328:, which is both the first weapon discussed, and the weapon treated in most detail, forming an exemplar-teaching tool for the rest of the system. However, the rapier, dagger and polearm techniques and devices described in Meyer's book do not appear to concede much to sporting considerations, featuring as they do the thrusts omitted from the longsword section, as well as a range of possibly lethal fight ending techniques. Furthermore, the longsword section of Meyer's book in particular shows definite descent from the earlier corpus of the
367:, he (Meyer) became a burgher of Strasbourg by marrying a widow in 1560, most likely during his apprenticeship as a cutler. He made a living as both a cutler and a professional fencer until 1570, in which year he published the book that was to make him famous. The making of this book left him deeply indebted, and the search for potential buyers led him to leave Strasbourg and work as a Master-of-Arms at the court of the Duke of
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288:) settings. These woodcuts typically depict the postures, cutting schemes (signs or 'segno' in Italian) as well as several players enacting various techniques described in the text itself. The book consists of five sections, covering the
421:." Maîtres & Techniques de Combat à la fin du Moyen Age et au Début de la Renaissance: 107-120. Ed. by Fabrice Cognot. Paris: Association pous l'Edition et la Diffusion des Études Historiques. ISBN 2-907594-10-9.
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VanSlambrouck, Christopher. The Brief Life and Times of
Joachim Meyer, in (vol 1 of 2) Foundational Description of the Art of Fencing (Reference Edition). Medford: HEMA Bookshelf, 2023. ISBN 978-1-953683-30-4
441:
Mondschein, Ken; Dupuis, Olivier. Martial Sport, and Urban
Culture in Early Modern Germany: The Case of Strasbourg, in Journal of Medieval Military History, Vol. 17, The Boydell Press, 2019, pp. 237–57. DOI:
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222:. Meyer's book was reprinted in 1600, and may have been an influential source for other 16th- and 17th-century German fencing books, including a 1612 book by
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Forgeng, Jeffrey L. Introduction in The Art of the Sword combat, a 1568 German
Treatise on Swordmanship (London: Front Line, 2016, pp. 2-7). ISBN 1473876753
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Little is known about Meyer himself. Some information on Meyer's life has come to light as a result of recent scholarship (Dupuis). "Originally from
435:, in Jeffrey L. Forgeng The Art of the Sword combat, a 1568 German Treatise on Swordmanship (London: Front Line, 2016, pp. 171-190). ISBN 1473876753
230:, each of which depicts several players enacting various techniques described in the text itself. The book consists of five chapters, covering the
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352:. Both versions were simplified redactions of Meyer's more detailed work. Meyer is mentioned in a brief Latin treatise on martial arts by
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tradition (Meyer mentions
Liechtenauer by name), and remains one of the most detailed, systematic and complete sources for this weapon.
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344:, and became a highly influential source for other 16th- and 17th-century German fencing books, including the aforementioned book by
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International
Fencing Guild with a mission to educate people on the efficacy and art of Medieval & Renaissance martial arts.
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Norling, Roger. Joachim Meyer and His World, in
Foundational Description of the Art of Fencing (Reading Edition). Medford:
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356:(1579) and is also the only German among the famous masters listed in the late 17th century fencing treatise by
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Dupuis, Olivier. A new manuscript of
Joachim Meyer (1561), in Acta Periodica Duellatorum, Vol.9-1 (2021). DOI:
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Dupuis, Olivier. Joachim Meyer, escrimeur libre, bourgeois de
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VanSlambrouck, Christopher. Meÿer source transcripts & translation (2021). DOI:
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In 1570, Joachim Meyer wrote a comprehensive, multi-weapon treatise entitled
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VanSlambrouck, Christopher. The Life and Work of
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https://web.archive.org/web/20160808115319/http://www.freifechter.com/
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Joachim Meyer, escrimeur libre, bourgeois de
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Joachim Meyer, free fencer, citizen of Strassburg (?1537-1571)
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The Art of Combat: A German Martial Arts Treatise of 1570
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232:long sword
172:Strasbourg
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176:fechtbuch
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282:woodcuts
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214:medieval
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294:dussack
236:dussack
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