Longsword

[1] Sword Fencing

Firstly will each one of the actions in Fencing be divided into three parts which are particularly good to note. In the Sword this is namely attacking, followed by the withdrawal or other than to the first to reach it, send your attacks through the guards and cut like they follow afterwards here, however to the other parts and the middle work, this will be reprinted with the handworks, and a mixture of convenient cuts. Onwards to the last, or the withdrawal, how orderly each one will hereafter be diligently written and taught.

[2] Secondly one should note the Before and After, Weak and Strong. The Before is when you drive with your Stücken so that he cannot come to his senses, especially by positioning yourself close, and how he defends before your Stücken and these same would like to break and bar, with this, he runs off the Before to you. The After is, when you have been rushed upon by your opponent how it is reported next and above. Thus you should respond Indes quickly with convenient work, with this, you are strongest on his Stücken, when you lay on with your work in the Before, and in this you are crowded so that you must displace him after, thus is a constant changing with the Before and After, now you have it, then he does. But he who does not pay attention to it, he will nonetheless never learn to fence.

[3] Divisions of the sword to the Weak and Strong

The sword is firstly divided in two parts, namely from the grip to the middle of the blade which is known as the Strong, from the middle to the most forward, is the Weak.

[4] Furthermore is the sword divided in four parts how the figure below this shows. With the inward part, that is the haft, and [with it] the work with the pommel and cross and haft will be understood, in the next part, thereafter will the work with cutting and pushing and what belongs to the Strong be understood, to the third part of the sword should be noted the alterable work of the Weak and Strong after opportunity and liking. Which alone is extremely weak for you to work properly to the Openings.

[5] Hard and Soft

Thus you shall mark in the binding of the swords, as you shall feel if he has become hard or soft in the bind, with the cut.

Item: If he is yet again, strong or weak, and is usually more watchful of the weak binding before the strong, how hereafter in the fencing it can be seen.

[6] With this however the sword fencing and the following written Stuck is more understandable thus as I explain my Zedel according to the rules, as I want the words to have understanding so I have named the order; the Beginning, Middle and End.

[7] Follow the Sword Zedel

The Four Main guards

From the Roof, Fool, Ox, Plow

[8] The Eight Secondary Guards

Long Point, Iron Gate, Hanging Point, Speak Window, Key, Side Guard, Barrier Guard, Wrath Guard

[9] The Five Master-Cuts

Wrath Cut, Crooked Cut, Thwart Cut, Squinting Cut, Scalper

[10] The Six Covert Cuts

Blinding Cut, Bouncing Cut, Short Cut, Knuckle Cut, Clashing Cut, Wind Cut

[11] Handworks in the Sword

Bind On, Remain, Cut, Strike Around, Travel After, Snap Around, Run Off, Doubling, Leading, Flying, Feeling, Circle, Looping, Winding, Winding Through, Reverse, Change Through, Run over, Set Off, Cut Off, Pull, Hand Press, Displace, Hanging, Blocking, Barring, Travel out, Grab over, Weak pushing

[12] From the Four Openings and Divisions

Firstly will the opponent be divided in two sections, namely left and right, how the lines in the figure above is shown, thereafter in two more divisions namely under and over, the above two openings would be the Ox, to divide the under two, the Plow.

[13] Whose use one should thus firstly note, in which division he leads his sword under or above, to the right or the left/ when you have seen that, thus attack against him at once from above, it is about the location, otherwise, take a general example of this:

[14] In Zufechten, thus both of you have come together, and you see that he leads his sword to his right in the high opening, in Ox or Wrath Guard, thus attack in to his lower left opening, if not, then it is much more important that you provoke him to meet you. As soon as this clashes, or will, thus pull around your head and strike him high to the opening from which he came. This is namely to his right ear, with the half edge and crossed hands. This is the correct Squinting Cut.

[15] Another

Thus when one holds his sword to the left in Zufechten, then go through before him from your right and cut with strength to his right, as soon as he swipes after to the strike thus pull a looping to the left opening, if he swipes after this, however, thus allow it to fly around again, thus drive each opening to the other, crosswise and against one another after your opportunity.

It is every fencer's [desire] that he quickly knows from all strikes, to which opening the cut is coming, Indes quickly there and follow after, if I however can decide, then I want to instruct about the displacing upwards in hanging.

It is stated in the ancient Verses, who often displaces, will often be injured.

[16] Item Liechtenauer said in his secret verses, that "displacing hurts you, if you wish it on yourself", therefore shall every fencer know that he is to be the first with attacking and following, then to every fencer that is known to watch and wait on another, from this he shall come to no harm, or at the least, if he does not fight much.

A proper fencer, who does not displace much, will have the greatest advantage. Thus, when he strikes you also strike, when he thrusts you also thrust, when he steps you also step. Where two equal strikes come together, thus they bring you to displacing, when however one will cut from above, and then next he goes against with a Thwart, thus he sets off, and steps with one another, thus simultaneously should one have a step out, with the same cut and therein with advantage also pay attention to his openings. Thus should every fencer know that he is soon attentive how it is also shown above, that where two good fencers have come together, which I have attentively married together in the illustrations.

[17] Thus have I put forth a short and summary knowledge of sword-fighting and all noteworthy Stücken and also the translations of which the divisions that are obscured, are clarified in measure and thereafter it enters and then next goes in three divisions, namely how it was previously reported, Onset or Attacking, Pressing After or the middle work, the last is to Withdraw or end and therefore so that one may better understand I will shortly reiterate.

Thus, to the attacks have I put forth the guards in which one should not delay, or wait in them, but rather as a result must your necessary courage with whose reported cuts, go once or twice to your opportunity, so that he must then engage and that the Before has escaped Him, thus to another opening should one work after with various offensive handworks, beholding with the Before, as such handworks are stated above as a three in one handwork, thus to crowd and close so that one may come to the withdraw without shame.

[18] Of this, I will give an example

If one fights against you in the guard of the Roof, thus you come in Zufechten into the Side Guard, you must above all not wait in that long, then when he bears witness to the strike and as soon as he brings his sword into the air, thus lay on against him with a Thwart strike, instantly as it clashes, thus cut quickly again around with the long Thwart, to the other side of his sword, that is now attacking, if he strikes around, thus you cut after, if he displaces, then deceive him with the weak, so that you cut him in the After.

If he is hard thus you are soft
If he cuts, so you counter,
If he displaces, then you cut

Thirdly; also have instant attention for your opportunity to Withdraw.

[19] See that you are the first on the field;
Before your opponent adopts a posture, lay on against him.

Thus note that when you wish to fight with someone, then see that you are the first to be in place so that you can act in a timely manner in your intended Stück, then you shall forcefully continue against him with cuts that he cannot send himself into a guard or Stück But rather you shall show that you will rush over him with sudden stepping before he realizes it. How it is then further clarified by the following Rhyme.

[20] Pay heed to Instantly, understand me rightly,
Hit him before he adopts his posture.

This is when you are in the Zufechten and he is just about to you, then note when he acts as if he will adopt a posture, then do not allow him to rest or come to it, but rather always attack first, and as he is choosing a posture, lay on at once to the next opening, and position yourself as if you would to cut strongly, but do not do this, rather allow it to fail or flit to another opening, then as soon as you are at the midway part of your sword on his sword, do not await, but rather, Thwart, Strike Around, Wrench Out, Slice, Wind, and what other types of work there may be.

[21] For you no guard will come so good
In the After you strike out freely, boldly.

But it makes you wonder, as such, how can there be still many good guards, and hence, you yourself have seen taught here many good techniques, answer, it is true, there are many good guards and will be fought from a number of good and beautiful techniques. As I have included several in this book for you. However this rhyme teaches you that it is always better to not settle into a guard. It guards you not at all, to show someone with your guard, what you will do amid the fight, that may your cutting through not be brought so far.

In this, learn from the rhyme, when you should do it. Namely in the After that is when you should take him, when he keeps his guard, or stays in a guard, then cut him to the opposite opening, as soon as he goes towards your strike with his displacing, and is out of his guard, and whether it connects or doesn’t connect, then pull around your head and strike, especially to the part or quarter line from where he has struck from.

[22] Of this I will give to you an example: when one stands before you in the right Wrath Guard in the Zufechten, as soon as you note that he will remain in the Wrath Guard, thus cut through to him, still that you are not too close, and in cutting through, allow your sword to fly around in the air, so that you would come into the right Ox, but before you complete this, or when you have sent this gesture, then step quickly, before he will properly defend, and cut to his left, from under so that your hands remain high, with this you force him, that he must leave his guard to displace, or with a step back, cut in at the same time as you, as soon as the swords connect, pull around the head and cut with crossed hands to his right ear with a Squinting Cut, in an arc, to where his departure has made him open, how the Figure shows, it is a lofty attack or onset, in which you should take great heed to the steps, and the body should well follow the cuts.

When you threaten to cut to a place, then you can readily deceive him, therefore in such attacks you must take the ground, as it were, and in your approach act as if you would step small and tight and before he is aware step broadly forth to the attack, allow yourself at first to be seen taking large steps, in this he takes notice, and will meet you quickly in earnest, to get there before you, thus withhold your step and do it moderately, so that he is otherwise in this you take your advantage, and as soon as you see it, that you are quickly at him again with broad stepping.

[23] The cuts you send powerfully from your body
To the four openings carry out your work.

In this rhyme two things are realized, firstly, to the cutting secondly, to the four openings of the Man, to which the cuts will be cut, and note that you cut all cuts with outstretched arms, and with this reach far to the man, also as soon as a cut from one side fails, thus you should quickly cut to the opposite side.

[24] Item If however you step up and are going strong, thus cut quickly around to the other side, also when you will cut to an opening, thus note that as soon as he goes to displace your cut, thus do not allow them to connect, (where it is useful to you) but rather pull free your sword and let it fly around again and strike to another opening, reach far from you with the cuts, and you must step correctly with this, thus fine changing and changing through on the shield comes to you, and so you won’t be harmed see that you cut to the body and not to the sword, from the Second part of this rhyme the verses teach this, also I will write further of this in 38 rhymes, and still more of the same.

[25] When you Crooked Cut go up quickly
Throw the point with crossed hands.

Note the Crooked Cuts are many, and that all cuts that are done with hands put crosswise or crossed, will be known as Crooked Cuts.

Hence the one, Squinter is also counted among the Crooked Cuts and it applies equally to the long or short edges, thus it is a Crooked Cut when you hold your hands crosswise.

And firstly when one will cut straight to your head, from his right, thus step with your right foot well out from his strike, to his left, so that you avoid his strike with a spring to his left and likewise cut from your right with crossed hands, against his cut, thus you come with your blade between his head and sword, on his short edge, which is facing him, and when it connects, then step further around to his left side with your right foot, and displace or transfer your sword's blade from his, onto his arm, between his head and sword, in this you will have seen the opening, to which the you may cut and see that you don't wait long but rather allow your cuts to fly quickly to the openings.

[26] Item Note when you approach him in the Zufechten, then see when he shows his arm will strike, thus cross your hands while in the air yet that they remain high, and throw the point at his hand or arms, that is the weak or the furthest part of the blade, and that should happen when he goes up to strike, and before he is ready, thus be on his blade, with a Thwart Cut, for such techniques should fly and go quickly.

[27] Allow the Circle to connect to the right
Hold your hands high, you will deceive him.

The Circle also comes from the Crooked Cuts and is a particularly good technique for deception, compared to others, because it does not just run off, unlike other deceptive techniques, like Running Off and the like, but rather when one does it correctly and strikes the Circle very hard with the short edge in running by.

This Stück goes thus, (after you have come under his sword in the attack) when your stay in the bind, and drive your sword over the head, as soon as he gives a little room, so that he is not binding on the sword, but rather drives his sword then high above you, then cross your hands in the air, and cut from above with the short edge thus put crosswise, down to his right ear, so that whether your blade hits or not, it runs around in a circle by his right arm, and in this keep your hands high above your head, as soon as he slips after the Circle, then step with your left foot well on to his right side, and cut in at his head with the long edge, over his right arm, behind his blade, take your body and head well away from his strike with a step to your left side.

[28] A good Stück from the Circle

When you stand before one in this same work, how you have previously been taught, thus pay attention when your advantage will come, then step aside at once with your left foot out to your left side, and cut with a circle to his right while you are stepping but that in running past to the right, it grazes, and also with this Circle, step through with your right foot between you and him, in to his right side, with this stepping through, cut a Thwart Cut from your right to his left, forwards to the face Indes spring well out to his right and cut him long after to his head.

[29] With the Crooked step well if you want to displace
The crossing over, does him harm.

This is when you cut in Crooked at the same time as him, with your strike you should step well out from his strike, so that you have your head behind your blade, well from his strike. The second part teaches you that when you have bound on his sword with a Crooked cut, that you nimbly cross over where you have the opportunity and then snap around or wind the quick snap to his head, or wrench out, allow it to overrun.

[30] A Stück from the Reversing

Note in Zufechten that you pay attention when he goes up before you, then step and cut a Crooked from your left to or above his right arm, with this Crooked Cut step well to him, and reverse your sword and wrench downwards and out to your right side If he may work further, thus drive with the pommel from inside, between both of his arms, allow your left hand to release from the grip and grab your sword blade and wrench out upwards, how this figure shows.

[31] Counter

Let go the left hand, and allow him to wrench without avail, Indes drive after his upwards pressing, with your slice to his arms, do not allow him to come to any further work, nor to cut freely, when you see your advantage, at once, allow your sword to fly to the next opening.

[32] Cut Crooked to his Flat
And you will Weaken the Master.

This is a lesson how you shall weaken one's incoming strike, and goes thus. In Zufechten pay attention when he cuts in at you from his right, then step well out from his strike and cut with crossed hands and the long edge onto the strong of his sword's blade, on the Flat, thereby you weaken him, so that he can barely recover for another strike, then before he recovers you are on his head with winding and flicking.

[33] Counter

You should mark that when one meets you with a Crooked Cut, to your oncoming strike, to weaken you, then change through nimbly under his blade and work to his side from which he sent his Crooked Cut.

[34] When first they connect and clash above
Pull away to the openings you will confuse him.

This is a very good rhyme that admonishes you earnestly to pay attention to the openings that fall before you. For it is known that you go at him correctly in the After, thus you have very often whenever the swords connect or two strike and clash together above, there is an opening below. You will not fail to note this through several Stück.

[35] Note in Zufechten send yourself into the Wrath Guard, as soon as you can get him, then step and cut in with him from your right a powerful High Cut, when this clashes, then strike around nimbly with a Thwart to his left ear, with a back-step of your left foot, behind your right, thus you likewise hit twice, or complete two strikes before he completes one.

[36] Item If one cuts at you from above like before, then cut from your lower left against his strike, so that you catch his High Cut up in the air, as soon as it connects then cut with the forward short edge and crossed hands in a Circle, to his right ear and that you swiftly go almost at the same time, namely that when the blades connect together, thus you shall hit down from above with the short edge.

[37] Item In the Onset act as if you would cut from above; but as soon as you note that he slips upwards against your cut, at once turn your High Cut into a Low Cut before it actually connects above, this is the Simultaneous Failer.

[38] Item If he cuts from below, thus fall on it with your long edge from above when it clashes, then pull back nimbly and strike to the next opening in one motion, or strike around from his sword with the flat in a winding flick to the next opening.

[39] When you cut Crooked at his strong
Be sure to wind through and overrun with it.

This is when you cut a Crooked Cut at one, and he holds off hard so that you cannot cross over, or have other work from above, thus wind under and through with the pommel, and cast the pommel to the other side over his blade or arm from the outside, and wrench downwards and strike in with the long edge deep to his head, or cast the pommel in between both of his hands, how this figure reveals.

[40] The next is a counter to the Low Cut

If one cuts a Lot Cut to you, then cut with your long edge so that you have your hands Crooked or Crosswise, above on his strong. Then when this clashes, thrust the blade right in before you, and in thrusting forth, wind the short edge to flick it around at his face or head. If he drives up and defends against your flick, then drive up also, pull around your head, and strike him to another opening.

[41] The pommel deception, you shall remember
With Flicking and Quickening you will vex him.

This is when you cut in with a Crooked Cut to his strong, if he opposes or displaces high, then wind through below with the pommel, and act as if you would grab over with the pommel, as I have already taught; and before he realizes it, then quickly flick the short edge back in at him, again on the same line, to whichever side you first did the Crooked Cut.

[42] Item In the Zufechten, lay on against your opponent with a powerful horizontal Middle Cut strongly at his left ear. Quickly pull your pommel around your head, and threaten him with it as if you would thrust at his other side with the pommel, and if he wishes to slip after and displace the thrust then flick back at his left ear with the short edge, and in flicking, step with your left foot back behind your right.

[43] Also you will then correctly shoot through
Crooked, Short, change through on his shield.

This is a proper master's technique, when you are in the Zufechten, then send yourself into the right Wrath; as soon as he brings his sword in the air, then strike a free High Cut at him, and in the air, cross your hands so that the right hand comes crosswise over the left, and cut then through Crooked with the short edge against his cut, in this, step with a double step well out to his right, and cut with the long edge at his right ear, or use changing through to come onto his shield against his right; then work with winding, slicing, and whatever other work arises for you.

[44] A free running Stuck from the Shooting through

Take heed in the Zufechten of he who pulls up his sword to strike, thus cut through quickly and freely before him how it is taught above, so that you come to his right on to his shield. And as soon as it connects, then wind again with the short edge in at his head, and in this winding, jerk your pommel well upward, so that your blade again snaps around, so that in your cut, your right hand comes back over your left, hit then with crossed hands, and thus in snapping around, wind in below to his right ear, and step at the same time, quickly with your left foot well out to his right. Then at once Thwart to his left ear with a step out, deeply wind your short edge inwards and again outwards to his left ear, and then cut away from him.

[45] Note when he would confuse you with the Crooked,
Remain rightly on the sword; carry out the Krieg
With winding, slicing, and what’s more;
With flitting let yourself not go too far.

In these rhymes you learn how you should hold yourself against one who binds Crooked on your sword, and reports to you, as well, two techniques. Namely the remaining and the War, this is when one binds you Crooked on your sword, thus you should not pull away at once, but remain and feel what kind of work you will need, like for example, if he withdraws you chase after;

[46] Item If he remains, then you wind. For winding, slicing, wrenching out, and reversing is called the War, through which one to the other always counters the opponent's Stücken. And one counter follows one from another, for if he wards off one, then with this he gives you occasion or helps you to another technique that conveniently follows after it, thus you both make War. Also this same you should note, when an opponent lays on against you with a Crooked Cut, that you shall not fly around from one opening to another, for as soon as you go away from the Crooked Cut, then you are totally open to him, where he will correctly step.

[47] Stuck

If one strikes a Crooked Cut at you from his right, then set off his cut upward with the long edge and when it clashes, then remain with the bind on his blade, wind Indes your pommel up toward his left and the blade down toward his left, the short edge at his left ear, that all this shall occur at the same time as one step. Thus surely you hit, but if he is shrewd and turns the Crooked Cut into the Long point, then wind the short edge with a flick inward at his head, then at once wind through again underneath with the pommel on your left side, thus cast over his blade or arm with the pommel, and wrench out, or whatever the situation will be, then undertake another Stück.

[48] Quickly flick the weak to the right,
Double flick, protect yourself with the shield.

Note in the Zufechten, come into the right Change; from there, slash up through his face, so that your sword runs around your head above in a loop. Step with your left foot well to his right and strike with the outside flat from your left against his right athwart to his ear, with this, take your head well out of the way how it is previously stated here and when it clashes, then thrust your pommel through under your right arm and wind with the inside flat, in a flick, up from below again to his right ear. In this winding around remain hard on his shield and press hard from you. If he resists then let your sword go away and pull around your head, strike with the outside flat a strong Clashing Cut over your hand Wind through with the pommel back under your arm and flick from inside behind his blade at his head. Remain hard on his shield and wind rapidly back out, thus you stand back in the Clashing Cut as before. Work further as you will to the four openings, such as the need be and is previously taught here.

[49] Item If one again cuts a High Cut at you from his right then likewise cut a High Cut in against his at the same time. When it clashes, then rapidly thrust your pommel through under your arm and flick back inward to his head, before it rightly connects pull both your arms crossed upwards to your left and wrench upward around on his blade, flick back around at his left ear from below, thus again with the outside flat, how it is presented above, this double flicking shall happen quickly because it is a particularly nimble technique I have thus properly given to you. For when you bind from one side on his sword and remain hard on it and wind at him inwards and outwards in a flick, doubly on one side to the upper and lower part of his head, then when he parries the flicks, you will surely have an opening on the other side that you may connect with a Circle or by flicking around in a single motion.

[50] Also wind forcefully against his shield,
Instantly shove him away and strike swiftly.

That is when an opponent would defend off your double flicks and sets you off, thus catch his shield with yours and shove out; away from you sideways, Indes let your short edge snap around deep at his other opposite opening.

[51] If one cuts a powerful Buffel at you, so that you may not come at him with such subtle work, then cut the first at the same time as him and mark now when he pulls his arms back toward him, then drive at him from underneath with horizontal blade on both his arms and in driving under, let go with your left hand from the pommel and grip your blade in the middle, how this figure here after shows. Wrench out besides you both his arms with your shield and cross and as you shove or wrench release your left hand and quickly cut after, either short or long.

Therefore note when a Roof Guard Buffel is coming for you, then see that you parry once or twice, until you see the opportunity; that he has driven up the furthest for a stroke. Then drive his strike away from under on his arms and step well under him, thus he strikes his own arms on your blade.

[52] The Squinting Cut you shall do wisely
With winding you can also double him.

There are three Squinters, namely two Squinting Cuts; one from the right, the second from your left with crossed hands not unlike the Crooked Cut, how I have reported above concerning the Crooked Cuts. The third is a Squinter with the face, when I focus on a point and act as if I intended to strike there but I do not do this to him, rather I cut in elsewhere.

[53] The First Squinter goes thus; when you are in the Zufechten, then note as soon as he goes out to strike to your left, then position yourself as if you would strike at the same time to him, do not complete this, but rather turn your sword in the air so that your hand comes crosswise, and then cut in from above to his right with the short edge and crossed arms, at the same time as him, so that his blade comes also to his right, or falls by your right, however, step well with the left foot to his right side.

[54] The Second is the Old Squinting Cut, that goes thus; In the Zufechten send yourself into the right Wrath Guard, if he cuts then at your head from above, thus step from your right and strike to his cut by turning the short edge over his sword in to his head with outstretched arms, how the figures hereafter show.

[55] Note When one does a Squinting Cut against your long cut, thus he opens his right side, therefore do not allow him to come onto your sword but rather change through below and cut him to his right long in from your left after driving through.

[56] Item If one changes through under your Squinting Cut to your right side, then remain nevertheless with the point right before his face and turn the long edge against his blade, allow Indes your pommel to go through under your right arm and step with your left foot well to his right side. Thus he has changed through in vain, for you come at his head with the first Squinting Cut and crossed hands. At once allow it to run off by his right side using the Circle and Thwart to his left.

[57] Counter to the Plow

Note when an opponent comes before you in the guard of the Plow, then attack happily with the Squinting Cut. As soon as he drives out, then work to his lower openings and further to all four openings.

[58] Counter to the Long Point

Item: If one stands before you in the Long Point, thus position yourself with the gesture that you would cut in with a long High Cut to his left ear, do not do this, but rather turn in the air and cut a strong Squinting Cut to his sword, when it clashes, then slice the point forward into his face so that he must displace. When he drives upwards then pull your sword around your head in a flight and cut with the short edge and crossed hands; athwart to his right ear, allow the left hand to go well out and thus the short edge goes deep. Pull again around your head and wrench out his blade with the flat from your right athwart to his left, so that your sword again flies around above your head and allow the short edge to shoot in deep to his left ear, at once cut two Low Cuts to his right and left, Indes cut away.

[59] Item: If an opponent comes before you who will gladly bind long on to you from above or sends his first stroke long at you from the Roof, then when you are near to him or have come to him, slash through before him, up and out to your left, so that your sword's blade shoots around over your head in the Plunge to his left, Indes allow your sword to snap around back over your head, the right hand over the left and strike in at his right ear with the short edge at the same time as his strike, how it is taught above, do this correctly and step well there to him thus you will hit. So then this Stück is only on going, if he displaces however and drives out how he then (when he will displace) must drive out, at once pull around your head and cut him with the long edge from below athwart to his left radial forearm, close to his pommel to the wrist. Of these two openings, one will be apparent to you. Pull your hilt again upwards around your head and cut long with a strong cut to his upper left head, in these three strikes, step well with both your feet, in a double, step around his left side, thus the cuts go on well, this a good and earnest Stück, when you will seek to send it home.

[60] Another Stück from the Squinting Cut

In Zufechten, when you come close to him, then position yourself as if you would cut a long High Cut at him, when he drives out to meet you, thus turn the short edge from your right, in the air, against his left and jerk your pommel upwards, cut him with the short edge over his arm or hand, step well to his left side, allow this to run forth over in a circle and cut long after to the next opening, or fight to him with the Low Cuts.

[61] The Double Squinter

Item: At the Start, thus cut against his cut from your right, with a Squinter to his sword, when this clashes, then reverse your sword on his blade and slide off to your left, step out with the right, continuing towards his left side, allow your blade to drive around your head and cut the next Squinter to his head, also from your right above and in deep to his left. Then cut a Double Squinter, nimbly, one into the other, stepping to his left, this is a very swift Stück against slow fencers who fight with their arms far from themselves.

[62] The Third Squinter is a deceiving with the face

In Zufechten slash up so that you come into the guard of the Roof, as soon as you can reach him, at once wind the short edge to him, while its still in the air, squint with your face as if you would cut to his left with the Squinting Cut, don't do this, but rather allow the Squinter to fall past by his left and work to his right, or work him to the right and cut quickly again to his left, take your body well after with it, for this is a fine and good work that can't be written as well as it can be shown with the living body.

[63] Note a swift Stück from the Squinter

When you come close to him, then Wing up by him, so that you come with crossed hands into the Unicorn. In this Winging up, lift your left foot somewhat upwards, after you come through the Unicorn with crossed hands, thus you stand as if you would shoot through, as soon as he extends his sword out, thus cut then with crossed hands and the short edge from above again to his right, on to the forward portion of his sword's blade and before it connects, turn your short edge around and cut with the Squinter, that is with the short edge from your right to his left side, to his arm or face, not with crossed hands and with a step of your right foot, towards his left, in hitting, allow your blade to run off from his left only slightly besides and along with this, thrust through at once with your pommel, under your right arm, then cross your hands so that your short edge snaps around again to his left, over to his head or arm thus with crossed hand from your right to your left or bar him over both of his arms, if he holds you again so that you cannot wrench out or suppress from above, then allow the pommel to run through below and grab him over his right arm, drive the wrestling to him.

[64] From Changing Through.

Changing through is useful against those who fight with the Squinter or Crooked Cuts. Note this also, if he does not extend his hands far from him in his cuts but rather holds them close by himself in fighting, you may readily change through far from him.

[65] Item If he fights with winding, reversing, Crooked Cuts, Squinting Cuts or any other Stück with it he shortens his strike or cannot fight long from himself, how it then goes in such Stücken in which you shall also (before they bring their technique to the halfway) change through against him, to the other side which he opens with this shortening, thus you force him to displace and he allows the Before to pass to you.

[66] Item If one fights far and long from himself with the long edge, however more to your sword than body, then you shall change through to the next opening and allow him to fall through with his cuts. So then be diligent with how you fence, that is with the short or long edge, that you namely cut him to the opening, that is, you cut him to the body and if it does not always happen that you may cut him to the body, thus when he changes through, you quickly fall in after his sword to the opening.

Also thus note this Rule in all cutting, when you connect or catch his blade with your strong, in the bind, as soon as it clashes, you shall cut at once with the weak (that is with the forward part) to the body or next opening cut at, so that then your sword cuts likewise at his blade and body, or as soon as your strong connects with his sword, then as they clash together you shall turn the weak to the nearest opening with flicking, snapping and winding.

[67] Further you should take from these lessons, when you will execute these techniques against someone who knows how to change through against you, for example when you send your sword into the air for a Squinting Cut or Crooked Cut.

[68] Item To the Crossing over, Falling, and others which are similar, as soon as you realize that he will change through, then fall from such work into the Long Slice, to the opening that he gives you by changing through. For often when he changes through he opens himself. And when you travel after to his opening, then watch for his sword with the long edge, if it would come too near to you, that you turn the strong against him and at the same time, remain on his opening with the short edge, as soon as you have connected, then remain no longer but rather let it quickly fly away from one opening to another.

[69] The Thwart you shall also consider valuable,
With it your skill in the sword becomes great.

The Thwart is one of the chief master techniques with the sword. For you should know, if the Thwart did not exist, then it would be like "half fencing", especially when you are under the opponent’s sword and therein you can no longer attack with long cuts through the Cross, and if I have already written enough about the Thwart such that if someone knows how to fight, he could have a sufficient understanding from it, but meanwhile I write not great of great Fencers or Artists, also I have not intended to write historically of fencing, as the art is drawn from memory. But rather solely, I've attempted to write an instruction book, therefore I will not only repeat the Thwart here, but also write more fully about it, for the instruction of those that love such art.

[70] In Zufechten take note if your opponent will attack at you from the Day, (that is from above) then slash up from the right Change toward your opponent's face, when he will strike or cut, then let your blade drive towards your left and around your head, so that your flat stands upward and your thumb is underneath on your shield, step with your right foot well around his left side toward him, simultaneous with the step, cut with the short edge from your right to his left ear, so that together your hilt and with the thumb underneath, stands high above your head to the displacing, so then if he strikes, you will catch his stroke on the strong of your sword and at the same time with the forward short, you cut athwart from below to his left ear, how the second figure shows, as soon as the swords connect together or clash, then strike with the long Thwart deep at his right ear, such that your thumb remains underneath, perpendicular.

[71] Secondly, note when you strike in with a Thwart at the same time as him, or bind on, then from this same, at once search above and below for the openings, with reversing, snapping around again, or Thwarts, fearless Traveling after, then as soon as One will cut from above at you, thus displace him with the Thwart, so that with this, the swords clash together, then reverse, set off upwards, seek the openings and fight with the types of works that have been reported here previously. Wherein Liechtenauer speaks correctly in his cryptic verses,

The Thwart takes
All that come from above,
Thwart with the strong
Mark your work with it.

that is; all high strikes, displace with the Thwart, or how I have here set forth with my Rhymes:

[72] For everything that comes from the Roof
The Thwart may displace this
In the Onset drive the Thwart strongly
Note also you Reverse and Fail with it.

If one cuts at you from above, thus Thwart strongly against his strike, you force him to fall so much lower with his cut, when it connects you must then thrust your pommel through under your right, reverse, press downwards, let the blade snap around again with the short edge in his face, yet such that in the reversing and snapping around you remain with the slice on his arms.

[73] This Stuck goes well when you do it quickly. However, if he escapes you upward too quickly with his arms, then allow your blade drive around your head, so that your long edge comes forward on his arms, athwart through with a Low Cut, how the figure here after shows, however do not let go with your left hand from the hilt, rather thrust him from you with crossed hands.

[74] To Plow and Ox you are quick
Threaten the cut at once against the target.

This verse is very clear, how the others also are, namely that you should quickly cut the Thwart to the Ox and Plow, to the lower and upper opening, to the left and right, nimbly crosswise, diagonally opposite to all four parts, how with other names, thus you will see the four openings, further reported hereafter, extensively.

[75] Next you will learn from the rhyme, how with the High Cuts you shall deceive, thus you step forth, then position yourself with comportment and cut a powerful Thwart to his left, if he would go against your sword, whether from above or below, do not allow it to connect, but pull away again and Thwart Cut to his right, against his head, you may also threaten him with the Thwart to his lower left, then Thwart from above.

[76] Item Threaten to the lower right, and cut to the lower left with this Thwart, thus you can also note that then when you go at his left with the Thwart, then at once to the right threaten but strike back to the left, where you firstly intended, from this knowledge you can pull the Thwart to both sides, crosswise and diagonally opposite. Threaten, then strike after your advantage how it pleases you and in the rough Zufechten there is no cut as safe as the Thwart.

[77] Note when the Thwart is executed with a spring,
And you execute failing with it, it connects at your will.

Note in the Onset when you will deliver a Thwart to the upper left opening, then spring well out with it and also let your pommel go well upward, thus the Thwart goes deep at his head, especially when you disguise the gesture, you can also when he likewise does not perceive the spring until it has happened, and the Thwart has hit, but if he sees it and defends or parries you, then you shall cut to the lower and opposite corner.

[78] Item When you thus strike with the Thwart high at your opponent with a spring, and however you do not let it hit, but rather fail and run off beside his left and you strike in rapidly with the Thwart at another opening, then you will hit at your will. For before he thinks to parry the Thwart, you have hit elsewhere.

[79] Double shall your Failer be done
Likewise double the step and slice.

The Failer is a good technique against the fencers who will gladly displace like in the previous Stück concerning the Thwart, then when you cut to an opening and note that he wishes to parry after, then allow your cut to fail and go by, and cut diagonal to another opening. Double failing is an artful technique and requires an experienced fighter as well, however I will present and describe here to you several double and single techniques from which you can learn many kinds of Failers.

[80] Item In the Zufechten send yourself into the Wrath Guard to the right, as soon as he brings his sword in the air, then cut from your right with the long edge to his right side, by going over your head and with outstretched arms, but fail and drive the Thwart to his left, do not allow that to connect but rather go around the head again and cut with the long edge so that you swing in with the Flat to his right ear, now reverse, snap around and allow it to fly.

[81] Item In the Zufechten cut a long High Cut to his upper left opening when you in the Zufechten, cut a long High Cut at his upper left opening, when you have almost connected with his blade above in the air with the cut, then change this High Cut into a Thwart, and strike him with the Thwart from below at his left ear or arm, that goes to both sides.

[82] A Failer with the False step

In the Zufechten deliver a lofty High Cut and when your blade almost connects with his blade, at once change the High Cut into a Thwart and at the same time as the Thwart step through to the side with your right foot, between you and him to his right side, at once allow your sword to snap around again and strike him with the short edge to his right ear so that your hands are crosswise, or cut after with the long edge and spring well out to his right side with this strike.

[83] Twice or Double failing

Item In the Zufechten, before you correctly come to him, thus cut through besides your right, so that your weapon shoots over in plunging, step on your way, with the right foot to him, let your sword drive around the head and pull a high strike from the Roof while in the air, but cross your hands, threaten to cut with the short edge, if he whisks this from him and will set on, thus wind you hand around again and convert your Crooked edge into a Thwart, let the Thwart also not proceed, but rather fail and run past, then strike the other, to his right side, that is double failing, these two Failers will be accomplished in the air when you wind around his blade, yet you can terminate this therein when you will, to the displacing or in a winding, thus when he would reach to you, that you with your Stück would not like to come to him, but when you have deceived him, that he feels he must displace you, thus is the Double Failer very good and goes very quickly.

[84] Item This is also called the Double Failer when you let it double or twice run off, to deceive him.

[85] Another from the double Failer

In the Zufechten bring a high strike from your right and in the air, before it connects, thus wind the short edge against him, as if you would cut the Squinting Cut, but don’t let the short edge connect either, but rather quickly fail and run off, and swing in to him with your weak, to his right ear with crossed arms, let it quickly fly around again, and fall on him with the slice to the next opening, or on his sword, from there to the body and on the arm.

[86] Counter to the Thwart

Mark when you have bound with one from above, or, at the same time, cut in with him, thus see if he would with the Thwart strike around, [and] thus come before with the Thwart under his blade, on his neck.

[87] Item: If he Thwarts from under, so that you can't come from below thus catch his Thwart on your shield with diverting, so that your blade hangs over his.

[88] From Stepping

In stepping is much concerned. Therefore, see that you give stepping to him with every one of the cuts, then when you cut to his openings and you don't step with the foot from which side you have cut, thus is the cut useless, but when you don't dare to give all to the cut, thus may you also not step fully, rather only with the gestures stand, when you do step, such you will better learn still, with practice.

Twice stepping is done like this, when you are stepping with your right to his left, this necessitates then that you still farther step around, thus step quickly with the left foot towards the right, behind your right foot beyond or past, before you have even set your left, you can step forth with the right, then Slice double, mark this following Stück:

If one cuts at you from his right, thus cut also from your right simultaneously, with the short edge and crossed hands, so that in this, the sword proceeds, thus step in with a double step with the right foot, quickly around to his left, and fall with your long edge on his arm, now set above, and if he drives upwards, and will not trouble you with the slice, thus follow after with an under slice on his arm, shove him from you how the figure nearby demonstrates, that is a proper and Old Cut and cuts down a Master with it.

[89] Item when you have sliced one on the arm, you may also part him through the Mouth with the slice.

[90] From the sword to the body, reverse with it,
Twice, or slice on the weapon.

This is the correct gloss for the previous verses, which tells you to wind twice or slice on the weapon.

Understand it thus: When you slice from the sword on to his arms, you shall at once reverse. If he then escapes you upward, then you shall pull or wind your pommel back out from under your arm; thus you reverse your sword back around. Slicing on the weapon is when the double reversing has failed you; then you shall chase after twice, and remain with the slice on his arms. If he defends this, then fall on his blade with the slice, and see that you hold him, do not let him come away without your advantage, but rather chase after always.

[91] Chasing is extremely good,
With slicing and winding protect yourself.

Chasing is multiple and varied, and should be done with great cautiousness against fencers who fight with long and free cuts, and have no proper art.

Do it thus: In the Zufechten, when you approach him with your left foot forward and you hold your sword in the Roof Guard, if he cuts long from above at your head, then do not displace him, but rather see that you escape from him with your head and sword, so that he does not connect, but let him fail, in this he falls with his sword and cut to the ground, below you, then step quickly with the right foot close to him and cut in forcefully from above to his head before he recovers or comes up again, if he however drives up quickly and displaces, then remain hard on his sword and feel if he goes through strongly upwards, thus allow your sword quickly to be soft and go upwards, step and cut around with a Thwart to his right.

[92] Item If one binds on to you from his right, thus pay attention when he strikes around, thus follow after him with the Slice on his arms to his right.

[93] Item If you stand in the guard of the Fool, and he falls on your sword with his own before you come up, then remain below on his sword, and heft upwards; feel meanwhile whether he in the displacing, intends to execute a cut or winding against you, if so, then do not let him come away from your sword, but pursue him, and work meanwhile to the nearest opening.

Also note that chasing is when an opponent goes too high upward, and you chase him below either with cutting or slicing as he draws up for the stroke.

[94] Likewise if he strays too wide to the side, and you chase his weapon to the opening from above. And in all chasing, if he escapes you, be sure to turn your long edge against his weapon; and take good heed of the slice, for with it you can force him out of all his work.

[95] Some twice or more
Let it fly, begin with it.

That is, you should pay attention, when you are laying on against him with the slice, that you shall not allow him free, but rather once or twice follow after with the slice and with this hinder him in his work and intentions, then when he least expects it, thus you should artfully fly away to the nearest opening before he realizes it. This is a true master’s Stück; and begin with it, that is:

[96] Send the hits to all four targets,
Learn the pullings, you will deceive them.

You must be well versed in the four openings, if you will fight certainly, then you fight with whatever Stücken and cuts, as good as they may be, if you do not know how to cut off with each one to every quarter, and to mutate the intended Stück, by transforming it into other convenient work, from what he fights against you and how he meets your Stücken, then it can happen that you will take forth with one Stück to a particular opening, and yet he sends himself against you such that you can have another closer opening, this opportunity will escape you, if you execute your intended Stücken without happening to notice other opportunities, therefore be diligent where you may at once fight by flying freely to the four openings. Because you have only three ways to cut and strike, that is with the long and short edge, and with the flat, from which together, all fencing is composed of, and targeting to the four divisions of the opponent; from which are given all other fortuitous techniques, like pulling, doubling, running off. Thus take note of the following divisions and cuts, that you correctly make your cuts opposite and crosswise to each other.

[97] In the onset cut with your long edge to his left ear, as soon as this clashes or connects, pull around your head and cut the next also with the long edge, to his lower right opening, then third, to his lower left opening the fourth to his upper right opening, these 4 cuts should go quickly from one into another. And all strikes should be well to the body, also you should do these cuts with the short edge, to the four openings of the man.

[98] Item, thus also with the Flat, note that you cut with close hand to his left and to the right, inside with your hand this is from under or above, you may change through or reverse on him, to your own opportunity, then you cut the first from under to his right, the second to the upper left, the third to his upper right and the fourth to his lower left, when you cut these four strikes together into one another, you can in the very beginning or onset, deftly change off and pull them how it pleases you.

[99] Similarly when you come with the Thwart Strike against one another over-handed, it is with the long, short or flat.

[100] When you do these four cuts and have learned to strike also to the four openings, thus learn also pulling, threatening, failing and then know the same from these following writings; step and cut to his upper left opening, but do not let this hit, rather when you come merely on his sword with this strike, then pull off again to a flight, and strike him to his lower right opening.

[101] And cut or strike still to him the first confidently to his upper openings to the left, thus you may pull and fail with them to all 4 openings Crosswise and athwart above, also your benefit is to learn the Circle Cut, this is a High and Low Cut together on one side, short and long and with the flat from such is known in the first assault, cut a long High Cut to his left ear, and when this clashes thus pull both cuts upwards so that your pommel comes through under your right, and cut with the long edge from under to his left. Step Indes with your left foot behind yours and come with the hilt high above your head.

[102] And still again then cut the first a Low Cut with the long edge to his lower opening with a step to of your right foot, quickly pull upwards besides your right and cut the other from above to his left, with a back-step of your left foot behind your right, so that you stand covered behind your blade.

[103] Stück

Item: Pull from your right a high strike to his left, but in the air, cross your hands and strike with the half edge to his left ear. Pull your hands again upwards, and strike with a Thwarter again from below to his left ear, thus also still again cut the Thwart from below to his left, with a step to Quickly pull upwards besides your right and thrust rapidly your pommel through under your right arm, and wind then with crossed hands again from your upper right in to his left, for this known strike, is also with the Flat from below and above together on one side, that goes for both sides and mark when you strike to the lower right opening, this is long or short, thus your cut comes crosswise and opposite but to the upper openings you come not crosswise, but like in the Old Squinting Cut, thus step to him and shoot before through and strike with the half edge from you left to his right, not crossed, but over you right hand, pull nimbly again above you towards your left and cross your hands in the air, strike him with crossed hands to his lower openings from your left, in this, show that your head is well behind your blade, some twice or three times to his right thus you come also with the flat and long edge from under and above besides his right to his strikes, how it is taught, like when you connect above but quickly cut Low.

[104] Item threaten to him from above with a Quick strike, or cut in at him from above, and if he slips after, then pull up the cut and drive with your Low Cut to the same side, from this work arises the winding on the sword, namely when you have bound on his sword from your right to his left, then remain hard on his blade, thrust through with the pommel under your right arm through remain thus in advance on his sword and jerk your pommel again for the purpose of winding him again outside to his head, thus you find also three kinds, namely winding outwards and inwards short edge to both sides and you should know that I have not put them here for just any particular reason.

[105] Also execute slicing off and slinging,
Send away the hard dangers with the slice.

When you thus allow your Stücken to run to all four openings, how you are taught here with this same, then also pay attention to his course, that is to his Stücken, so that you are strong on him and slice off against him according to opportunity; thus hinder and slice off his Stücken, until you see opportunity for other work. The danger is the strikes from both sides; will you displace by slicing them off, then see that you overlook no opportunity, and also do not slice too wide from his body, so that he does not go through against you.

[106] Do not rely too much on the Crown,
You will tend to get harm and shame from it.

Note when you displace with the horizontal crossguard, high up over your head, that is called the Crown. When you see that an opponent will run under your High Cut with the Crown, then do not let your High Cut actually connect, but rather pull the cut from him, that he drives out in vain, and cut with the long edge a Middle Cut athwart to his arm or wrist, this same thing thus you mark that when one who will gladly drive out and displace high, thus conduct yourself with comportment like you would cut high, do not complete this, but rather strike nimbly around to the lower openings with the Thwart, using flat or long edge or behind his arms to the ears you have it known.

[107] The Crown Strike is done thus; If one cuts at you from above, thus strike with the flat likewise and together with him to his left ear, so that your long edge connects in on his blade, and your corner on your short edge travels, thus strike your cross athwart, and hold your hand high above the head nearly like with the Squinting Cut and allow this nimbly to snap around again to the lower openings.

[108] Of the Slinging take heed as soon as he makes one of his sides open, thus rush in from under with the flat to his ear, cut nimbly again low to the opening or let it shoot up above and drive under his blade.

[109] Item: Have diligence when you attack that you will sling to the High Cut or Thwart strike, where he lets you shoot, see that you don't sling it, but rather fall off again.

[110] Strike powerfully through with the Long point
Therewith hold off all hard dangers.

Stand with the left foot forwards and strike him from your right through his face, that the half edge goes forth once to four times nimbly one after another, thus you drive on to him, then attack to him from under and whether it is with Thwart or long edge, mark when you thus have slashed up to him, thus take heed when he strikes at you from above and from his right side, then wind him by slashing out your long edge against his blade so that it stays somewhat athwart, your point upwards and to his left. step at once with the left foot to his left and thrust the pommel instantly under your arm, cut in with the short edge with skidding behind his blade to his head step likewise with your right foot after and around his left and jerk the pommel again therefore, so that you stand with the sword in the Thwart or in Hanging point.

[111] Item When one cuts a High Cut to you from his right, thus capture him in the air with an opposing cut, striking out, from your right, with the long edge in that when it connects, thus strike around with the Thwart to his left Ear, this goes also to both sides. Mark when you thus have laid on in the Long Point, then you have the setting off to the 4 windings, which goes to all sides, namely if he cuts from above, thus strike from under on his sword, and if he remains bound hard search instantly with winding flicking. Note also instantly and feel when he will go away thus at once when he goes away around to strike, thus flick at him from above over his arm with wound blade, that the long edge smartly stays against his blade, cut nimbly around with the flat against the upper quadrants to the next opening, if its seen that as soon as you again are on his blade, he cuts at you from above, thus bar him from above it is with setting off or setting on, thus as often as it clashes so you are nimbly attentive to the next opening.

[112] Another Stuck

Strike the opponent powerfully through his face, upwards step through the strike after to your opponent with your right foot and leave your sword slide around and set him the first in his chest, Thwart his arms defend yourself with the strong over your hands, and mark in this, then as soon as he makes his sword too wide in the Long Point, thus lay on with the point outside and over his arm.

[113] Item Strike out before him and allow your sword to fly above besides your left, step and cut from your right from under at his arm, if he displaces this, thus wind and go through with the grip and cast with your pommel outwards over his right arm, let go with your left hand from your grip, and grab therewith your blade to help the right, cut him with the long edge on his head.

[114] The Blind Cut you should let rebound
Cast around the Thwart, have diligence to the flicking.

Slash him with the Long Point in his face, step and pull your sword around your head and strike with the inside flat from your right to his left through the Middle Line, take your head well out and wind around nimbly again on his sword with the outside flat also to his left ear.

[115] Over-gripping

Mark thusly when one binds on you from the right thus he presses weakly from you with the slice, with the sword, thus grab with your hand on your shield and cast with your blade over his both hands downwards and to your right, press the pommel from you.

[116] A Sword Taking

Mark when one strongly binds to you on the blade, so remove your left hand from the pommel and grab there with both blades in the middle, and drive with the haft or pommel over besides his both arms. Pull to you, thus must he lose his sword.