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This paper investigates the relation between magical and martial arts put in writing at the end of the middle ages, based on the case-study of a mid-15th c. miscellany dedicated to the preparation for judicial combat. This work contains... more
This paper investigates the relation between magical and martial arts put in writing at the end of the middle ages, based on the case-study of a mid-15th c. miscellany dedicated to the preparation for judicial combat. This work contains several illustrated or non-illustrated treatises on the art of combat (Fechtbuch), the art of divination (onomancy) and the art of war (Kriegsbuch). Supported by codicological analysis, the composition modalities of the miscellany are investigated. The results are put in perspective with similar works, the philological and iconological tradition of the different treatises compiled and with elements of prosopographic research on Hans Talhoffer (a fight master) and Johannes Hartlieb (physician versed in the magical arts). Since  contemporary classifications consider these arts under the seventh mechanical arts (theatrica), the output of the case-study is inviting further research on the matter. Other configuration and gathering of treatises dedicated to magical and combat arts (also with medical, mettalurgical and astrological arts) are indeed to be found in several similar miscellanies outlined in the paper. Furthermore, several authors of the first half of the 16th c. are also figures unifying both arts in their  rinted works, touching research on self-fashioning strategies of authors in the Renaissance.
At least two editions and six reprints of the work of Marozzo are known today (cf. Bibliography). The first edition of this masterpiece of the " Bolognese tradition " is the one of Modena in 1536. However, Gelli mentions in his... more
At least two editions and six reprints of the work of Marozzo are known today (cf. Bibliography). The first edition of this masterpiece of the " Bolognese tradition " is the one of Modena in 1536. However, Gelli mentions in his bibliography a prior edition, " similar to the edition of Modena " , dated 1517 and kept in the R. Biblioteca Pisana. 1 This first edition, if it ever existed, was never found again – or at least never mentioned in publication other than by referring to Gelli. 2 Since the monograms found in the 1536 edition cannot lead to the firm identification of the artist(s) involved in the xylographies, the discovery of two late 17 th c. flying prints examined here might lead to the identification of the date of an unknown edition prior to the Modena 1536 edition and of the artist involved in the engravings.
Study of technical, normative, and narrative medieval literature and of archaeological pieces allows the motor skills of armoured members of the aristocracy to be outlined but not quantified. The authors present novel data on the impact... more
Study of technical, normative, and narrative medieval literature and of archaeological pieces allows the motor skills of armoured members of the aristocracy to be outlined but not quantified. The authors present novel data on the impact of wearing armour on both the freedom of movement and the energy cost of locomotion, and confront the results to systematic analysis of medieval written sources. An accurate harness replica realized in an informed archaeological experimental way, close to medieval material and manufacturing conditions, was used for the experiments. Measurements of the energy cost of locomotion in and out of armour were taken during walking and running on a treadmill. Gait analysis and range of motion of joints were performed with 3-D kinematics. The results indicated an increase in the energy cost of locomotion in slight excess to the added weight and for most movements studied reductions in the range of motion over the joint, potentially to the advantage of the wearer during combat. This proof of concept appears promising for further study in this field of scholarly endeavor.
Historical European martial arts (HEMA) have to be considered an important part of our common European cultural heritage. Studies within this field of research have the potential to enlighten the puzzle posed by past societies, for... more
Historical European martial arts (HEMA) have to be considered an important part of our common European cultural heritage. Studies within this field of research have the potential to enlighten the puzzle posed by past societies, for example in the field of history, history of science and technology, or fields related to material culture. The military aspects of history are still to be considered among the most popular themes of modern times, generating huge public interest. In the last few decades, serious HEMA study groups have started appearing all over the world – focusing on re-creating a lost martial art. The terminology “Historical European Martial Arts” therefore also refers to modern-day practices of ancient martial arts. Many of these groups focus on a “hands-on” approach, thus bringing practical experience and observation to enlighten their interpretation of the source material. However, most of the time, they do not establish inquiries based on scientific research, nor do they follow methodologies that allow for a critical analysis of the findings or observations. This paper will therefore propose and discuss, ideas on how to bridge the gap between enthusiasts and scholars; since their embodied knowledge, acquired by practice, is of tremendous value for scientific inquiries and scientific experimentation. It will also address HEMA practices in the context of modern day acceptance of experimental (or experiential) processes nd their value for research purposes and restoration of an historical praxis. The goal is therefore to sketch relevant methodological and theoretical elements, suitable for a multidisciplinary approach, to HEMA, where the “H” for “historical” matters.
In numerous 15th and 16th century Fightbooks several sets of teachings appear alongside the glosses of Liechtenauer’s Epitome on armoured fighting and fighting on horseback (Harnischfechten and Rossfechten) often enough to be considered... more
In numerous 15th and 16th century Fightbooks several sets of teachings appear alongside the glosses of Liechtenauer’s Epitome on armoured fighting and fighting on horseback (Harnischfechten and Rossfechten) often enough to be considered auctoritas on these subjects. However, their authorship from various witnesses are attributed to different authorial figures – Andreas Liegnitzer, Martin Hundsfeld, Jud Lew. From 1452 until 1570, a number of diverse teachings are ascribed to them or faithfully reproduced without attribution: the most widely copied include the entitled Shortened sword for armoured hand and Shortened sword from the four guards, sword and buckler, dagger, wrestling and fighting on horseback. By acomparative analysis of existing witnesses, and by establishing the filiation tree of the related sources, we attempt to determine their original authorship. The analysis also yields additional conclusions regarding the influence of these authorial figures on other texts, proposes the filiation tree of the examined witnesses and presents the attempted study as a model for further research.
Au sein du corpus de sources nous intéressant ici, le combat en armure à pied a fait l’objet de moins d’études que le combat civil – tout comme, d’ailleurs, le combat à cheval. Cet article présente les textes fondateurs de la codification... more
Au sein du corpus de sources nous intéressant ici, le combat en armure à pied a fait l’objet de moins d’études que le combat civil – tout comme, d’ailleurs, le combat à cheval. Cet article présente les textes fondateurs de la codification de ce type de combat au sein de la tradition liechtenauerienne, à travers une approche philologique de la tradition de ces textes, ainsi qu’une analyse de leur lien avec les différentes formes de combat normé pendant la période.
This article discusses the role played by Fightmaster (master-at-arms, Schirm- or Fechtmeister) in the Fightschools (Fechtschulen) taking place in the swiss cities at the end of the middle ages. The strong link between these less studied... more
This article discusses the role played by Fightmaster (master-at-arms, Schirm- or Fechtmeister) in the Fightschools (Fechtschulen) taking place in the swiss cities at the end of the middle ages. The strong link between these less studied events and the practice of martial arts according to the technical literature (Fechtbücher) will be examined, as well as the figure of the Fightmaster.
By collecting references out of normative documents regarding those events, it is possible to sketch both the fighting praxis inside the fightschools and the expertise of the Fightmaster in relation with the town’s authorities. Doing so, the questions of the professional performances, the reputation and the representation of the Fightmaster will be addressed. This approach will be illustrated by the case study of a master at arms, Peter Switzer Keywords – Fencing schools (Fightschool), Fightbook, master-at-arms (Fightmaster), duel, art of combat.
Cet article investigue les pratiques de combat normés dans les villes suisses à la fin du Moyen Âge et le début de la Renaissance. A partir de documents normatifs, il est possible d'étudier le statut des maîtres d'armes en relation avec... more
Cet article investigue les pratiques de combat normés dans les villes suisses à la fin du Moyen Âge et le début de la Renaissance. A partir de documents normatifs, il est possible d'étudier le statut des maîtres d'armes en relation avec les autorités des villes, en particulier dans le cadre des écoles d'escrime. Le lien entre la littérature technique codifiant les gestes martiaux (livre de combat) et ces pratiques sera également mis en lumière.
Cet article traite du rapport entre texte et image au sein d'un corpus de sources techniques, codifiant les gestes guerriers à la fin du Moyen Âge. Ce lien est examiné en particulier au travers des approches codicologiques et... more
Cet article traite du rapport entre texte et image au sein d'un corpus de sources techniques, codifiant les gestes guerriers à la fin du Moyen Âge. Ce lien est examiné en particulier au travers des approches codicologiques et herméneutiques, basées sur les observations de deux témoins marginaux du corpus. Ces considérations méthodologiques et ces observations critiques mènent à la constitution d'hypothèses dans le cadre de différentes problématiques, comme celle du manuscrit comme vecteur de la transmission du savoir gestuel ou celle de la place du savoir martial dans le contexte historique, du point de vue sociologique et anthropologique.
Cet article propose d'approcher de manière pluridisciplinaire un contexte d'application des gestes martiaux relatifs au combat en armure à pied, codifiés dans les traités de combat. Cette voie d'accès permet de considérer différemment les... more
Cet article propose d'approcher de manière pluridisciplinaire un contexte d'application des gestes martiaux relatifs au combat en armure à pied, codifiés dans les traités de combat. Cette voie d'accès permet de considérer différemment les problèmes de méthodologie pour l'interprétation des gestes, ainsi que de mettre en lumière les zones d'ombres des sources en s'appuyant sur des éléments issus du contexte historique, des objets conservés ou encore des protocoles d'archéologie expérimentale. Ainsi apparaît une logique schématique dans l'organisation structurelle du savoir au sein des traités, qui permet d'envisager un type de déroulement plausible d'affrontement - une logique de combat - dans le cadre de ce contexte d'application, les différentes formes de duels en armure à pied entre le XVe et le XVIe siècle.
Porter une armure permettait-il de conserver la liberté de ses mouvements ? Que se passait-il à l’occasion d’un combat de rue, d’une « emprise d’arme » ou d’un « combat à outrance » ? Les duels étaient-ils toujours sanglants ? Pour... more
Porter une armure permettait-il de conserver la liberté de ses mouvements ? Que se passait-il à l’occasion d’un combat de rue, d’une « emprise d’arme » ou d’un « combat à outrance » ? Les duels étaient-ils toujours sanglants ? Pour trancher dans le vif des idées reçues, Daniel Jaquet nous emmène à la découverte des livres de combat et
de l’éventail des pratiques martiales du monde médiéval. Il faut dire que l’art de la lutte ou du maniement de la hache n’était pas réservé aux seuls chevaliers : bourgeois, étudiants ou artisans s’entraînaient également au combat. Le duel judiciaire, lui, se pratiquait entre gens de toutes
conditions… et confrontait parfois les deux sexes. Découvrez les techniques de combat illustrées, les conseils cryptés des maîtres d’armes et projetez-vous dans ces duels à travers les expérimentations menées grâce aux reconstitutions. Laissez-vous surprendre par les récits de
ces combattants et leurs motivations : ils bouleversent ce que l’on croyait savoir de la chevalerie et de l’art du combat au Moyen Âge.
Late Medieval and Early Modern Fight Books offers insights into the cultural and historical transmission and practices of martial arts, based on the corpus of the Fight Books (Fechtbücher) in 14th- to 17th-century Europe. The first part... more
Late Medieval and Early Modern Fight Books offers insights into the cultural and historical transmission and practices of martial arts, based on the corpus of the Fight Books (Fechtbücher) in 14th- to 17th-century Europe.
The first part of the book deals with methodological and specific issues for the studies of this emerging interdisciplinary field of research. The second section offers an overview of the corpus based on geographical areas. The final part offers some relevant case studies.
This is the first book proposing a comprehensive state of research and an overview of Historical European Martial Arts Studies. One of its major strengths lies in its association of interdisciplinary scholars with practitioners of martial arts.
Contributors are Sydney Anglo, Matthias Johannes Bauer, Eric Burkart, Marco Cavina, Franck Cinato, John Clements, Timothy Dawson, Olivier Dupuis, Bert Gevaert, Dierk Hagedorn, Daniel Jaquet, Rachel E. Kellet, Jens Peter Kleinau, Ken Mondschein, Reinier van Noort, Ann B. Tlusty, Manuel Valle Ortiz, Karin Verelst, and Paul Wagner.
Ce livre réunit des contributions inter­­dis­ciplinaires autour des pratiques d’ex­péri­­mentation dans les recherches sur les arts martiaux historiques européens et sur la culture matérielle liée à l’arme­­ment à la fin du Moyen Âge. Les... more
Ce livre réunit des contributions inter­­dis­ciplinaires autour des pratiques d’ex­péri­­mentation dans les recherches sur les arts martiaux historiques européens et sur la culture matérielle liée à l’arme­­ment à la fin du Moyen Âge. Les différents articles proposent des réflexions méthodo­logiques autour de cette approche originale, illustrées par des études de cas. Celles-ci abordent notamment l’expéri­men­tation archéologique et celle liée à l’étude des gestes techniques en sciences humaines.

Der vorliegende Band versammelt interdisziplinär ausgerichtete Aufsätze, die sich anhand von praktischen Experimenten der Erforschung historischer europäischer Kampfkünste und der materiellen Kultur der Waffen des Spätmittelalters widmen. Die verschiedenen Beiträge bieten methodische Reflexionen zu diesem innovativen Ansatz, die durch Fallstudien veranschaulicht werden. Diese betreffen insbesondere das Gebiet der experimentellen Archäologie und die Erforschung technischer Fertigkeiten in den Geisteswissenschaften.
Book Review: Jeffrey L. Forgeng, The Art of Swordsmanship by Hans Lecküchner (Armour and Weapons, 4), Woodbridge: Boydell and Brewer, 2015, 453p.
Book review of Rainer Welle, ... vnd mit der rechten faust ein mordstuck Baumanns Fecht- und Ringkampfhandschrift, München, Herbert Utz Verlag, 2014, 2 vol., 472p. ISBN 978-3-8316-4377–6
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You consider yourself as a HEMA researcher? You work on historical documents or objects to enlighten your practice or the practice of other, or you are a professional researcher on the field or connected field? Please give us some of... more
You consider yourself as a HEMA researcher? You work on historical documents or objects to enlighten your practice or the practice of other, or you are a professional researcher on the field or connected field?

Please give us some of your time and fill the form!
Research Interests: