German school of Swordsmanship
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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The German School of Swordsmanship is sword weilding martial art from the Holy Roman Empire, (modern day Germany) that specializes in the use of the two-handed longsword. This art was created by the Master Liechtenauer and preserved in the Fechtbucher, or 'fightbooks.'
It is a Knightly style, but was practised by those of lesser rank as well.
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History
The exact origin of the style is unknow, but Liechtenauer is beleived to have lived in the late 1300s. It is thought that he was still alive when the first book was written recording his style by the Cleric Hanko Dobringer in 1389. It became the most important style in the Holy Roman Empire, and eventually even gained government approval as the primary style.
Training
Blossfecten, or fighting out of armor, Harnessfecten, fighting in armor, or 'harness,' and Rossfecten, Mounted combat.
Techniques
The Liechtenauer system focuses on controlling the fight by acting first, and compelling the enemy to respond to your actions, rather then allowing him to attack so you can respond to the position he enters as he attacks, as many other more defencive styles do. Further, attacks should control space, so blind counterattacks cannot hit you. There are five master strikes, which allow the attacker to attack whilst controling space the defender would need to counterattack.
Equipment
The suit of Armor, or "harness" as it was called in period, is Vital for the advanced dicipline of Harness Fecten. The core weapons of the system are the Longsword, the dagger, and the lance/spear/staff. (These last three were considered to effectively be the same weapon.) Later, the system adopted the Messer (literally Knife, but refering to a single edge, knifed hilted sword not unlike a falchion) the single hand sword, the poleaxe/polehammer, the sword and buckler, and many others.
Grappling is also considered a core part of the style, see kampfringen
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