… And if you like; just fuck it all.

So how do you fight from Zufechten? Well, my theory is that you mostly don’t, but rather fight at the edge of Mittel, not stepping out to proper Zufechten unless you get too tired, too confused or if you have successfully hit the opponent and thus retreat in the Abzug into a distance where both fighters need to take a full step to reach each other, i.e.the proper Zufechten.

Furthermore, neither should you thoughtlessly or hastily move into the middle distance of the Edele Krieg, as that is a distance that is hard to control, just as any combat at close range is, since it is difficult to leave it safely once you have entered it.

As Ringeck tells us:

Do not hastily seek the Krieg He who [foolishly] aims high in the Krieg is shamed from below

… But do not be too hasty in the attack and seek the Krieg, because the Krieg is nothing other than the windings at the sword. (6)

So what clues do we have for this approach? Well, we can look at the “Döbringer” treatise, where we read the following:

… No matter what you do or attempt to do, always have measure [Limpf] and length [Masse]. If you have won the first strike [Vorschlag] then do not perform it too slowly, but move fast so that you can gather yourself for the after strike [Nachschlag] as well. That is why Liechtenauer says “Always know this, that all things have length and measure”. And understand this in relation to stepping and all other pieces of swordsmanship. (7)

And when discussing stepping we see the this advise:

Also know that when you fence with another you should step with caution and be sure in them [the steps or movements] as if you were standing on a scale and adapt accordingly if you go forward or backward as is fitting. Easy and quickly with good heart and good knowledge or sense you should go and without fear, as you will know hereafter. You should also show reach in your fencing as is suitable and not step too wide, so that you can pull back and be ready for another step backwards or forwards. (8)

In his rapier section (although applicable to longsword too) Meyer tells us that it is perfectly fine to use ‘sweeping cuts and thrusts’ at long distance.

Thus when you are so near him that you can just reach the foible of his blade with your foible in the bind, then you may well execute sweeping cuts and thrusts against him. … But when you have come so near one another that both blades bind in the middle, then you must not cut around, not go away from his blade without particular opportunity, for as soon as you go away from his blade, he can rush upon you with chasing (9)

However, wide and sweeping cuts are also dangerous if at too close distance, and you can exploit such fencers with Nachreissen.

When it comes to how to actually fight we see several techniques in the Döbringer treatise that are recognisable tactically in the texts of Joachim Meyer as well. Techniques that fencers who focus on the early treatises often perceive as “wide cutting” and “flowery”. For example, we see a “technique” called Drey Hewethat is quite similar to the Flügelhauw, combining several strokes from below and intently smacking the opponent’s sword aside before actually hitting him.

One technique is called the three strikes [Dy drey hewe]. And it is one strike from below [Uenderhaw] from the right side, and then a strike from below [Underhaw] from the left side that strikes the opponents sword strongly to displace [Abesetzen] it and the third is a strike that goes directly at the opponent and hits him in the forehead. (10)

Like in Ringeck and Meyer, we also see some very interesting comments on the use of the Zwerchhauw:

Note and know that from the whole sword no strike is as good, ready and strong as the cross strike [Twerhaw]. And it goes across to both sides using both edges the foremost and the rearmost at all openings below and above.

So when you make a cross strike [Twerhaw], regardless of the side or if it is high or low, you will go up with the sword with your hand turned and the cross guard in front of your head so that you are well guarded and covered.

And when you must fight for your neck [i.e. for your life] , then you shall use the earlier described teachings and seek and win the first strike [Vorschlag] with a good cross strike [Twerehaw].

And when you thus win the first strike [Vorschlag] with the cross strike [Twerhaw] at one side, then regardless if you hit or miss, you shall at once and without delay win the after strike [Nachschlag] with the cross strike [Twerhaw] to the other side using the forward edge before the other can collect himself and come to blows or other techniques according to the afore described teachings. And you shall cross strike [Twern] to both sides, to the ox [Ochs] and to the plough [Pflug] that is to the upper and the lower opening, from one side to the other, above and below continuously and without any interruptions so that you are in constant motion and the opponent can not come to blows. (11)

So, with the ‘scales‘ described in the Döbringer treatise, telling us to step both back and forth in balance and control, working with distance and measure in mind, we can also turn to a British contemporary of Joachim Meyer; George Silver, who describes similar ideas:

Let all your lying be such as shall best like yourself, ever considering out what fight your enemy charges you, but be sure to keep your distance, so that neither head, arms, hands, body, nor legs be within his reach, but that he must first of necessity put in his foot or feet, at which time you have the choice of 3 actions by which you may endanger him & go free yourself. The first is to strike or thrust at him, the instant when he has gained you the place by his coming in. The second is to ward, & after to strike him or thrust from it, remembering your governors The third is to slip a little back & to strike or thrust after him.

But ever remember that in the first motion of your adversary towards you, that you slide a little back so shall you be prepared in due time to perform any of the 3 actions aforesaid by disappointing him of his true place whereby you shall safely defend yourself & endanger him.

Remember also that if through fear or policy, he strike or thrust short, & therewith go back, or not go back, follow him upon your twofold governors, so shall your ward & slip be performed in like manner as before, & you yourself still be safe. (12)

Particularly noteworthy here is Silver’s advise to always step back as the opponent steps forward, thus robbing him of his ‘place’ so his attack will fail. This gives a mental image of something quite similar to what is described in the Döbringer treatise. Again:

… as if you were standing on a scale and adapt accordingly if you go forward or backward as is fitting. … You should also show reach in your fencing as is suitable and not step too wide, so that you can pull back and be ready for another step backwards or forwards.(13)

This isn’t quite the same as stepping out into proper Zufechten, but rather slipping back just out of reach, which also means you can slip in again quickly, or continue retreating if needed. Silver’s ‘Place‘ seems in the German tradition to be at the furthest distance of the Mittel or just outside of it, and I believe this is the distance where we should both;

• retreat to in order to counter with a static parry or a Versetzen/Absetzen

• cut somewhat short with a feint or provoking cuts & thrusts

• and finally make our proper, full withdrawal (Abzug) from,

… while normally both attempting to cross and maintain this specific distance when the swords cross; a distance where cutting and counter-cutting, make more sense than remaining in the bind and work with the Handtarbeit (handworks), as we would do in the proper Mittel, where leaving the bind is too dangerous. Likewise trying to bind at too far a distance would open one up to the use of Dürchwechseln (changing under) and simple Nachreissen by slipping back and counter-cutting.

That’s it for this time. If you haven’t already, then please read the earlier chapters of this series as they are all connected, with layers together making up the “onion” we are examining…

Next time we will begin to cover the topic of ‘Kinetic energy, leverage, Versetzen and distance’.

1. The stages of a fight and distance (Published) 2. Vor, Nach & Nachreissen (Published) 3. The Schweche, the Mittel and the Stercke (Published) 4. Fuhlen, Indes, Hard and Soft, Weak and Strong and if you like; just fuck it all. (Published) 5. Kinetic energy, leverage, Versetzen and distance (Published) 6. Types of cuts (Published) 7. Mentality and tactics (Published) 8. Mess with the mind, then with the body (Published) 9. The point of stances (Published) 10. Shifting Grips (Published) 11. Cutting 12. The Line and protecting the hands 13. Leaning 14. Stepping 15. The Zwerchhauw, the Wechselhauw and the Verfliegen 16. Flow and Combat application 17. Solo Exercises 18. Partner Exercises

Until next time, thank you for taking the time to read this and feel free to comment and share your ideas! Have a great weekend everyone!

Roger Norling