Medieval Combat: A Fifteenth-century Manual of Swordfighting and Close-quarter Combat - Hardcover

Talhoffer, Hans

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1853674184 ISBN 13: 9781853674181

Publisher: Greenhill Books, 2000

Synopsis

This book makes one of the most influential and lavishly drawn fencing manuals of the Middle Ages available in English for the first time. The authentic 15th Century techniques of master of arms Hans Talhoffer are illustrated in detail, presenting not only a unique historical record but also a visual guide for modern practitioners. 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. Medieval sword-fighting was not the hacking, blade-on-blade, ring of steel affair represented in films and on the stage. 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, 'long knife', 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.

About this title

From the Publisher

To meet a new interest by modern readers, re-enactors, actors and historians in accurate information about medieval fighting techniques and styles, Greenhill make one of the most influential and lavishly drawn fencing manuals of the Middle Ages available in English for the first time.

From the Author

Beyond this manuscript's appeal for the martial artist or stage swordsman, it possesses great aesthetic beauty and historical interest. We do not know for certain who drew the figures in Talhoffer's manuals. Whether it was Talhoffer himself or some anonymous Swabian scribe, the artist took painstaking care to give each of the figures life and expression. We are treated to images of everyday dress, with doublet, codpiece, hose, a variety of headgear and extravagantly pointed shoes of the late Middle Ages, full suits of armour, ritual battle dress, and equestrian equipage.

This book is a time machine, providing us with a glimpse of real people really fighting with all the skill, sophistication and ruthlessness of the German art of fighting.

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenhill Books
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1853674184
• ISBN 13: 9781853674181
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 317
• Editor: Rector Mark