The System of Longsword
We principally work from Joachim Meyer’s Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (1570). Supporting information is drawn from modern translations and interpretations available on Wiktenauer, as well as consistent HEMA studies from sources such as Scholar Victoria, Keith Farrell, and Roger Norling. The original treatise scans and partial translations can be found on the Wiktenauer page dedicated to Meyer.
The system of swordsmanship belongs to the late German Kunst des Fechtens tradition, rooted in the Liechtenauer lineage but expanded by Meyer into a comprehensive civilian and scholastic art. It is designed for the two-handed longsword (federschwert in training) and emphasises a balanced integration of cut, thrust, and close-quarter techniques. The style is characterised by fluid, varied footwork including gathering steps, passing steps, and offline (triangle) steps to control distance and angle. Stance frequently changes (left or right foot forward) depending on guard and action. There is strong emphasis on maintaining protective guards that cover the four openings while simultaneously threatening the opponent, combined with deliberate provocation to induce attacks for counters.
Cutting is executed primarily with extended arms for powerful straight cuts (gerade Hiebe) and inverted or crossed hands for reversed/deceptive cuts (verkehrte Hiebe). Both long edge and short edge are used extensively, with the short edge central to many counters and windings. Time should be spent developing control of both edges, as well as smooth transitions between guards.
Divisions of the Sword in Joachim Meyer’s Longsword (1570)
In his Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (1570), Joachim Meyer divides the longsword into four main combat sections, paralleling the four openings (vier Blößen) of the opponent. These divisions guide functional use in cuts, bindings, windings, thrusts, and close work. The sword is further divided into hilt (Gefäß/Hefft) and blade (Klinge), with the blade split by strength and leverage.
Primary source descriptions are drawn from the draft English translation by Rebecca Garber (2022), available on Wiktenauer and in the full draft translation PDF.
Hefft / Grip (including Pommel / Knauf and Crossguard / Kreuz or Quillons)
The innermost section, encompassing the handle wrapping (Bindt), pommel, and crossguard.
How it is used: Employed for close-range work such as running in (Einlaufen), grappling (Ringen), throwing, wrenching, and hilt strikes. The pommel thrusts or wrenches; the crossguard catches, bars, or displaces.
Starke / Strong
The section from the crossguard to the middle of the blade.
How it is used: Provides leverage for control, defensive actions like winding (Winden), pressing (Drücken), binding strongly, displacing cuts, and powerful straight cuts with the long edge.
Mittel / Middle
The central halfway point, taken equally from strong and weak.
How it is used: Serves flexible, opportunistic applications in the middle work (Mittelarbeit or Handarbeit), including changeable bindings, windings, chases (Nachreisen), slices (Schneiden), and transitions depending on the opponent’s actions.
Schwache / Weak
The section from the middle to the point (Ort).
How it is used: Suited for long-range actions such as snapping cuts (Schnellen), flicks (Zeckrühr), changing through (Durchwechseln), rushing to openings, and quick thrusts or slices at distance.
The Edges of the Blade
The blade has two primary edges with distinct orientations and uses.
- Lange Schneide / Long Edge → The full edge facing outward toward the opponent in standard grip; used primarily for straight cuts (gerade Hiebe), powerful descending or rising strikes, and strong bindings.
- Kurze Schneide / Short Edge → The back edge facing inward toward the fencer; used primarily for reversed cuts (verkehrte Hiebe), deceptive counters, windings, and close strikes over or behind the opponent’s blade.
Divisions of the Combatant in Joachim Meyer’s Longsword (1570)
In his Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (1570), Joachim Meyer emphasizes that understanding the divisions of the combatant’s body is fundamental to the art, just as the sword is divided into four parts. The human body has four primary openings (vier Blößen), two above the girdle (belt) and two below, on the left and right sides, which serve as the main targets for cuts and thrusts. All guards protect these openings in oneself while threatening them in the opponent, and techniques are built around exploiting or defending them. In close fighting (Handarbeit or Mittelarbeit), the head receives special attention with precise targeting across four zones.
Primary source descriptions are drawn from the draft English translation by Rebecca Garber (2022), available on Wiktenauer and in the full draft translation PDF.
Ober links / Upper Left Opening
The quadrant above the girdle on the left side of the body (including shoulder, arm, and left side of the head/neck).
How it is targeted: Primarily with strong descending diagonal cuts (e.g., Zornhau from right Vom Tag, Schielhau with short edge), horizontal thwart cuts (Zwerchhau from the right), or thrusts from left Ochs/Pflug. It is a common primary target due to exposure in many guards.
Ober rechts / Upper Right Opening
The quadrant above the girdle on the right side of the body (including shoulder, arm, and right side of the head/neck).
How it is targeted: With descending diagonal cuts from the left (e.g., alternate Zornhau or Schielhau), horizontal thwart cuts from the left, rising cuts from low guards, or thrusts from right Ochs/Pflug. Often exposed when the opponent commits to a left-side attack.
Unter links / Lower Left Opening
The quadrant below the girdle on the left side (including hip, leg, and lower torso).
How it is targeted: With rising cuts (Unterhäue) from low guards like Alber or left Pflug, low diagonal cuts, or passing steps combined with low thrusts. Less commonly primary but opened through inducements or after high commitments.
Unter rechts / Lower Right Opening
The quadrant below the girdle on the right side (including hip, leg, and lower torso).
How it is targeted: With rising cuts from right Wechsel or right Pflug, low horizontal or diagonal strikes, or deceptive changes from high to low. Frequently threatened in transitions or after the opponent overcommits upward.
The Four Zones of the Head
In close fighting (Handarbeit), the head is treated with heightened precision and divided into four primary target zones for reversed cuts, windings, and handwork, allowing strikes from multiple angles while the bodies are near.
- Linke Seite / Left Side → Targeted with horizontal or diagonal cuts to the left ear, temple, or cheek (e.g., Zwerchhau or Prellhau from the right).
- Rechte Seite / Right Side → Targeted with horizontal or diagonal cuts to the right ear, temple, or cheek (e.g., alternate Zwerchhau or rebound sequences from the left).
- Vorderseite / Front → Targeted with direct thrusts, flicks (Schneller), or short-edge slips to the face/mouth.
- Oberseite / Top → Targeted with vertical parting cuts (Scheitelhau) or crown displacements (Kronhau) to the crown or forehead.
Glossary of Terms Used
- Gefäß/Hefft — The hilt assembly, including grip, pommel, and crossguard.
- Knauf — Pommel, the weighted end cap of the hilt.
- Kreuz — Crossguard or quillons, the horizontal bar protecting the hand.
- Starke — Strong of the blade, the half closer to the hilt with greater leverage.
- Mittel — Middle of the blade, the central dividing point for changeable work.
- Schwache — Weak of the blade, the half toward the point with less leverage but greater speed.
- Lange Schneide — Long (true) edge, facing forward in grip.
- Kurze Schneide — Short (false) edge, facing backward in grip.
- Klinge — Blade, the cutting and thrusting portion.
- Ort — Point, the tip of the blade.
- Opening (Blöße) — A vulnerable target area on the body that techniques aim to threaten or protect.
- Four openings (Vier Blößen) — The primary divisions of the body into upper and lower, left and right quadrants.
- Upper openings (Obern Blößen) — The two quadrants above the girdle/belt.
- Lower openings (Untern Blößen) — The two quadrants below the girdle/belt.
- Close fighting (Handarbeit/Mittelarbeit) — Middle-distance or bound blade work emphasizing precise, deceptive strikes, especially to the head.
- Girdle (Gürtel) — The imaginary horizontal line at the waist/belt dividing upper and lower openings.