Johannes Liechtenauer

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sitting fencing master, probably representing Liechtenauer, fol. 2v of von Danzig's fechtbuch (1452)

Johannes Liechtenauer (also spelled Lichtenauer) was a 14th century German fencing master. He was likely born in the early to mid 1300s, possibly in Lichtenau, Mittelfranken (Franconia). What little is known about his person is preserved, together with his teachings, in MS 3227a and later glossa by students of his tradition. According to this manuscript's author, Lichtenauer was a "great master" who had travelled to "many lands" to learn his art. In later, 15th century manuscripts, the Liechtenauer's society (Gesellschaft Liechtenauers) is referred to as a group of fencing masters who considered themselves Liechtenauer's disciples, in possession of his teachings. The term is attested by Paulus Kal in the 1460s, and probably fell out of use in the late 15th century with the rise of the St. Mark's brotherhood.

Liechtenauer's teachings are preserved partly in rhyming couplets (possibly intentionally obscured, in order to prevent the uninitiated from learning the techniques he presented, and perhaps to offer a system of mnemonic devices to those who did understand). Liechtenauer's system gave rise to what is now called the German school of swordsmanship. It was commented on, expanded and modified in glossa contained in Fechtbücher throughout the 15th century, by masters including Hanko Doebringer, Sigmund Ringeck, and Peter von Danzig, and continued in the 16th century, e.g. by Paulus Hector Mair. It became in fact almost compulsory for any self-respecting fencing master to present himself as standing in the Liechtenauer tradition, even if the influence is sometimes tenuous, or some elements in outright conflict with certain tenets of Liechtenauer's.

Already in Liechtenauer's time, instruction in combat (Fechten) was not restricted to a single weapon, but what was taught was rather a variety of techniques for using the longsword, sword and buckler, dagger, messer, and for unarmed grappling in both armoured and unarmoured combat, and sometimes also in mounted combat.

[edit] Lichtenauer's society

By the mid 15th century, it was prestigious for a fencing master to claim to stand in the tradition of Liechtenauer. Paulus Kal (Cgm 1507, 1460) gives a list of 17 masters as belonging to the "society of Liechtenauer", including, apart from himself