Lecküchner: Kunst und Zettel im Messer (Kommentarband HC)

The Bavarian State Library Cgm 582, by Hans Lecküchner (author); Carsten Lorbeer, Julia Lorbeer, Johann Heim, Robert Brunner, and Alex Kiermayer (transcribers); and Michael Chidester (editor). Articles by Daniel Burger, Casper J. van Dijk, Olivier Dupuis, Jessica Finley, Adam Franti, Falko Fritz, Dierk Hagedorn, and Oskar ter Mors.

The Bayerische Staatsbibliothek manuscript Cgm 582 is a German fencing manual commissioned by Hans Lecküchner in 1482.

Two potential autograph copies of Lecküchner’s treatise are preserved: Heidelberg Cod. Pal. germ. 430, completed in 1478, and this manuscript, completed on 19 January 1482 (less than a year before his death). The latter mentions in the last paragraph that a previous draft had been produced, which was likely the source for the shorter version included by Hans von Speyer in the Salzburg ms. M.Ⅰ.29 in 1491.

Cgm 582 excels these other two contemporary copies of Lecküchner's teachings both in its length—it is half again as long as CPG 430—and in that nearly every page includes a lavish watercolor illustration by an artist from the circle of Michel Wolgemut. Indeed, there is no other 15th century fencing treatise comparable to this manuscript, and it would not be equaled until the writings of Paul Hektor Mayer in the 1540s and Joachim Meyer in the 1560s.

This is a Commentary Volume for the Lecküchner facsimile. In its pages, you will find articles from some of the leading scholars in the field of historical European martial arts studies that highlight various aspects of the manuscript and the world it came from. T‍he first section contains a detailed description of the manuscript and its history by Michael Chidester, as well as a full transcription by Carsten Lorbeer, et al.

T‍he second section relates to Lecküchner himself. Daniel Burger describes the life and times of Hans Lecküchner in great detail. Falko Fritz discusses the physical properties of Messers and how they relate to Lecküchner’s teachings, and Jessica Finley delves into the unusual terminology used by Lecküchner (and Liechtenauer).

T‍he third section looks at the wider landscape of Messer fencing that Lecküchner existed in. Dierk Hagedorn offers the first catalog of all surviving Messer and Dussack treatises. Olivier Dupuis discusses the concept of fencing in jest and in earnest and how it’s reflected in fencing treatises. Casper J. van Dijk and Oskar ter Mors evaluate the Messer teachings that predate Lecküchner and look for possible influences on his teachings. Finally, Adam Franti considers the place of Messers and Dussacks in art and society throughout the early modern period.

Note: This book does not contain an English translation of Leckückner’s treatise. It contains the German text, and the facsimile obviously has the color illustrations. For an excellent English translation which lacks both color pictures and German text, see Dr. Jeffrey Forgeng’s The Art of Swordsmanship by Hans Lecküchner.

Geb., 275 S. zahlr. Abb. Texte überwiegend auf Englisch!