Blossfechten: Difference between revisions

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Pronounced "bloss-feshten" or "bloss-fekhten" in English, this submanual is a treatise on swordsmanship in poetic format, written by the 13th century [[Master Swordsman|Sword Master]] Johannes Liechtenauer. Its poetic format is considered to have been a kind of code and mnemonic device; it would at once prevent outsiders to the art from deciphering its techniques while providing easy ways for Liechtenauer's own students to memorise its concepts. As such, it is nigh impossible to pull together a martial art with this gloss alone. Considered in conjunction with later manuals such as the ''Codex Dobringer'' --which quote it directly and from which the original verse is drawn-- it becomes decipherable enough to set a reasonable standard for European sword techniques. Obviously, this is an instruction book and thus [[Truth in Television]].

Note that the Bloßfechten is only one part of Liechtenauer's works, describing how to deal with an adversary in no armour or light armour. Other sections of his work describe techniques for armoured combat, fighting on horseback and techniques for spears, daggers and unarmed combat.

 

 

=== Core Teachings ===

* The most effective way to defend oneself is by striking in such a way that the strike finds its target while blocking the path of an incoming strike. If that is not possible, then it is best to strike against an adversary's strike rather than blocking it passively.

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* [[BFS]]: These techniques are most appropriate for longswords and great swords, both of which are large close combat weapons, although nowhere near as cumbersome as depicted in most media. During the Renaissance, troops carrying true two-handed swords of about six feet in length almost certainly benefited from Liechtenauer's methods as well.

* [[Lightning Bruiser]]: Armoured combat on foot. Including not only swordsplay and close combat, but also ''wrestling in full armour''.

* [[Master Swordsman]]: Master Liechtenauer and his students, and by a liberal extension, we may say the authors of the manuals in general.

* [[Special Attack]]: There are five, the ''Master Strikes''.

* [[Sword Fight]]

* [[Truth in Television]]

 

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[[Category:Blossfechten]]

[[Category:Literature]]