Hello guys,
If you have time, check this video and tell me what do you think...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj4Ng6DBfrg&feature=related

It is soooo awesome...
Longsword fencing should be in the olimpics... xD

Been in my favorites for some time now. It's not just a treat to watch the display of so many offensive and defensive moves with the long sword but the combination of the combatants dress and that hazy,foggy background rolling around all that old stone work IMO makes it a cut above many similar videos artistically.

I think I've been breaking this down for about 6 months now. It's just superb.

I have no words to describe the beauty of longsword fencing, it is really awesome.
Have you seen 1:53 ?! :eek:
Can somebody explain me how the left guy got both swords?


There are other ones too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC5FIyfI8TA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38sVdx7nzhQ&feature=related

Not to hijack this thread but I was about to comment on their messer techniques when I saw yours Cory. Good show man! It really wonderful how your group has evolved. If I was closer I'd love the opportunity to train with you all. And now back to our regularly scheduled thread.

Thank you Cory for that ARMA link. That picture really drives it home for me. I Can't wait till my group meets again! Also after watching both Cory's and Their Messer videos I wonder if this carried over to single sword as well. I would assume that the techniques would transfer from weapon to weapon, with slight modifications based on the physics of the weapon in question, for simplicities sake? If I'm thinking wrong here please correct me.

Thank you Cory, some techniques are performed so fast that i just can even wonder how a guy ends with both swords, or counterattacking a thrust like in the las technique of the video.

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully we'll get the chance to train together some day.

As for this technique transferring over to other weapons, here is a slightly different variation of it in Hans Lecküchner's Kunst des Messerfechtens:
http://mdz10.bib-bvb.de/~db/bsb00002184/image..._00266.jpg

Here's a really quick translation:

"Note, he cuts a cut from above (oberhau) against you, so cut also simultaneously with one to him. Meanwhile (Indes) wind your messer with the horizontal (zwirch) on his and grip meanwhile with your left arm over both messers, that both points are below you and stand under your left shoulder. Meanwhile drive with your hilt under through his right arm and wind your hilt outside over his right hand and wrench strongly over on your right side etc..."

Hi Rodolfo,
Don't mention it!

-Cory

The technique at 1:53 is in so-called Codex Wallerstein :

[ Linked Image ]
Item ein gucz swert nemen wenn dir ainer an das swert pint so val im mit deiner tencken hant in paid swercz klingen und gee mit dem knopf und mit der rechten hant unten durch sein swert und zeuch hinter sich als hie gemalt stet so nimstu im das swert

Except that in the vid he begins it with swords crossed with his own point low. But it works from a 'normal' bind as well.

Yep, that's the one. Thanks for posting the caption, my copy of Codex Wallerstein is being used elsewhere at the moment.

For those who don't speak German it roughly translates to:

"Note, a good sword-taking. When one binds you on the sword, then fall in with your left hand in both sword blades and go with the pommel and with the right hand under through his sword and pull behind as depicted here, so you take the sword from him."

-Cory

Hello guys.
I see that some of you are fencers, and or are very well informed about the subject.
I was thinking about this woodcut:

See the armored Maximilian with the sword?
The fact is that there are many woodcuts and ilustrations of the first half of the XVI century, showing armored cavalrymen, with longswords.
Since most of you know about the physics of the longsword, What do you think about its use from horseback?

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I'm no horseman, so I can't really comment on the subject, but there are several books showing the use of the longsword on horseback.

Here is a link to the Paulus Kal Fechtbuch which shows several techniques starting here:
http://mdz10.bib-bvb.de/~db/bsb00001840/image...p;seite=24

I hope this helps.

-Cory

Hi Rodolfo

It would be better to open a new thread.

But to answer quickly : a sword is a sword, no matter long or short. Swords with long grips were quite fashionable in Maximilian's time, and they also were a mark of status. Hence their presence on artwork from this specific period.

And, as said : a sword is a sword. The fact that we qualify these types with the term 'longswords' doesn't mean they would have a specific, restricted, pedestrian two-handed use. Fiore die Liberi uses the same type of swords, wether one handed or two handed, on foot or on horseback.

And, thirdly : a sword is a sword - related to what I said above, it's not because you're on horseback and in armour, that you can't at some point need to fight on foot.


So, to answer (really) your question : horseback sword techniques are more affected by the horse than by the type of sword you're using (speaking of straight, double-edged swords of this specific period).



Edited after Cory's edit ;)

Very cool video! In fact, I added it to my FaceBook profile! Man, I wish I learned to do that! They make that look so easy, don't they?

Hi Fabrice,

Thanks for catching that, it has been corrected!

Take care,
Cory

Medieval sword and knife fighting should be in the olimpics in my view, there are so many sports in the olimpics that should not be there like volley ball, it's ok for the beach but not the olimpics.