Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Inthereof
the Tactical Key
to German Fencing
(4th Edition 2016)
Jeffrey Hull
The following passages from major Fechtbücher (fencing/fight-books) of the German Tradition
are meant to show the presence and the relevance of the principle of Indes (Inthereof) as found
originally in the Liechtenauer Lineage of Bloszfechten (bare/unarmoured longsword fencing).
The word is a strange combination of genitive article, adverb, preposition and pronoun. MHD
Indes equates with NHD indes or indessen, and was synonymous with MHD underdez and MHD
dÿ weile and even MHD mit. It may translate into NE as meanwhile, meantime; or the suitable
instantly, immediately; or the commendable within; but really neither the questionable just as,
nor the suicidal simultaneously. All such have served in various modern translations.
However, I think that Indes is best served by the wholly original translation of: Inthereof. That
word serves the demands of its unique martial context for a meaning relevant to both time and
space. “Inthereof” provides us a new & superior understanding of Indes.
The martially valid principle of Indes pervades both German fencing and wrestling. Indes is
simply feeling instantly upon engagement with foe how one needs to (counter)attack during and
into foe’s attack. Accordingly, the Ott Lineage of Ringen (wrestling) makes that apparent—
where Mit understood as “interactive” is basically the same as Indes understood as “inthereof”.
Whichever martial art, Interactive/Inthereof has to do with engaging your foe and feeling at that
moment what you may do to undo him forthwith.
1
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
It should be obvious to any martialist that when a German noble youth learnt his first martial art,
i.e. wrestling, then he was unavoidably learning Feeling (fühlen) i.e. Sensation (empfinden), and
thus the significance of Inthereof (Indes). That first realisation during wrestling made the youth
understand the principle fundamentally and consequently made him ready for it during fencing.
Thus this essay shall explore its main material of fencing plus material from the foundational art
of wrestling as well.
Indes (Inthereof) is both temporal and spatial. As well-proven by modern physics, time and
space are interrelated. It seems that Liechtenauer Lineage fencing masters were aware of that.
The important double-role for this word in describing this primary tactical principle of Germanic
longsword fencing distinguishes it from other later famous concepts in Latinic rapier fencing,
which are either only temporal (e.g. tempo) or only spatial (e.g. misura). Understandably
nowadays, such concepts may be retrofitted for interpretation of earlier Italic longsword fencing
(Hayes & Seybert, 2011); because such concepts, although not explicitly named by said fencing,
may be extrapolated from the lore of Furlano and Vadi (Marsden, 2012). Perhaps all that is
arguable, but it makes sense that such concepts were equally and internationally (if perhaps
differently) comprehended by elite contemporary masterly peers of European longsword fencing
(e.g. Liechtenauer and Furlano).
Inthereof (Indes), which is best-known to longsword fighting, is actually an universal fencing
principle relevant to any and all weaponry and infinite actions done therewith—whether
langschwert, messer, speer, mordaxt, degen (longsword, falchion, spear, pollaxe, dagger). In
fechten this Indes is the primary tactic for controlling the crucial triad of “timings”; which the
knife-smith and fencing master Joachim Meyer (1537-1571) well-explicated as vor, gleich, nach
(Before, Same, After).
Evidently a similar triad was found in kenjitsu. Indeed later those timings seem independently
matched and verified by the timings of fencing master Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), which
were respectively hitotsu-hiyoshi-no-uchi, munen-muso-no-uchi, ni-nokoshi-no-hiyoshi; as may
be interpreted from English translations of Gorin-No-Sho by various martial and/or linguistic
scholars (Cleary, 1993; Kaufman, 1994; Tokitsu, 2010). And evidently a similar triad was found
in esgrima, since modern scholars have interpreted such timings from la verdadera destreza of
Luis Pacheco de Narváez (1570-1640) (Sacramento Sword School, 2012). Although, it must be
recognised that there were differences of armamentary form (i.e. longsword versus longsabre)
and technical function (i.e. binding & winding versus avoiding & exploiting); it nonetheless
seems that those great masters respectively taught similar tactical timings.
There are illustrated fencing actions with explicit captional reference to Inthereof. However, it is
really not something that can be illustrated in its execution by still imagery of the past. (Doing
so by modern video is another matter.) It is a principle of fighting that any number of pictures
might show, yet could not really teach. Plus arguably many illustrated actions exist which do not
say it yet which nonetheless show it.1
2
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
All told, I would summarise it like this: Indes (Inthereof) is the activation of the time/tempo and
the space/place between Vor (Before) and Nach (After). Thus it is what the fighter feels amid
the when and the where for how to end the fight favourably. Accordingly, the single best
explanation for Indes must be the glossa from folio 26v by Von Danzig, as featured later in this
fourth edition of my work. Likewise, the German fight-masters made clear that although it was
not the only tactic, Inthereof was the best tactic for fencing. Indeed, as Ringeck and Von Danzig
each stated, and as you shall read hereafter: Inthereof is the Key to the Art of Fencing. ~
Kaiser Maximilian I shows he understood Indes—four furious scenes from Freydal (1515)
3
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Döbringer Hausbuch (1389)2
(17r) O zu allem fechten gehört dy hölfe gotes von Unto all Fencing belongs: The help of the God of
rechte Gerader leip und gesunder eyn gancz vertik swert Justice; a straight & sound Body; and especially one
pesunder Vor noch schwach sterke yndes3 das wort mete very wieldy Sword. (Plus): Before, After, Weak,
zu merken hewe stiche snete drücken leger schütczen Strong; Inthereof—that word deserves marking; Hews,
stöße fülen zücken Winden und hengen rücken striche Thrusts, Slashes, Pressing; Stances, Protecting,
sprönge greiffen rangen Vissheit und kunheit Shoves/Punches, Feeling, Tugging; Winding and
vorsichtikeit list und klugheit Masse vorborgenheit Hanging; Yanking, Strikes, Springs, Grips, Wrestling;
vornunft vorbetrachtunge fetikeit Ubunge und guter mut Wisdom and Bravery; Foresight, Cunning and
motus gelenkheit schrete gut In den selben versen da sint Cleverness; Mass, Secrecy; Reason, Premeditation,
dir fundament principia Und pertinencia benumet und dÿ Tenacity; Training and good Courage; Motion,
gancze materia Aller kunst des fechten das saltu Dexterity, good Steps. In the same verses for you there
betrachten rechte Als du auch eigentlich hernocher und are declared Fundaments, Principles and Pertinence, and
sönderlich wirst heren ader lisen iczlichs noch seÿnem the entire Matter of all the Art of Fencing. That you
wezen Fechter des nym war zo wirt dir bekant dÿ kunst shall meditate correctly, as you also actually get to hear
gar Of dem ganczen swerte und manch gut weidelich or to read, hereafter and especially, each by its nature.
geverte
Fencer, sense that so the Art of the whole Sword and its
many good vigorous ventures become well-known unto
you.
(18v) Vor noch dy czwey dink syn allen kunsten eyn
orsprink Swach unde sterke Indes das wort mete merke
So machstu leren mit kunst und erbeit dich weren
Irschrikstu gerne keyn fechten nymmer lerne Kunheit
und rischeit vorsichtikeit list und klugheit Vornunft
verborgenheit moße vorbetrachtunge fetikeit Wil fechten
haben und frölichs gemüte tragen
Before and After, those two things are one wellspring of
all Arts (of Fencing). Weak and Strong—Inthereof—
mark that word indeed, thus do you learn to ward
yourself with Art and Work. If you tend to frighten,
then never learn any Fencing. Bravery and Rapidity,
Foresight, Cunning and Cleverness, Reason, Secrecy,
Moderation, Premeditation, Tenacity will Fencing have
and cheerfully bear in Mind.
(20r) Do nent her dy fünff wörter vor noch swach stark
Indes an den selben wörten leit alle kunst Meister
lichtnawers und sint dy gruntfeste und der kern alles
fechtens czu fusse ader czu rosse blos ader in harnüsche
Mit deme worte Vor meÿnt her das eyn itzlicher guter
fechter sal alle mal den vorslag haben und gewinnen her
treffe ader vele als lichtnawer spricht Haw dreÿn und
hurt dar rawsche hin trif ader la var wenne her czu eÿme
gehet ader lewft als balde als her nur siet das her in mit
eÿnem schrete ader mit eÿnem sprunge dirreichen mag
wo her denne indert in blos siet do sal her hin varn mit
frewden czu koppe ader czu leibe künlich an alle vorchte
wo her in am gewisten gehaben mag alzo das her ja den
vorslag gewinne is tu ieme wol ader we Und sal auch
mit dem in synen schreten gewisse sein und sal dÿ haben
recht zam gemessen das her nicht czu korcz ader czu
lank schreite Wen her nü den vorslag tuet trift her zo
volge her dem treffen vaste noch Weret her aber jener
den vorslag alzo das her im den vorslag is sy haw ader
stich mit syme swerte abeweiset und leitet (!) Dÿ weile
her denne jeme noch an sÿme swerte ist mit deme als her
wirt abe geweist von der blößen der her geremet hat zo
sal her gar eben fülen und merken (20v) ab jener in sÿme
abeleiten und schützen der hewe ader stiche an sÿme
swerte weich ader herte swach ader stark seÿ Ist denne
das her nü wol fület wy iener in sÿme geferte ist Is das
iener stark und herte ist Indes das hers nü genczlich
Here (Liechtenauer) names the Five Words (of Artful
Fencing): Before, After, Weak, Strong, Inthereof.
Those same words guide all the (Fencing) Arts of Master
Liechtenauer; and are the groundwork and the core of all
Fencing, upon foot or upon horse, bare or in harness. By
the word Before he means that each & every good fencer
shall always have & win the First Strike—he hits or he
misses. As Liechtenauer speaks: Hew therein and clash
there, rush in—hit or miss. When (fencer) goes to or
runs to (foe), then as soon as he just sees that he may
proffer him with one step or with one spring, thus where
he sees targets he shall joyfully advance, to head or to
body, bravely without any fear, where he may surely
have him. So indeed yes, he wins the First Strike,
whether it does weal or woe; and also with that he shall
be sure in his stepping and shall have those correctly
metered together; and he steps neither too short nor too
long; when now he does the First Strike. He hits, so he
follows the hit, he wards solidly after. Yet (foe makes)
the First Strike, such that during the First Strike—
whether it be hew or thrust—he rebates and diverts with
his sword, while then he is after & at (fencer’s) sword
with (his). As (fencer) becomes rebated from the targets
for which he has aimed, so shall he utterly feel and mark
if (foe) be soft or hard, weak or strong at his sword in
(foe’s) diverting and defending against the hew or thrust.
Is it such that now (fencer) well-feels that, how (foe) is
4
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
merkt und fület zo sal her Indes ader underdez das sich
jener zo schützt weich und swach dirweder sÿn Und in
dem selben e den das jener czu keÿme slage kome zo sal
her denne den nochslag tuen Das ist das her (!) czu hant
dÿ weile sich jener schützt und sich des vorslags weret is
sÿ haw ader stich zo sal her ander gefechte und stöcke
hervörsüchen mit den her aber czu synen blößen hurt
und rawschetalzo dis her ummermer in bewegunge und
in berürunge sÿ das her jenen als irre und berawbet
mache das jener mit sÿme schützen und weren alzo vil
czu schaffen habe das her der schützer czu sÿner slege
keÿne komen mag Wen eyner der sich sal schützen und
der slege warnemen der ist alle mal in grösser var denne
der der da slet of in Denne her müs ja dy slege weren
ader mus sich läen treffen daz her selber mülich czu
slage mag komen Dorum spricht lichtnawer Ich sage
vorware sich schutzt keyn man ane vare Hastu
vornomen czu slage mag her kleÿne komen Tustu anders
noch den fünff wörtern of dy dese rede gar get und alles
fechten Dorum slet oft eyn bawer eyn meister wen her
küne ist und den vorslag gewinnet noch deser lere
in his action. Is it such that (foe) is strong and hard?
Inthereof: That now (fencer) totally marks and feels.
So shall he be soft and weak, Inthereof or Meanwhile,
when (foe) defends himself thusly. And in the same
(action), before (foe) gets to any strikes, so then (fencer)
shall do the Counter Strike, which he does to (foe’s)
hands while (foe) defends himself and wards the First
Strike, (whether) it be hew or thrust, so shall (fencer)
seek out other fencing and actions, thereby he simply
clashes and rushes to (foe’s) targets. Thusly be (fencer)
evermore animated and connected; such that he makes
(foe) so vexed and deprived that he has too much to
manage with his defending and his warding; such that
he, the defender, may not get to any his strikes. When
(foe) shall defend himself and sense the strikes, he is in
great danger every moment when he (the fencer) strikes
thereupon him—then (foe), yes, must ward the strikes or
must let (those) hit, such that he may get to strikes (only)
troublingly.
Therefor speaks Liechtenauer: I say
safekeep & defend against no man without danger. Have
you undertaken strikes? Then foe may be minimised.
Otherwise you act via the Five Words, thereby entirely
works this Rationale and all Fencing. Therefor often a
Farmer strikes a Master, when he is brave and wins the
First Strike, via this Lore.
(22v) Dorüm fechter lere wol fülen als lichtnawer
spricht das fülen lere Indeß daz wort sneidet sere den
wen du eyme am swte bist und fülest nü wol ob jener
swach ader stark am swerte ist Indes ader dy weile zo
magstu denne wol trachten und wissen was du salt keyn
im tuen noch deser vorgesprochen lere und kunst wen
her mag sich jo mit nichte abe czihen vom swerte ane
schaden
Therefor, Fencer, learn well Feeling, as Liechtenauer
speaks: Learn Feeling—Inthereof, that word slashes
severely. Thus when you are at (crossed/bound) swords
with Foe and well-now feel if he is weak or strong at
swords—thus Inthereof or Meanwhile—so then may
you well-strive and wit what you should do to him, via
this aforesaid Lore and Art. So yes, he may not
withdraw from swords without harm.
(23r) Das ist von deme Czornhawe etc.
DEr dir oberhawet czornhaw ort deme drewet Wirt her is
gewar nÿm is oben ab ane vaer Pis sterker weder wint
stich siet her is nym is neder Das eben merke · Hewe ·
Stiche · Leger Weich ader Herte Indes Und · Vor · Noch
ane hurt deine krige sey nicht goch Wes der krig remet
oben neden wirt her beschemet In allen winden · Hewe ·
Stiche · Snete · lere finden Auch saltu mete prüfen hewe
stiche ader snete In allen treffen den meistern wiltu sie
effen Haw nicht czum swerte zonder stets der blößen
warte Czu koppe czu leibe wiltu an schaden bleyben Du
trefts ader velest · zo trachte das du der blossen remest
In aller lere den ort keyn den blößen kere Wer weite
umbe hewet der wirt oft sere beschemet Off das aller
neste brenge hewe stiche dar geweste Und salt auch jo
schreiten eyme czu der rechten seiten ader jagens (?)
begynnen (?)
This is about the Wrath-Hew, etc.
Foe high-hews at you: So wrath-hew, point threatens
him. Becomes he aware of it? Then take it off high,
without danger—be stronger, whether you wind or
thrust. Sees he it? Then take it down. Mark these well:
Hews & Thrusts & Stances—Soft or Hard—Inthereof &
before & after. Without clashing, your struggle be not
joined: Wherefor the struggle aims high, foe becomes
shamed below. In all winding—Hews, Thrusts, Slashes—
learn to find. Also you shall indeed try hew, thrust or
slash: In all hits to the Masters, you will mock them.
Hew not to swords, rather instead, watch for targets—to
head & to body—thusly will you prevail without harm.
Whether you hit or miss, then strive such that you aim
for the targets. In all lore, turn not the point from the
targets. Whoever hews around widely, he often becomes
quite shamed. Secure all upon that—bring hews &
thrusts there paired. And yes, also you shall step toward
foe to the right side, or else begin hunting.
5
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
(23v) Und dy vorgesprochen wörter · vor · noch · Indes ·
swach · stark · Und hewe stiche und snete der saltu czu
male Wol gedenken Und mit nichte Vorgessen in deine
gefechte
And the aforesaid words—Before & After & Inthereof
& Weak & Strong and Hews, Thrusts, Slashes—those
you shall at times well-remember and by no means
forget in your fencing.
(33r) Das ist von nochreisen etc etc
NOchreisen lere · czwefach ader sneit in dÿ were Czweÿ
ewsere mynne · der erbeit dornoch begynne Und prüff
dy ferte · ab sÿe sint weich ader herte Das fülen lere ·
Indes · das wort sneidet sere Reisen czwefache · den
alden snet mete mache Volge allen treffen · den starken
wiltu sy effen In aller lere den ort keyn eynes gesichte
kere Mit ganczem leibe nochreize deyn ort jo da pleibe
lere auch behende reizen zo magstu wol enden
This is about Pursuing, etc. etc.
Learn Pursuing—twofold, or slash into the wards.
Bestow two outside, thus you begin the work. And try
those companions, if they are soft or hard. Learn
feeling—Inthereof—that word slashes severely. Raiding
twofold, make the old slash indeed. Follow all hits to
strongmen, they you will mock. In all lore, turn not the
point from foe’s face. Pursue with your whole body—
yes, your point prevails there. Learn also quick
raiding—so may you end well.
(38v) Wenne mit der selben kunst ader mit dem vorteil
kumpt is oft das eyn pawer ader eyn ungelarter eÿn
guten meister slet mit deme · das her den vorslag tuet
und künlich dar hurt den wy leiche ist das obersehen Das
indeß trift und in alzo beschemet und slet denne eyner
der der slege war nymmet und des schütczens wil warten
der ist jo (?) in grosser var dene jener der do of in slet
und den vorslag gewynnet Dorumme schaffe das du ÿn
allen sachen des fechtens der erste bist und jo eÿme of
dy rechte seiten komest do bist du wol aller dinge sicher
denne jener
When with the same art or with the vantage (of
initiative), it often happens that a Farmer or Unlearned
One strikes a good Master therewith; such that he does
the First Strike and bravely clashes there. Then like
lyrics which are ignored, that hits inthereof, and thusly
shames and strikes (foe). Then he who senses the strikes
and will watch for the defence—yes, he is in greater
danger than anyone who strikes thereupon him and wins
the First Strike. Therefor manage in all tactics of
fencing that you are the first—and yes, go at foe upon
the right side, there you are well in all things, certain
then of anyone.
(64r) Czu dem ersten merke und wisse das lichtnawers
fechten leit gar an den fünff wörten · vor · noch · swach ·
stark · Indes Dy eyn grunt kern und fundament seyn
alles fechtens Und wy vil eÿner fechtens kan Weis her
nür des fundamentz nicht zo wirt her oft bey seyner
kunst beschemet Und dy selben wörter sint vor oft aus
gelegt Wen si nür of das gehen das eÿner umermer in
motu seÿ Und nicht veÿer ader lasse das iener icht (!)
czu slage kome
First of all mark and wit that Liechtenauer’s fencing
works entirely via the Five Words: Before, After, Weak,
Strong, Inthereof. They are one grounding, core and
foundation for all fencing. And however much one
knows of fencing, (yet) he simply wits not the
foundation, then often he becomes shamed by his art.
And the same words were often previously laid out.
When (one) simply works thereby, such that he be
evermore in motion and neither revels nor slackens, then
(foe) gets not to any strikes.
(64v) Tu nür als vor oft geschreben ist Und bis in motu
Das wort Indes get of dy wörter vor · noch den wen
eyner den vorslag tuet Und jener den weret Indes und
dyweile das in jener weret und sich schützt zo mag deser
wol czu dem nochslag komen Auch get is of dÿ wörter ·
swach · stark · dÿ do bedewten daz fülen den wen eÿner
an dem swerte ist mit jeme und fület ab jener stark ader
swach ist dornoch tut her denne noch der oft geschreben
lere
Do only as is often written afore, and be in motion. That
word Inthereof works via the words Before & After.
Then when one does the First Strike, and another wards
that inthereof & meanwhile, such that he wards and
defends himself, then may these go well into the Counter
Strike. Also it works via the words Weak & Strong;
which there mean Feeling. Then when one is at
(crossed/bound) swords, thus he acts then via the oftwritten lore.
6
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Indes passages, folios 17r & 18v from Döbringer Hausbuch (1389)
7
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Ringeck (1440s)
(24r) Daß Dupliern
The Duplicating
Item wann du in mitt dem zorn hawe oder sunst oben Thus when you smite foe high with the wrath-hew or
eÿn hawest verseczt er dir mitt stöck So stos In des otherwise, and he intercepts you with (some) action;
deines schwerts knopff under deinem rechten arm mitt then inthereof lever your sword-pommel under your
der lincken hand und schlach in mitt gecruczten henden right arm with your left hand to strike him with crossed
am schwert hinder sines schwerts klingen zwischen dem hands, at (bound) swords & behind his sword-blade,
schwert Und dem mann durch daß maül Oder schlach in between the sword & the man, through his maw. Or
strike him with (said) action upon his head. ~
mit dem stück uff den kopff ~
Mörk daß Mutiern4
(24v) Daß mutiern treÿb also Wenn du im mitt dem
obern hawe oder sunst an daß schwert bindest So winde
die kurczen schniden an sin schwert und far wol uff mit
den armen Und heng im dein schwerczß clingen ussen
über sein schwert und stich im zů der undern blösse und
dz trÿb zů baÿden sÿtten ~
Mark the Mutating
The mutating drives thusly: When you (smite) foe with
the high hew or otherwise bind at the sword; then wind
your short edge at his sword and move well-up with
your arms and hang your sword-blade at him, out over
his sword, and thrust to his lower targets. And that
works on both sides. ~
(38r) Von dem fülen und von dem wort Indes
Das fulen lere In des das wort schnÿdet sere
Of Feeling and of the word Inthereof:
Feeling learn; Inthereof, that word slashes deeply.
Glosa das ist das dü das fülen und das wort In des wol
lernen und verstan solt wan die zwaÿ ding gehoeren zů
samen und sind die größte künste zů den fechten Und
das vernÿm also (38v) wen ainer dem anderen an das
schwert bindt So soltü In dem alß de schwert zů samen
glütz schon zů hand fullen ab er waych oder hort
angebunden hab und alß bald dü das empfindest havst
(?) So gedenck an das wort In des das ist das dü in den
selben enpfinden behendtlichen nach der waich und nach
der hort mit dem schwert solt arbaiten zů der nechsten
bloß So wirt er geschlagen ee wann er sin gewar wirt ~
Glossa: This is what you should well-learn and
understand: Feeling, and that word Inthereof. For these
two things belong together and are the greatest arts/skills
for fencing/fighting—and so listen thusly: When (you)
bind/cross another at the (long)sword, then therein as the
swords clap together, you shall already feel at hand if he
has bound/crossed soft or hard. And as soon as you
have sensed that, then think of the word Inthereof. It is
such that you should work agilely into that same
sensation with the sword, whether soft and whether hard,
to the nearest target. Thus foe becomes stricken before
he even becomes aware.
Item du solt an das wort Indes In allen anbinden des
schwertz gedencken wann Indes dupliert und Indes
muttiert Indes laufft durch und Indes nimpt den schnitt
Indes ringt mitt Indes nimpt im dz schwert Indes tůt in
der kunst (39r) waß dein hercz begert Indes ist ein
scharpffes wort damitt alle fechten verschnitten werden
bÿ des worts nichten wissen Und dz wort Indes ist och
der schlissele damit alle kunst de fechtens
uffgeschlossen wirt ~
Thusly should you think of the word Inthereof in all
binding/crossing of (long)swords:
For Inthereof
duplicates and Inthereof mutates. Inthereof passes
through and Inthereof snatches the slash. Inthereof
wrestles with (foe) and Inthereof takes his sword.
Inthereof does in the Art what your heart desires.
Inthereof is one sharp word, whereby all fencing
becomes curtailed, by this word nothing (gets)
witnessed. And that word Inthereof is also the Key,
wherewith all the Art of Fencing becomes unlocked. ~
8
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
More Indes passages, folios 24r & 24v from Ringeck (1440s)
9
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Ott (1443-1520) : Pentateuch Version5 – mainly via Talhoffer (1443)
§2: [Die ersten] Merk ein <gemaine guette> ler In allenn §2: Firstly mark some Common Good Lore. In all
ringen sullen sein drew ding das erst ist kunst, das ander wrestling should be Three (Athletic) Things: the first is
ist snellikayt, das dritt ist rechtew abgeung der sterck / skill, the second is speed, the third is correctly avoiding
rechte anlegung der sterck. Dar umb so sol man foe’s strength / correctly deploying your strength. Of
mercken das das pest ist snellikayt, dy lat nicht czu those, one should mark that the best is speed, for it lets
pruchen komenn. Darnach soltu merckenn, das man not foe get to countering/breaking. Accordingly, you
allen den kranckenn soll vor ringen, und allenn gleichen shall mark that one should proactively wrestle all
sol man mit6 ringenn, und allenn starcken sol man nach weaklings; and one should interactively wrestle all
ringenn. Und in allen vor ringen so wart der snellikayt, equals; and one should reactively wrestle all strongmen.
in allem mit ringen so wart der wag, und czu allem nach And in all proactive wrestling, thusly be aware of speed;
ringen so wart der knyepug.
in all interactive wrestling, thusly be aware of balance;
and in all reactive wrestling, thusly be aware of
squatting.
Codex Wallerstein (Part-A; 1450s) : Ottic Lore
(f.15r/pl.29) Dy ander lër vom Ringen Auch so soltu The second lesson for Wrestling: As well, you shall
wissen dastu einen yeden krancken vor solt ringen alz wit that you should wrestle any weakling proactively
mit7 sterck Und einen gleichen mitt solt ringen als mit with strength; should wrestle an equal interactively with
masß Und einen starcken nach solt ringen als mit measure; and should wrestle a strongman reactively with
agility.
phentikait
Another Indes passage, folio 15r/plate 29 from Codex Wallerstein (Part-A; 1450s)
10
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Von Danzig (1452)
(17v) Das ist der text und die glos eines guten stucks This is the text and the gloss for one good action from
aus dem krump haw
the Crumple-Hew:
Haw krump zw den flechen den maisteren wiltu sy
swechen Wenn es klitzt oben So stand ab das wil ich
loben
Hew crumpled to the flats of the Masters – You will
weaken them – When it clashes above – Then stand
off – That will I praise.
Glosa Merck das stuck soltu treiben gegen den maisteren
aus dem pandt des swertz Und das treib also Wenn dw
mit dem zů vechten zů ÿm kumpst So leg dein swert zů
deiner rechten seitten in die schranck hůt Und stee mit
dem lincken fuess vor oder hald es an deiner rechten
achsel Haut er dir dann oben zů der plöss So haw starck
mit der langen schneid aus gekräutzten armen gegen
seinem haw und als pald die swert zů sammen klitzen So
wind indes gegen deiner lincken seitten die kurtz
schneid an sein swert Und stich ÿm zů dem gesicht Oder
wildu yn nicht stechen So haw ÿm Indes mit der kurtzen
schneid vom swert zů kopff oder zwo leib
Gloss: Mark, the action you should drive against the
masters from the binding of your sword, and drive that
thusly: When you go to foe via your entry, then lay your
sword to your right side, in the Barrier-Ward, and stay
with you left foot forward; or else hold (your sword) at
your right shoulder (thus in ward From Day). He then
hews high to (your exposed left) quadrant; so you hew
strongly with the long-edge, from crossed arms, against
his hew; and as soon as the swords clash together, then
wind inthereof your short-edge toward his left side onto
his sword and stab him to his face. Or will you not stab
him? Then hew him Inthereof with the short-edge of
your sword to his head or to his body.
An Indes passage, folio 17v from Von Danzig (1452)
11
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Von Danzig (1452)
(26v) Das ist der dext (!) und die glos das man nicht This is the text and the gloss for how one shall not
vor setzen sol
intercept:
Vor versetzen huett dich Geschicht das auch sere
müetzs dich
Glosa Merck das ist das du nicht versetzen solt als die
gemainen vechter thuen Wenn die versetzen So halden
sÿ iren ort in die hoch oder auff ein seitten Und das ist ze
versten das sy in der versatzung mit dem ort die vier
plöß8 nicht wissen zw süchen Dar umb werden sie offt
geschlagen Oder wenn dw versetzen wild So ver setz mit
deinem haw oder mit deinem stich Und suech Indes mit
dem ort die nächst plöß So mag dich kain maister an
seinen schaden geschlachen
Guard yourself from Interception – Prepare yourself
or else it verily maims you.
Gloss: Mark that you should not intercept as the
common fencers do when they intercept. Thus they hold
their points high or off to one side, which is to
understand, that they wit not to seek the Quadrants with
the point while intercepting, and thereupon they often
become stricken. Otherwise, when you would intercept,
then intercept with your hew or with your thrust to seek,
Inthereof, the nearest target with your point. So may no
master strike you without it harming him.
Yet another Indes passage, folio 26v from Von Danzig (1452)
12
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Von Danzig (1452)
(28v) Hie merck eben den text und die glos von dem Here mark well the text and the gloss for Feeling and
for the word that they call Inthereof:
fülen und von dem wort das da Inndes haisset
Das fülen lere Inndes das wort schneidet sere
Glosa Merck das fülen und das wort Inndes die gröst
und die pëst kunst im swert ist und wer ein maister des
swercz ist oder sein wil und kan nicht das fülen und
vernÿmpt nicht dar zw das wort Inndes So ist er nicht
ein maister wenn er ist (29r) ein püffel des swercz Dar
umb soltu die czwai ding vor allen sachen gar wol lernen
das dw si recht verstest ~
Feeling learn; Inthereof, that word slashes deeply.
Gloss: Mark that Feeling and the word Inthereof are the
greatest and the best art for the (long)sword. And
whoever a master of the sword is, or will be, and cannot
feel that; and moreover, listens not to the word
Inthereof; then he is not a master, for he is a swordbully. Accordingly above all else you shall learn these
two things really well, so that you understand them
correctly.
Hie merck die ler von dem fülen und von dem wort
das da haist Inndes
Merck wenn du mit dem zů vechten zů Im kumpst und
einer dem anderen an das swert pindet So soltu In dem
als die swert zů sammen kliczen zů hant fül (!) ob er
waich oder hert an gepünden hat und als pald dw das
emphunden hast So gedenck an das wort Inndes Das ist
das dw In dem selbigen emphinden behendlich solt
arbaitten am swert so ist er geslagen ee wenn er sein
gewar wirt ~
Here mark the lore of Feeling and of the word that
they call Inthereof
Mark: When you go at (foe) with the initiative, and one
or the other binds/crosses at the (long)sword; so therein
as the swords clap together, you should already feel at
hand if he has bound/crossed soft or hard. And as soon
as you have sensed that, then think of the word
Inthereof. It is such that you should work agilely into
that same sensation at the sword. Thus he is stricken
before he becomes aware.
Hie soltu mercken
Das das fülen und das wort Inndes ein dinck ist und ains
an das ander nicht gesein mag und das vernÿm also
wenn du Im an sein swert pindest So müstu ze hant mit
dem wort Inndes fülen Aber am swert waich oder hert
ist und wenn dw hast gefült So müstu aber Inndes
arbaitten nach der waich und nach der hert am swert
Also sein sÿ paidew nicht wenn ein dinck und das wort
Inndes das ist zů vor aus In allen stucken und das
vernÿm also Inndes dupliert Inndes mutirt ~ (29v)
Inndes wechselt durch Inndes laufft durch Inndes
nÿmpt den schnit Indes ringet mit Inndes nÿmpt das
swert Inndes thuet was dein hercz begert Inndes das ist
ein scharffes wort Do mit alle maister des swertz
vorschnÿten werden die das wort nicht wissen noch
vernömen Das ist der schlüssel der kunst ~
So shall you mark:
That Feeling and the word Inthereof are one thing—and
one without the other may not exist. And so listen
thusly: When you bind/cross at (foe’s) (long)sword, then
you must feel at hand, via that word Inthereof, whether
(that binding/crossing) is soft or hard at the sword. And
when you have felt it, then you must indeed work
inthereof at the sword, whether soft and whether hard.
Thus they are both just one thing. And the word
Inthereof, that is to & before & out & in all actions—
and so listen thusly: Inthereof duplicates & Inthereof
mutates.
Inthereof exchanges & Inthereof exits.
Inthereof snatches the slash & Inthereof wrestles with
(foe). Inthereof takes the sword & Inthereof does what
your heart desires. Inthereof : That is one sharp word.
Thereby all masters of the sword who neither wit nor
heed that word get shredded. It is the Key to the Art (of
Fencing).
13
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
And another Indes passage, folios 28v & 29r from Von Danzig (1452)
14
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
(1v) Yndes vor und nach dy wortt
Seyn aller kunst eyn hortt
Swech und sterck prüff weyslich
So dw wildt vechten künstenlich
Lecküchner (1482)9
(1v) Inthereof—Before and After—these words
Belong to all his Art
Weak and Strong prove wise
Thus you will fence/fight artfully
Hye sagt der meyster und melt den grundt des messers
vechtens Und spricht yndes vor und nach etc Das soltu
alzo verstan das dw vor allen dingen recht vernemen solt
dy Zway (!) ding das ist (!) das vor und nach · und dy
swech und dy sterck und das wort yndes wann dar auß
kumbt aller grundt aller der kunst des vechtens und
wenn dw dy ding recht vernymbst und verstest Und
Zwvoran des wortz yndes nicht Vergist yn allen stucken
dy dw treyben pist So magstu woll eyn gutter meyster
des messers sein und magst fursten und herren leren das
sy mit rechter kunst wol bestann yn schimpff und yn
ernnst
Here the Master says and declares and speaks the
grounding for falchion-fencing: Inthereof—Before and
After etc. So shall you thusly understand above all
things that you shall correctly undertake these two
things, which are the Before and the After, plus the
Weak and the Strong; and that word Inthereof,
wherefrom comes all the grounding for all the Art of
Fencing. And when you correctly undertake and
understand this thing; and henceforth forget not the word
Inthereof in all actions you are driving; then well may
you be a good master of the falchion and may you teach
princes and lords so that with correct art they survive in
sport and in earnest.
Item das vor ist · So dw ee kumbst mit dem haw dann er
das er dir versetzen muß So erbayt yndes behendiklich
mit dem messer fur dich oder anderen stücken und laß
yn dar nach Zw keyner erbeit kummen alzo hastu ym an
gebunen das vor und wenn er ee kumbt mit der erbeyt
oder mit dem haw denn dw und ym das versetzen must
So erbeyt yndes behendicklich mit dem messer oder
sunst mit stucken So nymbstu ym das vor mit dem nach
und das heyst das vor und nach
Thus what Before is: So you go earlier with the hew than
(foe), such that he must intercept you. So work
inthereof agilely with the falchion afore you, or (do)
other actions; and thereafter let him get to no work;
thusly have you bound him in the Before. And when he
comes earlier than you with the work or with the hew,
and you must intercept him; then work inthereof agilely
with the falchion or else with actions; so you take from
him the Before with the After—and that is called the
Before and the After.
Item dw solt auch vor allen dingen Wissen dy swech
Und dy sterck des messers nw merck von dem gehultz
piß an dy mitten des messers das ist dy sterck und von
der mitten Untz an den ortt das ist dy swech und wye dw
dar auß vechten scholt das vindest dw her nach
geschriben und was das wort yndes ist
Thus you should also, above all things, wit the Weak
and the Strong of the falchion—now mark this: From the
hilting to the middle of the falchion, that is the Strong;
and from the middle until the point, that is the Weak.
And how you should fence therefrom, you find that
described hereafter; and what the word Inthereof is.
(216v) Item du solt auch gar eben mercken ob er weych
oder hertt In der versatzung Ist Und merck dy swech und
dy sterck und Zu vor an soltu des wortz Indes nicht
Vergessen und was das vor und das nach ist (!) des pistu
vor unterricht worden Nu soltu Wyssen was das wortt
Indes ist ob du Enpfindest ob ir weych oder hertt ist In
der versatzung so merck das du Indes erbeyttest In alle
stuck wye du merckest dy eygenschafft der ding dy auff
dich gepracht und gemach werden oder dy du auff eynen
machen pist Indes duplire : Indes mutir : Indes
durchlauf : Indes peschleuß : Indes nymm den schnytt :
Indes ring : Indes messer nym : Indes pnym (?) : Indes
durchge : Indes durchlauff : Indes thu Was deyn hertz
begertt : Indes ist Eyn scharpffes wortt da mit dy
meyster hartt verschnytten werden Zu vor auß10 dy
meyster dye deß wortz Indes nicht wyssen noch
vernemen
Thus you should also utterly mark if foe is soft or hard
in his interception. And mark the weak and the strong.
And henceforth you should not forget the word
Inthereof; and what the words Before and After are; in
which you have been instructed previously. Now you
shall wit what that word Inthereof is: If you sense
whether he is soft or hard in the interception, then mark
that you work inthereof in all actions, like how you
mark the property of moves which get brought and made
upon you, or which you are making upon someone:
Inthereof duplicates; Inthereof mutates; Inthereof
passes through; Inthereof terminates; Inthereof
snatches the slash; Inthereof wrestles; Inthereof takes
the falchion; Inthereof comports; Inthereof goes
through; Inthereof passes through. Inthereof does what
your heart desires. Inthereof is one sharp word whereby
the masters get severely curtailed, totally the masters
who neither wit nor undertake the word Inthereof.
15
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
And more Indes passages, folios 1v & 216v from Lecküchner (1482)
16
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
(3r) Was auf dich wirt gericht
Zorenhaw ortt das gar pricht
Wiltu yn beschemen
Am messer ler abnemen11
What gets aimed at you
Wrath-hew-point well-counters that.
Will you shame foe?
Then learn rebating at the falchion
So der meister das Vechten des messers yn dy stuck
geteylt hat Und eyn ytlichs mit namen genent nw hebt er
an Ze sagen Von dem ersten glid der tailung als von dem
Zorenhaw und ist zw wissen das der zorenhaw mit dem
ortt bricht all öberhaw und ist doch eyn schlechter
pawren schlag12
So the Master has divided Falchion Fencing into the
Actions and named each one with names. Now he starts
to speak of the first item of these divisions as (coming)
from the Wrath-Hew. And it is to wit that the WrathHew with the Point counters all high hews, and yet is
one simple Farmer-Strike.
(3v) Item treyb den alzo wenn er von der rechten seitten
oben Zu dem kopff schlecht so haw von deiner rechten
seitten So haw von deiner rechten seitten auch von oben
mit ym Zörniklich gleich an all versatzung oben ein
Indes laß den ortt fuer ein schiessen ym Zu dem gesicht
oder prust und wendt Indes dein messer gegen dem
seinen das dy lang schneid13 oben stee Und dy kurtz
unden wirtt er des ortz gewar So Windt wider auff sein
lincke seiten den ortt zu dem gesicht das Eẅchling14 dy
lang schneid oben stee wirtt er des ortz gewar So reiß am
(!) messer auff oben an des messers klingen wider von
seinem messer und haw Im Zu der anderen seytten Zu
dem Kopff das heisset ab genommenn am messer ·
Drive that item thusly: When (foe) strikes high from his
right side to your head, then hew in from your right side,
thus hew from your right side also from above with him
wrathfully, like for all high intercepting—then inthereof
let your point shoot forth into him, to his face or chest;
your falchion winds inthereof against his (falchion),
such that the long edge stays up and the short (edge
stays) down. Becomes he aware of your point? Then
wind your point up toward his left side, to the face of
this joker, such that the long edge stays up. Becomes he
aware of your point? So wrench your falchion at his
falchion-blade, upward & away from his falchion, thus
to hew him to the other side to his head. That is called
Rebating at the Falchion.
Indes described, folio 3r from Lecküchner (1482)
17
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Indes described & depicted, folio 3v from Lecküchner (1482)15
18
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Fecht und Ringerbuch (1508) : after Emring aka Ringeck
(13r) Das ist der text und die glos von dem fülen und This the text and the gloss for Feeling and for the
von dem wort Inndes. Das fülen lere inndes das wort word Inthereof: Feeling learn; Inthereof, that word
slashes deeply.
schneidet sere.16
Glosa daz ist das du das fülen und das wort indes wol Glossa: This is what you should well-learn and
lernen und versten solt Wen die zwaÿ ding gehörn understand: Feeling, and that word Inthereof. For these
zusamen und sind die gröstn kunst in dem vechten Item two things belong together and are the greatest arts/skills
das vernÿm also wen ainer dem anderen an das schwert for fencing/fighting. Item—listen thusly: When (you)
pindt so solt du in dem als die swert zesamen glischent bind/cross another at the (long)sword, then therein as the
Ze hant fülen das ist enpfinden ob er waich oder hert swords clap together, you should already feel at hand,
angepunden hat und als pald du das enpfunden hast so that is sense, if he has bound/crossed soft or hard. And
gedenck an das wort inndes das ist daz du in dem as soon as you have sensed that, then think of the word
selbigen enpfinden behentlich nach der waich und nach Inthereof. It is such that you should work agilely into
der hert mit dem schwert solst arbaitten Zu der nächsten that same sensation with the sword, whether soft and
plös so wirt er geschlagen ee wen er sein gewar wirt whether hard, to the nearest target. Thus foe becomes
Itemm Merck du solt an das wort inndes in allen stricken before he even becomes aware. Item: Mark—
anpinden des schwertzs gedencken wen indes dupliert you should think of the word Inthereof in all
For Inthereof
indes mütiert indes laufft durch indes wechsselt durch binding/crossing of (long)swords:
indes nÿmbt den schnidt indes ringet mit indes nymbt duplicates and Inthereof mutates. Inthereof passes
im das schwert indes thuet in der kunst wes dein hertz through and Inthereof changes through. Inthereof
begert inndes ist ein scharffs wort damit all vechter snatches the slash. Inthereof wrestles with (foe) and
verschnytten werdent die des worts nit wissen und das Inthereof takes his sword. Inthereof does in the Art
wort indes ist der schlissl da mit alle kunst des vechtns what your heart desires. Inthereof is one sharp word,
whereby all fencers becomes curtailed who wit not this
aus geslossen wirt17
word. And that word Inthereof is the Key wherewith all
the Art of Fencing becomes unlocked. ~
Yet another Indes passage, folio 13r from Fecht und Ringerbuch (1508)
19
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Goliath (1510-20)
(9r) Text : Vor und noch die Zweÿ ding, Seind aller Text: Before and After, those two things are one
Künst ein ursprüng, Schwech und sterck, Inndes das wellspring of all (Fencing) Art. Weak and Strong—
wort domit merck, So magstü lern mit künst Inthereof—mark that word accordingly. So may you
arbeiten, und wern, Erschrickstü gern, kain fechten learn to work artfully, and beware that if you tend to
frighten, then you may never learn any fencing.
nimer gelern.
Glosa : Dü solt vor allenn sachen recht vernemen und
versteen die Zwaÿ ding, das ist das Vor und das Nach.
unnd darnach schwech und sterck. des schwerts. und
darnach des worts Indes. Wan daraüs geet der gantz
grünt aller künst des fechtens. wen du die ding recht
vernimpst unnd versteest und darzü des worts Indes, nit
vergist in allen stücken, die dü treybst, So pistü wol ein
güter maister, des schwertz, unnd magst wol lernen
Fürsten und Herren, das sÿ mit rechter künst des
schwerts wol mogen besten, Zu kampff und in ernst.
Gloss: You shall, above all tactics, correctly undertake
and understand those two things, that is the Before and
the After; and thus Weak and Strong of (long)swords;
and thus the word Inthereof. When your entire
grounding for all the Art of Fencing works thereby;
when you undertake and understand those things
correctly; and likewise you forget not the word
Inthereof in all actions which you drive; then indeed
you are one good Master of the Sword and may wellteach princes and lords; such that they, with correct Art
of the Sword, may well-survive at duel and in earnest.
(9v) Was das Vor seÿ
Das ist das dü vor solt kumen alweg es sey mit dem hau
oder mit dem stich, Ee wen er Und wenn dü ehe kümpst
mit dem haw oder sünst das er dir versetzen müs, So
arbait Indes behendiglich in der versatzüng für dich mit
dem schwert, oder sünst mit anndern stückenn: so mag
er Zü kainer arbeit komen.
What the Before be
This is what you should proactively get, always it be
with the hew or the thrust earlier than (foe), thus when
you go earlier with the hew or otherwise, such that he
must intercept you. Thus work inthereof agilely into his
interception, forward with your sword; or else with other
actions; thus may he get to no work.
Was das Nach seÿ
Ist der prüch wider alle stück, und hew die mann aüff
dich treÿbt, Unnd das vernim also Wen er ee kümpt mit
dem haü, wen dü, das du im versetzen müst, So arbait
Inndes behendiglich zür nechsten plos, So prich im sein
Vor, mit deinem Nach.
What the After be
(If there) are counters versus all actions, and the man
drives a hew upon you, (so) undertake this thusly: When
he goes earlier with the hew, so that you must intercept
him, then work inthereof agilely to the nearest target,
thus counter his Before with your After.
20
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
And yet other Indes passages, folios 9r & 9v from Goliath (1510-20)
21
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
(22v) Hie merck die prüch wider den Zwer haü
Wen dü gegenn im stest inn der hüt vom tag so haü im
hinlich oben ein zü dem kopf springt er denn aus dem
hau unnd meint er wol vor kümen mit dem Zwerhaü
unnd schlecht dir domit zü deiner linckn seitenn zü dem
kopf so val im mit der langen schneiden aüf das schwert
schlecht er denn mit der thwer aber umb dir zu der
andern seitn so kün dü inndes vor aüch mit der thwer
forn fur unnder seinem schwert im an hals so schlecht er
sich selber mit deinem schwert.
Here mark the counter versus the Thwart-Hew
When you stand against (foe) in the guard of From Day,
then hew into him, behind & above to his head. If he
springs from the hew and he means to come well-forth
with the thwart-hew and strike you therewith to your left
side to your head, then drop upon him with your long
edge upon his sword. If then he but strikes with thwarthew around you to the other side, then you also progress
inthereof, also with the thwart-hew, forth & before &
under his sword at his neck, thus he strikes himself with
your (long)sword. (As portrayed in the following
picture.)
Indes passage, folio 22v from Goliath (1510-20)
22
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Indes portrayal, folio 23r from Goliath (1510-20)
23
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
(117v) Das ist ein Ganntzer Beschlůs im Ringen
Dů magst es aůs villen fassen treiben. So dů im magst
mit deinr rechtn oben ÿber sein linckh agsl umb den halß
farn so fasß in beÿm kopf also unnden dein recht ÿgsen
(Inndes) Wennt dich umb und begreif mit deiner linckn
hant lincken schenckl oben von aůssen Unnd bůckh dich
Und wirf in oben yber dich aůs. Du magst eß aůch tůn in
gleichem fassen ee er dich zů im drůckh und so dein
rechte hant ob (!) seiner linckn agsl, .h.g.18
This is one Total Lock in Wrestling
You may drive it out of many clinches–thus you may
move foe with your right (arm) above & over his left
shoulder and around his neck. So seize him by his head,
thus underneath your right axilla, and inthereof wend
yourself around and grip (his) left shank with your left
hand, above from outside, and bend to throw him above
& over yourself, (thus) away. You may also do it while
same-clinching, ere he squeezes you to him, likewise
your right hand/arm above his left shoulder, as pictured
here.
Indes described & depicted, folio 117r from Goliath (1510-20)19
24
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Dürer (1512)
5 ~ Item so dir einer also in die zwirch kumt und will Action 5 ~ So someone gets athwart you thusly, gets into
dich doraus werfen so reck den fus fast hinter sich indes your hip, and thereby would throw you – so think to
greif mit dem arm der gegen im steet oben über sein stretch out your far foot staunchly backward as you grip
agsell vier für sich auf die erden als hie stet so prichstu his wrist with your far hand, and inthereof grip his arm
im den arm ab auch mag ein jder ringer sich woll hüten with your arm that stays near him to trap high over his
daz man im nit in die zwirch kumt also du magst in shoulder, then veer him forward into the earth, as
hinder sich oder von dir stossen las dich kein winden.20
pictured, thus you break his arm off. So may any single
wrestler guard himself so well that his foe gets not
athwart him. Thus may you shove him backward or
from you, and you let him not twist you.
Indes in action: Wrestling 5 from Dürer (1512)
25
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
1 ~ Item so dir ainer aber an dein swert pint so wint im
dy kurcz sneid nach dem angesicht ein und gee inndes
und trit für mit dem tencken fusz und vall im mit deinem
knopf über sein hent und vach dein klingen in dein
tencke hant und leg inns an dem hals als hie gemalt stet
so würfstu in auf den rucken (!).21
Longsword 1 ~ So again, someone binds/crosses at your
sword—then wind your short-edge into him toward his
face, and go inthereof and tread forth with your left foot
and get him with your pommel over his right hand while
you catch your blade in your left hand and lay it into his
neck, as pictured here, thus you slash his throat or
wrench his sword out his hands or throw him forward &
aside.
Indes in action: Longsword 1 from Dürer (1512)
26
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
(A2r) Czwelff regel22 las dich nit verdriessen
Aus den mag dir gros kunst endspriessen…
Paurenfeindt (1516)
Twelve Rules: Let (these) not dismay you;
Thereby you may display great (Fencing) Art…
…Die Sechst
Such schwech und sterk
Indesz das wort eben merk…
…The Sixth:
Seek weak and strong;
Inthereof—well-mark that word…
(E2r) Twer Hew prechen
Wan du stest in der hut vom tag und ainer auf dich haut
mit der twer so haw den zorenhaw gleich23 mit ym ein
und pindt ym starck mitten auff sein schwerdt und wil er
umschlahen mit der twer so twer ym voren czu seinen
halsz auch magstu alle stuck treiben als in dem
streichen24
Countering Thwart-Hew
When you stand in the guard of From Day, and (foe)
hews upon you with the Thwart, then hew in with the
Wrath-Hew alike with him, and bind him strongly
midway upon his (long)sword, and he would strike
around with the Thwart, then thwart-hew him first, to his
neck. You may also drive all (these combative) actions
as in sport.
(E3r) Ain Anders
MERCK wan du twerst und dir ainer auch mit der twer
wil uoren (!) vor kumen under dein schwerdt an den
halsz so vall ym indes mit der langen schneidt starck
auff sein schwerdt so ist es geprochen und nym die
nechst plesz an dye dir werden mag
Another
Mark when you thwart-hew and (foe) would likewise get
you first with the thwart-hew, under your sword at your
neck, then inthereof drop him with your long edge
strongly upon his sword, thus it is countered, and so take
the next opening that may behoove you.
And again another Indes passage, folio/page A2r from Paurenfeindt (1516)
27
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Nameless via Egenolph (1531)25
(35v) Volgen vil kunstlicher stuck Kämpffens, Here
Follow
Many
Artful
Actions
Ringens und Werffens.26
Combat/Dueling: Wrestling and Throwing.
for
Schweche sůchen.
ES ist, wie in allem fechten, auch hierinne27, der stercke
unnd schweche höchlich acht zunemen. So du ann man
kumpst, befleiß dich wo er starck ist, das du ihm der
nähsten schweche geremest (wie dann ein jede sterck
ihre schweche mit bringt) und nach tringest, so machstu
ihn verfallen.
Weakness-Seeking.
That is how, in all fencing also herein, to take high-heed
of the strong and weak. So when you go at the man/foe,
then concern yourself where he is strong, so that you aim
for and surge toward his nearest weakness (since
everyone brings with his strength his weakness). Thus
you make him collapse.
§Bruch.
In gleichem wert ist auch das In des zehaben, welches,
als die rechte zeit28, so du nit triffst, in der arbeit, unnd
also versaumlich nachhin tappest, so merckt mans, ist all
dein thun umbsunst.
Counter.
Ward in equality—which is also to have Inthereof, like
the correct time—so that when you meet/engage in the
work you grope not wrongly after foe, thus one marks
that all you do is vain.
And again Indes in action, folio 35v from Nameless via Egenolph (1531)
28
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
(24v) Vom Vor und Nach.
Vom Vor / Nach / Gleich und Indeß.
Cap. 8.
Meyer (1570)
Of Before and After.
Of Before, After, Same and Inthereof.
Chapter 8.
NAch dem bißher die rechte Hauptstuck des gantzen
Fechtens im Schwerdt29 wie vil jr seind wie sie
geheissen gemacht und volbracht sollen werden
eigentlich in gůter ordnung erklert so were nun an dem
das du gleichsam auff den platz gefürt solche stückle ins
werck zůbringen.
Accordingly hitherto the correct Main Actions of the
entire Longsword Fencing—how many they be, how
they be termed, made, and completed—should actually
have become clarified in good order, such that now you
were virtually led to the stage of bringing such elements
to work.
Dieweil aber dein gegenpart gleichfals disen bericht30
haben mag den du gefasser unnd dir solches alles auch
kan begegnen so ist von nöten das du zůvor wissest mit
was gelegenheit du jme zůkommen mögest Dann wie vil
an der gelegenheit unnd sonderlich im Fechten gelegen
bezeigt die tägliche erfahrung sintemal kein stuck es sey
wie gůt es jmmer wölle wol mag nützlich gefochten
werden wo es nit angewendet wirt zů gelgner zeit.
But meanwhile, your counterpart likewise may have
arranged these more readily than you, so that all such
can also counteract you. Thus it is needful that you
previously wit by what risk you might get to him; then
how much at risk; and especially significant to risk in
Fencing, the daily experience that inasmuch no Action,
be it as good as it ever would, may well become
needfully fought where it becomes not executed at a
risky time.
So hab nun derwegen acht in allen dreyen theilen eines
jeden stucks nemlich im zůfechten oder angreiffen im
mittel oder handtarbeit und hernach volgendt im
abziehen auff das Vor Gleich Nach und Indes welcher
brauch dir nit ein geringer behilff im Fechten sein wirt.
Thus now accordingly have you regard for all three parts
of each & every Action; namely in the Entry or Attack,
in the Middle or Handiwork, and hereafter following in
the Exit, to wit: Before, Same, After and Inthereof;
which are to be needed by you not for any minor help in
Fencing.
Das Vor wirt genennet so du den Mann mit deinem
Hauwen am ersten angriffen und ferner dahin treibest
das er zů seinem fürnemen oder stuck nicht kommen kan
sonder mit versetzen sich engsten muß damit er sich vor
dir beschützen möge.
The Before was named thusly: You drive the first attack
further into the Foe with your Hewing; such that he
cannot get to his undertakings or actions; rather he must
be confined to intercepting, wherewith he might protect
himself from you.
Das Gleich31 ist wenn beide du und dein gegenpart eines
sins zůgleich mit einander ewer häw volbringet welches
auch im wort Indes verfast ist.
The Same is when both you and your counterpart
complete your hews, in a sense, alike with one another,
which also is composed in the word Inthereof.
Das Nach aber ist wenn du von deinem gegenman wie
oben angezeigt ubereilet würst das du dein fürnemen
nicht magst volbringen ist also zwischen dem Vor unnd
Nach ein stetes ab (25r) wechseln und verenderung denn
jetzo bald dein gegenpart bald wider du dasselbig
bekommest welcher aber das Nach hat das ist dahin
getrungen das er jmmer versetzen muß sol des worts
Indes wol eingedenck sein und dessen nicht vergessen
dann dardurch muß er das Vor wider ereilen wil er
anderst ohn schaden abziehen wer aber darauff achtung
nicht gibt ob er sich schon hefftig brauchet wirt er doch
nimmer etwas gůts lernen Fechten.
The After is, as aforesaid, when you become overrushed
by your antagonist, such that you may not complete your
undertakings. Thus between Before and After is a state
of transition and transformation; when/where soon now
your counterpart, and soon again you, gain identically.
Whoever only has the After has that wherein he perforce
must forever intercept. He shall be well-reminded of the
word Inthereof—which when not forgotten, he must
thereby again seize the Before, and he will otherwise
extract himself without harm. But whoever gives not
regard thereto, if he already severely lacks, indeed he
never gets to learn Fencing even somewhat well.
>>>
>>>
29
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
<<<
<<<
Indes : Das wort Indes32 haben vil verstanden sam het
es sein ursprung von dem Latinischen wörtlein Intus,
und begreiffe das inwendig Fechten in sich, welches aus
den Winden und dergleichen arbeit herkompt, aber das
diß nit also sey, würstu folgends hören.
Inthereof : The word Inthereof—which you
comprehend within Fencing itself, which arises from
winding and suchlike work—seems it had its origin, as
often given to understand, from the Latin phrase Intus.
Yet this be not thus, as the following tells you:
Das wörtlein Intus was es bedeutet laß ich den Latinis
bleiben, aber das wörtlein Indes33 ist ein gut Teutsch
wörtlein, und hat in sich ein ernstliche vermanung zů
behender bedechtlichkeit, das einer alweg und
geschwindt besonnen sey, als wann du erstlich in dem
du zůr Lincken schlechst, zům andern auch zůgleich mit
zůr Rechten die Blös sehest, Denn züm dreitten eben so
wol warnemest so du der ersehenen Blöß züeilest, wo
oder mit was stucken man dir zůkommen möge, auff das
du dich nicht an deines widerparts Blösse vergreiffest,
und des schaden nemest. Also ermanet dich das wörtlein
Indes, das du ein scharpff gesicht habest, welches zůmal
vil ersehen und warnemen, auch an deines gegenmans
geberden gnugsam erlernen mögest, was für stuck er zů
gebrauchen im sinn habe, und was dieselbige für Blösse
mit sich bringen, und wo sie sich eröffnen werden.
Dann in disen dingen allen welcher dich das wörtlein
Indes ermanet, stehet alle kunst des Fechten (wie
Lichtenawer sagt)34 unnd wo du solches nit warnimst,
bedacht und fürsichtig alle Häuw führest, wirst leichtlich
zů deinem schaden anlauffen, wie dann an allen
Fechteren zůsehen, welche einen also uberpolderen und
(wie man sagt) oben aus und nirgent an35 wöllen.
That phrase Intus, whatever it means, I let it remain in
Latin. Yet the phrase Indes is one good German phrase,
and has itself earnest urgency for agile deliberation, such
that always and swiftly you be prudent; as when initially
you strike to the left into someone; then secondly, also
alike with that, to the right you see the target; then
thirdly, just as well you thus sense & rush to that desired
target, where or with whatever actions you might get for
yourself; thereupon you neither grope at your opponent’s
targets nor take the damage. Thusly I urge you with the
phrase Inthereof—such that you have sharp sight;
wherewith you might often especially recognise and
sense your antagonist’s gestures, plus thereby efficiently
learn what action he has in mind to execute; and what
usual targets he has brought forth with him, and where
those become open. Then upon these things, all to
which the phrase Inthereof urges you, stands all the Art
of Fencing (as Liechtenauer says). And when you
neither sense such nor direct all hews deliberately and
foresightedly, then you get easily assaulted to your
detriment, like unto all gawking fencers who would
encroach someone thusly—and (as they say): Without
rhyme or reason.
Detail from Plate A of Meyer (1570) whereby the large cross describes the Quadrants (Vier Blösse) of Man
Said Quadrants are what Von Danzig (1452) advised to attack Inthereof (Indes)
30
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Vor, Nach, Gleich, Indesz ~ Before, After, Same, Inthereof
Chapter 8 from Meyer (1570) (24v-25r)
31
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Von der theilung des Manns. ~ Of the Dealing/Division of the Man
Amongst other things are portrayed the Quadrants (Vier Blösse) via Meyer (1570) (Plate A/3r)
Aus den Legern zů fechten. ~ From the Stances to Fencing / Entry from the Stances
Plausible Indes portrayal(s) within this scene from Meyer (1570) (Plate G/32v)36
32
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Bibliography
Albrecht Dürers Fechtbuch; HS 26-232 Wien; Albrecht Dürer (auth & illus) & Friedrich Dörnhöffer (transcr &
edit); F Tempsky & G Freytag; Wien & Leipzig; 1910 (from 1512)
Der Altenn Fechter Anfengliche Kunst; Paurenfeindt & Lecküchner & Lignitzer & Nameless (auth x4); Christian
Egenolph (edit & pub) & Hans Weyditz (illus); Frankfurt am Main; 1531
The Art of Combat: A German Martial Arts Treatise of 1570; Joachim Meyer (auth); Jeffrey Forgeng (edit & transl);
Palgrave Macmillan, 2006 (2nd edit) (from 1570)
The Book of Five Rings; Miyamoto Musashi (auth); Thomas Cleary (edit & transl); Shambhala; Boston & London;
1993 (from 1645)
Codex Wallerstein; Anonymous; MS I.6.4°.2; Universitätsbibliothek Augsburg; 1380-90 & 1450s
The Complete Book of Five Rings; Miyamoto Musashi (auth); Kenji Tokitsu (edit & transl); Shambhala; Boston &
London; 2010 (from 1645)
Deutsches Wörterbuch; Jacob Grimm (auth) & Wilhelm Grimm (auth); S. Hirzel; Leipzig; 1854-1960
Döbringer Hausbuch; Anonymous; Cod. Hs. 3227a; Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nürnberg; 1389
Ergrundung Ritterlicher Kunst der Fechterey; Andre Paurenfeindt (auth); Hieronymus Vietor; Wien; 1516
Fecht und Ringerbuch; Anonymous; MS E.1939.65.341; Glasgow Museums Scotland; 1508
Fechtbuch; Peter von Danzig zu Ingelstat (edit & auth); 44 A 8 (Cod. 1449); Biblioteca dell'Academica Nazionale
dei Lincei e Corsiniana Rzym; 1452
Fechtbuch; Albrecht Dürer (auth & illus); Handschrift 26-232; Albertina Graphische Sammlung Wien; 1512
Fechtbuch; Sigmund Ringeck (auth); MscrDresd C 487; Sächsische Landesbibliothek Dresden; 1440s
Fechtbuch; Hans Talhoffer (auth); Ms. Chart. A558; Forschungsbibliothek Schloß Friedenstein Gotha; 1443
A Fencing / Langes Messer Fencing Treatise by Johannes Lecküchner (1482); Johannes Lecküchner (auth);
Grzegorz Żabiński & Russell Mitchell & Falko Fritz (edit, transl, transcr x3); Hamburg; 2012
Freydal; Maximilian I (auth); MS KK 5073; Kunsthistorishes Museum Wien; 1515
Fuhlen, Indes and Managing Defensive and Offensive Advantages; Alex Bourdas (auth); Encased In Steel web-log;
October 2012
Goliath; Anonymous; MS Germ. Quart. 2020 (5879); Biblioteka Jagiellonska Kraków; 1510-1520
Gründtliche Beschreibung der freyen Ritterlichen unnd Adelichen Kunst des Fechtens; Joachim Meyer (auth);
Straßburg; 1570
INDES - Meyer 1560 : Personal e-mail reply; Kevin Maurer (auth); August 2012
Joachim Meyers Kunst des Fechtens: Teil 1 Schwert und Dussack; Joachim Meyer (auth); Alexander Kiermayer
(transl); Arts of Mars Books; 2012
Kunst des Messerfechtens; Hans Lecküchner (auth); Cod.Pal.Germ. 430; Universität Heidelberg; 1478
33
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Kunst des Messerfechtens; Hans Lecküchner (auth); Cgm 582; Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München; 1482
Lessons on the English Longsword; Brandon Heslop & Benjamin Bradak (auth & auth); Paladin Press; Boulder;
2010 (from early 15th Century)
Mittelhochdeutsches Handwörterbuch; Matthias Lexer (auth); S. Hirzel; Leipzig; 1872-78
Musashi’s Book of Five Rings; Miyamoto Musashi (auth); Stephen Kaufman (transl); Tuttle; Boston; 1994 (from
1645)
On the Issue of Double Hits or the Double Kill; Eric White (auth); New Jersey Historical Fencing Association
website; 2011
Paradoxes of Defence & Bref Instructions; George Silver (auth); Edward Blount; London; 1599
Peter von Danzig: Transkription und Übersetzung der Handschrift 44A8; Dierk Hagedorn (transcr & edit); VSBooks; 2008 (from 1452)
Reply: Mezzo Ferro Tempo; Richard Marsden (auth); private message at HEMA Alliance Forum; November 2012
Responding Within the Tempo of an Action; Sean Hayes & Larissa Seybert (prod x2); Northwest Academy of Arms;
YouTube video; December 2011
Samurai Fighting Arts: the Spirit and the Practice; Tanaka Fumon (auth); Kodansha; Tokyo; 2003
Stage d'escrime ancienne de Schiltigheim: Comparaison entre le messer et la langschwert dans les sources
allemandes du XVe siècle; Michaël Huber & Olivier Dupuis (auth x2); Les Guerriers d'Avalon website; 2006
Transkription der Fechthandschrift CGM582; Johannes Lecküchner (auth); Carsten Lorbeer, Julia Lorbeer, Johann
Heim, Robert Brunner, Alexander Kiermayer (transcr x5); Gesellschaft für Pragmatische Schriftlichkeit; 2006 (from
1482)
La Verdadera Destreza - Spanish Sword Form (Before, During, After); Sacramento Sword School; YouTube; 2012
Acknowledgements
My thanks to Donald Lepping and Jacob Norwood for their valuable commentary on this essay. Thanks to Dierk
Hagedorn for randomly leading me to a forgotten yet significant passage.
About the Author
Jeffrey Hull earned his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Kansas State University. His past martial arts
experience involved Bushikan Jujitsu, Wing Chun and Arnis; and now he pursues Ritterlich Kunst. His other
athletic pursuits included running, powerlifting and archery, and he has also enjoyed hunting, metalsmithing and
Western riding. He studies Teutonic & Celtic philology & mythology, researches Medieval history and art, and
enjoys music. He likes to hike, paint, swim and versify. He is author of books and essays about Chivalric Arts. He
lives in Oregon, USA. ~
Also the author of:
Knightly Dueling : the Fighting Arts of German Chivalry
Fight Earnestly : Fight-Book by Hans Talhoffer (1459-Thott)
Follow his work at:
Academia.edu
Copyright 2016 of Jeffrey Hull.
34
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
Endnotes
1
So as Döbringer Hausbuch (1389) relevantly stated (15r):
Auch merke das und wisse das man nicht gar eygentlich
und bedewtlich von dem fechten mag sagen und
schreiben ader aus legen als man is wol mag czeigen und
weisen mit der hant
2
Also mark this and wit that indeed one may not actually
and meaningfully tell and write or lay out fencing so
well as one may show or witness it with the hands.
No illustrations are provided from Döbringer Hausbuch because it was not illustrated.
3
Notice throughout this essay all transcriptions-facing-translations of indes=inthereof are put into bold script for
ease of sighting by the reader. (That is aside from other usage of italics, bolds, capitals, diacriticals, etc.)
4
Passages for both duplieren and mutieren are provided here because although only the former explicitly mentions
indes, each move is later stated (38v) as facilitated by indes, and in any event, they are always treated as paired
directives / main moves.
5
The “Pentateuch Version” of Ott is what I intend to present fully transcribed, translated & annotated in my future
compendium of Ringen.
6
Mit understood as “interactive” is basically the same as Indes understood as “inthereof”. Whether it is wrestling or
fencing, Interactive/Inthereof has to do with engaging your foe and feeling at that moment what you may do to undo
him instantly.
7
Mit understood as “interactive” is basically the same as Indes understood as “inthereof”. Whether it is wrestling or
fencing, Interactive/Inthereof has to do with engaging your foe and feeling at that moment what you may do to undo
him instantly.
8
The Quadrants (die vier plöß) are equivalent to the Quarters of the English Tradition (Heslop & Bradak, 2010):
Thus the four basic bodily targets designated by an imaginary yet kinetically relevant cross which quatrasects foe’s
body. Refer to the illustrations on pages 29 & 31.
9
Lecküchner has many passages explicitly involving Yndes/Indes (Inthereof), totaling at least 400 references, by my
count, throughout the 400 or so actions (stücke) of his masterwork. Such includes very interesting and edifying
passages for wecker (14v,15r,15v,16r), geferhau (29v), winker (30r,30v,31r-31v); and vier versetzen (35r,36r,38v);
plus literally hundreds of others. Thus I had to limit what I presented here to only a few, which nonetheless should
give you the idea he was serious about the importance of the principle and was in agreement with other
contemporary masters on the principle.
10
The unusual triple prepositional phrase Zu vor auß seems meant to emphasise the completeness of the curtailment,
and seems used as an adverb, hence the translation of “totally”.
11
Lecküchner’s abnehmen seems equivalent to Döbringer’s abeweisen (20r).
12
I positively translate the phrase und ist doch eyn schlechter pawren schlag (and yet is one simple Farmer-Strike).
The context here and in other fechtbücher supports doing so. There may be some irony to this standard phrase
regarding zornhau yet it is not disdainful.
13
For all practical purposes, lang schneid is the “sharp edge” and kurtz schneid is the “blunt edge” of the “single
edged” messer (falchion).
14
The word eẅchling is of uncertain meaning yet of certain negativity, seemingly translating as anything from
“joker” to “wretch” to “toadling”.
35
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
15
The winner of illustrated folio 3v is “Mister Hat”.
16
This folio has no illustration unlike the many other Liechtenauer via Emring Hauptstücke (Main Actions) of this
specific manuscript, perhaps indicating not so much the difficulty but the prolificity of portraying this principle.
17
It is almost as if Ringeck and Von Danzig were saying that Indes equals Istigkeit !
18
This action features a total lock (Ganntzer Beschlůs) of all the foe’s attack-capability, lifting him totally from the
ground to take away his leverage. Note the use of Inndes (inthereof) to describe the action, a familiar term from the
earlier fencing lore of that manual (9r). Cf. also unillustrated indeß /inndeß of 157v & 159r.
19
The background of this folio features onlookers armed with military weapons (117v), which suggests a martial
interest and efficacy for this wrestling.
20
Action 5 counters Action 4 / 1st Thwarting. The first stanza of the caption belongs to the picture of this Action 5,
but the second stanza really belongs to the picture of Action 6, where it is correct. Thus only said first stanza is
translated here.
21
Dürer provided no text for this action. However it equates with the Codex Wallerstein depiction of 10r/19 and its
displaced description of 9v/18. Thus its text is replaced and correctively & interpretively translated by me here.
Incidentally, CW 13v/26 is merely a variant of this AD action, where the pommel drops between both hands of foe.
Plus Paurenfeindt C3v seems similar to this AD action, its portrayal more developed if less aesthetic.
22
Paurenfeindt provided Twelve [Fencing] Rules meant more for jungen schueler (young scholars) rather than alten
fechter (old fencers) (A1v).
23
Refer to the complete contextual explication of gleich in the later Meyer (1570) passage below.
24
Already Paurenfeindt seems to use the term streichen (striking) to actually mean “slapping”, thus a kind of safetyhitting with the flat of the blade, thus as done in matches of scholastic fencing between his young scholars (A1v),
i.e. burghal youth fencing in a civic fencing school; whom he instructed Merck was die flech ist (Mark what the flat
is) (A2r); and hence by extension the contextual translation here of “sport”; and thus leading to later similar usage of
streichen by Meyer (1570).
25
It should be noted that Nameless via Egenolph is remarkable for being the ringen treatise with the most references
to Indes (Inthereof) per verbia. His Indes scenes total nine folios—35v, 37r, 37v, 38r, 39v, 40r, 40v, 41r, 41v—only
the first of which could be presented here for brevity-sake.
26
The unnamed starting stance portrayed in this offence is the recongnisable & standard in den armen (in-the-arms),
the way action begins countless times in German ringen. Here again is found the basic interplay of weakness
(schweche) and strength (sterk), where you seek vantage over the other, you surge toward (nach tringst) weakness
with strength. Indeed, throughout this work Nameless characterises wrestling as the interplay of strength and
weakness. The counter is versus foe who is your equal (In gleichem) at using weakness and strength, so you must
work (arbeit) against him and not grope after him (nachhin tappest). Thus you must wrestle him inthereof (In des
i.e. mit ringen = interactive wrestling), as most likely he is trying to do to you, so that at the correct time (rechte zeit)
you may do (tun) some offence that makes him collapse (machstu…verfallen).
27
Here Nameless via Egenolph recognises similar kinetic principles of fencing and wrestling (ES ist, wie in allem
fechten, auch hierinne).
28
Nameless via Egenolph is perhaps the only martial treatise to state explicity that Indes (Inthereof) has to do with
Zeit (time). This equation with time/timing, which Paurenfeindt (1516) (E3r) already made clear happens inherently
between Vor and Nach, cannot be denied, although some modern scholars have tried.
29
Here Schwerdt (sword) is understood contextually as [Lang]schwerdt (longsword).
36
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
30
Compare earlier similar use of bericht (arranged) by Döbringer Hausbuch (1389) (17v).
31
Just to complicate things further and needlessly, consider what Meyer’s near-contemporary George Silver had to
say regarding his equivalent of Gleich (Same), which he termed just (together) with. In his work Paradoxes (1599),
Silver stated the following of relevance to Vor, Nach, Gleich, Indes; plus a lot else:
§7 : Of striking and thrusting both together.
It is strongly holden of manie, that if in a fight they find their enemy to have more skill then themselves, they
presently will continually strike, & thrust just with him, whereby they will make their fight as good as his, and
thereby have as good advantage as the other with all his skill: but if their swordes be longer then the other, then
their advantage is great; for it is certaine (say they) that an inch will kill a man: but if their swordes be much longer
then the other, then their advantage is so great, that they wilbe sure by thrusting and striking just with the other, that
they will always hurt him that hath the short sword, and go cleare themselves, because they will reach him, when he
shall not reach them. These men speake like such as talk of Robin Hoode, that never shot in his bow; for to strike or
thrust just together with a man of skill, lyeth not in the will of the ignorant, because the skilfull man alwaies fighteth
upon the true times, by the which the unskilfull is still disappointed of both place and time, and therefore driven of
necessitie still to watch the other, when & what he will doe; that is, whether he will strike, thrust, or false: if the
unskilfull strike or thrust in the time of falsing, therein he neither striketh or thrusteth just with the other: he may
saie, he hath stroke or thrust before him, but not just with him, nor to anie good purpose; for in the time of falsing, if
he strike or thrust, he striketh or thrusteth too short: for in that time he hath neither time nor place to strike home,
and as it is said, the unskilfull man, that will take upon him to strike or thrust just with the skilfull, must first behold
what the man of skil will doe, and when he will doe it, and therfore of necessitie is driven to suffer the skilfull man to
be the first mover, and entered into his Action, whether it be blow or thrust, the truth therof in reason cannot be
denied. Now judge whether it is possible for an unskilfull man to strike or thrust just together with a man of skill;
but the skilfull man can most certainly strike and thrust just together with the unskilfull, because the unskilfull
fighteth upon false times, which being too long to answere the true times, the skilfull fighting upon the true times,
although the unskilfull is the first mover, & entred into his Action, whether it be blow or thrust; yet the shortnesse of
the true times maketh at the pleasure of the skilfull a just meeting together: in perfect fight two never strike or thrust
together, because they never suffer place nor time to performe it.
Two unskilfull men manie times by chance strike or thruste together, chance unto them, because they know not what
they doe, or how it cometh to passe: but the reasons or causes be these. Sometimes two false times meet & make a
just time together, & sometimes a true time and a false time meeteth and maketh a just time together, and sometimes
two true times meet and make a just time together. And all this hapneth because the true time and place is unknowne
unto them.
§8 : George Silver his resolution upon that hidden or doubtfull question, who has the advantage of the Offender or
Defender.
The advantage is strongly holden of many to be in the offender, yea in somuch, that if two minding to offend in their
fight, it is thought to be in him that first striketh or thrusteth. Others strongly hold opinion that the wardr absolutely
hath still the advantage, but these opinions as they are contrary the one to the other: so are they contrarie to true
fight, as may well be seene by these short examples. If the advantage be in the warder, than it is not good anie time
to strike or thrust: if the advantage is in the striker or thruster, then were it a frivolous thing to learne to ward, or at
anie time to seeke to ward, since in warding lieth disadvantage. Now may it plainly by these examples appeare, that
if there is anie perfection in fight, that both sides are deceived of their opinions, because if the striker or thruster
have the advantage, then is the warder still in danger of wounds or death. And againe, if the warder hath the
advantage, then is the striker or thruster in as great daunger to defend himselfe against the warder, because the
warder from his wards, taketh advantage of the striker or thruster upon everie blow or thrust, that shall be made
against him. Then thus I conclude, that if there be perfection in the Science of Defence, they are all in their opinions
deceived; and that the truth may appear for the satisfaction of all men, this is my resolution: there is no advantage
absolutely, nor disadvantage in striker, thruster, or warder: and their is a great advantage in the striker thruster &
warder: but in this maner, in the perfection of fight the advantage consisteth in fight betweene partie and partie:
37
Inthereof : the Tactical Key to German Fencing – 4th Edition
that is, whosoever winneth or gaineth the place in true pace, space and time, hath the advantage, whether he be
striker, thruster or warder. And that is my resolution.
32
Howsoever brilliant and thorough, Meyer’s style of instructional writing may prove confusing. An unnamed peer
characterised it like this: It's amazing how easy it is to get lost in the trees of verbosity and still come out lost.
Hence realise that although every word of this transcription was rendered into translation, they do not match
ordinally line for line, since conceptual transposition was required for the latter to make sense of the former. Thus
the translation deals with everything, just not in the exact order that the transcription lays it out. I think this is
reasonable, considering the best martial translation of Meyer (1570) uses a modern educational layout of his work
(Kiermayer, 2012).
33
The self-referential linguistic context demanded this be one instance of a German word untranslated into English.
34
It is remarkable that Meyer states Liechtenauer sagt (says), i.e. uses present tense, despite the fact that earlier
master must have been dead for almost two centuries by then.
35
This phrase (oben aus und nirgent an) is somewhat bewildering. Literally it translates as the nonsensical: Above
out and nowhere on. Sometimes it may be paired with another phrase to form a German saying/proverb: Oben aus
und nirgend an - Hat noch selten gut getan (Lofty and nowhere has seldomly done well). Sometimes it is found in
zauberspruche (magic spells). In the context Meyer uses the phrase, it becomes its own thing which seems to equate
to the English saying/proverb: Without rhyme or reason.
36
Indes (Inthereof) is not explicitly designated for any given confrontation in this or any other scene from Meyer
(1570). But hey—that should not stop you from imagining that relevant principle was illustrated any number of
times within his scenes. So enjoy determining for yourself where that supreme principle of fencing may be found.
38