Customer Reviews

Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art Of The Longsword

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This work is absolutly essential for anyone interested in the medieval art of swordsmanship. The text includes in depth analysis that along with the illustrations make it easily accessible for anyone. An added bonus is that the authors have included the original german text,lacking in Toblers book Secrets of medieval german swordsmanship, which gives me the option to evaluate the interpretations. Both Ringecks comments and Lichtenauers verses are included in german and translated to english in a parralell text. The book is a perfect handbook for anyone interested in starting practice with the longsword,or for the advanced student who wants to go deeper into the meaning and sayings of the old masters. I highly recomend it.

I have been studying historical longswordsmanship for more than 7 years now and I can only wish this book had been around the whole while. I began studying Ringeck several years back and have only recently felt as though I have really grasped the elegance of the Liechtenhauer style. This book is perfect for cementing your basic concepts and for clearing up most questions a practitioner might have and hasn't been able to answer through their own experimentation. Beginners should probably find a teacher or at least a competent study group/partner to really get what they can out of this book, however this is the best I've seen for one to start cold with. Also, I have read Tobler's book and though I really appreciate the work he did and is doing (and definitely refer to his book from time to time)... I personally see higher quality of interpretation in this work.

This is probably the best book I've seen on the subject of longsword. Currently it is my source book when I teach class
on longsword combat. While "Secret of German Medieval Swordsmanship" is a great book to have, I still prefer the
simplicity and explanation of this book.

I have many books on longsword combat and the like, this is top notch.
Most books and manuscript reproductions are very expensive and one would do well to research the title and author before purchase.
The book is clearly presented, well researched and practical.
A grand tool, and in my opinion better than Tobler's work, but I still suggest his as well.
It is worth it's cost, and a valuable addition to a serious (medieval) martial artist's toolbox and library.

I started to study historical fencing manuals for three years ago and I'm very happy to see that more and more of these manuals are translated, transscripted and published. David Lindholm is the head of the historical fencing community in Malmö and his school of fencing is simple as well as brilliant. He teaches us that what works well according to the physics of Newton and the way our bodies work has to be the best way to perform the cuts, thrusts and all the various techniques. These teachings is now available in print. I do sincerly recommend this book to all who got a serious interest in the old, european way to fight, I think this is one of the best books written today on the topic.

Lindholm is very methodic in his writings, he first presents the original text in old-german, then the english translation and finally his own comments as well as drawings and instructions on footwork. This is the great strength of this work, with the original text as well as the translation side by side everyone is able to participate in the study of Ringeck's text and may find better translations or interpretations.

This book does not only contain the teaching of the longsword of Ringeck, Lindholm joins forces with the highly skilled swordsmith Peter Johnson (See Albion Armouries for more informations about Peter's work) to write a couple of articles about the swords used, about how to take good care of your blade as well as how to perform good test-cutting.

In all, this is a great tool for anyone that practise historical fencing.

Diese Arbeit von Lindholm und Svard gehört eindeutig zu den besseren Werken dieses Genres. Bei Rekonstruktionen der Lehren alter Fechtmeister bleibt naturgemäß einiger Raum für Interpretationen. Die meisten Arbeiten, die ich hierüber gesehen habe, nutzen diesen Raum eher fantasie- statt sinnvoll. Das trifft auch auf die meisten "großen Namen" dieses Genres zu. Bei der Beurteilung dieser Bücher sollte man niemals die Realität aus den Augen verlieren. Danach verbieten sich viele der Interpretationen ganz von selbst.
Dieses Buch jedoch ist eine gute Arbeit und wirklich empfehlenswert.

The Good

*Side-by-side transcription and translation of material
*Decent interpretation of source material to get beginners started
*Appendices on sword care, sword typology

The Bad

*Although the landscape book format is slightly easier to use in a practice situation than others, I do wish that future Renaissance martial arts authors would develop a book that is "practice friendly." This text in particular begs to be used as a live classroom aid. Some desirable features: lies flat, important sections printed in big type readable from several feet away, that sort of thing. Unlikely to be economically possible given the relatively small audience for European martial arts research, but I can dream....

*The line drawings are a little stiff. Svard's illustrations are much grittier and more energetic in the companion to this work, Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat.

The Ugly

Nothing, really.

Overall

If you want to practice longsword fighting, this book is an excellent place to start.

This book is very informative and comprehensively written. The drawings are clear and the writing (while perhaps a little lush in places) can be read through easily enough. One note though, most of the moves require a partner to practice against unless you're REALLY good at imagining one. =P

It is difficult to resurrect something which has died and been long forgotten. Many try, some become lost in their own self importance, and a few, like the authors of this book, really engage a deeply introspective look into the martial practices of yore, without allowing their personal biases getting in the way of their assessments of historically documented artifacts.

What is offered within the pages of this manual is a clear-cut approach of how the structure of the long-sword is wielded in conjunction with an adversary hell-bent on the other's actual demise.

Objectively written, taking a scientific approach, steeped in a real understanding of the contextual nature of close-quarters-killing combat of that time frame, the authors and artists assemble a systematic means with which to inspect how Sigmund Ringeck thought this killing weapon could be optimized.

An easy to understand text followed with very well done drawings of the necessary actions and counter actions, the reader finds a manual from which learning can commence from the solid information presented.

This book is one of Paladin Press' gems, and I recommend this manual as an essential reference point when one wishes to delve into the realities of European medieval martial practices. I had previously owned the hardback edition, only to loan it out, never to see it again. I settled on purchasing a new paperback edition as I merely needed and wanted to replace this very important document to my library. I believe to be of great historical significance and a work of art, to boot.

Rev. A. Bodhi Chenevey, RM, DD
Hikaze Learning Corner & Two Pines Training Facility
Home of Diversified Combat Arts and Science
Wooster, Ohio

Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of The long Sword was a great addition to our library, since we teach a medieval sword program at our martial arts studio.