Study Articles Archives

Forerunners of the Fechtschule Pt I : Antiquity

Posted by Christopher VanSlambrouck | Dec 31, 2018 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Reading, Research, Research articles, Study, Study Articles |

“An average, foundational knowledge of the past helps us understand the 14th-16th c. Fechtschulen...

On The Five Words and Withdrawal

Posted by James Reilly | Aug 12, 2018 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Dusack, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Research, Research articles, Study, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

Mark, this is that before all things you shall rightly undertake and understand these two things,...

Glossary of Late Medieval Terminology (15th Century Baltic)

Posted by Jean Chandler | Jun 3, 2018 | Articles, Reading, Research, Research articles, Study, Study Articles |

Over the years I have spent researching Late Medieval Central Europe, I ran across many unfamiliar...

Brief notes on fencing, from the military treatise of Giovanni Alberto Cassani (1603)

Posted by Piermarco Terminiello | Dec 23, 2017 | Research articles, Study Articles, Teaching & training methods, Techniques & interpretation |

Giovanni Alberto Cassani published a military treatise in Naples in 1603.1 In this work he...

Johann Georg Paschen’s Rapier Lessons: Developing a curriculum for teaching rapier fencing

Posted by David Coblentz | Nov 1, 2017 | Articles, Study Articles, Teaching & training methods, Teaching Curriculum, Teaching Pedagogics, Techniques & interpretation |

This article will present an analysis of Johann Georg Paschen’s (1628-1678) Kurtze iedoch...

The Dutch Experiment – De Hollandsche Methode, Christiaan Siebenhaar, and fencing in the Netherlands in the 19th Century

Posted by Reinier van Noort | Feb 4, 2017 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

In the mid-19th century, not that long after the Belgian war of independence, an experiment was...

Riddled in Ink – A Stylistic Comparison of Artwork in MS M.383 and the Novati Facsimile

Posted by Jay Leccese | Oct 24, 2016 | Articles, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

Proposition This article proposes that Francesco Novati’s 1902 facsimile reproduction of Flos...

The Flower of Battle of Master Fiore Friulano de’i Liberi

Posted by Michael Chidester | Aug 18, 2016 | Articles, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

Last week, in the same spirit of information freedom that inspired Wiktenauer’s creation, I...

The Recital of the Chivalric Art of Fencing of the Grand Master Johannes Liechtenauer

Posted by Michael Chidester | Aug 11, 2016 | Articles, Research articles, Study Articles, Teaching & training methods, Techniques & interpretation |

Though long delayed, this book represents the most complete picture possible of the Liechtenauer tradition of foot combat as it was recorded in the mid 15th century. It’s the text I wanted for my students when I was leading a study group, and I’m happy to finally offer it in print. I hope it serves in some small way to advance the study of Johannes Liechtenauer’s art.

Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Techniques 02: Schnappen & Zucken

Posted by Roger Norling | Jun 19, 2016 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Study Articles |

This video was recorded by the MFFG at the 4th Meyer Symposium in Iowa, USA, 2016 and is yet...

Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Techniques 01: Ruck & Truck

Posted by Roger Norling | Jun 19, 2016 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Study Articles |

This video was recorded by the MFFG at the 4th Meyer Symposium in Iowa, USA, 2016. It is a small...

King and Fool – The Vier Leger of Liechtenauer’s Tradition

Posted by Jess Finley | Apr 15, 2016 | Articles, Reading, Research articles, Study, Study Articles |

King and Fool – The Vier Leger of Liechtenauer’s Tradition and their relationship with...

Basic Meyer Quarterstaff 02: Long & short edge

Posted by Roger Norling | Mar 19, 2016 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Study Articles |

This second video in the Basic Meyer Quarterstaff series brings up a few topics: First of all the...

Basic Meyer Quarterstaff series

Posted by Roger Norling | Mar 12, 2016 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Study Articles |

For the last seven years I have dedicated myself to the study of Joachim Meyer’s...

The Last Duel, Part 2: Death by Sodomy

Posted by Ariella Elema | Mar 11, 2016 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

Part One of this article examined the famous judicial duel between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques...

What Really Happened at the Last Duel? Part1

Posted by Ariella Elema | Mar 4, 2016 | Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

According to the website Deadline Hollywood, Studio 8 has hired a screenwriter to turn Eric...

Florius de Arte Luctandi: Challenges and Discoveries in a Contemporary Latin Translation of Fiore dei Liberi

Posted by Kendra Brown | Jan 2, 2016 | Articles, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

Florius de Arte Luctandi is formally designated Ms. Latin 11269 by the Bibliothèque nationale de...

“The Use of Weapons”, René François (1621)

Posted by Chris Slee | Oct 23, 2015 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

The entry on fencing in René François’ 1621 encyclopedia is a rich source of terminology and...

Adolphe Corthey: A French 19th Century HEMA Pioneer

Posted by Chris Slee | Oct 9, 2015 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

In the introduction to “The Sword and the Centuries” (1901), Alfred Hutton mentions a curious incident. His fencing group in the London Rifle Brigade were invited to Belgium to put on a display of historical fencing. What can we discover about this Belgian event? What follows is an overview some literary detective work that reveals Adolphe Corthey, a man in every way Hutton’s equal and the powerhouse behind late nineteenth century HEMA in France.

Meyer Pilgrimage Part 2 – Basel

Posted by Roger Norling | Aug 5, 2015 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Dusack, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Research articles, Study Articles |

Almost exactly a year ago I was lucky enough to be taken on a small journey that has been a long...

An overview of the Iberian Montante

Posted by Ton Puey | Jul 31, 2015 | Articles, Research articles, Study Articles |

This article gathers a series of notes written while studying the sources on the Iberian montante sword of the late XV century and following centuries. The extant sources are listed and analysed. Different approaches to teaching this weapon’s handling are described, stressing those who can provide a context for its use.

The Ringen of Joachim Meyer

Posted by Keith Cotter-Reilly | Jun 26, 2015 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Dusack, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

This article shall group Joachim Meyer’s Ringen into collections of similar throws....

Hack & Slash in the Age of Reason: Italian Rapier Against Multiple Opponents

Posted by Piermarco Terminiello | Jun 19, 2015 | Articles, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

“Finding yourself assailed by enemies, and supposing there are many of them, the situation demands...

The use of the saber in the army of Napoleon: Part IV – Wounds caused by the saber

Posted by Bert Gevaert | Jun 12, 2015 | Arms & Armour, Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

Continuing with his four part series on The use of the saber in the army of Napoleon, Dr....

The use of the saber in the army of Napoleon: Part III

Posted by Bert Gevaert | Jun 5, 2015 | Arms & Armour, Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

Continuing with his four part series on The use of the saber in the army of Napoleon, Dr....

The use of the saber in the army of Napoleon: Part II

Posted by Bert Gevaert | May 22, 2015 | Arms & Armour, Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

Continuing with his series on The use of the saber in the army of Napoleon, Dr. Bert Gevaert now...

A key to Meyer’s mechanics & footwork – part 1

Posted by Roger Norling | May 12, 2015 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Dusack, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Research articles, Study Articles |

Here is a rough diagram that tries to explain the core mechanics that go through all of Meyers...

The use of the saber in the army of Napoleon: Part I

Posted by Bert Gevaert | May 8, 2015 | Arms & Armour, Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

“The sword is the weapon in which you should have most confidence, because it rarely fails you by...

Chivalry East of the Elbe, Part I

Posted by Jean Chandler | May 2, 2015 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

Introduction: So what happened to the Second Estate? Most of my own HEMA-related historical...

The nature of the work ahead of us

Posted by Roger Norling | Feb 10, 2015 | Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

Our personal goals in studying HEMA are varied, complex and individually quite different. For...

Checkmate! A workshop guide

Posted by Martin Fabian | Jan 30, 2015 | Articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

Back in the end of May this year we had the honor to be invited to the internationally renowned...

Meyerozzo: The influences of the Bolognese method in German Rappier

Posted by Andrea Conti | Jan 10, 2015 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Meyer Articles, Meyer Rappier, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

There are many reasons why I devote much of my time and my energies on what Joachim Meyer has...

Introduction to Joachim Meyer’s quarterstaff

Posted by Roger Norling | Dec 12, 2014 | Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Study Articles, Study News |

Long overdue I’ve finally posted my booklet on the Meyer quarterstaff, a weapon also used to...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 10

Posted by Roger Norling | Oct 27, 2014 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer longsword, Study Articles |

For practitioners of German longsword it is fairly commonly known that with some stances and cuts...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 9

Posted by Roger Norling | Oct 21, 2014 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

This time I will speak rather briefly about stances and the ideas behind them. This does not...

Fechtordnung of the City of Solothurn

Posted by Jürg Gassmann | Sep 27, 2014 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

Below are three versions of the Fencing Ordinance of the Swiss town of Solothurn, first the...

Meyer Pilgrimage Part 1 – Straßburg

Posted by Roger Norling | Aug 1, 2014 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Research articles, Study Articles |

We all share the same love for our personal and shared discoveries of a forgotten European martial...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 8

Posted by Roger Norling | Jul 18, 2014 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

Although not originally planned to be included in this series, I decided to add an article on...

Smooth and beautiful fencing

Posted by Roger Norling | Jun 13, 2014 | Community news, Study Articles, Study News |

Meyer quarterstaff workshop in Florence, Italy

Posted by Roger Norling | May 6, 2014 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Study Articles, Teaching & training methods, Techniques & interpretation |

Here’s the workshop on Joachim Meyer’s quarterstaff held by me and my fellow GHFS member Mattias Moberg at the HEMAC Florentia event in March, in Florence, Italy. It has been edited down from a 3 hour workshop into a...

Teaching progressions in Meyer’s longsword 1: the attacking skill tree

Posted by James Roberts | Feb 22, 2014 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer longsword, Research articles, Study Articles, Teaching & training methods, Techniques & interpretation |

Over the last five years, I’ve given several workshops in both South Africa and Europe focused on sequencing the teaching of techniques from Joachim Meyer’s “Gründtliche Beschreibung… der Kunst des Fechtens”[i]. In my view, each...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 7

Posted by Roger Norling | Feb 15, 2014 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

This week we will be taking advantage of one of the greatest benefits from reading somewhat later masters, like Joachim Meyer and George Silver, by looking closer at a subject that most early treatises speak little of;...

Damn beautiful sword & buckler fencing

Posted by Roger Norling | Feb 3, 2014 | Community news, Study Articles, Study News |

by Roland Warzecha and friends!...

Jogo do Pau – A living European martial art

Posted by Roger Norling | Feb 1, 2014 | Community news, Study Articles, Study News |

Just to remind you of the beauty of one of the few still living European martial arts; Portuguese Jogo do Pau. If you ever get a chance to try it then take it. It is well worth...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 6

Posted by Roger Norling | Dec 6, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

Throughout history going all the way back from at least medieval times up until modern military...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 5

Posted by Roger Norling | Nov 15, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

This week’s article will be talking about the topic of various ways of counterstriking...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 4

Posted by Roger Norling | Nov 8, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

This time we will start moving into somewhat more unexplored and unmapped territory, working with...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 3

Posted by Roger Norling | Oct 25, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

Time for part 3 in the Onion Article Series, this time taking a closer look at the parts of the...

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 2

Posted by Roger Norling | Oct 18, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

Continuing with part 2 in the Onion series of articles we will now focus on the topic of...

The Onion: Basics of European Longsword: Part 1

Posted by Roger Norling | Oct 10, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Study Articles |

For the last year or so I have been working on a group of primarily longsword exercises...

Joachim Meyer’s dagger system

Posted by Roger Norling | May 30, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Research articles, Study Articles |

Note: This is a working document and will continuously be updated as we work with our interpretations of Joachim Meyer’s dagger teachings. Similarly to how I worked with his staff teachings I will attempt at systemizing...

Arming Sword Geometry by Peter Johnsson

Posted by Roger Norling | May 30, 2013 | Community news, Research articles, Research News, Study Articles, Study News |

Designing a sword of mid 14th century style using a system of geometric drawing that is inspired by surviving plans of medieval gothic architecture. Please visit my site at peterjohnsson.com for more information about this...

Flower of Battle

Posted by Roger Norling | Apr 3, 2013 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

Here is an excellent lecture on Fiore Furlano de Liberi, Ludwig von Eyb and more, by Michael Chidester, held at Fechtschule America 2013. Well worth watching, no matter if you focus more on the “Italian” or...

Die Vorpal-Klinge!

Posted by Roger Norling | Apr 1, 2013 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

This short movie shows a glimpse of the world of the Collegiate Fencing, the still living child of the Fechtschule tradition. For more reading, look at the excellent article An overview of German collegiate fencing traditions by...

Dynamic gripping of swords

Posted by Roger Norling | Mar 2, 2013 | Articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

Here’s a good clip from John Clements focusing on an often forgotten aspect of...

Meyer’s masters

Posted by Roger Norling | Feb 23, 2013 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Research articles, Study Articles |

On this day, 443 years ago, Fechtmeister Joachim Meyer published his magnificent fencing treatise...

Footwork video from Sala delle Armi.

Posted by Roger Norling | Nov 30, 2012 | Community news, Study Articles, Study News |

Very nicely produced video on footwork, from La Sala delle...

The Dussack – a weapon of war

Posted by Roger Norling | Nov 16, 2012 | Arms & Armour, Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

In my opinion the dussack doesn’t quite get the recognition it deserves in the historical...

The Wreath or the Cash? On Tournament fighting

Posted by Roger Norling | Sep 26, 2012 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Study Articles, Training methods |

“Ey fåår Fächtare Krantz förn ändas Manlige Strijden. The Fighter shall not receive the...

The Rose and the Pentagram

Posted by Roger Norling | Jul 17, 2012 | Articles, Fencing Culture, Research articles, Study Articles |

This article is written to accompany the recent article about the mysticist, and possibly even fencer and a Freyfechter, Heinrich Agrippa. If you haven’t read the article, it is suggested you do so, before...

A call to arms!

Posted by Roger Norling | Jul 4, 2012 | Community news, Research News, Study Articles, Study News |

From at least as far back as the early to mid 1400s, all the way up until about the French...

Meyer and Marozzo dagger comparison

Posted by Roger Norling | Jun 12, 2012 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Dagger, Research articles, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

It has been debated regarding to what extent Meyer was inspired by the Italians, the...

New research project: Meyer’s general advice

Posted by Roger Norling | May 31, 2012 | Community news, Research News, Study Articles, Study News |

This project will collect all of Joachim Meyer’s personal advice on fighting, stripping away all techniques instead focusing on fighting principles, tactics and strategies. Anyone is welcome to join us in this project. The...

Doing what we are told or what we are taught?

Posted by Roger Norling | May 2, 2012 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation, Training methods |

Here’s an old but still always relevant question for us HEMA practitioners to ask ourselves:...

The tools for the job

Posted by Roger Norling | Feb 26, 2012 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation, Training methods |

To understand the body mechanics involved in a technique we not only have to train our bodies so we are strong and agile enough, we also need to use tools that work together with our bodies in the appropriate manner. This may...

Joachim Meÿer Halben Stangen techniques

Posted by Roger Norling | Feb 20, 2012 | Articles, Meyer Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Study Articles, Techniques & interpretation |

The Guards Here are the main guards of Joachim Meÿer’s Halben Stangen: 1. Oberhut (left) 2. Gerader Versatzung (or Mittelhut) 3. Unterhut 4. Wechselhut (Not really a “main” guard, but a key stance) 5. Oberhut...