Einträge getaggt mit hema
Mæren & Lobebæren
Alles rund um die mittelalterliche Lebensart
Leather reenforced stick for fencing practice
During our historical fencing training with hand-and-a-half swords we realized yesterday, that our stick for target training won’t hold up any longer. The first one we used was wrapped thickly in gaffer tape, but this wasn’t durable enaught and left ugly black marks on our blades. So we decided to wrap the stick in leather.
Today I found an old leather belt in my toolbox and decided to take action: I drilled a small hole through the wooden stick and hammered a nail through the leather and stick. On the other side I peened the nail over a washer. I then wrapped the belt tightly around the stick and repeated the process.
Hopefully this will last longer than the last one! If not, we will change to rattan instead of ordinary wood.
We use the stick for target training. One partner does hold it up with two hands, signalling a target to be attacked with a blow. The trainings effect is to execute the blows more fluently, while changing from guard to guard. Spotting the shown “openings” and reacting adequately is the goal to achieve.
Basic shield technique (by Philip Ainsley)
In this video Philip Ainsley demonstrates how to stand secure behind a shield. His performance looks quite convincing. But I am a little bit sceptic towards some of his explanations.
I recently started to train with shield and single handed sword, but since I have some experience with sword and buckler fencing, I doubt Ainsleys statement, that one should not use the shield as a weapon. This may be reasonable standing in a shield wall, but in a duel situation a shield - may it be buckler- or infantry-size - is a good instrument to control your enemies weapon.
Another point is his footwork. He stands with his left leg forward, so that he can step forward with his right leg while attacking with his sword. I think, that this is unfortunate, since he unnecessarily gives his opponent the opportunity to attack his left foot and shin.
I will experiment with another stance (used in sword and buckler fencing) with the right foot forward in my next trainingsession. Using a single handed sword, this stance gives you the advantage that you can reach your enemy within a half step. It saves time, since you don’t have to cover the distance of a full step before you reach your opponent. Plus: your left foot is protected.
(Quelle: youtube.com)
Dimicator - Roland Warzechas new Facebook-page
HEMAC-member and historical fencing trainer Roland Warzecha promotes his new Facebook-page with lots of interesting pictures: Dusacks, Messer and fighting monks await you, right after the jump.
Interview mit verletztem Schwertkämpfer
Vor einigen Monaten hatte ich schon mal auf den Fall hingewiesen: bei einem Trainingskampf mit Plastikklingen hat sich eine der Klingen durch den Sehschlitz eines Vollhelms gebohrt und das dahinterliegende Auge samt Augenhöhle durchschlagen. DerWesten.de hat nun ein Interview mit dem Verletzen gemacht, der sich zum Glück fast vollständig von dem Unfall erholt hat.
Ich kann nur erneut für das Tragen von Fechtmasken beim Training plädieren. Sie schützen nicht nur das Gesicht sondern auch zu einem gewissen Grad die Kehle. Viele moderne Vollhelme haben zu breite Sehschlitze, da sie meist nicht auf die Kopfform des Trägers zugeschnitten wurden sondern Massenware sind. Bei einer Schaller sollte der Sehschlitz beispielsweise nur rund 7 Millimeter breit sein. Oft sieht man aber Breiten von einem oder sogar noch mehr Zentimeter, damit die Träger besser sehen können.
Aber: Selbst mit einem historischen Breitenmaß kann so ein Unfall passieren, insbesondere bei der Verwendung von dünnen Stahlklingen. Für Freikampf und Training geht kein Weg an einer Fechtmaske vorbei.
My Albion Liechtenauer sparring sword (Maestro Line)
The Albion Liechtenauer is designed for longsword sparring in the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer. It is build in a manner that it is strong in the bind, but flexible in the thrust. The blade has a deep fuller, with thick, beveled edges. It’s grip is wrapped in cord, which is in means of authenticity a little letdown, but the overall impression is nevertheless very pleasant. Grip and guard are peened together, thus preventing any slackness.
I use this trainer (and a Meyer, too) since 2009 and am very pleased with it’s performance. Any rust is easily removed by some oil and a sponge. Only flaw is a slight creaking in the handle, which was there from the beginning, but turned out to be no more than a little nuisance.
Lecture: Fighting with the viking shield (by Roland Warzecha)
Roland Warzecha from Hammaborg lectures at Moesgård Museum about the biomechanics of medieval sword fighting and the use of the viking round shield. He demonstrates how to fight with the edge of the shield and how the viking shields boss may have acted as a sword catcher (and not as a weapon for punching).
(Quelle: youtube.com)
Fighting with the viking shield III (by Hammaborg)
This time Hammaborg members show once more, how to create an opening and thrust from above, how to counter a shield attack and a counter with turned shield.
(Quelle: youtube.com)
Fighting with the viking shield II (by Hammaborg)
More sophisticated attacks and counters with the medieval round shield by Hammaborg. They show in this video how to create an opening, a blow to the leg after a shield parry and the counter to a leg blow.
(Quelle: youtube.com)
Figueyredos Montante: simple rule IV (by ModernSwordsman)
The translated text: “You will place the body with the left foot forward, and give a talho from behind while standing still and another forwards putting in the right foot, readying a thrust over the right arm, which you will give while standing still. Then you will put in the left foot with a revez, and removing backward this same left foot with a talho, you will ready another thrust that you will give while standing still, and removing backward the right foot you will give a revez to end in the state in which you began the rule.”
Roland Warzecha explains his hypothesis on rainguards
Roland Warzecha from Hammaborg/Germany lectures about the rainguard and it’s usefulness in medieval swordfighting. He thinks, that the small leatherpiece was not meant to protect the scabbard from rain, but catches the enemy’s blade and so protects the back of the hand/thumb from being cut.
(Quelle: youtube.com)
