References

1.Hs.3227a. 22V. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

2. Meyer Joachim (1570): Gründliche Beschreibung der Freyen Ritterlichen und Adeligen Kunst des Fechtens. (1.55R). Translation by Dr. Jeffrey L. Forgeng

3.Hs.3227a. 20R-20V. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

4.Hs.3227a. 22V. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

5.Hs.3227a. 21R. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

6.Hs.3227a. 22R. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

7. C487 (Ringeck Fechtbuch). 22r-22v. ca 1389AD. Translation by Roger Norling

8.Hs.3227a. 22R. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

9.Hs.3227a. 48R. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

10. Meyer Joachim (1570): Gründliche Beschreibung der Freyen Ritterlichen und Adeligen Kunst des Fechtens. (2.52r-2.52v). Translation by Dr. Jeffrey L. Forgeng

11.Hs.3227a. 27-28R. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

12. Silver George (1599): Brief Instructions upon my Paradoxes of Defence, Transcribed to modern English bySteve Hick.

13. Hs.3227a. 22R. ca 1389AD. Translation by David Lindholm

 

The Onion – Basics of European Longsword: Part 5

by Roger Norling | Nov 15, 2013 | Articles, Meyer Halben Stangen, Meyer longsword, Meyer Rappier, Teaching & training methods, Techniques & interpretation | 2 comments

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This week’s article will be talking about the topic of various ways of counterstriking against an attack. Different masters and traditions handle this differently, depending on their core tactics and views on what distances and timing to use as the basis for the general fighting. Some even mix different solutions in varying proportions, combining different and sometimes disparate styles into their own personal style, withJoachim Meyer being a prime example of this.

Kinetic energy, opposing strikes, leverage, Versetzen and distance

Basically there are three different methods (1) for handling the opponent’s strikes with a counterstrike:

1. Opposing kinetic power – Meaning you strike in direct opposition to the incoming strike, much like e.g. George Silver andJoachim Meyer sometimes advises us to use kinetic power rather than leverage, e.g. with theEntrüsthauw or Rüsthauw and the Dempffhauw – cuts that are made with all sword types in Meyer’s treatise.

2. Deflecting power – Meaning you cut against an incoming cut at an angle, thus weakening the opponent’s cut, for e.g. with a Zornhauw against a Scheitel/Oberhauw, or a Scheitel/Oberhauw against a Zornhauw. The use of mostMaisterhäuwe (Master Cut) and the Versetzen (Displacing Cut) is designed around this.

3. Power through leverage – Meaning you cut in a way that instantly puts the opponent’s weak part (red/orange below) on  your strong part (green/blue or the cross). For example, against a Zornhauw you can cut an Unterhauw or a Zwerchhauw ending up in Ochs/Hengen.

There really are no other ways of counterstriking with blade contact when the opponent’s strike actually risks hitting you. With that said, you can also step back or aside and void the opponent’s attack and counterstrike in Nachreissen, perhaps even using a weak bind to fool the opponent with aSchnappen (Snapping). But, if you actually risk being hit and can’t or won’t step, then one of the three methods above have to be used.

FROM JOACHIM MEYER’S “GRÜNDLICHE BESCHREIBUNG DER FREYEN RITTERLICHEN UND ADELIGEN KUNST DES FECHTENS” (1570). IMAGE HAS BEEN COLOURIZED