Medieval Combat in Colour: A Fifteenth-Century Manual of Swordfighting and Close-Quarter Combat - Softcover

Talhoffer, Hans

Softcover

ISBN 10: 178438285X ISBN 13: 9781784382858

Publisher: Greenhill Books, 2018

Synopsis

Hans Talhoffer's professional fencing manual of 1467 illustrates the intricacies of the medieval art of fighting, covering both the 'judicial duel' (an officially sanctioned fight to resolve a legal dispute) and personal combat. Combatants in the Middle Ages used footwork, avoidance, and the ability to judge and manipulate timing and distance to exploit and enhance the sword's inherent cutting and thrusting capabilities. These skills were supplemented with techniques for grappling, wrestling, kicking and throwing the opponent, as well as disarming him by seizing his weapon. Every attack contained a defence and every defence a counter-attack. Talhoffer reveals the techniques for wrestling, unarmoured fighting with the long sword, pole-axe, dagger, sword and buckler, and mounted combat. This unparalleled guide to medieval combat, illustrated with 268 contemporary images, provides a glimpse of real people fighting with skill, sophistication and ruthlessness. This is one of the most popular and influential manuals of its kind.

About this title

About the Author

HANS TALHOFFER was a fifteenth-century German fencing master. He authored at least five fencing manuals and made his living teaching and training people for trial by combat. The Translator and editor, MARK RECTOR, is a world-renowned practitioner of historical swordsmanship.

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenhill Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 178438285X
• ISBN 13: 9781784382858
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320