Examples today of the rules and ordinances which governed the original 16 th and 17th century German fencing events known as Fechtschulen, are very rare and seldom discovered. Much less in any real volume of comprehensive examples. The following article consists of translation work that I have done, from a transcription of original handwritten archived documents. These were viewed and transcribed in Germany recently by the very astute scholar and researcher Werner Ueberschär, of Schwertbund Nürnberg E.V. We are super grateful to him for sharing his work with us all. The information that we can glean from these documents will shed much more light on the little known, customs and traditions of the German fencing events. Of particular interest are the many references to the unruly spectators at the events. Through and through these Ordinances read as if the permitting authority (City Council), was laying down the law, and announcing the fines and punishments for infractions. Also included are tantalizing hints at actual customs performed by the Fencers. We should also find a clearer definition of the word Kriegswärtl, Nachfechter and more. Also, I have include my translation to a sad Fencers song, which tells the tale of a death in the Fechtschule. A link is included to the original tune this was sung to. Courtesy of the fine research by Herr Ueberschär! By looking at a few plates of well known examples of original Fencing Events, we may discover something interesting. Many of these plates, if not all, seem to reveal a more Noble participation in the events. Maybe we don't really see depicted in original wood block carvings and copper plate etchings, the true face of the rowdy and bawdy side of some events? But when we look at original archived examples of Fechtschulen ordinances, written by the official governing town councils, a different side to the fencing events becomes evident. Again, we can think of the many written examples by original Town council members who laid down the law, including the admonition for a particular event to be held in a Knightly and Noble fashion. It was if the powerful town council leaders, felt the need to remind all who attended or participated in the requested Fechtschule, that their behavior was to be proper. It would be easy to imagine that a bad reputation for causing disruption during an event would follow a person. We see from strict and detailed ordinances, written by a town council with the authority to grant or decline any event, that they wrote about not just the fighter's behavior, but the spectators' as well.

Many of the extant images depicting actual fencing events from the 16 th 17th centuries, tend to show the more orderly and well conducted Fechtschulen. This stands to reason, as the entire gist surrounding their existence, seems to have come from or been inspired by, the Knightly and Noble tourneys of old. Mention of this is found within archival documents of the Town council in Nuremberg. The Town Council made written admonishments to fencers and spectators alike, that the behavior expected should be as their ancestors did it. With Honor and humility, and a little safety too. It is apparent through some of these Ordinances that the earlier Fencers also held fighting events. Perhaps this is reference to the earlier Schirmschulen, which preceded the Fechtschulen of the 16 th 17th centuries? Either way, the Burgher class, had the chance to create and participate in their own Martial challenges. While we often read in original sources, of fencing events held in honor of a Royal or Noble, such as a Birth or Marriage celebration, we also read of impromptu events being held for public entertainment. And then there were the actual fencing houses, built to accommodate the public. These offered the ultimate in controlling the crowd , and also regulating cost of admissions. The following image depicts an indoor Fechthaus. Perhaps the wise Town council had figured out a way to control the spectators by creating seating for them? This appears to be an orderly and well performed event going on in the image below. It could be assumed that the vast majority of events, were conducted with safety and order imposed. But because we read of particular town council rules and ordinances prohibiting certain behaviors, we can conclude that these aggressions did in fact occur at certain events. What would it take for this to occur? Maybe the Burgher class or working man's mentality could have allowed for such an acceptance that physical injury was a possibility. These injuries were not intended but did happen nonetheless. It was for the Honor and improvement of one's reputation that drew many would be Champions to the often bloody ring. Yet we don't see that revealed in the known Fechtschulen images. Or do we?

Above is an image which clearly reveals the Knightly and Noble nature that the Fechtschulen often took . As opposed to the more bawdy and violent affairs held by many urban trades workers, in countless backstreet events never recorded and thus lost to history. The following image is of a small affair that took place in Nuremberg in the 1620s, and clearly shows orderly spectators outside a barrier wall.

So there appears to have been multiple environments where fencing events were held. Sometimes in a courtyard of a Castle, other times, in a Field, still other times we see Fechtschulen being held in specially built houses for these events. Another interesting place was in a plaza, in a city center, that was cordoned off and where throngs of spectators formed a ring or box around the fencers. It was to these types of events that I believe the Fechtschulen ordinances which follow, were mainly written. Mainly because we see the town council focusing on specific behavioral acts by the spectators, that were forbidden. In some ways these ordinances reveal the freedoms that the spectators enjoyed. More than likely it was a loud affair. We get a sense that the spectators were rowdy and loud. Often insulting the fencers and chiding them or goading them into anger. The following data is courtesy of Werner Ueberschär of Scwertbund Nürnberg E.V. With corrections and comments by Dr. Daniel Burger (StAN), Nürnberg 2014. This data I have included here, represents only a small portion of what Ueberschär uncovered recently. Many thanks to him for sharing his transcriptions of this vitally important knowledge of the 16th and 17th century Fechtschulen. I have mostly omitted his extensive annotations of the multiple corrections made to the original document, which he writes were often struck through and with a different ink and different penman, words were written over probably in keeping with the innovations of the language and the progressing of time. This is most especially evidenced by footnotes which show the evolution of the word ehren. I have omitted most of Werner's footnotes as well, which are extremely revealing of even more data, I continue to work on that. He also gives a very detailed description of the appearance of the documents, stating that “The focus of the transcription was to reconstruct the original text of the fencing order. Therefore, the original text was used and the corrections are shown in the notes.” W.U. The excellent article by him can be found here : http://www.schwertbund-nurmberg.de/ Now follows my hasty translation. Fechtordnung eines Ehrbaren Rats, ca. 1601 Stadtarchiv Nürnberg B5 / 2 Nr. 262 .

Ordinances, how it shall be held henceforth with the attendees, the referees, and fencers at the Fencing Schools After having an honorable councilor hold that for a time in the fencing schools, all kinds of disorder (1 has occurred, Firstly, to those who hold the schools, the abusive and defamatory rhymes which are not only posted in public, but found in use in the schools, likewise, the same for those who would spectate the _____________________________________________ (1. vngeschikhlichkeiten struck through, over which was written in a second Hand: vnordnung W. Ueberschär, 2014

fighting, and encroach or crowd into the barriers, and the hinder the swordsmen. therefore and because a respectable council member will no longer be patient or situated with such in-ordinances Thus the honorable council herewith demands, that henceforth the place where the fencing schools are held, shall each have a chest, set within the barriers, and when one or more of the Knechts (1. enter the ring that do not want to fence, so they should be commanded, by this same, to remove the hat or pluck off their cloaks, pay the deposit in the above reported coffers (chests), but to those that this pertains to, that up until the completion of the fencing school, they still are rather likely to be seen, (doing this) So it is decreed then, that ten kreuzers are loosened from them. as to those one or more who would thereafter do this useless (behavior) yet again these same shall be lead to the lock up. likewise and also, from now and henceforth, should each one who holds a fencing school, be permitted, by twelve of the smaller clock after noon (2. to leave his house, and without rambling, or digressing, in particular, to this point it is raised, thus that a commencement of the fighting should be made, no later than, one half hour after his intended departure, (for the fencing school) then he who would violate those things shall not only forfeit a payment of 2 florin. to the honorable council but also according to the quality of the matters, the school be forfeited. It should also be that the fencers effectively use such rhymes, about honesty, worthiness just as with the ancient ones who came before, and were advocates of it, and to which, it had been common place. It is also hereby commanded earnestly by a respectable council that henceforth, sharp pointed weapons found in some fencing schools are not to be worn anymore, yet still fought with in the school. ____________________________________________________ (1. Knecht probably means anyone of the men spectating the event; servant, worker, (2. vmb zwölffe ... gemacht werden solle struck through. On the margin in a second Hand is inserted: Namely begin the fencing at 12 o'clock, and stop at around 1 o'clock. This was later struck through again though.

There are also the Nachfechter (1. with their rescinded forgiveness, as it was previously and before proclaimed verbally (called out) by the fencing master. Similarly, this should also include every challenge, and thus when finished with his orderly passes, and when one shall hand the next fighter the sword, but rather, he shall be at fault, and again, in turn, lay the sword on the ground of the fencing platz. Seeing then that moreover because it proceeds many times that the Kriegswärtl (2. and Nachfechter hold a very unequal protection, which permits all manner of disorder, thus a respectable council hereby will have ordered these same, that they may swear an oath on the ordinance that is hung up, and may they have diligent attention and there may they become aware, would disorder among the fencers enter in such a way that the fencers who would under shoot nevertheless, running in at each other, and against the fencer's customs, go together with fists (3. and would beat each other, such that neither will reasonably yield, but they should show such to the Lords of the Town Council (4. Then also up to now, among the swordsmen an evil abuse has become a habit, when one has something of a hate or envy to another, these same are required to fight each other with all weapons at the school, and also he who knows well how to throw the weapons defiantly or mockingly at the feet. thus that many shameful things (occur) on account of one who (is taunted) and must fence with a certain weapon and was not man enough, therefore, so will an honorable city council evenly put down and forbid such improper provocations also the Security Men are hereby and once again commanded that the fencers are in no way authorized to use such disorderly fencing but shall be stirred up, by other masterful and artful fencing techniques and customs of the art, and shall know how to meet each other well which they then will be at liberty to do, prior to proving themselves respectable and honest how in the previous ages though, it was the custom to fence

___________________________________________________ (1. Nachfechter; fencers who have been previously found guilty of useless fist fighting, at the events (2. Kriegswärtl- Grießwärtl traditionally acted as Security forces at Tourneys and other events. (3. With caret added in the margin, "rather also with the weapons" (Ueberschär) (4. With caret added in the margin: that offenders will then be taken at once, into the prison lock up. Deleted from a third-hand and instead adds: to be punished by a fee. (Ueberschär

also to spare as much as possible, the eyes, face, fingers and Spindel (1. Especially, however, it is an Honorable city Council's most serious opinion that where the fencing grows hard against each other, to one and all, whether they are a fencer or not, (of the panic and overflowing rumors, they are to be completely avoided, much less with clapping)? but rather alone, the security men are permitted the fines in their hands, and to the violators, no entrance shall be made. Lastly, After which it has been found that many people under commonality thus watch the fencing through heretofore established ordinances, with untempered frolicking, throwing shames, hat and coat waving, clowning around, and also other dishonorable behaviors around the fencing master, Item: to all you Security people, and then to all those spectators who would scream hurtful words, during the fencing, and as a result then a great heated-ness and bitterness would exist between both of the fencers, caused by the onlookers, However, and as such, to prevent this, thus and hereby commands the honorable council that all should manfully and completely abstain from such dishonorable behaviors then to those (who don't) herein is a punishment devised, that not only should the guilty pay as a punishment six guldens to the council, but rather also to his Craft be made known as dishonest. or otherwise, according to the occasion with all earnestness will be so seriously punished thereat their dishonesty shall be felt at their work (job) After this.... know how to manfully prepare and protect yourself from harm. END ____________________________________________________ (1. Spindel this probably means hands, although could mean head as well.

In some ways, through their own words, we are seeing the town council harken back to much earlier times of fencing. Giving us a brief glimpse into the world of maybe the 14 th and 15th century fencers? Several mentions of “how they did it back in the old days” can be inferred to mean the fencing events of the 1600s had become different somehow, changed in some ways. Obviously, humanism and the spread of the printed word, and hence a cultural revolution of sorts, would tend to change things up a bit. Not to mention improved education. But the way the fighting arts were employed in these less than lethal, publicly spectated, competitive events, had apparently changed as well. This is supported by the written works of fencing Masters like Joachim Meyer, who in 1570 bemoaned that the art had come into great decline lately. Others like Marxbruder Master Christoph Rösener, in 1589, also stated that the arts were not being practiced like the previous, earlier German fencers had done, and that they should be! Perhaps they were also including the spectating public in their mention of the art in decline. What could have happened to the art from the earlier fencers who used effective Rhymes to highlight or announce their skill and bravery? It almost seems as if the public had also become more aggressive both verbally and physically. Is this a reflection of the freedoms then enjoyed by a new and growing class of worker who sought pleasure and amusement by spectating the fighting games? Or was it that the fencers had also become more aggressive as well? In some instances, the public spectators must have been an unruly lot It just seems so, because the town council had to write specifically about harsh,verbal insults directed at the fencers, who then became angered to greater levels of violence. Maybe that society was not as gentile as earlier spectators of the Knightly Tourneys and games. Again, another homage to the Knightly and Noble behavior, that was expected at the 16th 17th century Fechtschulen. That fact definitely comes out when viewing the ordinances written to ensure public safety during these often brutal events. Likened to the earlier Roman Gladiatorial games. Although there were many variations of environment which the events were held in, the list of forbidden techniques or actions, seems to remain constant throughout all known historical resources. Various combinations were sometimes employed, when the event included wrestling, and rappier fencing. Interesting mention is made of those fencers who sought to run in and fist fight, the Nachfechter. The definition is clear in the Ordinances, and yet one thing is very unclear; the two words that accurately describe the Nachfechter from this sentence; Es sollen auch die nachfechter mit dem auffheben vercziehen, biß zuuorn etc.. These sentences read as if the Fencing Master would “call out' that this particular fencer was a Nachfechter. Almost like a warning, and probably also to the Nachfechter. Also, we see the word “Kriegswärtl” , which would seem to indicate a security person? Herr Ueberschär, surmises that this word can be likened to Grießwartl, another early German word for Security personnel. By imposing monetary fines on people, they hoped to insure order, yet in several instances we see they added on to this, by doubling up the punishment with a Fine and the threat of ruining your reputation at your Trade or Craft, which was the most serious of punishments. Yet because we see the Council threaten to do this, it must be concluded that it happened.

That would indicate some spectators got totally out of control at these events. Not only did the spectators get out of control sometimes, but the fencers too were cautioned against losing their cool. Sometimes the results could be tragic, as we shall see from the lyrics of the following fencing song written to commemorate the death in a fechtschule in 1590, Nürnberg, Germany, of a well liked and very skilled young man. His profession was that of English Cloth Dyer, and he was very talented at his trade. But somehow he lost his cool in the school, resulting in the tragic consequences. This song was sung to the tune of “Venus du und dein kind” and audio example of which can be found in a link courtesy of the fine research by Werner Ueberschär, Schewrtbund Nürnberg E.V. http://gioitetutti.bandcamp.com/track/venus-du-und-dein-kind-2 Now follow my translation which pales in comparison to the original, rhyming language. I have failed to find the ability to make this rhyme in English, as it does so beautifully in German.

A fencing song 1. Listen to how a sad story, is true and not made up which I will sing to you, hope it will come out smoothly about the Swordplay so miserable, somber and yet jovial 2. As verily one counts, a thousand five hundred and ninety years to the date, this is the year, the 28th day of June as I tell you, 3. A fencing school was held, in the city of Nuremberg At the pleasant Golden Star, there they are pulled to one, though various had been seen. 4. As soon as the crowd of fencers had, lifted their weapons up, (showing that) each one makes known his desire, and made to one another the presentation with fencing and with springing, done together to endure 5. To them, a fencer came, Jan from Augsburg was his name with the halberd he raised up, and did the fencer's acknowledgment A carpenter just then replied, by raising his up to him 6. Very soon they step together, done nicely according to good fencing form Cheerfully did three passes, as was seen by the crowd of people, Jan laid down alone, his Halberd. 7. Immediately there stepped into the arena, against the carpenter, A nimble cloth dyer, who was known as Herman Mayer

There he took up the Halberd and did the acknowledgment to the carpenter 8. Together they also stepped, rather gentlemanly according to the fencers customs Cheerfully they bound, with hooking and with winding With striking and great thrusts, where one could be broken 9. Three passes had they done, cheerfully to each other, the carpenter laid down, his Halberd and as soon as he was without, he wanted to up and leave, 10. But the cloth dyer to the continuance, took up two rappiers and then with initiative forward, made out for the Carpenter (and said), "take a Rappier, and fight me now here" 11. Paulus the Carpenter however replied, "No, but because you want to fight me so much, then take up a sharp rappier, thus I'll fight at once with you." But the Cloth Dyer just did not want to provide him with that. 12. However, one must fight on, he shall take the dare, for the talk had made him ashamed, so he took up the Rappier with fresh and happy courage, how it is often done by many a fencer 13. Together they stepped again, most gentlemanly and according to the fencer's customs, they were practiced also in springing, made the rappiers to ringing with turning and with winding done, thus ended the second Pass. 14. The third they made together, so that each had really increased But the Cloth dyer in the end, took his Rappier with both hands and would run the Carpenter through, which Paulus did realize, 15. so he dodged the thrust, and did a thrust, himself, from above with a fierce desire, which stabbed the cloth dyer in the head just above the eye. there went the rappier deep within. 16. Paulus with the Rappier, left it stuck and walked away The cloth dyer in the end, wrenched it out himself with his hands, fell over, and immediately died, a sad ending he earned. 17. His profession that he coveted, was that of English Cloth dyer There was allowed to be held, a procession, that one will not forget With the funeral they went nicely, with up to 400 men.

18. may God grant him under this song, the eternal joy and to this misery, a happy repose. Through Jesus Christ's name, who so ever desires, say Amen

So this sad tale reveals quite a few relevant details of a typical fencing event in the late 16 th century. Supported by examples in the above reported Ordinances, the fencers seem to have been obliged to raise up their weapons, signifying that they were indeed ready to fight. Also, that once finished, they would lay the weapon down, and this is assuming that no one else was next in line to fight, and that were not already a Nachfechter. The idea of a fencers' salute is rather apparent in the original text. Or at least some form of mutual acknowledgment by both fencers, that the fight was about to begin. Throughout this song, we see that 3 passes are mentioned. Just what exactly a pass consisted of is not detailed however. Indications of the physical levels of force are also given in the phrase that “one could be broken” meaning that the two men were fighting hard enough that a Halberd could be broken. These were presumably wooden halberds? Interesting that even after the fencer had laid down his weapon, signifying that he was done fencing, the opponent with his own hand, offered him a rappier, with a challenge. In this song, the Cloth dyer wanted to continue fighting the carpenter, who did not want to fight anymore and threw back a challenge at him, and basically said, “If you want to keep fighting me, lets do it with a sharp rappier.” I take this to mean a non-Fechtschulen rappier, which were probably tipped with some form of ball or button. So now the stakes were higher, and the Cloth Dyer had to accept that challenge. And with the commonly used phrase of Fresh and Happy Courage, the fight went on. By the third Pass, the level of fencing had increased, and perhaps winning was more important than anything else. The dangers of competition with weapons is apparent here, and no matter what Ordinances or Rules were in place, a fighter could become enraged or simply not in control. Constantly found within fencing school rules, ordinances and written history of the events, we see the admonition that a fencer had to be able to defend themselves. Within this sad song, we see the reason for that constant admonition. The carpenter was prepared to defend himself and sensing that his opponent would kill him, he upped the level of earnest fencing to preserve his life. This incident was described in another sources found in the archives by Ueberschär, which goes on to clarify that the youthful Cloth dyer, named Hermann Meyer from Hamburg was a Federfechter, and that the carpenter Paulus was a Marxbrüder and well practiced with the Rappier!. What the song doesn't include about Paulus was, that after the death, he was thrown in the lock up for a “good long time” (no indication of actual amount) and when finally being released, he was forbidden from Fencing and the Taverns in Nürnberg. But this didn't stop Paulus the Carpenter, for he went thereafter within a year, to Frankfurt on the Main, and again, in a Fechtschulen fighting with Rappier he stabbed a Goldsmith! (1. ________________________________________________________ (1. retrieved from article by W. Ueberschär,: Chronik “LAUS NORINBERGAE” etc.

Also, from the research of Werner Ueberschär, I have roughly translated the section titled: Schulordnung des Fechts und ExerzitienMeisters Johann Leonhard Bromig. This consists of a dozen or so rules from an actual fencing School, from the 18 th century. Notice I said School, and not fechtschule, which was an Event. These were written by the Fencing and Exercise Master Johann Leonhard Bromig. This offers us a glimpse of the relationship between the Master and his students, also of interest is the respect that was due the weapon.

LAWS In which is included / what each one of the Scholars has to obey. 1. A Scholar should give the Maitre his due respect, failing this, he shall be responsible for 15 Kronen in penalties. 2. A Scholar shall not fence without hat and Gloves, under penalty of 5 Kronen 3. The scholars are to abstain from blasphemous words, and of cursing, under penalty of 10 Kronen 4. And when a Scholar would have the audacity to abuse or to mock another with cutting remarks, or perhaps even to grab for his sword, the punishment is 30 Kronen. 5. A Scholar is reminded that no one will laugh at the other, then know well that as a beginner, he cannot be equal to the Maitre, under penalty of 2 Kronen 6. This same, shall the Maitre have no defense, but must be respectful himself, with foreknowledge of that, the punishment is 15 Kronen 7. When a Scholar in Contra Fencing, would lay on the Sword and thus deform it, the punishment is 3 Kronen. 8. For binding on with the button tip, or thrusting off a cup from the hilt? is a Scholar obliged to pay 3 Kronen. 9. In the same he who would set the button tip of the Fleuret sword on the ground, shall he pay 3 kronen as punishement 10. If a Scholar shall provide his own Fleuret. 11. In the first month, the Scholar gives 3 Florin for the week's three lessons

for two lessons 2 Florins The second month, for three lessons is 1 Florin 30 Kronen For two lessons 1 Florin 12. When the Scholar begins to fight Contra, he must give the Maitre 1 Florin. And lastly, to those Gentleman Scholars who do not know it, from the Beginning to the Ending of the lessons the Master at his own discretion, can charge another fee. Johann Leonhard Bromig. Fencing and Exercise Master at this place

References: Archivalien aus dem Nürnberger Staatsarchiv und Stadtarchiv Chronik „LAUS NORINBERGAE“ ca. 1600 Auszüge, die Fechtschulen betreffend mit dem traurigen Fechtlied „Ein Fechter den andern im Rapier erstochen“ Fechtordnung eines Ehrbaren Rats ein Entwurf, ca. 1601 Schulordnung des Nürnberger Fecht- und Exerzitien-Meister Johann Leonhard Bromig 18. Jh. by Werner Ueberschär with Corrections and Annotations by: Dr. Daniel Burger (StAN) Nürnberg, November 2014

Kevin Maurer December 2014