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Kunst und Zettel im Messer
The Bavarian State Library Cgm 582

Edited by Michael Chidester
Transcribed by Robert Brunner, Johann Heim, Alexander Kiermayer, Carsten Lorbeer, and Julia Lorbeer
Contributions by Daniel Burger, Michael Chidester, Casper J. van Dijk, Olivier Dupuis, Jessica Finley, Adam Franti, Falko Fritz, Dierk Hagedorn, and Oskar ter Mors

This is a commentary volume for the Lecküchner facsimile. In its pages, you will find articles from some of the leading scholars in the field of historical European martial arts studies that highlight various aspects of the manuscript and the world it came from. T‍he first section contains a detailed description of the manuscript and its history by Michael Chidester, as well as a full transcription by Carsten Lorbeer, et al.

T‍he second section relates to Lecküchner himself. Daniel Burger describes the life and times of Hans Lecküchner in great detail. Falko Fritz discusses the physical properties of Messers and how they relate to Lecküchner’s teachings, and Jessica Finley delves into the unusual terminology used by Lecküchner (and Liechtenauer).

T‍he third section looks at the wider landscape of Messer fencing that Lecküchner existed in. Dierk Hagedorn offers the first catalog of all surviving Messer and Dussack treatises. Olivier Dupuis discusses the concept of fencing in jest and in earnest and how it’s reflected in fencing treatises. Casper J. van Dijk and Oskar ter Mors evaluate the Messer teachings that predate Lecküchner and look for possible influences on his teachings. Finally, Adam Franti considers the place of Messers and Dussacks in art and society throughout the early modern period.

A prestige hardcover is available through Lulu, and a perfect-bound softcover is available through Amazon. (The hardcover comes in a white paper wrapper that should be discarded.)

Note: This book does not contain an English translation of Leckückner’s treatise. It contains the German text, and the facsimile obviously has the color illustrations. For an excellent English translation which lacks both color pictures and German text, see Dr. Jeffrey Forgeng’s The Art of Swordsmanship by Hans Lecküchner (published by Boydell Press).

Version: First edition (October 2021)
Length: 275 pages

Contents