Hans Talhoffer, 1459
"Talhoffer's 'Alte Armatur und Ringkunst' or roughly translated: 'Old Armament and Art of Fight' was written in Bavaria 1459 by Hans Talhoffer. The work covers a variety aspects of war, including a fascinating collection of war machines and devices, illustrations with short descriptions for the two-handed sword, sword and buckler, sword and shield, dagger, wrestling, pollaxe, judicial combat, and mounted combat. As well as some specialized forms for the judicial duel: double-ended dueling pavises used with sword or club, and man in a pit with a club woman with a rock in a sock. Other illustrations include the imposing 6ft high throated and hewing shields (Gekehlte und Hackenschilde). "
Note: Permission to post the above digital image, as well as the image on the home page of this site was graciously granted by the Royal Library, Copenhagen, Denmark. The reference for the manuscript is: Thott 290 2º, The Royal Library, Copenhagen
Released: March 8, 2000
Updated: July 9, 2004