Monday 22 September 2014

Longsword Class Notes: The Five Meisterhaus and how we do them at DDS

This is the first of a series of short posts setting out what we do in the DDS German Longsword Class. They're intended for people who already attend the DDS Longsword class. For this reason, we haven't bothered with illustrations, though these may come.

Since these are class notes, we haven't justified our interpretations or provided citations. However, each and every technique given here fits the Goliath and associated family of texts and has been rigorously tested. (Some sources here.)

Please note that we know we have done Bad Things when anglicizing the German terms.
NB: This is not a Viva! We're happy to clarify and expand on points in the comments, but don't have time for an academic debate. Comments ignoring this will vanish with extreme prejudice.

Introduction

The Five Meisterhaus are at the core of the system. Use them confidently in Zufechten (“the onset”) when you come into distance.

The German Masters imply the following criteria for each Meisterhau:
  • “Seizes the Vor,” meaning that they give you the initiative whether used in attack or counterattack.
  • “Secure” meaning that the sword is your shield when you attack.
  • “At the target” meaning that even while operating as a shield, the sword is aimed at your opponent rather than their sword.
  • “Guard breaking” meaning that each strike breaks a particular guard, forcing the other fencer to respond.
  • “No need to second guess opponent” (paraphrased from Dobringer) meaning done directly and with gumption, each strikes should mostly work as described.
We think they share the following characteristics:
  • “Snipe-proof”, that is geometrically sound if used in the right circumstances.
  • “Feint-proof”, since you are aiming at the target.
  • “Forgiving of timing and distance”, since you end up with your point in the right place even if you cut short.
Thus, we think a Meisterhau enables you to attack into the other fencer’s defence or attack, and there is no way of simply cutting you down. Any reconstruction involving too much finesse or changing intention mid-strike is probably wrong. (However, finesse and changing intention are good.)

Summary of the Meisterhaus


The following assumes that you start in the lower version of the Guard of Vom Tag, blade at your rear shoulder, cross just below your armpit.

NB: Other reconstructions exist. We believe ours are correct for our texts, but are pretty sure these aren’t the only ways people did them back in the day.



Zornhau (“Wrathstrike”)

This is a true edged cut.

Offensive: Use this confidently against Vom Tag.

Keeping your hands low, punch your lead hand at the target’s sternum so as to throw the sword forward in a diagonal cut.

The action should be slicing, and without much rotation. As you reach full extension, step forward and out behind your cut. Your lead foot should land aligned with your knee. This looks like a pivoting lunge diagonally forward.

Defensive: Use against any incoming Oberhau (strike from above).

As Offensive, except step more to the side. Let your sword follow its original course, aimed at your opponent’s head. Keeping your hands at least as theirs.

The blades should clash just as you (almost) strike them on the head. From here you can complete the Zornhau Ort or the Duplieran (“Double”).


Krumphau (“Crooked Strike”)

This is a true-edged cut.

Offensive: Use this confidently against open-handed Ochs.

Start the cut like a Zornhau, but cross your hands so that the blade swoops at their lead shoulder.

Your blade should scoop along their blade.

Your blade should bind and perhaps push away the other blade.

If your initial strike doesn’t land, uncross your hands and remaining bound on the blade as much as possible, deliver one of the following: Low false edge unterhau (cut from below); thrust from lower hanger; or high Sturtzhau (Plunging Strike) done while swinging your back leg behind yourself.

Defensive: Use against any incoming Oberhau (strike from above), or Unterhau to high target.

As Offensive, but spring out of the way without getting closer. Complete the spring by bringing the back leg around.


Zwerchhau (“Thwart Strike”)

This is a false-edged cut in a thumb grip.

Offensive: Use this confidently against Vom Tag.

Begin this as Zornhau keeping hands low, but (a) use a push of the left hand to rotate the grip in your right hand such that your right thumb can/could press on the flat of the blade and (b) step in close.

You are now throwing the flat of your blade at the angle between your opponent’s head and left shoulder. On a good day, your cross should catch any incoming blows. (This is a bit like going into Kron with attitude.)

As your front foot lands, barrel roll the blade and let your rear foot swing around beside yourself, thus making a slicing strike to the side of the head, or in “Lower Target”, meaning belly or hips. (NB Pull your blows.)

If your initial strike doesn’t land, Wind or Take Off with another Zwerchhau from the same side, or – only if they press hard and down on your blade – do a Zwerchhau to the other side.

Defensive: Use this confidently against any incoming Oberhau (strike from above).

As Offensive but springing off to the side to avoid coming too close. Catch the incoming blade on your cross before the barrel role.


Schielhau (Glancing Strike)

This is a false-edged cut in a thumb grip.

Offensive: Use this confidently against any Pflug.

Do this as per the Zwerchhau, but aiming at the opponent’s dominant shoulder (usually right shoulder) with a half roll. Ideally, your cross catches their blade, and your blade glances along theirs, striking the shoulder or thrusting to the chest. If required do a half lunge.If your initial strike doesn’t land, Wind.

Defensive: Use this confidently against any incoming Oberhau (strike from above), especially from a over-the-head guard.

As Offensive but springing off to the side to avoid coming too close. Catch the incoming blade on your cross before the half-barrel role.


Scheitelhau (Parting Strike)

This is a true-edged cut.

Offensive: Use this against any Alber.

Keeping the hands low, throw the sword straight down the Parting Line, i.e. the plane connecting your sternum to theirs. Spring in aggressively behind it. The aim is to put your sword in their face while still at an angle of about 45 degrees.

If they raise their hands into Kron, turn your hands knuckles up and stab them anyway.

Defensive: Use this against any incoming Oberhau (strike from above) if you are aggressive enough, and especially if you think the other fencer is being tricky.

As Offensive, but with a sense of changing feet rather than stepping closer.

German Longsword runs every Tuesday from 1930 to 2200 hours followed by the pub. Beginners of all ages (over 18) and physical condition welcome. Swords and protective kit provided. Wear loose clothing and shoes you can leap around in.

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