Hello all,

I've heard hints and suggestions that tumbling and the like were part of Medieval physical training. And so I'm looking for information from the Medieval period on tumbling/gymnastics and other physical training. The focus is on those aspects which may have been a part of a knight's training.

I'm not too concerned with time or place to begin with, especially since I suspect there are few sources on the topic.

Ultimately, I'm working on supplementing my longsword fencing training with whole body, movement elements.

Thanks,
Steven

You should get this:

http://www.myArmoury.com/books/item.0300083521.html

IIRC he deals specifically with movement.

Somewhere, there's a drawing or woodcut showing men training--lifting weights, vaulting, wrestling, etc.

Try the Search function. (Though it can be a trifle difficult to use. There was a specific topic I wanted to get but couldn't find.) Here is a random result that may be applicable to what you're interested in:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ht=fitness

Thanks Nathan.

According to Michael Cartier at the Meyer Freifechter Guild it was known in the German medieval/rennaisance world as "wall running (von laufen)". He says "it has roots even further back to the Classical world where functional strength was valued highly in the combat sport arena." but he doesn't give his sources. Maybe someone could independently verify this.

I've often wondered whether the modern day gymnastic sports like pommel horse, vault, rings, floor exercise and uneven bar can be traced back to the "Von Laufen" type Knightly training regimens.

1. “Exercises”

[ Linked Image ]

Source: British Library Images Online:
http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/results.asp?ima...earchnum=3

Title: Exercises
Description: Men performing exercises with swords and other implements. Image taken from Illustrierte Sittengeschichte vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart. Originally published/produced in Munich, 1909-12.

Discussion:
The partially obscured title reveals this to be a FechtBoden and Frauenhaus – i.e. a fight place or house with a bawdyhouse attached from the middle ages.

There are several fools to be seen in the picture, probably with some kind of moral implication for the pursuits, but there is also a selection of activites grouped together; gymnastics with swords, sword sparring or training, some kind of ballgame or lifting rocks for weight training.

I am also fascinated by the guys at the top. The guy on the left appears to have a handgonne, but it would seem rather foolish to fire it at the guy on the right holding a hoop / target or some kind. The guy on the right must have great trust in the skills of the guy firing/shooting! In the absence of rocket-launchers, I am at a loss to see what else it could be other than a gun or a crossbow seen from the side?...

Is this an image to show the vices and follies of these types of places, or could it be taken as a more literal representation of the types of things seen and done in this kind of establishment? Can anyone make out the German written in the ‘scrolls’ on the picture?

And just found this very interesting article from ARMA - The Role of Fitness in Historical Fencing:

http://www.thearma.org/essays/fit/RennFit.htm

Hope these help?