The pagination of the manuscript in pencil goes from 1 to 302. The figures are sometimes found on one, and sometimes on two pages of the same leaflet; also some leaflets have been left blank. I have not taken into consideration this pagination at all, and I organised the plates in the same order as the original, by numbering them from 1 to 160.

In contrast to the two other manuscripts, the figures representing the wrestling are the only ones with legends. These legends, and the twenty one pages of text are reproduced here in the original way and accompanied by a translation. They are written in black (Chinese) ink, and the tittles are in red ink. Also in red are the Cabalistic tables in the form of clocks, for which we have not made a difference, but which we have done as much as possible for the other inscriptions in red.

While reproducing the original I took the care to place the pagination of the manuscript in brackets, in order to allow for easy orientation.

The text is reproduced in its entirety, and the initials of the proper names are in capitals. I made sure to make the text as readable as possible by completing the punctuation which does not exist in the original.

Immediately above the text is written the following words: Jesus Christus Amen, 1443, Amen: the date of the year is written the way it was written at the time.

In the middle of the page the following words are framed by black lines: “Dasz buch ist maister haussen talhoffer.” (this book is Master Hanz Talhoffer’s) This tittle was later covered, so that when you hold it up to the light, you can read all the letters with the exception of the three on which are glued a paper after the page had ripped. This inscription proves the authenticity of this manuscript to be Talhoffer’s.

In this volume is shown the different ways of fighting, the customs used in the middle ages in judicial duels with two handed swords, as well as the judging of fights with shield and mace, and combat with these weapons. Following are figures representing combat with dagger and wrestling and the plates named zur Mechanik are last.

Amongst the plates which show us judicial duels, are found some representing scenes from the life of knights, which must have preceded combat. We see the full sequence from the sending of challenges to the preparation in the enclosure (ring).

Having already made a precise description of the figures in this codex in the preface of the codex of 1459, I will limit myself here to the figures drawn in black ink

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Copyright © 2001 Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts  (AEMMA)
Released: March 1, 2002
Updated: NA