', to whichever side above or below, always the sword is held with the inverted hand and with the hilt high in front of the head so that he is well secured and covered. And he should bring the ''Zwerchau'' with some strength.
 +
<section end="30"/>
  
Because when you come in from the side well with a good step or spring offline, the opponent must arduously defend or avert this.
+
<section begin="31"/>And if someone has to fight for his life he should see to it that he gains the ''Vorschlag''<ref>first strike</ref> with a good ''Zwerchhau'', as in the teaching written above. When approaching the adversary, as soon as he sees he could reach him with a step or a leap, he should strike with the ''Zwerchhau'' from his upper right side, with the back edge directly to the head. And he should let the point shoot and should well lean so that that the point is directed, and turn or sling around the adversaries sword just like a leather strap, because if one can do the ''Zwerch'' in combination with a good step outwards or a leap, an adversary will find it very difficult to defend or turn aside.
  
And then whenever you win the Vorschlag with the crosswise cut in this fashion on one side, whether you hit or miss, you shall then immediately without pause win the Nachschlag with the crosswise cut on the other side in one fluid motion with the forward edge before any strike or any little thing can somehow redeem the opponent according to the afore-written lore.
+
And if he gained the ''Vorschlag'' with the ''Zwerchhau'' and hits or misses to one side, he should immediately, in one motion and without pause do the ''Nachschlag'' with the ''Zwerchhau'' to the other side with the front edge, before the adversary recovers from the strike, as it has already been taught.
  
And you shall then crosswise cut to both sides to ox and to plow. That is, into the upper openings and into the lower ones from one side to the other, below and above, ceaselessly without pause in this way, so that you are constantly in motion and do not allow the opponent to come to blows.
+
And one should ''Zwerch'' to both sides and to Ochs and Pflug, which is to the upper and lower openings, going from one side to the other, high and low, permanently without hesitation, so that he is always in motion and does not let the adversary come to strikes. And again, if he does a ''Zwerchhau'', he should lean and hold the sword inverted in front of his head, so that he remains well-covered.
 +
<section end="31"/>
  
And each time you do a crosswise cut above or below, you shall always come completely to the side and throw your sword horizontally from above well in front of your head so that you are well covered.<section end="31"/>
+
<section begin="32"/>'''This is about the ''Schielhau'''
 
 
<section begin="32"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the cockeyed cut, etc.}}
 
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>58</small>
 
| <small>58</small>
| The cockeyed cut breaks into<br/>&emsp;Whatever the buffalo cuts or thrusts
+
| The squinting strikes defends<br/>&emsp;against a peasant's strikes or thrusts.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>59</small>
 
| <small>59</small>
| Whoever threatens to change,<br/>&emsp;The cockeyed cut robs them of it.
+
| And whoever threatens with a change through,<br/>&emsp;the squinting strike will take him out.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>60</small>
 
| <small>60</small>
| Cock an eye. If they short you,<br/>&emsp;Disengaging defeats them.
+
| Look, if he shortens himself,<br/>&emsp;the changing through defeats him.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>61</small>
 
| <small>61</small>
| Cock an eye at the point<br/>&emsp;And take the neck without fear
+
| Squint to the point<br/>&emsp;and cut the neck without fear.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>62</small>
 
| <small>62</small>
| Cock an eye at the top of the head<br/>&emsp;If you wish to ruin the hands.
+
| And squint to the head<br/>&emsp;if you wish to cut his hands.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅳ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅳ</small>
| Cock an eye against the right<br/>&emsp;If it is that you desire to fence well.
+
| Squint at the right side,<br/>&emsp;if you wish to fence well.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅴ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅴ</small>
| The cockeyed cut I prize,<br/>&emsp;If it does not arrive too lazily.
+
| I praise the Squinting strike,<br/>&emsp;if he does not come too silently.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss}} Here note and know that the cockeyed cut is a descending cut from the right side with the back edge of the sword in which the left side is designated and it genuinely goes in askance or oblique, stepped off to one side to the right with a twisted sword and hand flipped over.
+
Comment: Here learn and know that a ''Schielhau'' is a strike from above from the right side with back edge of the sword, which is also called the left side. And this strike moves just as a squint-eyed person to the left side while stepping off to the right, with inverted sword and hand.
  
And this cut breaks that which the buffalo, that is a peasant, might strike down from above as they tend to do. (Just like the crosswise cut breaks this as well, as was written before)
+
And this strike breaks all strikes of a Buffalo – which means peasant – that come downwards from above, as most peasants usually do.
  
And whoever threatens with disengaging, they will be dishonored by the cockeyed cut.
+
The ''Zwerchhau'' breaks the same strikes as it has been written before. And whoever threatens with a change-through will be ashamed by the ''Schielhau'' and one should well strike long enough with the strike and shoot in the point quickly, so that the adversary will be stopped in his changing through. And one should squint with the point, to the neck bravely without fear.<ref>The comment ends here and remains unfinished</ref><section end="32"/>
  
And you shall cut cockeyed fully and sufficiently long and shoot the point firmly. Otherwise, you will be harried by disengaging and you shall cut cockeyed with the point to the throat, boldly without fear and...<ref>The comment ends here and remains unfinished.</ref><section end="32"/>
+
<section begin="33"/>
 +
Where you see blades<br/>&emsp;being drawn by both<br/>
 +
you should steady yourself<br/>&emsp;and your steps and remember<br/>
 +
Before, after the two things,<br/>&emsp;gauge and with skill leap off<br/>
 +
Follow all hits<br/>&emsp;from the strong if you intend to fool them,<br/>
 +
If he defends, so pull,<br/>&emsp;thrust, he defends so move to him.<br/>
 +
learn to artfully execute<br/>&emsp;the windings and hangings.<br/>
 +
And sense the attacks<br/>&emsp;be they soft or hard.<br/>
 +
<br/><br/>
 +
If he attacks with long and far steps,<br/>&emsp;the thrust defeats him.<br/>
 +
<br/>&emsp;If he defends with hard strikes you hit without fear.<br/>
 +
Strike and hurry forward,<br/>&emsp;rush into him whether you hit or miss<br/>
 +
Never strike to the sword,<br/>&emsp;always wait for the openings<br/>
 +
If you hit or miss,<br/>&emsp;always aim for the openings<br/>
 +
With both hands<br/>&emsp;learn to bring the point to his eyes<br/>
 +
Fence with sense<br/>&emsp;and try to gain the ''Vorschlag''<br/>
 +
May he hit or miss,<br/>&emsp;move in with the ''Nachschlag''<br/>
 +
to both sides,<br/>&emsp;step to his right side<br/>
 +
So you may safely begin<br/>&emsp;fencing or wrestling.<section end="33"/>
  
<section begin="33"/>And wherever you see swords<br/>&emsp;Yanked from their sheaths by the both of you<br/>Right then you shall become strong<br/>&emsp;And precisely pay attention to their steps all at once.<br/>The Before, The After, the two things<br/>&emsp;Gauge and pounce by precept<br/>Follow up all hits<br/>&emsp;If you wish to make a fool of the strong.<br/>If they defend, then suddenly withdraw.<br/>&emsp;Thrust. If they defend, press into them.<br/>The windings and the hangings,<br/>&emsp;Learn to artfully carry out.<br/>And gauge the opponent's applications<br/>&emsp;To see if they are soft or hard.<br/>If they fence with strength,<br/>&emsp;Then you are artfully equipped.<br/>And if they attack wide or long,<br/>&emsp;Shooting defeats them<br/>With your deadly rigor<ref>In all other extant versions this is "point"</ref><br/>&emsp;If they defend themselves, hit without fear.<br/>Attack suddenly and storm in,<br/>&emsp;keep moving fluidly, engage or let pass.<br/>Do not attack the sword,<br/>&emsp;Rather keep watch for the openings<br/>You hit or miss<br/>&emsp;Then keep it in your mind that you target the openings<br/>With both hands<br/>&emsp;Learn to bring your point to the eyes.<br/>Always fence with sense<br/>&emsp;And win the Vorschlag every time.<br/>The opponent hits or misses,<br/>&emsp;Immediately take target with the Nachschlag's<br/>On both sides,<br/>&emsp;Step to the right of the opponent<br/>So that you can begin<br/>&emsp;Fencing or wrestling with advantage.<section end="33"/>
+
<section begin="34"/>'''This is about the ''Scheitelhau'''''<ref>Vertex strike</ref>
 
 
<section begin="34"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the part cut, etc.}}
 
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>63</small>
 
| <small>63</small>
| The part cut<br/>&emsp;Is dangerous to the face
+
| The ''Scheitler''<br/>&emsp;endangers the face
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>64</small>
 
| <small>64</small>
| With its turn<br/>&emsp;And the breast is yet endangered.
+
| And with its turning<br/>&emsp;the chest.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>65</small>
 
| <small>65</small>
| Whatever comes from it<br/>&emsp;The crown removes it.
+
| The ''Kron''<ref>crown displacement technique</ref> defends<br/>&emsp;against the ''Scheitler''
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>66</small>
 
| <small>66</small>
| Slice through the crown<br/>&emsp;So that you break it beautifully and hard
+
| Cut through the ''Kron''<br/>&emsp;so it is already broken
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>67</small>
 
| <small>67</small>
| Press the sweeps<br/>&emsp;By slicing withdraw it
+
| Press the swipes<br/>&emsp;and move off with cuts
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅴ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅴ</small>
| The part cut I prize<br/>&emsp;If it does not arrive too lazily.
+
| I praise the ''Scheitelhau'',<br/>&emsp;if he does not come too silently.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="34"/>
+
<section end="34"/>
  
<section begin="35"/>{{grey|Liechtenauer hardly maintains anything about these four positions, only that they come from the over and under hangings from which one may surely deliver applications.}}<section end="35"/>
+
<section begin="35"/><section end="35"/>
  
<section begin="36"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the four positions, etc.}}
+
<section begin="36"/>'''This is about the four ''Leger''<ref>Guards</ref>'''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>68</small>
 
| <small>68</small>
| Four positions alone<br/>&emsp;Defend from those and eschew the common
+
| Four guards alone,<br/>&emsp;keep these and forget the others.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>69</small>
 
| <small>69</small>
| Ox, plow, fool,<br/>&emsp;From-the-roof are not contemptible to you
+
| ''Ochs''<ref>Ox</ref> ''Pflug''<ref>Plough</ref> ''Alber''<ref>fool</ref><br/>&emsp;and ''vom Tag''<ref>high guard</ref> should not be unknown to you.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss, etc}}. Here he names the four positions or four guards, about which there is something to be held.
+
Comment: Here he<ref>Liechtenauer</ref> mentions the four guards<ref>''Leger'' or ''Hut''</ref>, which he considers useful. But first of all, one should not lie in these for too long, because Liechtenauer has a proverb: “Who lies there, is dead and who moves is still alive.” And this relates to the guards – a man should rather move with fencing attacks and techniques than waiting in the guards, which he may use to leave the ''Schanze''.<ref>dueling yard</ref><section end="36"/>
  
Yet a person shall absolutely not lay too long in them in any confrontation. For Liechtenauer has a particular proverb: "Whoever lays there, they are dead. Whoever sets themselves in motion, they yet live." And that pertains to those positions that a person shall preferably set themselves in motion with applications. Because if you idle in the guards, you might lose your moment to act by doing that.<section end="36"/>
+
<section begin="37"/>The first guard is the plough when someone puts the point in the ground in front of himself or to the sides. If you do this after the ''Absetzen''<ref>parrying</ref> then it is called differently: namely ''Schrankhut'' or the gate.<section end="37"/>
  
<section begin="37"/>The first guard, plow, is this. When you lay the point forward, upon the earth. Or to the side after displacing, this is also called the barrier-guard or the gate.<section end="37"/>
+
<section begin="38"/>The second guard ''Ochs'' is the upper hanging from the shoulder.<section end="38"/>
 
 
<section begin="38"/>The second guard, ox is the high hanging from the shoulder.<section end="38"/>
 
  
 
<section begin="39"/>
 
<section begin="39"/>
Line 466: Line 466:
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>ⅹⅹⅵ</small>
 
| <small>ⅹⅹⅵ</small>
| The Fool truly breaks<br/>&emsp;Whatever the opponent cuts or thrusts
+
| ''Alber'' breaks,<br/>&emsp;what is being struck or thrust
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>ⅹⅹⅶ</small>
 
| <small>ⅹⅹⅶ</small>
| Sweep using hanging<br/>&emsp;Immediately place the pursuit
+
| And with hangings break swipes,<br/>&emsp;the travelling after should follows instantly.
 
|}
 
|}
The third guard, the Fool, is the low hanging, with it one breaks all cuts and thrusts whosoever commands it correctly<section end="39"/>
+
The third guard fool, is the low hanging with which you can break all strikes and thrusts if you know to do it correctly.<section end="39"/>
 
 
<section begin="40"/>The fourth guard, the Roof, is long point.
 
 
 
If you direct it with extended arms, the opponent cannot hit it well with neither cut nor thrust.
 
 
 
It can also aptly be called the hanging over the head.<section end="40"/>
 
  
<section begin="41"/>Also know that one breaks all positions and guards by attacking with these such that if you boldly initiate an attack, then the opponent must always come forwards and defend themselves.
+
<section begin="40"/>The fourth guard, from ''Tag''<ref>High guard</ref> is also the long point. Who practices it with extended arms cannot be hit with strikes or thrusts. It may also hit the hanging over the head.<section end="40"/>
  
That is why Liechtenauer doesn't maintain much about the positions and guards, rather he prefers to craft it so that the opponent discourages themselves, thus he gains the Vorschlag, as has been shown above. <section end="41"/>
+
<section begin="41"/>Also know, that all guards are broken with strikes, by courageously striking, so he must move up and defend. That is why Liechtenauer does not hold the guards in high regard but prefers to let his students try to gain the ''Vorschlag''.<section end="41"/>
  
<section begin="42"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the four parries}}
+
<section begin="42"/>'''This is about the four displacements'''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>70</small>
 
| <small>70</small>
| Four are the parries<br/>&emsp;Which also severely disrupt the positions
+
| There are four displacements<br/>&emsp;that also open the guards.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>71</small>
 
| <small>71</small>
| Guard yourself from parrying<br/>&emsp;If this happens, it also severely beleaguers you.
+
| Beware the displacements,<br/>&emsp;if they happen, you have to work hard.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>72</small>
 
| <small>72</small>
| If you are parried,<br/>&emsp;And as it happens
+
| If you have been displaced<br/>&emsp;and how it could happen
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>73</small>
 
| <small>73</small>
| Heed what I advise:<br/>&emsp;Strike off, cut swiftly with violence
+
| Listen to my advice,<br/>&emsp;swipe off and strike back quickly
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>74</small>
 
| <small>74</small>
| Lodge against four regions<br/>&emsp;Learn to remain upon them if you wish to finish.
+
| Set the point onto four openings<br/>&emsp;and stay on it, learn this if you wish to end.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅷ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅷ</small>
| Whoever parries well,<br/>&emsp;This fencer disrupts many cuts.
+
| Who displaces well<br/>&emsp;can defend against many strikes
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅸ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅸ</small>
| Because you swiftly come<br/>&emsp;Into the hangings by parrying.
+
| because with the displacements<br/>&emsp;you get quickly into the hangings.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss}}. Note here that the four parries are on both sides, with one upper and one lower on each side and they disrupt or break all guards or positions.
+
Comment: Here learn that there are four displacements to both sides, one high and one low, and these break or open all guards. And how you lead away or defends against strikes thrusts or cuts from above or below this may be called displacing.<ref>''versetzen''</ref> And if you have been displaced however this may have happened, so move off with the sword quickly and strike quickly again while you move in towards him.<section end="42"/>
  
And however you carry off or dismiss the opponent's cut, thrust or slice with your sword, be it from above or below, can fully be termed parrying.
+
<section begin="43"/>Now if it happens that you displace or turn off a strike or thrust, so you should move in and follow at his sword so that he cannot move away. And then you can do as you wish – the more you hesitate the more you will receive damage.
  
And if you are parried, as that happens, withdraw swiftly and quickly initiate a cut together in one flurry.<section end="42"/>
+
Also you should wind well and aim for his chest with the point, so he has to worry.<section end="43"/>
  
<section begin="43"/>But if it happens that you parry someone or avert a cut or thrust, you must immediately step in and accompany them on the sword so that the opponent cannot withdraw from you and then you must do whatever you can.
+
<section begin="44"/>Also a good fencer should well learn to bind at his sword and this can be done with the displacements, because these come from the four strikes, ''Oberhau''<ref>strike from above</ref> and ''Unterhau''<ref>strike from below</ref> from both sides and these move into the four hangings.
  
To the extent you hesitate and delay, you take harm.
+
If one defends from above or below he should move in and get into the hangings, and should see to it that he turns away or leads off all strikes and thrusts with the front edge as it is done with all displacements.<section end="44"/>
  
You must also turn and rotate your point toward the opponent's breast every time, so that they must discourage themselves.<section end="43"/>
+
<section begin="45"/>'''This is from the ''Nachreissen'''''<ref>adhering</ref>
 
 
<section begin="44"/>Also a good fencer shall fully learn how to come against the sword of the opponent and they must do that well with the parries, because they come from the four cuts (from each side, a descending cut and a rising cut) and move into the four hangings.
 
 
 
For as soon as one parries from above or below, so shall they immediately come into the hangings.
 
 
 
And like you avert all cuts and stabs with the forward edge, it is as such with the parries.<section end="44"/>
 
 
 
<section begin="45"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the pursuing, etc, etc}}
 
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>75</small>
 
| <small>75</small>
| Learn to pursue<br/>&emsp;Double or slice into the weapon
+
| Learn the ''Nachreissen''<br/>&emsp;twice and cut into the weapons
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>76</small>
 
| <small>76</small>
| Two enticements to the outside<br/>&emsp;The work begins thereafter
+
| Two outside takings<br/>&emsp;and begin with your work
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>77</small>
 
| <small>77</small>
| And gauge the opponent's application<br/>&emsp;Whether they are soft or hard
+
| Test the attacks<br/>&emsp;if they are soft or hard
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>78</small>
 
| <small>78</small>
| Learn to feel<br/>&emsp;Indes, this word cuts sharply
+
| Learn the feeling<br/>&emsp;''Indes'', the word, cuts sharply
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>79</small>
 
| <small>79</small>
| Pursuing twice,<br/>&emsp;Make the old slice with it.
+
| ''Nachreissen'' twice<br/>&emsp;and do the old cut
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹ</small>
| Follow all hits<br/>&emsp;Then strengthen if you wish to dishonor the masters
+
| Follow all binding<br/>&emsp;of the strong if you wish to fool them
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅷ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅷ</small>
| In every lesson,<br/>&emsp;Turn the point against the opponent's face.
+
| Always learn<br/>&emsp;to turn the point against the face
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅺ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅺ</small>
| With the entire body<br/>&emsp;Pursue, always keep your point there.
+
| use the whole body with the<br/>&emsp;''Nachreissen'' and keep the point on line
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅻ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅻ</small>
| Also learn to swiftly<br/>&emsp;Pursue, so you can end well.
+
| Also learn to do the ''Nachreissen''<br/>&emsp;quickly so you may well end.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="45"/>
+
<section end="45"/>
  
<section begin="46"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the overrunning. Fencer look into this.}}
+
<section begin="46"/>'''This is about the ''Überlaufen''<ref>overreaching</ref>, fencer observe this!'''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>80</small>
 
| <small>80</small>
| Whoever takes aim from below Overrun,<br/>&emsp;then they will be shamed.
+
| Who aims below<br/>&emsp;will be hit above with your overreaching
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>81</small>
 
| <small>81</small>
| When it clashes above,<br/>&emsp; Strengthen, This I wish to praise.
+
| If the swords bind high<br/>&emsp;so be strong and I will praise that
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>82</small>
 
| <small>82</small>
| Make your work<br/>&emsp;Or press hard twice.
+
| Do your work<br/>&emsp;or double press
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅲ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅲ</small>
| Whoever presses you down,<br/>&emsp;Overrun them, slash sharply again.
+
| Those who try to force you down,<br/>&emsp;overreach them and strike hard again
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅳ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅳ</small>
| From both sides<br/>&emsp;Overrun and remember the slices.
+
| Overreach from both sides<br/>&emsp;and remember the edges.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="46"/>
+
<section end="46"/>
  
<section begin="47"/>{{red|b=1|This is about displacing. Learn this well.}}
+
<section begin="47"/>'''This is from ''Absetzen'',<ref>setting aside</ref> this learn well'''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>83</small>
 
| <small>83</small>
| Learn to displace<br/>&emsp;Skillfully disrupt cuts and thrusts
+
| Learn to artfully defeat<br/>&emsp;strikes and thrusts with the ''Absetzen''
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>84</small>
 
| <small>84</small>
| Whoever thrusts at you<br/>&emsp;Your point hits and theirs breaks
+
| So that who thrusts you,<br/>&emsp;his point is broken and yours does hit
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>85</small>
 
| <small>85</small>
| From both sides<br/>&emsp;You will hit every time, if you step.
+
| Hit from both sides<br/>&emsp;if you step correctly
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅷ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅷ</small>
| In every lesson,<br/>&emsp;Turn the point against one's face.
+
| Learn<br/>&emsp;to turn the point against one's face
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="47"/>
+
<section end="47"/>
  
<section begin="48"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the disengaging, etc, etc.}}
+
<section begin="48"/>'''This is from the ''Durchwechsel'''''<ref>changing through</ref>
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>86</small>
 
| <small>86</small>
| Learn to disengage<br/>&emsp;From both sides stabbing sharply with it
+
| Learn the changing through<br/>&emsp;from both sides and deliver a good thrust
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>87</small>
 
| <small>87</small>
| Whoever binds upon you<br/>&emsp;Disengaging surely finds them
+
| The changing through will find an opening<br/>&emsp;in anyone who binds you.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅴ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅴ</small>
| If you have disengaged,<br/>&emsp;Do not slash, thrust nor wind lazily.
+
| As soon as you have changed through,<br/>&emsp;strike thrust or wind strongly
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅵ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅵ</small>
| Do not cut at the sword<br/>&emsp;Disengage, with that watch.
+
| Do not strike the sword, if he does it to you,<br/>&emsp;do not let him wait for your changing-through.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss}}. Here note that disengaging goes in completely straight on both sides, down from above and up from below if it is to be otherwise conducted swiftly.
+
Comment: Here learn that the changing-through goes from both sides down and up again and is very direct, if done quickly. If you now wish to change through from your right downwards, so strike an ''Oberhau'' directly at him. Aim for the little hole or window above and behind his hilt and shoot the point to his left opening. So that you may hit between the blade and the hilt; if you hit, you have won.
 
 
Now if you wish to disengage down from above on the right side, then make a descending cut straight at them then you shoot your point in over their hilt to their left side in such a way that you hit the same little hole and little window completely straight between the edges and the hilt.
 
 
 
If you connect, then you have won. If they ward it so that they lead off and press your point offline with their sword, then from that side let your point sink right around to the other side, under their sword, not wide around, rather, sink below against their sword so that you can keep close and from there move in quite swiftly over their hilt with a good, full thrust and when you feel that you connected, fully follow through.
 
 
 
And the way you execute it on one side, be it from below or above, you execute it on the other.<section end="48"/>
 
 
 
<section begin="49"/>And whoever binds with you, swiftly keep moving fluidly to their opening against their sword with your point.
 
  
If they ward, then disengage as before or wind and feel their application whether it is soft or hard.
+
If he now defends against this by turning aside your point and pushes against your blade, so let your point sink down from the same side and move it around under his sword to the other side. And this should not be done wide around but as close to his sword as possible. And then move your point quickly in above his hilt, with a good and perfect thrust. And if you feel you hit, so follow well through.<ref>with your thrust</ref> And you should do the same from the other side, low or high, as you do it on this side. <section end="48"/>
  
Thereafter look to send cuts, thrusts, or slices to the openings.<section end="49"/>
+
<section begin="49"/>Whoever binds you, so move at his sword against him and he defends, so change through as before, or wind and feel his technique if it is soft or hard. Then seek strikes thrusts and cuts against the openings.<section end="49"/>
  
<section begin="50"/>{{red|b=1|This is about withdrawing suddenly. Fencer note.}}
+
<section begin="50"/>'''This is from the ''Zucken''<ref>pulling</ref> fencer learn this'''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>88</small>
 
| <small>88</small>
| Tread close in binds,<br/>&emsp;So that withdrawing suddenly gives good opportunities.
+
| Step close in bindings,<br/>&emsp;the ''Zucken'' will well find [him open]
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>89</small>
 
| <small>89</small>
| Suddenly withdraw.<br/>&emsp;If they engage, suddenly withdraw more. If they work, wind, that does them harm.  
+
| Pull and should he hit, pull more,<br/>&emsp;create your work and wind, this will hurt him.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>90</small>
 
| <small>90</small>
| Suddenly withdraw all engagements of the masters<br/>&emsp;If you wish to dishonor them  
+
| ''Zuck'' in all meetings<br/>&emsp;with the masters if you wish to fool them
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small style="color:#696969; white-space: nowrap;">ⅹⅹⅹⅶ</small>
 
| <small style="color:#696969; white-space: nowrap;">ⅹⅹⅹⅶ</small>
| Suddenly withdraw off of the sword<br/>&emsp;And always be mindful of your path.
+
| Pull off from the sword<br/>&emsp;and consider your techniques.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="50"/>
+
<section end="50"/>
  
<section begin="51"/>{{red|b=1|This is about rushing through. Look closely.}}
+
<section begin="51"/>'''This is from the running-through, now see:'''
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>91</small>
 
| <small>91</small>
| Rush through, let hang<br/>&emsp;Grab with the pommel if you wish to grapple.
+
| Run through and let your pommel hang,<br/>&emsp;grab if you intend to wrestle
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>92</small>
 
| <small>92</small>
| Whoever strengthens up against you,<br/>&emsp;Remember to rush through with it.
+
| Whoever presses with strength against you,<br/>&emsp;remember the running through
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small style="color:#696969; white-space: nowrap;">ⅹⅹⅹⅷ</small>
 
| <small style="color:#696969; white-space: nowrap;">ⅹⅹⅹⅷ</small>
| Rush through and shove.<br/>&emsp;Invert if they reach for the pommel.
+
| Run through and ram him,<br/>&emsp;invert your hand if he grabs after the pommel.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="51"/>
+
<section end="51"/>
  
<section begin="52"/>{{red|b=1|This is about cutting off, etc, etc}}
+
<section begin="52"/>'''This is about ''Abschneiden'''''<ref>cutting off</ref>
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>93</small>
 
| <small>93</small>
| Cut off the hard ones<br/>&emsp;From below in both paths.
+
| Cut off the hands<br/>&emsp;from below from both sides
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>94</small>
 
| <small>94</small>
| Four are the slices<br/>&emsp;With two from below, two from above.
+
| There are four cuts,<br/>&emsp;two low and two high.
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅸ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅹⅹⅸ</small>
| Crosswise cut whoever would slice.<br/>&emsp;It easily evades the harm.
+
| Against the ''Zwerch'',<br/>&emsp;cut well to avoid damage
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼ</small>
| Do not slice in fright,<br/>&emsp;Always be wary of pursuing.
+
| Do not cut too soon,<br/>&emsp;observe your chances carefully
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅰ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅰ</small>
| You can slice well<br/>&emsp;Any cross, just omit the pursuit.
+
| You may well cut<br/>&emsp;all crossings, just avoid the ''Nachreissen''<ref>adhering</ref>
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅱ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅱ</small>
| If you wish to remain without harm,<br/>&emsp;Then do not be too eager with the slicing.
+
| If you wish to remain uninjured,<br/>&emsp;do not stand but move with the cutting.
 
|}
 
|}
[No gloss]<section end="52"/>
+
<section end="52"/>
  
<section begin="53"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the hand pressing, etc, etc.}}
+
<section begin="53"/>'''This is about ''Hände drücken'''''<ref>pressing the hands</ref>
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>95</small>
 
| <small>95</small>
| Turn your edge flat<br/>&emsp;Press the hands.
+
| Turn your edge to flat<br/>&emsp;for pressing the hands
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅲ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅲ</small>
| Another is turning<br/>&emsp;One's winding. The third, hanging.
+
| The second is turning aside,<br/>&emsp;one is winding and the third is hanging
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅳ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅳ</small>
| If you wish to make the fencers<br/>&emsp;Weary, then press with collision
+
| If you wish to despair the fencers,<br/>&emsp;press with pushing
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅴ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅴ</small>
| Over the hands,<br/>&emsp;If one cuts, slice swiftly.
+
| and quickly cut<br/>&emsp;over the hands
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅵ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅵ</small>
| Also draw your slices<br/>&emsp;Up out over the head.
+
| Also take off the cuts<br/>&emsp;and strike to the head
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅶ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅶ</small>
| Whoever presses the hands<br/>&emsp;Without harm, suddenly retracts the forefinger.
+
| Whoever presses hands<br/>&emsp;without damage protects his fingers
 
|}
 
|}
Also know as soon as you avert the opponent's cut or thrust by turning, you must immediately step in and swiftly storm into the opponent
+
Also know, as soon as you defend a strike or a thrust with the turning-aside, so you should step sideways and move quickly to him; the slower you are the more damage you sustain.<section end="53"/>
 
 
To the extent you hesitate and delay yourself, you take harm.<section end="53"/>
 
 
 
<section begin="54"/>Also note and know that one with the forward edge of the sword, from the middle of that side to the hilt, averts all cuts and thrusts.
 
 
 
And the closer the opponent's cut or thrust comes to the hilt of your forward edge, the moment you have turned that edge, the better and the more powerfully you can avert those cuts or thrusts.
 
  
Because the nearer to the hilt, the stronger and the mightier. And the closer to the point, the weaker and the frailer.
+
<section begin="54"/>Also know and learn that you turn aside all strikes and thrusts with the front edge of the sword, from its middle to the hilt. And the closer to the hilt a strike or a cut comes on the front edge which you have used to turn aside, the slower and stronger you can defend. This is because the closer you bind at the hilt, the stronger you can defend and the closer to the point the weaker you are. Now whoever wants to be a good fencer should firstly learn to turn-aside well, because by turning aside well he can get into the winding from which he can practice all art and grace of fencing.<section end="54"/>
  
Therefore, whoever wishes to be a good fencer, they shall first and foremost learn to avert well. For if they turn that away well with this, they come immediately into the windings. From them they can conduct the skill and beauty of the technique well.<section end="54"/>
+
<section begin="55"/>The front edge at the sword is called the true edge and all strikes or thrusts are ruined by the turning-aside.<section end="55"/>
  
<section begin="55"/>The forward edge of the sword is called the right edge and all cuts or thrusts are ruined by turning it.<section end="55"/>
+
<section begin="56"/>'''This is from the ''Hängen''<ref>hanging</ref>, fencer learn this'''
 
 
<section begin="56"/>{{red|b=1|This is about the hanging. Fencer learn this, etc.}}
 
 
{| class="zettel"
 
{| class="zettel"
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>96</small>
 
| <small>96</small>
| Two hangings emerge<br/>&emsp;From the ground out of each hand
+
| Two hangings<br/>&emsp;from one side from the ground
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>97</small>
 
| <small>97</small>
| In every application<br/>&emsp;Cut, Thrust, Position, Soft or Hard
+
| in all techniques<br/>&emsp;strikes thrusts cuts guards soft or hard
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>98</small>
 
| <small>98</small>
| Make the speaking window<br/>&emsp;Stand freely, watch their situation.
+
| Do the ''Sprechfenster''<ref>speaking window</ref><br/>&emsp;stand happily and observe him
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>99</small>
 
| <small>99</small>
| Strike them so that it snaps<br/>&emsp;Whoever withdraws themselves before you.
+
| Strike that he falters<br/>&emsp;when he pulls off from you
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>100</small>
 
| <small>100</small>
| I say to you truthfully<br/>&emsp;No one defends themselves without danger
+
| I tell you truthfully<br/>&emsp;no one defends without danger
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>101</small>
 
| <small>101</small>
| If you have understood<br/>&emsp;They cannot come to blows
+
| Have you understood this,<br/>&emsp;he may not come to strikes
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅷ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅷ</small>
| That is, if you remain<br/>&emsp;Against the sword, also conduct with it
+
| Be it that you stay<br/>&emsp;at the sword so you can do
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅸ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅹⅼⅸ</small>
| Cuts, thrusts or slices.<br/>&emsp;With that, note the feeling
+
| strikes thrusts and cuts,<br/>&emsp;learn the feeling
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼ</small>
| Without any preference.<br/>&emsp;You shall also not flee from the sword
+
| without all hesitation,<br/>&emsp;and you should not flee from the sword
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅰ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅰ</small>
| Because master applications<br/>&emsp;Are against the sword by rights.
+
| because a master's fencing<br/>&emsp;is rightfully at the sword
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅱ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅱ</small>
| Whoever binds against you<br/>&emsp;The war wrestles with them sharply.
+
| those who bind you<br/>&emsp;will be forced with the ''Krieg''
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅲ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅲ</small>
| The noble winds<br/>&emsp;Can also surely find them
+
| The noble winding<br/>&emsp;may also find him open
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅳ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅳ</small>
| With cuts, with thrusts,<br/>&emsp;With slices you tenaciously find them.
+
| With strikes with thrusts<br/>&emsp;with cuts you find him defenseless
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">[32]</small>
 
| <small class="grey">[32]</small>
| In all winds<br/>&emsp;You shall find cuts, stabs, slices.
+
| In all windings<br/>&emsp;you should learn to find strikes thrusts and cuts
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅴ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅴ</small>
| The noble hanging<br/>&emsp;Cannot exist without the winds.
+
| the noble hanging<br/>&emsp;cannot be without the hanging
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅵ</small>
 
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅵ</small>
| Because from the hangings<br/>&emsp;You shall bring the winds.
+
| because from the hanging<br/>&emsp;you should practice the winding.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss, etc}}. Here note and know that there are two hangings on each side: one downward hanging and one upward hanging. With them, you can come against the sword well, because they arise from the descending cuts and the rising cuts.
+
Comment: here learn and know that there are two hangings each side, one ''Unterhängen''<ref>lower hanging</ref> and one ''Oberhängen''<ref>upper hanging</ref> with which you can get at his sword well, because these come from the ''Oberhau'' and ''Unterhau''.<ref>high strike and low strike</ref> If it now happens that you bind with your opponent on purpose or without so you should well stay at the sword and use the winding. So you can stand happily with relaxed mind and without fear at the sword and see, notice and wait for what he tries to do next; and what his plan is he intends to execute. And the standing at the sword is called the ''Sprechfenster''<ref>speaking window</ref> by Liechtenauer. If you now stand at the sword with him, you should notice and feel his technique, be it soft or hard. And according to this you should act, as it has been written before. Now if he pulls off from the sword before you could begin your technique, so you should follow with him and beat strike or thrust him whatever you can bring surest, before he can do anything himself before you. You can do this because by staying at the sword and extending yourself your (point) moves nearer to him. If someone pulls off because he has to recover from a strike he just executes, then follow in with the point. If he instead stays at the sword you have to gauge and notice whether he his soft or hard at the sword.
 
 
Just as you bind with the opponent against their sword or however else you come against their sword, you must remain against their sword and you shall wind and you shall stay against their sword in this way with them, completely at ease, with a good spirit and boldly without any fear.
 
 
 
And you must quite precisely see, recognize and consider whatever they will do or what their situation is, which they will let fly against you.
 
 
 
And standing in this manner against the sword, Liechtenauer calls this a speaking window.
 
 
 
And just when you stand with the opponent against the sword, you must quite precisely note and feel whether their application is soft or hard.
 
 
 
Thereafter, you shall then orient yourself as is often spoken before.
 
 
 
Then if it happens that the opponent for whatever reasons withdraws themselves from your sword just a bit before you act, then you must immediately pursue and must execute cuts or thrusts whichever you can most surely deliver, before they come to anything at all,
 
 
 
For you are always closer to the opponent with this because you stay against their sword and extend your point toward them.
 
 
 
If the opponent withdraws with their [cut or thrust], immediately come forward with your point, before they can recover themselves from or carry out their strike.
 
 
 
But if they stay with you against your sword, then always gauge and note whether they are soft or hard against your sword.
 
 
 
If it happens to be that they are soft and weak, then you shall swiftly and boldly go all in and storm in with your strong and shall force and press their sword out and seek their openings to the head, to the body; just wherever you can get to.
 
 
 
If the opponent is subsequently hard and strong against the sword and intends to force and shove you firmly out, you must then be soft and weak against their strength and yield to their force with your sword.
 
 
 
And in that yielding as their sword drives and glides out, as was written about before, in that or while that happens, before they can recover themselves again, so that they cannot come to any strikes or thrusts, you must take advantage of their openings with cuts, thrusts or slices wherever you can most surely take control of them, according to the afore written lore swiftly, boldly and quickly so that they can never come to blows.
 
 
 
That's why Liechtenauer says: "I say to you truthfully, no one defends themselves without danger. If you have understood this, they can scarcely come to blows". By this he means that no one can defend themselves without danger or harm if you do this according to the written precepts.
 
 
 
If you execute and win the Vorschlag, then the opponent must continually defend or allow themselves to be struck.
 
 
 
For when you execute the Vorschlag, whether you hit or miss; you must swiftly execute the Nachschlag in one fluid motion before the opponent comes to any blows.
 
 
 
For whenever you wish to execute the Vorschlag, you must execute the Nachschlag in one thought and mind in the same way, just as if you intended to execute them as one thing, if it were possible.
 
 
 
That's why Liechtenauer says: "The Before, The After the two things, etc". Because if you execute the Vorschlag, whether you hit or miss, you then always execute the Nachschlag in one fluid motion, swiftly and quickly so that the opponent cannot come to blows with anything and you shall orchestrate it in such a way that you always preempt the opponent in all situations of fencing.
 
 
 
And as soon as you preempt the opponent and win the Vorschlag, immediately execute the Nachschlag.
 
  
If you are obligated to not execute the Vorschlag, you always have the Nachschlag available in the sense and in the spirit that you are always in motion and do not either dawdle nor hesitate with anything. Rather, you always conduct one after the other swiftly and quickly, so that the opponent cannot possibly come to anything.
+
If he is soft and weak, you should quickly and bravely proceed and hurry at him with the strength of your sword and force his sword aside with pressure, seeking his openings, to the head or the body wherever you may get at.
  
Truly, if you do this, whoever comes away from you unstruck, they must be quite gifted.
+
If he is hard and strong at the sword and intends to force you aside strongly, you should be soft and weak against his strength, and yield to his strength and forward pressure, thus evading with your sword. And with this evading as his sword swings about, as it has been written before, and now as this happens and while he is recovering from that and thus cannot execute strikes or thrusts, you should attack his openings, with strikes thrusts or cuts, wherever you may hit him best. According to the teaching you should do this quickly bravely and fast so that your adversary cannot come to strikes. As Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no man defends without danger, if you have understood it, he will not come to strikes. And by this he means that the adversary will not be able to safely defend if you act according to this teaching.
  
For with this skill or with this advantage, it often happens that a peasant or someone unlearned strikes a good master by it because they execute the Vorschlag and boldly storm in.
+
As soon as you have done the first strike the adversary has to defend against it or has to take the hit. When you do the first strike, may you hit or miss, so you should quickly in one rush follow with the ''Nachschlag'' before he comes to strike. If you want to do the ''Vorschlag'', you should also do the ''Nachschlag'' just with same thought or the same intention if possible. This is why he says: ''Vor'' and ''Nach'' those two things etc… If you do the ''Vorschlag'', no matter if you hit or miss, you should do the ''Nachschlag'' in one rush quickly and fast, so that he cannot under any circumstances to his strikes.  
  
Because however briefly the Vorschlag is overlooked, the opponent hits Indes and they wound and kill in this way. Because if you focus on the blows and will attend to the defense of them, you are always in greater danger than the one who attacks you and wins the Vorschlag.
+
So see to it that in all instances of fencing you act before your opponent and as soon as you move before him and have gained the ''Vorschlag'' so do the ''Nachschlag'' with moving in. You should never do a ''Vorschlag'' if you have not prepared the ''Nachschlag'' in your senses and mind as well, so that you are always in constant motion and never you should pause or hesitate. Always do one after the other quickly and fast so that your adversary cannot do any technique. Really, if you do exactly that, then he must be a really good<ref>skilled</ref> man to get away from you without being struck.
  
Therefore orchestrate it that you are the first in all confrontations of fencing and arrive on the right side of someone, where you are robustly surer of everything than the opponent.<section end="56"/>
+
Because with this art or advantage it often happens that a peasant or anyone untrained defeats a skilled master ny gaining the ''Vorschlag'' and rushing in quickly. Because it is easily missed that ''Indes'' hits him and also defeats and humiliates him. Because one that observes the strikes and waits for the defense is in greater danger than the one who strikes him and thus wins the ''Vorschlag''. So always be that you are the first in all instances of fencing that you get to one's right side, there you are safer than your adversary.<section end="56"/>
  
 
<section begin="57"/>
 
<section begin="57"/>
Line 815: Line 749:
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>108</small>
 
| <small>108</small>
| From both sides<br/>&emsp;Learn eight winds with stepping.
+
| From both sides<br/>&emsp;learn eight windings with the according steps
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>106</small>
 
| <small>106</small>
| And always unite them.<br/>&emsp;Combine the winds with three plays
+
| And each of those<br/>&emsp;has three techniques
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>107</small>
 
| <small>107</small>
| So are they twenty<br/>&emsp;And four. Simply count them.
+
| So there are twenty<br/>&emsp;four windings, count them one by one
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| <small>105</small>
 
| <small>105</small>
| Fencer, mind this<br/>&emsp;And consider the winds correctly
+
| Fencer this observe<br/>&emsp;and correctly understand the windings
 
|-  
 
|-  
| <small class="grey">lxiii</small>
+
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅹⅲ</small>
| And learn to command them well<br/>&emsp;So you can attack the four openings
+
| And learn to use them well<br/>&emsp;so you may hit the four openings
 
|-  
 
|-  
| <small class="grey">lxiv</small>
+
| <small class="grey">ⅼⅹⅳ</small>
| Because each opening<br/>&emsp;Objectively has six wounders.
+
| Because every opening<br/>&emsp;has six sure ways to be hit.
 
|}
 
|}
{{red|b=1|Gloss}}. Here note and know that the winds are the rightful art and foundation of all fencing of the sword. From them, all other applications and plays come. And one might tediously be a good fencer without the winds, exactly like many ungrounded masters, who dismiss it and say whatever comes from the winds is quite weak and deem it "from the shortened sword". About this, they are simpletons and approach it naively and sing paeans about how they fight "from the long sword". Whoever goes about with extended arms and with extended sword and with the utter fiendishness and strength fueled by the entire power of their body, they will unlikely stay lively throughout and that is agonizing to behold when they stretch themselves out like this just as if they would run down a hare.
+
Comment: Here learn that the ''winden'' are the real art and the base of all fencing with the sword and from these all other techniques and methods come from. And one rarely is a good fencer without the windings. Just as the ''Leychmeister'' disdain them and say that fencing from the winding is weak and they call it from the shortened sword because that they are done simple and stupid. And they mean that these are fenced from the long sword which is done with outstretched arms and extended sword and also aggressively with all strength of the body only by pressing themselves forward.
  
And that is completely against the winds and against Liechtenauer's art because there is no strength to respond. Why would anyone's art differ? You should always prioritize strength.<section end="57"/>
+
And this is painful to watch! If one stretches just as running after a rabbit this is not the way, neither the windings nor Liechtenauer's art, because there is no strength against (the opposing strength)! Whoever does it differently should prefer strength.<section end="57"/>
-->
 

Latest revision as of 19:06, 20 October 2022

This is the general preface of the unarmored fencing on foot. Mark this well.

1 Young knight learn,
 to love god and women,
2 so your honor may grow.
 Practice chivalry and learn
3 arts that adorn you
 as well as serving you in conflict.
4 Wrestle well,
 bear glaive, spear, sword and knife
5 manfully and learn
 to defeat these when in the hands of others.
6 Strike quick and hurry at him,
 rush in, not caring for hit or miss.
7 So that you dishonour
 him before the judges.
8 Be prepared for that:
 All art has length and measure.
And whatever you want to do,
 keep up a good common sense
Be it in earnest or in play,
 have a light heart but don’t get overconfident.
So you may see
 and observe with a high spirit
What you can use
 and plan your next move against him.
Confronted with bravery and power,
 every opponent will hesitate.
Never
 give him any advantage on you.
Also avoid silly risks,
 against four or six opponents don't advance
Don't be overconfident,
 maintain balance, this will serve you well.
It is a brave man
 who can stand against someone of his own kind.
And it is not a shame,
 against four or six opponents run from the fight.

This is a general teaching for the sword.

9 If you want to show art,
 move left and strike with right,
10 And strike left with right,
 if you intend to fence strongly.
11 He who moves after strikes
 may not enjoy any art
12 Strike at him as you like,
 no Wechsler will harm you.
Never strike to the sword,
 always wait for the openings.
13 to the head or to the body,
 do not shun the Zeckrühr.
14 Fence with your whole body
 if you want to fence strongly.
15 Hear this is bad,
 do never fence from your upper left when you are right,
16 And if you are left,
 you will lack severely at your right.
So better
 fence down from your upper left.
17 Vor Nach these two things
 are the source of all art.
18 Schwäche und Stärke,
Indes you must remember.
19 So you will learn
 to defend yourself with art and work.
20 If you are frightened easily,
 you will never understand fencing,
ⅹⅲ Bravery and quickness,
 carefulness wits and Intelligence
ⅹⅳ Sense, stealth,
 measure precognition grace skill
ⅹⅴ Fencing needs all this
 and a free and easy mind.

This is being followed by general comment: At first learn and know that the Ort of the sword is the centre and the means and the core of the sword. All techniques start and end with the Ort, thus the Hängen and Winden are the begin and the turnings around the centre and many good fencing techniques stem from this.

These have been invented so that a fencer, who immediately strikes at the Ort and yet does not hit instantly, may employ the before mentioned Techniques in combination with strikes thrusts and cuts, with stepping off or in, and with stepping around or jumping, in order to hit his adversary. And if someone has shot his Ort out too far, by thrusting or lunging, he can recover or shorten it by employing the Winden or stepping off, so that he again may use those appropriate techniques and principles of fencing. From there he again may strike thrust or cut, because according to Liechtenauer's art, strikes thrusts and cuts stem from all fencing techniques and principles. And later you will hear, how one technique and principle stems from the other and how they can be used in succession, so that if one method is being defended, the other hits and succeeds.

Secondly, you should learn that there is nothing about the sword that has been invented for without reason and that a fencer should make use of the Ort, of both edges, the hilt and the pommel. Each of these has its own special methods in the art of fencing. And how to practice this, you will see and hear later

Also know and learn, by the verse beginning with “If you want to show art etc” it is meant that an artful fencer should place his left foot in front and strike from the right side directly to the man, and with threatening strikes just as long as he sees where he may hit him and reach him with his stepping. And when he says “if you intend to fence strongly” so he says that you should fence upwards from the left side with the whole body and with all strength, to the head or to the body wherever he may hit. And never strike to the sword but just work like would not have a weapon or if you don't see it, and should not avoid Zeckrühr or taps, and permanently be in motion, work and contact, so the opponent may not come to strikes.

Also he means that one should not follow or step right after the strikes but always a little sideways and in a slope around, so that he gets to his flank. There he will get him much easier with any method compared to confronting him directly. Whatever he strikes to thrusts at his opponent, it will not be defended by any Durchwechsel or other techniques, if the strikes or thrusts are directed at the man and at the openings, to the head or to the body, with stepping around or other footwork.

Also know and learn when he speaks: “Vor Nach those two… etc” there he means the five words, Vor Nach Schwach Stark Indes and within these words lies all art of Master Liechtenauer and these are the basic foundation and the core of all fencing on foot or mounted, with armour and without.

By the word “Vor” he means that every good fencer should always gain the Vorschlag, may he hit or miss. And when Liechtenauer says “Strike and hurry to the man, rush in may it hit or miss”. This means, as soon he approaches his adversary by stepping or running, he should instantly attack as soon as he is sure he could reach him with either a step or a jump. Then he must attack to his head or to his body, without any fear to the opening which he can hit best. So he should gain the Vorschlag, and it is not important, if it directly hurts the adversary or not. He must also be sure with the correct measure of his steps, so that he may not step too short or too long.

If he now hits with the Vorschlag, so instantly follow through with the hit. However, if the defends the Vorschlag so that he turns aside or leads off the attack, be it a strike or a thrust, away from the intended opening with his sword, you should now, with the swords are still being in contact, feel or be aware whether he is soft or hard, weak or strong at the sword.

If he now feels how the adversary acts in his fencing, if he is strong or hard, in the very moment he realizes this he should, while the adversary is still protecting himself, become soft and weak and in the case of the adversary being weak, vice versa. To make sure that one cannot come to strikes, he should instantly execute the Nachschlag, that means that he attacks again while the other is still protecting himself from the Vorschlag, be it with a strike or a thrust. So he can employ different techniques for hurrying or rushing towards his openings and thus he is permanently in motion and very close to him and this should make him so irritated and confused that he is only busy protecting himself and cannot come to his own strikes. If one has to defend himself or has to be aware of the strikes which are directed against him, he is in much greater danger than the one who strikes at him, because he either can defend or be hit. And this makes it very difficult for him to gain the opportunity for his own strikes. So Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no one defends without danger, if you understood this, he will not come to strikes.

If these five words, which this teaching and all other fencing is based upon, are not adhered,

then this is the reason why a brave peasant often defeats a master by winning the Vorschlag.

Now it has been said before that that Liechtenauer expresses he should bravely and without fear rush in with a good Vorschlag or the first strike to the head or body may he hit or miss, so that he strikes him just as stunning and frightening him so he does not know what he can do against him. Also it has been said that he should strike the Nachschlag before he recovers or might come to his own strikes. this also means this you should work in a manner that he is permanently busy with protecting and defending.

And if he defends against the Vorschlag, he instantly comes to the Nachschlag while the adversary is still defending for example, by rushing in with the pommel or transitioning into the Zwerchhau, which are generally good. He can generally transition into the Zwerch position, so he may use other technique which he may begin before the adversary can execute his own attack. And you will hear how you generate one technique from the other, if you follow this advice. That is he should execute with one thought and just as with one strike if possible the Vorschlag and the Nachschlag, quickly in succession.

It may happen that one has to defend the adversary's Vorschlag. So he would defend it by getting at his sword – and if he is a little slow or indecisive so he would want to stay at the sword and use the winden and feel if the adversary wants to pull back from the bind or not.

If one moves off, now that they were just bound at the sword, and the points are facing against each other to the openings, the skilled fencer has followed directly with the point, before the adversary can recover from his pulling-off, thereby executing a good thrust to the chest or anywhere where he could hit him best. And this is the method that the opponent cannot leave the bind unharmed, because with this following he gets nearer by thrusting the point forward at the sword, following the principle of the nearest and shortest target.

And if the opponent tries to attack newly with long strikes or thrusts after pulling off, he may always gain the Nachschlag or a thrust rather than with the first strike. Liechtenauer means this by the word “Nach”; if one has struck the Vorschlag so he should move in and without break strike the Nachschlag (in the same movement) and thus he should be permanently in movement and in contact, constantly using one technique after the other. So, if the first one fails, the second, the third or the fourth my hit not letting the opponent come to strikes because no one will ever have any significant advantage in fencing, except him who works according to this teaching and these five words.

Now if it happens that the opponent does stay at the sword after he displaced, and now it comes that he also stays at the sword – not having done the Nachschlag yet – so he shall wind and stand at the sword, and he should note and feel if the adversary is weak or strong at the sword.

And if he now feels that the opponent is strong, hard and rigid at the sword and only plans to press into him with his sword, so he should become weak and soft and completely give up his strength against the opponent. And thus he should let go of the opponent's sword, so it may whip and move off with the pressure. And now he can slide and pull off his sword quickly and then go for the opponent's openings quickly and nimbly, to the head or to the body, with strikes, thrusts and cuts, wherever he may hit surest and most direct.

Because the harder the opponent presses with the sword, the farther his sword is flung aside when he suddenly becomes soft and lets the sword slide off. So the opponent will be left open so that he can touch or hit as he wishes before the opponent may recover and come to his own strike or thrust.

If the opponent now is weak and soft at the sword and he feels and notices this, so he should be strong and hard at the sword and should rush in quickly forcefully at the sword, directly and frontal to the next best accessible opening. Just like as a string would be attached to the point which would pull and turn his point to the nearest opening, as to achieve the thrust.

Now if the opponent is strong and defends the thrust and displaces it by becoming strong at the sword, so that the opponent presses into the sword again, so again he should become weak and soft and let his sword slide off. And in this evading he should seek the openings quickly with strikes thrusts or cuts, as he wishes. And this is what Liechtenauer means with the words “soft and hard”.

And this concept is from the auctoritas when Aristoteles says in the book peyarmenias: Oppositions shine more clearly if placed next to each other than directly opposing them[1]

Weak against strong, hard against weak and vice versa. If it should be only strong against strong, the stronger will always win. That is the reason why Liechtenauer's fencing is real and correct art, so that a weak man can win with his art and wits in the same manner a strong man can do with his strength and it would be no art otherwise.

Because of this fencing teaches the feeling well as Liechtenauer says: “Learn the feeling, Indes is a word that cuts” because if you are at the sword with someone, and you are now skilled at feeling whether your opponent is weak or strong at the sword, indes or while you are in the bind, you may very well observe and plan what you should do against him. And according to this teaching and art, he may not pull off from the sword without being hurt, because Liechtenauer says: Strike that he is confused when he pulls off.

Now, according to this teaching you understand well that you should try to gain the Vorschlag and as soon as you execute it, so do in one rush instantly and without break the Nachschlag, and that can also be the second, third or fourth strike or thrust. So your opponent may not come to strikes. If you now bind with him so be skilled at the feeling and do as it has been written before, because this is the foundation of fencing so that you are permanently in motion and never pause or hesitate. And if it now comes to the feeling, so also do what is written before.[2]

And what you begin to do, always have measure and control. When you have won the Vorschlag so don't do it too fast or too committed as you will be unable to recover yourself to do the Nachschlag. That is why Liechtenauer says: Be ready for this, all things need measure and control. And this also remember when doing steps and also before all other techniques and principles of fencing.

This is the text where he explains the five strikes and other techniques of fencing

21 Learn five strikes
 from the right hand against the weapons
23 Wrath strike, Bent strike, transversal
 strike, Squinting strike with vertex strike
24 Fool defends,
 adheres, overreaching defeats strikes
25 Changing through, pulling,
 running through, cutting off, pressing the hands
26 Hang, wind to the openings,
 strike, catch, swipe, thrust repeatedly

This is about the Zornhau[3]

27 Whoever strikes at you from above,
 the point of the Zornhau endangers him.
28 If he sees it,
 take it up and off without danger
29 hold against him, wind,
 and thrust again. If he sees it, strike him low.
30 Remember this,
 Strikes, thrusts and guards, be weak or be strong.
31 Indes, Vor und Nach,
 take your time and analyze the Krieg.[4]
32 Whoever takes the Krieg
 too high, he will be hit below.
33 In all windings
 learn how to find Strikes thrusts and cuts.
34 Also you should
 feel spontaneously if it has to be a strike, a cut or a thrust.
35 In all binds learn to pull and jerk
 against the skilled fencers if you wish to fool them.
Never attack his sword,
 always strike the openings
ⅹⅵ To the head, to the body,
 never forget the tick.[5]
ⅹⅶ

ⅹⅷ Learn
 to turn the Ort[6] to the openings.
ⅹⅸ The one who swings strikes around and wide,
 will usually be defeated
ⅹⅹ With Strikes and thrusts
 aim for the nearest and closest.
ⅹⅺ Also you should step
 to his right side
ⅹⅻ

Comment: Here learn and know that Liechtenauer strikes an Oberhau[7] from his shoulder which is called the Zornhau. For someone who is angered and wrathful, no other strike comes as ready as the Zornhau, because this Oberhau strikes from the shoulder to the opponent, and this is why Liechtenauer says: If someone strikes an Oberhau against you, you should strike the Zornhau against him so that your point thrusts forward quickly. If he now defends against your point, pull the sword up and off from his blade and move to the other side of his sword. If he also defends against this, be strong against the sword and wind the point in for the thrust. If he defends this thrust, so take the sword away and strike low to his legs.

So constantly do one after the other thus he may not come to strikes. And always have the already mentioned words, Vor and Nach Indes Schwach Stark and strikes thrusts and cuts, in your mind and never forget these in fencing.

Furthermore, you should not hurry too much in the Krieg because if you aim above and miss so you will hit below. And how you execute one after the other, according to real art with special strikes thrusts and cuts you will hear later.

And you should not strike at someone's sword but directly to him, to the head or to the body wherever you wish.

Alternatively, you may understand the first verse as if you strike a wrath strike from above, the adversary is being endangered by the point of the wrath strike.

Now follow this teaching and stay permanently in motion, if you hit or miss, so that one cannot comes to strikes, and always step sideways off with your strikes.

Also know that there are only two strikes all others are based upon. And these are the Oberhau[8] and the Unterhau[9] from both sides, which are the main strikes and the foundation if all other strikes. And these again are based on the point of the sword which is the core and the centre of all other techniques as it has been written before. And from the same strikes come the four displacements from both sides, with these you break and defeat all strikes thrusts or guards and these also lead to the hangings which can very well be used for artful techniques as you will hear later. And however you fence, always turn the point against the face or the chest of the adversary, so he has always to watch out that you do not move prior to him.[10]

And if it happened, that the adversary got the Vorschlag[11] so he should be well practiced and quick with the Abwenden[12] and as soon as he has turned off the (attacks of) the adversary, he should move quickly as soon as possible, and his point should always aim for the chest as you will hear now. And the point should, as soon as he comes at the adversary's sword, be always within a half Elle[13] of either chest or face. Also he should be well aware if he can move in boldly for the next opening. And he should never move too far around so that the adversary cannot come forward before him, which will surely happen if the adversary comes forwards and is not hesitating, slow or moves too far.[14]

This is about the four openings

36 Know the four openings,
 target these and you will hit for sure.
37 Go for them,
 do not bother about hitting or missing.

Comment: Here learn that Liechtenauer would part a man in four parts, just as he would draw a line down from the vertex on his body to the groin.

And another line horizontally along the girdle on the body, and so there are four quarters, one right and left above the girdle, and also below the girdle and these are the four openings of which each has its own technique which never go for the sword, but always to the openings.


38 If you want to defeat him
 and hit the openings with art,
39 Duplieren against the upper opening
 and Mutieren against the lower one.
40 I tell you truthfully,
 no man can defend safely.
41 If you have understood it,
 he may not come to strikes.

This is about the Krumphau

42 Krump quickly
 and throw the Ort on his hands.
43 The Krumphau with correct steps
 defends against many strikes
44 Strike the Krump to the flat
 of the skilled fencer, this will weaken him.
45 As soon as the swords hit high above,
 strike to the man, this will be honored.
46 Never strike the Krump too short
 otherwise your Opponent can change through.
47 Against a man who feints a lot,
 use the Krump and confuse him in the Krieg
48 So he may not know
 where he can be without danger.

Comment: Here learn and know that the Krumphau is an Oberhau which is done in a bent manner with a good step to one side.

This is why Liechtenauer says whoever wants to execute this strike, should step well to the right side while striking and shall throw or thrust the point over the hilt of the adversary onto his hands. And he should strike with the flat if he hits the blade and should stay strong against the sword and press forcefully. From there he may see what he can do best, in the most direct and surest manner, be it with strikes, thrusts or cuts. And he should not strike too short and should not forget the changing-through if it is appropriate.

One strike is called the Fehler[15] and comes from the Krumphau and yet it is written after the Zwerchhau (where the mark is set) and it should be placed before the Zwerchhau. And this is done from below in a bent curve over the hilt, in the same manner as the Krumphau which comes down from above.


53 The Zwerch Fehler[16] misleads
 and hits below
54 The Verkehrer[17] forces
 the running through so you can wrestle.
55 Take the elbow,
 leap into his balance to throw him down.
56 Double the Fehler[18],
 if he binds execute the old cut.[19]
57 Double instantly,
 step to the left do not be slow.
ⅹⅹⅲ Because all fencing
 requires speed
ⅹⅲ and also bravery
 caution and wits.

This is about the Zwerchhau[20]

49 The Zwerch defends
 what comes from Tag[21]
50 Use the Zwerch with strength
 and remember its work.
51 Zwerch strike to the Ochs[22]
 then to the Pflug[23] works well.
52 If you want to Zwerch correctly,
 jump to hit the head.

Comment: Here learn and know that of all fencing techniques with the sword, there is no strike that is as fair, forceful, perfected and good as the Zwerchhau. And this strike is done just horizontal to both sides with both edges, the back and front edge, to all openings above and below. It also defends against any strikes from “vom Tag” wich are all strikes from high above or anything that comes down from above, and this all is defended with the Zwerchhau.

If one wishes to execute these well, the sword should be thrown horizontally before the head to whichever side he wishes, just as he would intend to get into the hanging or winding positions, save the edge being oriented horizontally and the flat vertically.

And with these Zwerchhau[24] it is easy to get at the sword of the adversary. And as soon this has happened, it is difficult for the adversary get away and will be struck at both sides by the Zwerchhau.

And wherever one wants to aim for with the Zwerchhau, to whichever side above or below, always the sword is held with the inverted hand and with the hilt high in front of the head so that he is well secured and covered. And he should bring the Zwerchau with some strength.

And if someone has to fight for his life he should see to it that he gains the Vorschlag[25] with a good Zwerchhau, as in the teaching written above. When approaching the adversary, as soon as he sees he could reach him with a step or a leap, he should strike with the Zwerchhau from his upper right side, with the back edge directly to the head. And he should let the point shoot and should well lean so that that the point is directed, and turn or sling around the adversaries sword just like a leather strap, because if one can do the Zwerch in combination with a good step outwards or a leap, an adversary will find it very difficult to defend or turn aside.

And if he gained the Vorschlag with the Zwerchhau and hits or misses to one side, he should immediately, in one motion and without pause do the Nachschlag with the Zwerchhau to the other side with the front edge, before the adversary recovers from the strike, as it has already been taught.

And one should Zwerch to both sides and to Ochs and Pflug, which is to the upper and lower openings, going from one side to the other, high and low, permanently without hesitation, so that he is always in motion and does not let the adversary come to strikes. And again, if he does a Zwerchhau, he should lean and hold the sword inverted in front of his head, so that he remains well-covered.

This is about the Schielhau

58 The squinting strikes defends
 against a peasant's strikes or thrusts.
59 And whoever threatens with a change through,
 the squinting strike will take him out.
60 Look, if he shortens himself,
 the changing through defeats him.
61 Squint to the point
 and cut the neck without fear.
62 And squint to the head
 if you wish to cut his hands.
ⅹⅹⅳ Squint at the right side,
 if you wish to fence well.
ⅹⅹⅴ I praise the Squinting strike,
 if he does not come too silently.

Comment: Here learn and know that a Schielhau is a strike from above from the right side with back edge of the sword, which is also called the left side. And this strike moves just as a squint-eyed person to the left side while stepping off to the right, with inverted sword and hand.

And this strike breaks all strikes of a Buffalo – which means peasant – that come downwards from above, as most peasants usually do.

The Zwerchhau breaks the same strikes as it has been written before. And whoever threatens with a change-through will be ashamed by the Schielhau and one should well strike long enough with the strike and shoot in the point quickly, so that the adversary will be stopped in his changing through. And one should squint with the point, to the neck bravely without fear.[26]

Where you see blades
 being drawn by both
you should steady yourself
 and your steps and remember
Before, after the two things,
 gauge and with skill leap off
Follow all hits
 from the strong if you intend to fool them,
If he defends, so pull,
 thrust, he defends so move to him.
learn to artfully execute
 the windings and hangings.
And sense the attacks
 be they soft or hard.


If he attacks with long and far steps,
 the thrust defeats him.

 If he defends with hard strikes you hit without fear.
Strike and hurry forward,
 rush into him whether you hit or miss
Never strike to the sword,
 always wait for the openings
If you hit or miss,
 always aim for the openings
With both hands
 learn to bring the point to his eyes
Fence with sense
 and try to gain the Vorschlag
May he hit or miss,
 move in with the Nachschlag
to both sides,
 step to his right side
So you may safely begin
 fencing or wrestling.

This is about the Scheitelhau[27]

63 The Scheitler
 endangers the face
64 And with its turning
 the chest.
65 The Kron[28] defends
 against the Scheitler
66 Cut through the Kron
 so it is already broken
67 Press the swipes
 and move off with cuts
ⅹⅹⅴ I praise the Scheitelhau,
 if he does not come too silently.

This is about the four Leger[29]

68 Four guards alone,
 keep these and forget the others.
69 Ochs[30] Pflug[31] Alber[32]
 and vom Tag[33] should not be unknown to you.

Comment: Here he[34] mentions the four guards[35], which he considers useful. But first of all, one should not lie in these for too long, because Liechtenauer has a proverb: “Who lies there, is dead and who moves is still alive.” And this relates to the guards – a man should rather move with fencing attacks and techniques than waiting in the guards, which he may use to leave the Schanze.[36]

The first guard is the plough when someone puts the point in the ground in front of himself or to the sides. If you do this after the Absetzen[37] then it is called differently: namely Schrankhut or the gate.

The second guard Ochs is the upper hanging from the shoulder.

ⅹⅹⅵ Alber breaks,
 what is being struck or thrust
ⅹⅹⅶ And with hangings break swipes,
 the travelling after should follows instantly.

The third guard fool, is the low hanging with which you can break all strikes and thrusts if you know to do it correctly.

The fourth guard, from Tag[38] is also the long point. Who practices it with extended arms cannot be hit with strikes or thrusts. It may also hit the hanging over the head.

Also know, that all guards are broken with strikes, by courageously striking, so he must move up and defend. That is why Liechtenauer does not hold the guards in high regard but prefers to let his students try to gain the Vorschlag.

This is about the four displacements

70 There are four displacements
 that also open the guards.
71 Beware the displacements,
 if they happen, you have to work hard.
72 If you have been displaced
 and how it could happen
73 Listen to my advice,
 swipe off and strike back quickly
74 Set the point onto four openings
 and stay on it, learn this if you wish to end.
ⅹⅹⅷ Who displaces well
 can defend against many strikes
ⅹⅹⅸ because with the displacements
 you get quickly into the hangings.

Comment: Here learn that there are four displacements to both sides, one high and one low, and these break or open all guards. And how you lead away or defends against strikes thrusts or cuts from above or below this may be called displacing.[39] And if you have been displaced however this may have happened, so move off with the sword quickly and strike quickly again while you move in towards him.

Now if it happens that you displace or turn off a strike or thrust, so you should move in and follow at his sword so that he cannot move away. And then you can do as you wish – the more you hesitate the more you will receive damage.

Also you should wind well and aim for his chest with the point, so he has to worry.

Also a good fencer should well learn to bind at his sword and this can be done with the displacements, because these come from the four strikes, Oberhau[40] and Unterhau[41] from both sides and these move into the four hangings.

If one defends from above or below he should move in and get into the hangings, and should see to it that he turns away or leads off all strikes and thrusts with the front edge as it is done with all displacements.

This is from the Nachreissen[42]

75 Learn the Nachreissen
 twice and cut into the weapons
76 Two outside takings
 and begin with your work
77 Test the attacks
 if they are soft or hard
78 Learn the feeling
Indes, the word, cuts sharply
79 Nachreissen twice
 and do the old cut
ⅹⅹⅹ Follow all binding
 of the strong if you wish to fool them
ⅹⅷ Always learn
 to turn the point against the face
ⅹⅹⅺ use the whole body with the
Nachreissen and keep the point on line
ⅹⅹⅻ Also learn to do the Nachreissen
 quickly so you may well end.

This is about the Überlaufen[43], fencer observe this!

80 Who aims below
 will be hit above with your overreaching
81 If the swords bind high
 so be strong and I will praise that
82 Do your work
 or double press
ⅹⅹⅹⅲ Those who try to force you down,
 overreach them and strike hard again
ⅹⅹⅹⅳ Overreach from both sides
 and remember the edges.

This is from Absetzen,[44] this learn well

83 Learn to artfully defeat
 strikes and thrusts with the Absetzen
84 So that who thrusts you,
 his point is broken and yours does hit
85 Hit from both sides
 if you step correctly
ⅹⅷ Learn
 to turn the point against one's face

This is from the Durchwechsel[45]

86 Learn the changing through
 from both sides and deliver a good thrust
87 The changing through will find an opening
 in anyone who binds you.
ⅹⅹⅹⅴ As soon as you have changed through,
 strike thrust or wind strongly
ⅹⅹⅹⅵ Do not strike the sword, if he does it to you,
 do not let him wait for your changing-through.

Comment: Here learn that the changing-through goes from both sides down and up again and is very direct, if done quickly. If you now wish to change through from your right downwards, so strike an Oberhau directly at him. Aim for the little hole or window above and behind his hilt and shoot the point to his left opening. So that you may hit between the blade and the hilt; if you hit, you have won.

If he now defends against this by turning aside your point and pushes against your blade, so let your point sink down from the same side and move it around under his sword to the other side. And this should not be done wide around but as close to his sword as possible. And then move your point quickly in above his hilt, with a good and perfect thrust. And if you feel you hit, so follow well through.[46] And you should do the same from the other side, low or high, as you do it on this side.

Whoever binds you, so move at his sword against him and he defends, so change through as before, or wind and feel his technique if it is soft or hard. Then seek strikes thrusts and cuts against the openings.

This is from the Zucken[47] fencer learn this

88 Step close in bindings,
 the Zucken will well find [him open]
89 Pull and should he hit, pull more,
 create your work and wind, this will hurt him.
90 Zuck in all meetings
 with the masters if you wish to fool them
ⅹⅹⅹⅶ Pull off from the sword
 and consider your techniques.

This is from the running-through, now see:

91 Run through and let your pommel hang,
 grab if you intend to wrestle
92 Whoever presses with strength against you,
 remember the running through
ⅹⅹⅹⅷ Run through and ram him,
 invert your hand if he grabs after the pommel.

This is about Abschneiden[48]

93 Cut off the hands
 from below from both sides
94 There are four cuts,
 two low and two high.
ⅹⅹⅹⅸ Against the Zwerch,
 cut well to avoid damage
ⅹⅼ Do not cut too soon,
 observe your chances carefully
ⅹⅼⅰ You may well cut
 all crossings, just avoid the Nachreissen[49]
ⅹⅼⅱ If you wish to remain uninjured,
 do not stand but move with the cutting.

This is about Hände drücken[50]

95 Turn your edge to flat
 for pressing the hands
ⅹⅼⅲ The second is turning aside,
 one is winding and the third is hanging
ⅹⅼⅳ If you wish to despair the fencers,
 press with pushing
ⅹⅼⅴ and quickly cut
 over the hands
ⅹⅼⅵ Also take off the cuts
 and strike to the head
ⅹⅼⅶ Whoever presses hands
 without damage protects his fingers

Also know, as soon as you defend a strike or a thrust with the turning-aside, so you should step sideways and move quickly to him; the slower you are the more damage you sustain.

Also know and learn that you turn aside all strikes and thrusts with the front edge of the sword, from its middle to the hilt. And the closer to the hilt a strike or a cut comes on the front edge which you have used to turn aside, the slower and stronger you can defend. This is because the closer you bind at the hilt, the stronger you can defend and the closer to the point the weaker you are. Now whoever wants to be a good fencer should firstly learn to turn-aside well, because by turning aside well he can get into the winding from which he can practice all art and grace of fencing.

The front edge at the sword is called the true edge and all strikes or thrusts are ruined by the turning-aside.

This is from the Hängen[51], fencer learn this

96 Two hangings
 from one side from the ground
97 in all techniques
 strikes thrusts cuts guards soft or hard
98 Do the Sprechfenster[52]
 stand happily and observe him
99 Strike that he falters
 when he pulls off from you
100 I tell you truthfully
 no one defends without danger
101 Have you understood this,
 he may not come to strikes
ⅹⅼⅷ Be it that you stay
 at the sword so you can do
ⅹⅼⅸ strikes thrusts and cuts,
 learn the feeling
without all hesitation,
 and you should not flee from the sword
ⅼⅰ because a master's fencing
 is rightfully at the sword
ⅼⅱ those who bind you
 will be forced with the Krieg
ⅼⅲ The noble winding
 may also find him open
ⅼⅳ With strikes with thrusts
 with cuts you find him defenseless
[32] In all windings
 you should learn to find strikes thrusts and cuts
ⅼⅴ the noble hanging
 cannot be without the hanging
ⅼⅵ because from the hanging
 you should practice the winding.

Comment: here learn and know that there are two hangings each side, one Unterhängen[53] and one Oberhängen[54] with which you can get at his sword well, because these come from the Oberhau and Unterhau.[55] If it now happens that you bind with your opponent on purpose or without so you should well stay at the sword and use the winding. So you can stand happily with relaxed mind and without fear at the sword and see, notice and wait for what he tries to do next; and what his plan is he intends to execute. And the standing at the sword is called the Sprechfenster[56] by Liechtenauer. If you now stand at the sword with him, you should notice and feel his technique, be it soft or hard. And according to this you should act, as it has been written before. Now if he pulls off from the sword before you could begin your technique, so you should follow with him and beat strike or thrust him whatever you can bring surest, before he can do anything himself before you. You can do this because by staying at the sword and extending yourself your (point) moves nearer to him. If someone pulls off because he has to recover from a strike he just executes, then follow in with the point. If he instead stays at the sword you have to gauge and notice whether he his soft or hard at the sword.

If he is soft and weak, you should quickly and bravely proceed and hurry at him with the strength of your sword and force his sword aside with pressure, seeking his openings, to the head or the body wherever you may get at.

If he is hard and strong at the sword and intends to force you aside strongly, you should be soft and weak against his strength, and yield to his strength and forward pressure, thus evading with your sword. And with this evading as his sword swings about, as it has been written before, and now as this happens and while he is recovering from that and thus cannot execute strikes or thrusts, you should attack his openings, with strikes thrusts or cuts, wherever you may hit him best. According to the teaching you should do this quickly bravely and fast so that your adversary cannot come to strikes. As Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no man defends without danger, if you have understood it, he will not come to strikes. And by this he means that the adversary will not be able to safely defend if you act according to this teaching.

As soon as you have done the first strike the adversary has to defend against it or has to take the hit. When you do the first strike, may you hit or miss, so you should quickly in one rush follow with the Nachschlag before he comes to strike. If you want to do the Vorschlag, you should also do the Nachschlag just with same thought or the same intention if possible. This is why he says: Vor and Nach those two things etc… If you do the Vorschlag, no matter if you hit or miss, you should do the Nachschlag in one rush quickly and fast, so that he cannot under any circumstances to his strikes.

So see to it that in all instances of fencing you act before your opponent and as soon as you move before him and have gained the Vorschlag so do the Nachschlag with moving in. You should never do a Vorschlag if you have not prepared the Nachschlag in your senses and mind as well, so that you are always in constant motion and never you should pause or hesitate. Always do one after the other quickly and fast so that your adversary cannot do any technique. Really, if you do exactly that, then he must be a really good[57] man to get away from you without being struck.

Because with this art or advantage it often happens that a peasant or anyone untrained defeats a skilled master ny gaining the Vorschlag and rushing in quickly. Because it is easily missed that Indes hits him and also defeats and humiliates him. Because one that observes the strikes and waits for the defense is in greater danger than the one who strikes him and thus wins the Vorschlag. So always be that you are the first in all instances of fencing that you get to one's right side, there you are safer than your adversary.

108 From both sides
 learn eight windings with the according steps
106 And each of those
 has three techniques
107 So there are twenty
 four windings, count them one by one
105 Fencer this observe
 and correctly understand the windings
ⅼⅹⅲ And learn to use them well
 so you may hit the four openings
ⅼⅹⅳ Because every opening
 has six sure ways to be hit.

Comment: Here learn that the winden are the real art and the base of all fencing with the sword and from these all other techniques and methods come from. And one rarely is a good fencer without the windings. Just as the Leychmeister disdain them and say that fencing from the winding is weak and they call it from the shortened sword because that they are done simple and stupid. And they mean that these are fenced from the long sword which is done with outstretched arms and extended sword and also aggressively with all strength of the body only by pressing themselves forward.

And this is painful to watch! If one stretches just as running after a rabbit this is not the way, neither the windings nor Liechtenauer's art, because there is no strength against (the opposing strength)! Whoever does it differently should prefer strength.

  1. conflicting
  2. Alternative interpretation: keep your blade on top of his.
  3. Wrath strike
  4. Thrust exchange from the bind
  5. striking the wrist and arms
  6. point
  7. Strike from above
  8. strike from above
  9. strike from below
  10. the next sentence is unfinished
  11. first strike
  12. turning-off
  13. roughly 30 cm
  14. Vorreben?
  15. feint
  16. feint
  17. inverse strike
  18. feint
  19. Cut to the hands and then cut the throat
  20. transversal strike
  21. from above; the high guard
  22. upper opening
  23. lower opening
  24. crossing strikes
  25. first strike
  26. The comment ends here and remains unfinished
  27. Vertex strike
  28. crown displacement technique
  29. Guards
  30. Ox
  31. Plough
  32. fool
  33. high guard
  34. Liechtenauer
  35. Leger or Hut
  36. dueling yard
  37. parrying
  38. High guard
  39. versetzen
  40. strike from above
  41. strike from below
  42. adhering
  43. overreaching
  44. setting aside
  45. changing through
  46. with your thrust
  47. pulling
  48. cutting off
  49. adhering
  50. pressing the hands
  51. hanging
  52. speaking window
  53. lower hanging
  54. upper hanging
  55. high strike and low strike
  56. speaking window
  57. skilled