Manuals

Below are links to the major manuals/treatises that Ars Gladii uses. Some are available on the web, others only in print.

Hs.3227a aka Döbringer	Döbringer is the earliest known manual in the Liechtenauer tradition. It contains an incomplete glosa on Liechtenauer's verses, but its major contribution is in its discussion of general fighting principles. AG uses these principles as the major starting point from which to understand the other L. tradition works. The link will send you to a PDF of an English translation of Hs. 3227a done by David Lindholm of the Gothenburg Historical Fencing School
Ringeck	The manual attributed to Sigmund Ringeck (c. 1440) contains a verse-by-verse glosa for Liechtenauer's longsword material, as well as armored combat, ringen, sword and buckler, and mounted combat. The link is for Christian Tobler's first book Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship. The book contains both the translation of the work as well as textual and pictorial inturpretations of the work. Some of the interpretations are now dated, though a errata page is available. Updated interpretations of some of the material found in Ringeck are available in Christian's second book, Fighting with the German Longsword (see Secondary Sources below). Ringeck's manual provides us with the majority of our technical glosa to Liechtenauer's primary work.
Von Danzig / Goliath	MS 1449 (c. 1452), also known as the Von Danzig fechtbuch, is a multi-master compendium containing treatments on Liechtenauer's longsword, Lignitzer's and Hundfeldt's dagger, as well as armored combat, sword and buckler, and half-swording. The Goliath manual, written some 50 years contains much of the same material verbatum but with the addition of illustrations. We use the VD manual to shore up our reading of Ringeck, and vise versa. The illustrations found in the Goliath manual are also illuminating. Both links lead to Mike Rasmussen's site, schielhau.org.As far as we know, this is currently the only public English translation of VD available right now.
Meyer's Gründtliche Beschreibung / der freyen Ritterlichen und Adelichen Kunst des Fechtens / in allerei gebrauchlichen Wehren / mit vielen schönen und nützlichen Figuren gezieret und fürgestellt.	Meyer's Thorough Descriptions / of the free Knightly and Noble Art of Fencing / with various Customary Weapons / with many beautiful and useful illustrated Figures affected and presented is a major fencing work from the late 16th century. It contains information on the 'rappier', dussack, longsword, and other weapons. It is also one of the best written works on the longsword from the standpoint of a modern interpreter. Unfortunately, by the time it was writtern, 1570, the longsword had become essentially a sporting weapon. Also, while Meyer is obviously a part of the Liechtenauer tradition, the state and purpose of the weapon had changed and much was added to the original teachings of Liechtenauer. Therefore, AG uses Meyer only a tertiary interpretative source, confirming or enlightening only when all other sources fail. The link is for the schielhau.org translation (again by Mike Rasmussen of AEMMA). There is supposed to be a full translation of the entire manual due out from Dr. J. Forgeng, the same person who translated I.33.
Royal Armory MS. I.33	The earliest known fencing treatise c. 1300. The RA MS I.33 covers the use of the sword and buckler in a civilian context. The work is laid out as a series of plays between a priest and a scholar. The Chivalry Bookshelf title linked on the left carries color facsimile plates of the original manual plus the full Latin text and English translation, done by Dr. Jeffrey Forgeng.

Secondary Sources

These are sources by modern researchers used for interpretative value

Tobler's Fighting with the German Longsword	This work by Christian Tobler is a modern workbook laying out the core of Liechtenauer's teachings. Included is a description of the footwork used (not found in any of the manuals - this is his interpretation of what footwork is used with the system), the Vier Leger, and a basic treatment of the meisterhau and the tactical considerations with each strike. You will also find some interpretive changes from his first work Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship (see above). This work is well worth the price.
Tobler's Secrets of Medieval German Swordsmanship	Christian Tobler's first book. Secrets is a full translation plus interpretation of Sigmund Ringeck's fechtbuch. Secrets covers not only unarmored longsword, but also Ringen, armored spear and longsword, and a short set of plays for sword and buckler. While some of the interpretation is dated, the translation of this important work is excellent. AG uses Mr. Tobler's translation for the technical basis for our current curriculum.
Hand and Wagner's Medieval Sword and Shield	Interpretive guide to RA MS I.33, the first known fencing treatise.

Primary and Secondary Period Sources

These works provide information about either Germany or the 14-15th century in Europe

Benjamin Arnold German Knighthood 1050-1300	Treatment of the special character of the German knightly class.
Froissart's Chronicles	One of the most important primary sources concerning the 14th century and all the events therein.
Benjamin Arnold's Medieval Germany, 500-1300: A Political Interpretation	A look at the rather unqiue political structure of Medieval Germany.

Equipment Manufactorers

Contained below is a list of recommended and/or required pieces of equipment as well as links to purchase.

Name	Maker	Required (Y/N)	Description
Longsword Simulator	Swordcrafts	Y	The basic longsword simulator. Every student is required to have one before the end of their novice training. Make sure to get the 'Liechtenauer' model and not the 'Liberi' model. Either cross design is acceptable but do not fuller the blade or get any other pommel than the basic #5 pommel. All other fit/features are optional.
Fencing Mask	Triplette/Zen Armory	Y	The recommended model is the TCA 2000 mask. DO NOT get the 1999 mask as the mesh is too weak and the padding not sufficient for our needs. If you want a black bib or mesh you MUST request it. They may have other colors available. The color does not matter for our purposes.
Arming Cap	Revival Clothing	Y	An arming cap is required to be worn with the mask. The cap adds extra padding and helps provide a tight fight for the mask.
Gloves	Revival Clothing	Y/N	While gloves are required, you can wear just about anything that does not cause your hand to slip or inhibit your hand's movement. The Revival glove is a nice item to have, as it adds a small amount of padding. These gloves are not the same as those you would use during freeplay.
Gambeson/Jack	Revival Clothing, Matuls	Y	A Gambeson or Jack is required to participate in freeplay. As such, one will be needed towards the end of your novice training. Either the Revival gambeson or one of the full-length Matuls will work wonderfully. We are still working out which of the Matuls will be best suited for our purposes, so please ask before ordering.
Elbow Cops	Various	Y	Rigid elbow armor is another requirment for freeplay, and as such needs to be procured before the end of your novice training. The number of armorers making elbow cops is too numerous to mention. Most make this as a stock piece, so finding is relatively easy. Look for lists of SCA armorers for links. Cops can either be pointed (attached directly to the arming garment) or strapped on. Hockey/rollerblading elbow pads can be used if they incorporate a hard plastic shell over the point of the elbow, though steel historical examples typically cost the same as modern gear. DO NOT get full arms or anything with leather or steel uppers. These are not worn as armor, but only to protect the easily splintered elbow point.
Shoulder Points	Apprentice Armory	N	Apprentice Armory used to sell shoulder points. We are trying to find others who do as well. Basically, a shoulder point covers only the shoulder joint itself (as opposed to spaulders or pauldrons which cover the shoulder, upper arm and sometimes the collar bone). These help reduce pain to the shoulder, but like elbow cops need to be kept small as to not reduce mobility.
Gauntlets	Various	Y	Rigid hand protection is required to participate in freeplay, and is highly recommended as you get towards the end of novice training, as the speed tends to pick up in drills. Gauntlets can range from period style mitten or finger gaunlets to maile over padded gloves to the upcoming Kevlar gauntlets from Revival. Hockey gloves or similar can be used, though they tend to be a little too bulky.