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Medieval Combat: A Fifteenth-century Illustrated Manual of Swordfighting and Close-quarter Combat [Hardcover]

Hans Talhoffer (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Greenhill Books; New edition edition (15 July 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0760780110
  • ISBN-13: 978-0760780114
  • ASIN: 185367706X
  • Product Dimensions: 16.5 x 24.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 421,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Synopsis

This attractive book is one of the most influential and lavishly-drawn fencing manuals of the Middle Ages. The authentic fifteenth-century techniques of master of arms Hans Talhoffer are illustrated in detail, presenting not only a unique historic record but also a visual guide for modern practitioners. Talhoffer's professional fencing manual of 1467 illustrates the intricacies of the medieval art of fighting, covering both the 'judicial duel' (an officially sanctioned fight to resolve a legal dispute) and personal combat. Combatants in the Middle Ages used footwork, avoidance, and the ability to judge and manipulate timing and distance to exploit and enhance the sword's inherent cutting and thrusting capabilities. These skills were supplemented with techniques for grappling, wrestling, kicking and throwing the opponent, as well as disarming him by seizing his weapon. Every attack contained a defence and every defence a counter-attack. Talhoffer reveals the techniques for wrestling, unarmoured fighting with the long sword, pole-axe, dagger, sword and buckler, and mounted combat.

This unparalleled guide to medieval combat, illustrated with 268 contemporary images, provides a glimpse of real people fighting with skill, sophistication and ruthlessness.

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Customer Reviews

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3.5 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars An insight into another age 16 April 2010
By F. Conway
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent and illuminating book, fascinating in the detail of its woodcuts. A word of warning though to anyone looking to learn swordplay from this manual: It consists almost entirely of reproductions of the original woodcuts with limited descriptions of the techniques being shown. This is in keeping with the purpose of these kinds of manuals, which served to supplement and reinforce technique learned in lessons.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Facinating 27 Jan 2010
By rommels cat
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fascinating drawings. Demonstrates the ferocity of combat with medieval weapons, but difficult to glean much of the technique. I gather this was the idea, Talhoffer did not want people to be able to become proficient in his methods from just the manual, he wanted paying students! Some odd weapons and subjects, the illustrated judicial duel between a man and a woman illustrates a time and way of thinking it is difficult to comprehend
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid book on a great Master 7 Sep 2010
By Stitch Jones
Format:Hardcover
There is obviously little to no information on how to carry out these techniques in the book. This is hardly surprising though as martial artists are still working on them as we speak. The illustrations are of good quality and if Talhoffer is your thing then you will definitely want to buy this book.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Just a curio 7 Feb 2013
By D
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is just a curio. It is interesting in this respect as it shows how a manual of this age would have looked. It has already been said that this will not help you one bit if you want to unlock this schools techniques, or even start you off in the handling of medieval weapons. Go to a respected club and learn it face to face.
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