Hans Talhoffer
Alte Armatur und Ringkunst, 1459

Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Copenhagen, Thott 290 2º, 150 ff. Bayern 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.

Released: March 8, 2000 / Last modified: October 23, 2009

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