Roger my thoughts exactly, the Flail was featured in the Fechtschulen imagery, that is
relevant, I'm sure. My feelings are having used them once or twice, it was a very difficult
thing to control, when displaced, like if someone were to half sword with a longsword
and catch it as you were striking this would require some skill to swing through, like a
nunchuku i guess, so I bet there was training in these weapons. No reason to
doubt that. And not just by the fancy pants like in Mair! i have been studying the
Bauers and see this being used as a weapon, I've gotta translate more of the text i have
but i think it was originally, a dangerous enough, and common enough weapon, that the
fechtmeisters included it for good reason. The Farmers were a different entity altogether.
They not only had their own Guilds, but their own Towns! So that they were already
banded together, mostly. Yet they remained fiercely familial.
But their independence proved their downfall, they couldnt seem to
come together at the right times. And were often defeated by their own quarrels.
The handworkers lived and worked in the Cities, which they also defended. Sometimes against the Farmers.
We see throughout history the farmers and peasants uprisings and revolts. And what did they attack with often?
Flails, not just Flails but Pitchforks, and various other implements of their devising. I am concentrating on learning
more about these Bauers. they really were a force unto themselves. Their symbol was the Flail. I have an old book
that has many awesome plates, i've gotta get those shared.
I've been thinking about the Flails in this lone Meyer Plate M, was it considered a training weapon?
Because they are being wielded by two boys? Also interesting, if we look at the extreme upper right
we see a Male figure? with another juvenile and when you follow this young spectators eyes, they draw a straight
line to the two boys fighting. I have found that the spectators eyes in Meyers 1570, are often looking straight
at a certain fencer or pair. This is important, Because I believe that the spectators were not just Artists fancy.
Much of the symbolism in the plates is being discovered now, the Crown with the Three swords is of extreme
relevance, so we see symbolism used throughout, and purposefully. And everywhere. I have a sneaky suspicion
that the Landknechts played a part in this whole thing as well. Many of the Spectators are Men of Means, they
are viewing from the Front, to their rear, is the Bodyguard, he has a Feather in his cap, this is a symbol of
the Captain or Colonels Bodyguard in the regiments. I believe, there are Officers featured in the Plates fencing.
some of the "Bodyguards" are looking on intently, almost on the verge of running in and lending assistance
to his Captain, who is engaged. We see many other symbolic things in these Plates. The Flail is no exception.
For Meyer to include the Flail being used by two youths, is telling us something, of its relevance to Meyer's Art.
Whether that was for School or not, it was a Battle proven weapon, that commanded respect. And warranted
its inclusion in many of the Fencing manuals. Now lets just find some actual written texts of its use.
