Katherina, William de C, Emrys, Iuliana
We revised the Rundstreich and Doppel Rundstreich, which Ludwig, Eleanor and Katherina examined a few weeks ago.
We worked through the seven types of parrying, which we last examined in detail in over a year ago (our notes are here for the first two, in May; and here for the whole lot, in September, after an adjourment into longsword). We wanted to check that our techniques are still consistent with Meyer's words (as opposed to our memories of them), and check whether our interpretations have changed with greater experience of Meyer's style.
Rundstreich
Very much as we did last time. We gathered on the first cut (the mittelhau to the face, ending in Ochs); and stepped on the second.
Doppel Rundstreich
Very much as last time, but with slightly different footwork: we concluded that Meyer was telling us to step once with the front foot for the first two cuts; and once again with the front foot for the third cut. So we ended up gathering with the back for before and during the first cut, stepping lightly with the front foot on the second, and yet further with the front foot on the third.
[My memory is that in our last session we did one step with the first cut, and then a second for the second two together; that memory may be faulty.]
Parrying
1. Absetzen - Setting Off
So straightforward we barely tried it : parry with true edge, stepping to the side, thrust.
I think in the past we've usually read this passage as using a step on the back foot; tonight we used a step on the front foot. Either is effective.
2. Abschneiden - Slicing Off
Sliding off your opponents blade, rather than sharply blocking it.
From September 2011:
"Does anyone remember to what extent we followed the instruction to lower our hilts to our knees, and whether it worked/what the purpose seemed to be?"
This week, we found the low hilt to be important and useful:
- start in low guard (with both point and hilt low)
- respond to his preparation to attack by raising the point only
- push your hand across in front of your body, lowering the point once more
This movement creates a really nice slicing-off, with what feels like a very simple movement: point goes up, hand moves to side, point goes down - strong, easy to execute, easy to remember.
3. Dempffen - Supressing
Ah, Meyer - so subtle! Whatever your opponent does, smack his blade into the ground; repeat until his arm is so tired he gives up.
This worked pretty well, as it did last time. Our Dons gave us a most entertaining impression of how they thought one might use it a bout.
4. Durchgehn - Going Through
From last September's notes: "I'm flummoxed for now."
Last night this gave us very little trouble.
In essence: disengage underneath his cut, follow it and slice off. This uses an easy circular movement: you start with the hilt low, drop the point to go under his attack, then bring it up to execute the slicing off, as in 2 above.
5. Verhengen - Hanging
For an attack on the inside line: raise your hilt and drop your point, so your sword is vertical (ish) and pointing down, swivel, and block with the flat of your blade.
We were able to make this work reasonably well on both sides, though, as Meyer says, it's more convenient for attacks to the inside line. We took "flat" fairly broadly - your blade is flattish, rather than aiming for a specific edge. After an attack to the inside line, the natural response is to unwind for an oberhau; thrusts of various sorts seem more suitable on the other side.
6. Sperren - Barring
Just as we've been doing it: respond to a low cut by dropping the point to parry.
7. Ausschagen mit hangender Kling - Striking out with Hanging Blade
The one where you get your foot out of the way - a defense against low cuts and thrusts.
Last time we appeared to have some disagreement about this. This time we all seem to have taken it as a variant on 6. above. That is, to parry a low cut you can either (6) move the back foot to the side to get yourself off line, drop your point, and parry; or (7) move the front foot back to get foot and leg out of the way, drop your point, and parry.
Meyer also mentions inviting a low attack by raising your hilt.
8. Aussnemen mit halber Schneid - Taking out with the Short Edge
A beat with the short/false edge.
Start in a Low Guard to your left. When your opponent thrusts, cut upwards and to your right, beating his blade out of the way. Finish by rolling into Ochs. Once in Ochs, thrust at his chest, rolling back into Longpoint.
This was difficult for me to execute a year ago; last night it was easy.