Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of the Longsword

Description

In the history of the martial arts of Western Europe, there are a few
individuals whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping the
generations that followed them. Sigmund Ringeck is such a person thanks to his
efforts as an interpreter of the teachings of the grand master Johannes
Liechtenauer, whose works would constitute the German longsword school up to
the 17th century. In the first half of the 15th century, fencing master
Sigmund Ringeck compiled a book with comments based on the fencing lessons
from Liechtenauer’s verses first written down in 1389. Ringeck’s original
handwritten manuscript, which contains no illustrations, is of great
importance due to its detailed instruction on longsword, wrestling, sword and
buckler, armored combat and mounted combat. Ringeck’s greatness is that he
starts with the basics and then teaches the student the secrets of the
longsword step-by-step. He offers clear and precise instructions in the actual
handling of the sword and how to use it to win a fight. And herein lies
Ringeck’s claim to posterity: he gives instruction in the true understanding
of the longsword as a weapon. Today, the longsword instruction found in
Ringeck’s manual has been given new life by two modern students of the arts.
Author David Lindholm has translated Ringeck’s text and added extensive
interpretations and comments. Illustrator and sword aficionado Peter Svärd has
created hundreds of instructive drawings capturing every nuance of the
medieval swordsman’s art. Also included in this impressive volume is advice
for modern practitioners, such as physical training, evaluation of historical
resources and the importance of test cutting. Finally, master swordsmith Peter
Johnsson shows how to sharpen a sword and describes how the shape of the blade
dictates its function. Read more

Features:

Product Details:

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paladin Pr (January 1, 2008)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1581606885
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 81
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Best Sellers Rank: #3,667,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #59,750 in European History (Books)
• #59,750 in European History (Books)
• Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 68 ratings