Joachim Meyer Longsword
| Primary Longsword Guards: | |
Meyer divides his guards and strikes with the categories of Primary and Secondary
All guards with very few exceptions can be done on left or right side versions with the obvious favoritism for the strong side typical of the
German Longsword system. The act of transitioning through the guards is a large part of the Zufechten part of the fight. Smooth transitions between guards is an essential skill that should be trained well if you wish to fight skillfully in the Zufechten part of the fight.
The translations below are done by Mike Rasmussen from his excellent website www.schielhau.org that has a full translation of the longsword text . The commentary is my personal input from working with the guards.
Meyer's Four Primary Guards are.
Ochs (ox)
Pflug (plough)
Tag (day)
Olber (fool)
Ochs
Der Obertheil am Man wirt dem Ochsen zugetheilt, und wie dasselbige zwey quatier hat, das Rechte und Lincke, also kan man auch das Leger des Ochsens in zwey theil, nemlich den Rechten unnd Lincken abtheilen. Der rechte Ochs wirdt nun also gemacht, stehe mit deinem Lincken Fuß vor, halt das Schwerdt mit dem Hefft neben deinem Kopff, zur Rechten Seiten in der höhe, das dein vorder ort dem Man gegen dem gesicht stehe. Zum Lincken Ochsen schick dich disem zugegen, nemlich trit mit dem Rechten Fuß vor, halt dein Schwerdt mit dem Hefft neben deinem Kopff zur Lincken Seiten wie oben gemeld, so hast du beider Ochsen Hut oder Leger, welches Leger in der Figur so mit dem Buchstaben B verzeichnet ist, zur Lincken furgebildet.
Ox
The high parts are guarded with the Ox, which is two moded, Right and Left, thus one can stand in the Ox in two modes, namely the Right and Left modes. The right Ox will first be described, stand with your Left Foot forward, holding the Sword with the hilt next to your head, high and on the right side, so that your forward point is directed against your opponent's face. For the Left Ox reverse this, namely stand with your Right Foot forward, hold your hilt near your head on its Left Side as said above. Thus you have been told of both Ox Guards or Stances, which is being shown by the Left Figure of illustration B above.
Commentary:
Ochs (ox) is one of the primary thrusting guards. Meyer describes it and shows it on both sides with the hilt held somewhat vertically with the point angled down and inwards towards the opponent's face. This guard threatens the thrust and can be used to strike effectively to almost any angle albeit with a slight move to the Tag guard in the motion of the strike. I take a cue from the Pflug here and also use the thumb on the hilt to assist in thrusting techniques although it is not actually shown it can be inferred by the hand position in the left figure below. The rear hand can also be used with the palm on the pommel to assist in the thrust.
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Pflug
Der undertheil des Mans wirt dem Pflug zugeeignet, un gleicher gestalt wie dieselbige zwey quatier oder zwo seiten die Rechte un Lincke hat, also wird auch daher der Pflug der Rechte und der Lincke geheissen, seind beide an sich selbst nichts anders, dan ein stich von unden auff, den rechten Pflug volbring wie folget. Steh mit deinem rechten Fuß vor, halt deine Wehr mit dem Hefft neben deinem vorgesetzten Knie wende die spitzen oder den ort dem Man ins gesicht, als wolstu in von unden auff stechen, so bistu im Rechten Pflug, tritestu mit dem Lincken fuß fur, und thust im des gleichen, so ligestu im Lincken, unnd ist also der Recht Pflug in obgedachter Figur zur Rechten auch furgebildet.
Plough
The low parts are guarded with the Plough, whose two modes are similar figures for two sides, the Right and the Left, and so are named the Right and Left Plough, and both will become for you nothing else than stabs outward from below. The Right Plough is described as follows, stand with your right foot forward, hold your weapon with the hilt near your forward knee and your point pointing in your opponent's face, as if you intend to stab him from below. While you are in the Right Plough, step forward with the Left foot and stand similarly to be in the Left Plough. The Right Plough is shown by the figure on the Right of the above illustration.
Commentary:
Pflug (plough) is the another of the Primary thrusting guards and is perhaps the most natural of the primary guards for defense. Meyer shows this guard with the thumb on the cross-guard and the flat aimed out at the opponent with the pommel in slight angulation towards the rear hip, the rear palm is held on the pommel (for the thrust) or the thumb can hook the pommel (for the cut or defense). This greatly prepares for the flat parry which, is a preferred method of receiving the opponents blow so that the blades bind less and allow for greater freedom of movement in transition to counterstrike or defense.In addition the structure of the Pflug is such that using minimal movement to intercept a thrust and placing that interception on the strong of your blade will allow you to keep your point oriented towards the opponent even as you set aside his thrust. It is very efficient and allows for a quick counter-thrust before the opponent can recover from his attack. Defense is another strong aspect of the Pflug guard, when in doubt settle yourself into Pflug and if possible use a withdrawal action (Abzug) and you will guard yourself against many attacks.
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Tag
Die Hut des Tags, welche man auch sunsten die Oberhut nennet, wirt auff volgende weiß volbracht. Stehe mit deinem Linckest Fuß vor, halt dein Schwerdt hoch uber deinem Haubt, das das ort gerad ubers stehe, aller ding wie dich das Bilde zur Lincken, in der Figur welche mit dem Buchstaben C. gezeich-netlehre, was dann also von oben herein gearbet wirdt, heißt alles auß dem Tag oder Oberhut gefochten, darumb solch Leger der Tag genennet.
Roof
The Guard of the Roof, which is also known as the High Guard, is explained as follows. Stand with your Left Foot forward, hold your Sword high over your head so its point is directly above, consider the figure on the left of the image above, illustration C, which indicates how one can operate from above, that all strikes can be fenced from the Roof or High Guard, which is why this Guard is named the Roof.
Commentary:
Tag (day) is the high guard with the sword held above the head and the point tilted back at an angle. Tag threatens a wide range of powerful strikes and is naturally conducive to Uberlauffen (overrunning) or striking over the opponents strikes or defenses. Tag also has a implied derivative with the sword held high over the right shoulder (this could also be considered a derivative of Zornhut). Tag is a very useful guard for masking your striking intentions as many strikes to either side can be performed with great cunning from this guard which shows very little of your intent and allows for very direct and powerful strikes.
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Olber
Der Olber wirt meines erachtens von dem wort Alber, welches ist so vil als einfeltig genennet, sintemal auß disem Leger kein volkomlicher fertiger streich mag erlanget werden, man erhole sich dan nach des widerparts durch einen absatz entpfangenen streichs, eines neuwen, welches fürwar einem Albern und einfeltigen menschen zu zumessen, ohne bereidten gegenstreich auff sich schlagen zulassen. Diser wirt also formiert, stehe mit dem Lincken fuß vor, halt dein Schwerdt mit dem ort vor dir außgestreckt auff die Erden, fur deinen vorgesezten fuß, das die kurtze schneid oben, die Lange unden stehe, so ligst du in diser Hut recht, wie du solchers in gedachter Figur zur Rechten sehen kanst.
Fool
Fool is my adaptation of the word Jester, a name which leaves so much to be desired, in that from this Stance no successful finishing strikes can be made, one just uses them to gain an opening against the opponent through displacements to block strikes, which can be used to measure a Foolish and naive person who is not ready for counterstrikes to be struck against them. This will now be described. Stand with the Left leg forward, hold your Sword with the Point stretched out in front of you aimed at the ground in front of your forward foot, with the short edge above, the long edge below. Thus you stand in this Guard rightly, as you can see in the illustrated figure above on the right.
Commentary:
Olber (fool) is the guard with the point aimed at the ground and the arms held in extension as if after a strong cut downwards. This is the weakest of the four primary guards however its weakness is more often than not its greatest strength being deceptively inviting to the opponent it is often used in deception to gain a desired response from the opponents strike. The hand position shows a thumb and forefinger on the cross-guard, presumably to increase blade control. The forefinger is held under the cross-guard so as not to endanger the finger. When combined with the Wechsel guard Olber threatens attacks from below at the opponent's hand using the short edge.
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| Secondary Longsword Guards: | |
The Secondary guards of Meyer are numbered by him in the Guards chapter as eightfold however this list has 2 extra guards either taken from the missing guards mentioned in one of his lists of the guards or plays in the rear of the book. The 8 guards listed by Meyer are the zornhut, langort, wechsel, nebenhut, eisenport, hengetorte, schlussel, schrankhut and einhorn. The extra 2 added guards are mittelhut & brechfenster.
Zornhut (wrath)
Wechsel (change)
Langort (long point)
Nebenhut (close/side)
Schlussel (key)
Einhorn (unicorn)
Eisenport (iron door)
Brechfenster (window)
Hengetorte (hanging point)
Schrankhut (barrier)
Mittelhut (middle)
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Zornhut
Die Zornhut ist also genant das solch Leger zornig geberd erzeiget, wirt also gemacht. Stehe mit deinem Lincken fuß vor, halt dein Schwerdt auff der rechten Achsel, also das die Kling hindersich herab zum gefaßten streich hanget, uu ist alhier zumercken, das alle stuck die auß der Hut des Ochsens gebracht, auch auß dem Zornleger gefochten werden können, allein das ungleiche geberde zu verführung des Mans in disem Quatier sich erzeigen, und jetzt dise, bald die andern gebraucht werden könen, besihe hievon die Figur so mit dem Buchstaben E. verzeichnet.
Wrathful Guard
The Wrathful Guard is known as such since the stance has a wrathful bearing, as will be shown. Stand with your left foot forward, hold your sword out from your right shoulder, so that the blade hangs behind you to threaten forward strikes, and mark this well, that all strikes out from the Guard of the Ox can be intercepted from the Wrathful stance, indeed leading from this stance shows unequal bearing from which One can entice onward, whereupon one can move quickly against the other as needed, as is shown by the Figure in illustration E (on the left).
Commentary:
Zornhut (wrath guard) is a secondary guard but is perhaps my favorite guard for its great utility in generating effortless power and adding a layer of deception to the most powerful of the strikes, the Zornhau. This guard is done by holding the sword over the shoulder so that the flat touches the shoulder and angles slightly backwards or the sword can be held slightly above the shoulder and angled back. The use of the flat rested on the shoulder is done to rest the sword in times of fatigue or as an ending to a technique and can be used quite effectively to launch the sword into a strike with minimal exertion by leveraging it of the shoulder. At first it seems a bit telegraphic but with efficient guard transitions and proper attention to the path of the sword around the head this guard can become most effective. Indeed Meyer begins many of his strikes by advising us to start from the guards Tag or Zornhut. Meyer shows it in action with the body and sword angled way back in the process of jumping out of range for a counter strike which is perhaps a slight exaggeration to show the stance in transition.
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Wechsel
Dise Hut wirt also volbracht, stehe mit deinem Rechten fuß vor, halt deine Wehr mit dem ort oder Schwech auff der Erden neben dir zur seiten außgestreckt, das die kurtze schneid gegen dem Man stehet, wie du solches an dem Bild in der Figur so mit dem D. vermerckt sehen kanst.
Changer
This Guard shall now be fully described, stand with your Right foot forward, hold your weapon with the point or Weak stretched out from close at your side aimed at the ground, so that the short edge stands toward your opponent, such as can be seen from the right figure in illustration D above.
Commentary: Wechsel (change guard) is the natural end result of a Zornhau and Meyer even uses the wechsel guard as a way of teaching the Zornhau. Wechsel held with the short edge facing the opponent, basically an Olber guard held to the side. The thumb can be placed on the cross-guard for control and the short edge aimed towards the opponent to threaten attacks from below or to prepare a blade displacement.
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Langort
Steh mit deinem Lincken fuß vor, halt dein Wehr mit außgestrecken Armen, lang for deinem gesicht, das dein forder ort dem widerpart gegen seinem gesicht stehe, so ligstu in der Hut des Langen orts, wie dich das Bild in der Figur so mit dem A verzeichnet lehret.
Long Point
Stand with your Left foot forward, hold your Weapon with outstretched arms out in front of your face, so that you stand and point forward at your opponent's face, and thus you stand in the Guard of the Long Point, which you can see in the picture in illustration A right side figure
Commentary:
Is also used by Meyer to teach the Zornhau, the Langort is the natural end result of a thrust from any of the other 4 thrusting guards (schlussel, pflug, ochs or eisenport). It can be used effectively to draw the opponents attention to your sword and the handwork of Fehlen (failing or missing) where the sword is removed from one line to another after drawing the opponent's attention to your sword.
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Nebenhut
In dise Hut schick dich also, Stehe mit dem Lincken fuß vor, halt dein Schwerde neben der Rechten, mit der Spitzen auff der Erden, das der Knopff ubersich, und die kurtze schneid gegen dir stehe.
Close Guard
To put yourself into this guard, stand with your Left foot forward, hold your sword close to your right with the point to the ground and the pommel above, and with the short edge against you.
Commentary:
Nebenhut (close guard) is the natural result of a strong Zornhau that does not stop in Wechsel. This guard works best from the right side although it is functional from the left with training. This guard threatens the Underhau (under strike) as the blade sits back facing away and behind from oneself with the long edge aimed at the opponent. Meyer provides no Image of the Nebenhut.
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Schlüssel
Der Schlüssel ist in der Figur welche mit dem Buchstaben D. verzeichnet, also fürgebildet, stehestu mit deinem Lincken fuß vor, und haltest dein Schwerdt mit dem Hefft und gecreutzigten henden vor deiner Brust, das die kurtze schneide auff dem Lincken Arm lige, und das ort gegen des Mans gesicht stehe, so wirt diß Leger oder Hut recht gemacht.
Key
The Key is shown by the left figure in illustration D, stand with your Left foot forward, and hold your Sword with the haft and crossed arms in front of your chest, so that the short edge lies on your Left Arm, and the point is aimed at your opponent's face. Thus is this stance or guard rightly made.
Commentary:
Schlussel (Key) is a peculiar guard that seems best used for thrusting although one can cut from it with some practice. The pommel of the sword is drawn back to the chest so that the short edge rests on the upper arm threatening the thrust. The rear hand palms the pommel to assist the thrust and as you thrust you turn, or wind, the blade much like a Key, out into Longpoint and back again.. At first it will seem awkward but once you get used to transitioning to this guard from other guards and get used to cutting out from this guard or parrying as well as the obvious thrust it will settle into it's place amongst Meyer's Guards Indeed quite curiously in the rear of the longsword book Meyer himself has a very positive opinion of this guard as he says of the Schlussel.
This guard is called Key because from this posture all other devices and postures can be countered. For although this can also take place from others, yet you must apply more power to it than in this one. And as a key, a small instrument, opens a powerful lock without particular trouble, which would otherwise require great force, so all other techniques can be countered from this weak posture (as it seems to be) without particular difficulty, artfully and elegantly.
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Eynhorn
Komm im zufechten mit dem Lincken Fuß vor, flügel von beiden seiten auff, als wollestu dich in vorgenanten Schlüssel Legern, fahre mit geschrenckten henden ubersich zu deiner Rechten, das die spitz in der höhe obersich her auß sehe, so heist es im Einhorn, unnd stehest wie du in der Figur hie gegen mit dem E. gezeichnet am bildt zur Rechten sehen kanst.
Unicorn
Come into pre-fencing with your Left foot forward, wings out from both sides, as if you would stand in the forenamed Key guard, drive with crossed hands overhead on your Right, so that the point is aimed high above and outward, thus it is named Unicorn, and stand as shown by the figure on the Right of illustration E.
Commentary: Einhorn (unicorn) is the natural end result of striking from Nebenhut with an unterhau up past the position of the Ochs guard so that the sword ends up in a position similar to Ochs but with the point angle aimed farther upwards.
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Eisenport
Was die recht Eysenport ist, wirstu hieunder im Rapier Fechten weitläuffgern bericht finden, Dan dieweil das stechen mit dem Schwerdt bey uns Teutschen auffgehaben, ist auch dise Hut gentzlich abkommen und zu grundt gangen, brauchen es aber Heutigs tags die Italianer und andere Nationen, ist jetz im grund die Schranckhut, und wird von den unerfarnen als die von der Eisenport keinen bericht haben dafür gebrauchet. Dieweil aber gleichwol ein underscheid darunder, hab ich die alle beide alhie kürtzlich erkleren wollen, und wirt die Eisenport also gemacht, stehe mit deinem rechten Fuß vor, halt dein Schwerdt mit dem Hefft vor deinem Knie, mit stracken hangenden Armen, das dein orth ubersich auß dem Man gegen seinem gesicht stehe, hat also dein Schwerdt vor dir zum schutz, wie eine Eisene thur, dan wan du mit den füssen weit stehest, also das der Leib under sich kompt, so kanstu alle häuw und stich darauß von dir abtragen. Die Schranckhut aber ist, wann du dein Schwerdt mit geschrenckten henden vor dir mit dem ort auff der Erden heltest, wie in volgender Figur deren Buchstaben das F. ist, augenscheinlich zuersehen.
Iron Door
What the right Iron Door is, which you will find out should you go farther onto Rapier Fencing, that while it is used in stabbing with the Sword as by us Germans, this guard is also easily deflected and sent to the ground. Although at this time it is used by the Italians and other nations, it covers like the Barrier Guard, and so of the Iron Door no further report is therefore required. There is a basic underlying division, and here I will shortly clarify both, and so will now describe the Iron Door. Stand with your right foot forward, hold your sword with the grip in front of the knee, with straightly hanging arms, that your point stands upward out at your opponent's face. In addition, keep your Sword in front of you to shut like an iron door, and when you stand with feet wide and so come to lower your body, you can clear all strikes and stabs out and away from you. However, the Barrier Guard is when you hold your Sword with crossed hands in front of you with the point at the ground, which is seen from the figure in illustration F.
Commentary:
Irondoor is another peculiar guard in that Meyer explicitly describes it and includes it with his list of secondary guards but basically denigrates the guard as a Rapier guard. This could be because the Eisenport is a thrusting guard and thrusting was de-emphasized in the longsword bouting of Meyer's fechtschule. Eisenport is a Pflug guard with the hands held well extended from the body with the hilt out in front of the knee knee. Shown above from the Rapier section.
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Hengetorte (hanging point)
Wie du das Hangetort in das werck richten solt, lehrt dich das Bild zur Rechten in obgedachter Figur, allein das darinen die Arm nit gnügsam gestreckt hie angezeigt wirt, Derwegen schicke dich In gemelde Hut also, stehe mit dem rechten Fuß vor, halt deine Wehr mit außgestreckten Armen vor dir, das die Klingen etwas undersich gegen der Erden hange, diß Leger ist durchauß fast dem Ochsen gleichförmig, allein das du im Ochsen die Arm starck in die höhe empor heltest, hie aber gerad vor deinem Gesicht außgestreckt sein sollen, unnd das Schwerdt gegen der Erden hangen lassest, darumb es denn auch das hengetort geheissen.
Hanging Point
Since you'll need to be in the correct Hanging Point during the work, look at the figure to the right of the above illustration. Even if the arms needn't be as stretched as here will be shown, still put yourself into the named Guard. Stand with the right foot forward, hold your weapon with outstretched arms before you, so that the blade hangs somewhat toward the earth, this stance is very close to the Ox in similar form, only different in that in the Ox your arms are strongly held in high mode, but here shall be directly outstretched before your face, letting the Sword hang toward the Earth, therefore it is named Hanging Point.
Commentary:
Hengetorte (hanging point) guard is done by raising the hilt to protect the upper body while dropping the point to turn on its own axis so that it points down as you raise up the hilt. A strong counterstriking guard that sets up solid counter cuts off the opponents strikes. Shown on the left side here it can also be done from the right with crossed hands and palm to the sky or palm facing down with the thumb underneath on the cross. The difference between these two types of Left (left foot forward) Hanging Point guards being the Palm to the sky has greater leverage and is therefore better at meeting powerful blows, the palm down with thumb on the cross is slightly faster but gives up a little leverage so that you must use your footwork for greater safety.
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Schranckhut
Die Schranckhut aber ist, wann du dein Schwerdt mit geschrenckten henden vor dir mit dem ort auff der Erden heltest, wie in volgender Figur deren Buchstaben das F. ist, augenscheinlich zuersehen.
Schrankhut
However, the Barrier Guard is when you hold your Sword with crossed hands in front of you with the point at the ground, which is seen from the figure in illustration F.
Commentary:
Schrankhut (barrier). Is a guard to defend the lower parts of the body and is turned over on the left side so that the wrists are crossed and the point sits on the ground as you step around it. Schrankhut on either side is essentially a Hengetorte (hanging point) done low to protect the legs. Shown here on the right side this can also be done on the left with uncrossed hands. The basic concept of this guard is to unwind the hands with force from this position to facilitate the counter strike.
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Middle Guard
This guard is much like the nebenhut but raised up to shoulder level with the sword extended out behind in preparation to strike. Many thanks to Jeffrey Forgeng for his CD on Meyer which adds this guard as well as the Flugelhau strike.
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Brechfenster
An interesting guard so named because the position in which it is held lends itself to the image of a man peeking sideways out of a window. Hilt is held just below face level, blade angle back slightly and arms slightly extended. Meyer warns us not to use this guard unless we are in the bind as it is not safe.
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Transitions through the guards in Zufechten (the onset )
This subject needs special attention as the transitioning between the guards in Zufechten makes up a significant part of Meyer's fight strategy sand he certainly gives more attention to it than other masters do. He admonishes us not to spend too much time in any one guard or position but to flow from one guard to another changing the area and intention of your threat and defense smoothly within the established parameters to confound the opponent. The addition to the longsword style in Meyer's time of the extra guards shows the attention to the Zufechten shown by Meyer, creating a greater variety of positions to enhance the effectiveness of the Zufechten with more possibilities to threaten and confuse the opponent as to your intentions. Effectively adding more chess pieces to the chess game of longsword fencing One should be able to transition from any guard into any other guard, some will feel more natural than others and some will feel a bit unnatural and require training but with proper attention to footwork any guard can move to any other with the proper discipline of the body and control of the blade (Umbschlaggen and Umbschnappen). Begin your Zufechten training by focusing on Meyer's Primary Guards, that is; Ochs, Pflug, Tag and Olber. Transition through them on either side of the body as you step forwards or backwards always ending your transition prepared to strike out instantly from whichever guard you are in. Once you are comfortable doing Zufechten with the primary guards begin to add in the Secondary Guards. And finally begin to add strikes into the whole process of transitioning between guards so that the act of striking causes guard changes and vice versa.
The addition of the Secondary Guards adds a unique depth to the Zufechten for Meyer's longsword system that is not seen in any other German fight manual. Efficient transitions are essential to make the Zufechten a fluid threat and never settled into any position for very long. Lets for example examine the transitions between some of the more elaborate guards. Zornhut (wrath guard) to Schlussel (key) is an interesting transition because from say a right Zornhut (flat blade resting on the right shoulder with left foot forward) you can make a right passing step forwards while letting the blade settle down onto the upper right arm as you turn your body into a left Schussel (key) from there simply lift the hilt up over and behind your head to settle into a left Zornhut (wrath) from here left passing step backwards while letting the blade settle down the left arm into a right Schlussel (key) as you turn your body. Then again lift the blade up over and behind your head to place the flat on your right shoulder back in the original Right Wrath Guard. At any time during this transition you should be ready and able to thrust out quickly into Langorte (long point), Pflug (plough), or Ochs (ox) or cut any number of cuts.
Another good example of efficient blade movement would be the transition from Pflug (plough) to Langorte (longpoint) into Ochs (ox) that is an excellent thrusting transition. From Pflug simply step forward in any step and thrust the hilt out into a Langorte and as the blade makes full extension bounce the hands back into an Ochs position and threaten the thrust again. From your Ochs thrust from above down into Langort and back into Pflug. In this way you shift quickly between the guards even as you thrust or strike always preparing ahead for the next attack by settling into a guard.
These are just a snapshot of the transitions between a few guards and the concept of Zufechten, it illustrates the efficient movement of the sword around the head and body and into advantageous positions that one should use when transitioning using all of the guards and strikes. Many hours of practice is needed to develop a fluid Zufechten. As the offensive and defensive capabilities of the guards become apparent you will find the Zufechten (onset) will become a chess match where you and your opponent match and mismatch guards and threats in an effort to draw out the opponent into a mistake or expose a weakness.
© 2006 Mike Cartier
mike@arma-sfl.com
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