The Secondary Guards in Joachim Meyer’s Longsword (1570)
In his Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens (1570), Joachim Meyer refers to various secondary or derived guards (Beyleger or Leger) that emerge from the principal guards during cuts, bindings, windings, and plays. These are not listed in a single catalog like the principal guards but are described throughout the text in specific techniques and plates. Common secondary guards include Langort, Zornhut, Einhorn, Schlüssel, Nebenhut, Schrankhut, Wechsel, Eisenport, and Hängetort. Meyer sometimes notes eight secondary guards explicitly in comparisons or plays.
Descriptions are based on the original text via the draft translation by Rebecca Garber (2022) on Wiktenauer and the full draft PDF, cross-referenced with consistent interpretations in Jeffrey Forgeng’s translation and Michael G. Thomas’s workbook (2016).
Langort (Long Point)
A central extended guard that controls distance and strongly threatens thrusts.
How to stand: Stand with the left foot forward, extend both arms fully forward in front of the body at face or chest height, with crossed hands on the grip, so that the point is directed straight at the opponent’s face or throat.
Zornhut (Wrath Guard)
A shoulder guard with the blade positioned for immediate strong cuts, often after a wrath cut.
How to stand: Stand with the left foot forward, place the hilt at the right (or left) shoulder with crossed hands, so that the blade hangs downward or backward behind the body, ready for a prepared descending strike.
Einhorn (Unicorn)
A high central guard with the point extended forward for threats and windings.
How to stand: Stand with the left foot forward, raise the crossed hands high above or in front of the head (near the forehead or higher), with the point directed forward and slightly upward toward the opponent’s face.
Schlüssel (Key)
A high crossed guard held before the chest, used for breaking high attacks and thrusting.
How to stand: Stand with the left foot forward, hold the hilt with crossed hands directly in front of the chest at shoulder height, the short edge often resting against the left arm, with the point extended forward toward the opponent’s face.
Nebenhut (Side Guard)
A low lateral guard behind the body for deception and sudden changes.
How to stand: Stand with the left foot forward, hold the sword extended to the rear beside the right hip or leg with crossed hands, the point directed downward or backward, pommel upward, and short edge facing inward.
Schrankhut (Barrier Guard)
A low central crossed guard that blocks and bars low attacks.
How to stand: Stand with one foot forward, hold the sword low and central in front of the body with crossed hands, the point directed downward toward the ground, forming a barrier against incoming strikes.
Wechsel (Change Guard)
A low side guard for quick line changes and rising cuts.
How to stand: Stand with the right foot forward, extend the sword low to the side with crossed hands, the point or weak part directed toward the ground beside the leg, short edge often facing the opponent. For the right side, reverse the posture with the sword to the right, left leg forward, and short edge facing the opponent.
Eisenport (Iron Gate / Eysenport)
A strong central guard, noted for its defensive strength (sometimes conflated with Schrankhut but fully described in the other weapon sections, specifically rapier) somewhere between pflug and langort.
How to stand: Stand with one foot forward, hold the sword central in front of the body, pushed forward (but not as far as langort) with the raised tip pointing towards the opponent.
Hängetort (Hanging Point / Hengende Ort)
A transitional hanging guard used for provocations and counters, with the point downward.
How to stand: Hold the sword at middle or high height in front of the body (or slightly to the side) with crossed hands, allowing the point to hang downward toward the ground while maintaining readiness to lift or cut.
Glossary of Terms Used
- Secondary guard (Beyleger/Leger) – Derived or transitional posture that arises from the principal guards or during techniques.
- Crossed hands (gekreuzigten Händen or verschränkten Händen) – The standard longsword grip with palms facing in opposing directions for leverage and blade control.
- Point (Ort) – The tip of the blade, directed to threaten specific targets like the face.
- Short edge (Kurze Schneide) – The back (false) edge of the blade, referenced in certain positions or actions.
Useful YouTube Videos
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