Paul

In the German system (and in the medieval world in general) things come in tetrads—groups of four, as do the four elements, the four cardinal compass points, the four winds, the four seasons and…

 

Mike

…the Four Tops.

This brief book is a memory aide for the German long sword of Master Johann Liechtenauer. It covers only unarmored combat and must be used only with the proper instruction (available in two fine books by Christian Henry Tobler.) Much of the text has been taken directly from the Fechtbuch of Hanko Döbringer (as translated by David Lindholm) and from the curricula at The Mid-Atlantic Society for Historic Swordsmanship (MASHS). These and other sources are listed in a brief bibliography.

There are four sections. The Earth Book covers basic principles e.g. holding the sword and footwork. The Water Book details the seventeen basic techniques and the speaking window. The Fire Book is about fighting. The Wind Book describes some opponent’s techniques and also some named techniques that are not part of the art of Master Liechtenauer.