Longsword Formal Exercise 1: The Zornhau

This is an experimental showing of our first formal exercise for the longsword. This sequence comes from the Paulus Kal Fechtbuch ff. 59r-60v. This is the first of twelve such formal exercises that will cover the primary techniques of the die Schlachtschule longsword training system. These formal exercises will be part of our training program at the Journeyman level. The demonstrators in this video are Matthew Tice and Hugh Knight.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• schlachtschule
• fechtbuch
• longsword
• wma
• paulus kal
• ringeck
• liechtenauer

[Schlachtschule]

By the way, folks, I am perfectly aware that this video is not a great example of our art. I said as much in the text. It was the first time we'd even tried going through a formal exercise like this, and it was posted not to show how cool we are, but to discuss the ideas it represents.

[Zwerchhau]

Our record and our efforts speak for themselves. So do yours.

[Schlachtschule]

@Zwerchhau Yes, which is why you should be appalled at having been led astray so badly. But don't feel bad yourself: It really isn't your fault. I've talked to people who used to be in ARMA, and they say that when you don't know a lot, the garbage Clements spews can seem real, especially when you tinge it with all sorts of macho nonsense as he does. Now, however, is your chance to break away and actually do something *martial*, instead of just playing tag with toy swords. It's up to you.

[caracalla1963]

@Schlachtschule How exactly, in your opinion, has Zwerchhau been led astray? Also, speaking to ex-ARMA folks doesn't mean very much since it is quite possible they left the organization because they were not capable of meeting ARMA standards of performance. Additionally, can you clarify as to what your beef with John Clements is about? He has done much to advance the understanding of the Art in both research as well as demonstration.

[Schlachtschule]

@caracalla1963 He's been led astray because he's been told that test cutting has value, when the evidence strongly indicates it does not--if it did, real warriors would have done it. I don't care why people leave ARMA, failing to meet their standards seems like a positive thing to me. My beef with JC is the fact that he spreads a lot of bad info (e.g., test cutting, edge blocking, dozens of other issues) as if it were true, when the evidence indicates it is not. (continued)

[Schlachtschule]

@caracalla1963 In fact, I think it's easy to argue that all of Clements' bad mistakes and false pronouncements have hindered the study of HEMA, not advanced it. He is skilled at appealing to what people want to hear, but that's not the same thing as saying he's skilled in the art or knowledgeable about it. Clements seems incapable of admitting to making a mistake; look at all the sources that specifically say to displace edge on edge, for example, yet he continues to argue against it.

[Schlachtschule]

@caracalla1963 This forum is far too limited for a detailed discussion of this sort in 400-letter blocks. E-mail me if you really want to understand. In short, no one anywhere has done as much to hinder the study of HEMA as Clements.

[Schlachtschule]

@Zwerchhau talhoffer.blogspot.com/2008/02­/myth-of-test-cutting

This thing won't allow links for some reason, so you have to add the htt stuff at the beginning of the URL and "dot h t m l" at the end (without spaces) in order to get it. I don't know why I bother, folks in the ARMA cult are pretty brainwashed into ignorance, but you never know--we might bring one of you to a real martial approach. Read it. Try to learn, and try to cast off your programming.

[Schlachtschule]

@Zwerchhau Simple comparisons: Modern soldiers *do* shoot their weapons to train with them, therefore to emulate them, you should shoot. Medieval warriors did *not* practice test cutting to learn to use swords, therefore to emulate them, you should not do test cutting. Sorry, it's just one more (of many) thing Clements has led you all astray about.

Oh, and a Klopffechter was a show fighter, who used big, flashy, unrealistic moves--exactly like the ARMAteers teach! Pot, kettle!

[Zwerchhau]

Actually cutting with a sword causes bad habits? That's like saying "we stand and pose with guns but we never shoot them, that would cause bad habits." "We don't ever actually train to fight, we just pose and look good." - For those who actually want to learn how to fight, for real, with the weapons of this period ARMA and other groups who actually have some martial focus and intent are what you want. Die "Schlechtschule " will offer you nothing but Klopffechterei.