Hammaborg - Longsword Techniques (Pt. 3/8): Peter Falkner Manuscript

[Vydonis]

At 2:22 the teacher should step to his right circling the opponent whose sword is in a low position. The explanation "go for the throat" at the start says just this! The cross of the handle is also a weapon and grappling is common with longsword.

[DierkHagedorn]

@Vydonis Possibly. It's curious by the way to watch this video again after some time. Falkner is always a bit tricky to interpret, you have to fill in a lot of gaps. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure whether to take down the video altogether or let it stay there, for curiosity's sake. For the time being, it's the latter decision. Our recent interpretation is way different from what we showed exactly two years ago. The Schielhau is not a follow-up action to a raised sword; the raised sword is ...

[Vydonis]

@DierkHagedorn I believe it's left up to personal interpretation to begin with because swordfighting is as messy as any other combat in terms of trying to keep fit and form structure in the midst of two people constantly changing position. Grappling for MMA for example these people have to grab a wrist or arm almost out of sheer willpower, never really as its written in any book. So I think all versions of interpretations apply to this sort of combat. I believe the more the better actually.

[LokitheCajun]

@DierkHagedorn 1:35 Also as Master Yoda from the series Star Wars says..... "No! Do, or do not. There is no try."

[DierkHagedorn]

@Vydonis ... rather a Versetzen (parry) against the Schielhau. But yes, you are right in suggesting I should have taken a decisive step to the right.

[mirrkwood2]

it looks like a possibility in this particular situation that one could attempt some type of body throw.

[HandRpuffin]

What is truely wonderful is understand one's ignorance alone. So it is not embarrassing, but a chance to better myself. Too many Hollywood movies. The techniques make sense, these blades are heavy and cannot be swung or and thrusted quickly for long drawn out battles. Otherwise there would have to a break in the middle of battle, have a snack and meade.

[SirKickz]

@HandRpuffin

The blades aren't really that heavy, though. That's another hollywood myth. European longswords, even the big, 47 inchers, weighed only 2.5 to 3.5 pounds. They were very fast weapons.

[haffoc]

Swyþþe god, gefaren!