Joachim Meyer
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Joachim Meyer was the author of a 1470 fechtbuch Gründtliche Beschreibung der kunst des Fechten (in English, Fundamental Descriptions of the Art of Fencing). Meyer's book was reprinted in 1600, and may have an influential source for other 16th and 17th century German fencing books, including a 1612 book by Jacob Sutor.
Meyer's book itself describes a system of combat designed primarily for sportive, civilian swordplay – an early form of fencing – rather than a system meant for the duel. His book mostly consists of descriptive text, with only a few dozen woodcuts, each of which depicts several players enacting various techniques described in the text itself. The book consists of five chapters, covering the long sword, dussack (a training weapon not unlike the messer), Rappier (a single-handed sword, but heavier than the thrust-oriented rapier), dagger, and pole weapons.
Meyer's system generally flows from, and uses the terminology of, the German school of swordsmanship as set down by Johannes Lichtenauer, though Meyer's civilian system also appears to draw from contemporary Italian swordplay, including Achille Marozzo.
[edit] External links
- Die Freifechter A partial transcription of the first (1570) printing.
- Higgins Armory Sword Guild A facsimile of Meyer's 1600 edition.
