The fechtbuch fightbook from 1459 ad by hans talhoffer is truly an uncanny work. Hans talhoffer s professional fencing manual of 1467 illustrates the intricacies of the medieval art of fighting, covering both the judicial duel an officially sanctioned fight to resolve a legal dispute and personal batants in the middle ages used footwork, avoidance, and the ability to judge and manipulate timing and. Literary sword fights generally fall into two categories. The talhoffer manuscript was in the possession of count otto thott, who was a danish prime minister and a famous collector of books and. Fight was published in bavaria 1459 by hans talhoffer, scripted by michael rotwyler and in which hans. Fight earnestly the fightbook from 1459 ad by hans talhoffer archived 20120308 at the wayback machine. It might be best to describe talhoffers 1459 fechtbuch fight book as being just a portion of his kriegsbuch, or war book, which contains a fascinating. Hans talhoffer some time between 1446 and the creation of the thott manuscript in 1459. Talhoffer reveals the techniques for wrestling, unarmored fighting with the long sword, poleaxe, dagger, sword and buckler, and mounted combat. Hidden in a dusty library, locked in a secure vault is an obscure and strange manuscript that could unlock lost secrets from the medieval world.
Composed of 150 paper folios and written in swabian dialect, the 1459 fight book is a one of medieval worlds most mysterious manuscripts. Hans talhoffers fight book, a sixteenthcentury manuscript about. The talhoffer manuscript was in the possession of count otto thott, who was a danish prime minister and a famous collector of books and manuscripts. The fechtbuch fight book from 1459 ad by hans talhoffer is truly an uncanny work. But apparently, talhoffer was as forwardthinking as many of his contemporaries, such as leonardo da vinci. Hans talhoffer also spelled talhofer was a fencingmaster in southern germany in the 15th century. Fight earnestly the fightbook from 1459 ad by hans talhoffer archived 2012 0308 at the wayback machine. With wellrounded characters, an engaging plot, and a unique take on the idea of an underground fighting society, this book is a superb read. Talhoffer sfechtbuchs or fight books survive in at least 3 editions. Fight earnestly the fightbook from 1459 ad by hans talhoffer transcription translation commentary by jeffrey hull from manuscript thott 290 2.
Hergsells facsimile edition of 1893 made talhoffer the most wellknown fifteenthcentury master to students of historical european martial arts and fencing historians. Talhoffer was a welleducated man who took interest in astrology, mathematics, onomastics, and the. This manuscript was likely a reference book created for talhoffers personal. Mar 14, 2020 hans talhoffer may have been a member as their badge shows up at least twice in his thott codex from 1459, once on his coat of arms and once on a necklace around the masters neck ms thott. Academy of european medieval martial arts aemma hans talhoffer fechtbuch aus dem jahre 1467 the following document is the result of the efforts of a number of individuals within the aemma membership, including shawn hickey, scott walman and mike rasmusson.
Hans talhoffer dalhover, talhouer, thalhoffer, talhofer was a german fencing master. Hans talhoffer was a highly experienced fighter, and seeing these techniques illustrated really helps display the brutal and complex fighting styles of the time, as well as dismiss many of the myths of medieval combat, especially the idea that long swords are onehanded, or that greatswords are slow and clumsy. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it clear that he had some connection to the tradition of johannes liechtenauer, the grand master of the german school of fencing. Sep 24, 2018 the mysterious fightmaster of the middle ages and the author of the mysterious medieval fight book.
The original currently rests in the holdings of det kongelige bibliotek in copenhagen, denmark. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it clear that he had some connection to the tradition of johannes liechtenauer, the grand master of a wellknown medieval german school of fencing. In this edition of his work, the fightmaster opens a window for us to his. Hans talhoffer was a 15 th century danish fencing master, best known for his fechtbuch fight book published in 1459. Hans talhoffer dalhover, talhouer, thalhoffer, talhofer was a 15th century german fencing master. It might be best to describe talhoffers 1459 fechtbuch fight book as being. There were at least six manuscripts from talhoffer, generally referred to as fechtbucher plural for fechtbuch, or fight book. A journal of working in denmark for the national geographic channel program, medieval fight book, produced by wild dream films by john clements in october 2010, i was asked by the production company wild dream films to write a short blog about some of my experiences as fight master and historical consultant for their program on the 1459 edition of hans talhoffer s fightbook. In this edition of his work, the fightmaster opens a window for us to his world. The very last illustration is not from the wrestling section but from a later part of the book. Nov 10, 20 hans talhoffer dalhover, talhouer, thalhoffer, talhofer was a 15thcentury german fencing master. Liechtenauers recital zettel and konrad kyesers bellifortis battle force. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
May 18, 2015 if we apply this same critical thinking to talhoffers ms thott. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. Hans talhoffer dalhover, talhouer, thalhoffer, talhofer, ca. Documentary about an illustrated medieval book fechtbuch on weapons and fighting, written in 1459 by hans talhoffer, kept in the royal library of denmark. Talhoffers professional fencing manual of 1467 illustrates the intricacies of the medieval art of fighting, covering both the judicial duel an officially sanctioned fight.
Hans talhoffers fight book, a sixteenthcentury manuscript. This manuscript was likely a reference book created for talhoffers. This manuscript was likely a reference book created for talhoffer s personal use. Starting at folio 84v, this section shows two fully armored men in entering the lists and beginning a duel with longswords in the halfsword position. National geographic channels documentary medieval fight book is a 46 minute peek into some of the surprising aspects of a 1459 edition of the swabian german book fechtmeister fight master in english by master at arms hans talhoffer c. The talhoffer society is the only book i can think of that presents sword fights in realistic detail, which is worth the price of admission all by itself. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The talhoffer society is a novel by by michael edelson, a wellknown and respected hema instructor. Talhoffer s professional fencing manual of 1467 illustrates the intricacies of the medieval art of fighting, covering both the judicial duel an officially sanctioned fight to resolve a legal dispute and personal combat. This manuscript was likely a reference book created for talhoffers personal use. What are we really seeing with the halfsword images of.
Hans talhoffer 1467 fight book part 2 of 2 youtube. This unparalleled guide to medieval combat, illustrated with 268 contemporary images, provides a glimpse of real people fighting with skill, sophistication and ruthlessness. Dec 31, 2000 hans talhoffer was a highly experienced fighter, and seeing these techniques illustrated really helps display the brutal and complex fighting styles of the time, as well as dismiss many of the myths of medieval combat, especially the idea that long swords are onehanded, or that greatswords are slow and clumsy. With pia bach, owen bush, jason alan carvell, jens christiansen. Our interpretation of medieval wrestling techniques from the thott 290 2. Pdf fight earnestly fightbook by hans talhoffer 1459thott. Of particular interest is the portrait of talhoffer in the kongelige bibliotek version of the manuscript 1459, where it is stated that he posed for the illustration. The mordhau, also known as mordstreich, is a combination of 2 german words.
The book involves plenty of hema, and the fight scenes are action packed. It might be best to describe talhoffer s 1459 fechtbuch fight book as being just a portion of his kriegsbuch, or war. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it clear that he had some connection to the tradition of johannes liechtenauer, the grand master of the medieval german school of fencing. This textbook of art of war gives with its coloured drawings a clear idea of the use. A fifteenthcentury manual of swordfighting and closequarter combat by hans talhoffer isbn. Fight earnest ly talhoffer s 1459 fight manual free ebook download as pdf file.
The talhoffer society by michael edelson goodreads. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it. Several years ago there were few medieval fencing treatises that were widely available to the public, and of those that were available, even fewer were translated into anything but their original language. Fight earnestly talhoffers 1459 fight manual free ebook download as pdf file. Talhoffer s fechtbuch aus dem jahre 1467 or fencing book of the year 1467 was reprinted in prague, 1887 by an officer in the austriahungarian empire by the name of gustave hergsell. Fight was published in bavaria 1459 by hans talhoffer, scripted by michael. Hans talhoffer fechtbuch, 1459, kolorierte gesamtausgabe. Hans dalhover, hans thalhofer oder hans talhofer um 1420. Medieval fight book medieval fight book history channel on. Det er uvist, hvordan han har erhvervet sig viden om kamp, men hans v. Hans talhoffer dalhover, talhouer, thalhoffer, talhofer was a 15thcentury german fencing master. He is the author of several fechtbucher, illustrated treatises describing methods of fighting with various weapons, including unarmed combat grappling, dagger, long sword, pole weapon s and mounted combat. Pdf fight earnestly fightbook by hans talhoffer 1459.
Hans talhoffer 1467 longsword combat self defense guides. John clements talhoffers medieval fight book blog thalhofer, hans. Hans talhoffer wiktenauer insquequo omnes gratuiti fiant. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it clear that he had some connection to. In this edition of his work, the fight master opens a window for us to his world. Jeffrey hull in fight earnestly, commentary on talhoffers 1459 fightbook.
There isnt really much to add to what travis and tony have said already, but ill put in my 2 cents. Written with the pacing of a thriller and the thoughtfulness of an essay, mike edelsons the talhoffer society explores what it means to take ones martial art beyond the hypothetical. As an expert in the subject of medieval and renaissance close combat, i was. This manual is based principally on talhoffer s fechtbuch of 1467. He shares knowledge from his own field of expertise the martial arts of. Fight earnestly the fightbook from 1459 ad by hans talhoffer. Hans talhoffers 1459 fightbook fechtbuch is one of medieval worlds most mysterious manuscripts, challenging the legends and myths that surrounded this so often misunderstood period of our history.