Hans Czynner

fol. 24v and 25r from UBG Ms 963

According to his own statements, Hans Czynner wrote a fencing book in Passau in 1538 , which can be found today in a single surviving manuscript as Ms. 963 at the University Library in Graz . Czynner's fencing book is divided into two clearly distinguishable parts: A first block is the instructions for sword fencing in armor (foll. 1r – 34v) and dagger fencing in armor (foll. 38v – 51r) , which are illustrated with a total of 96 colored illustrations . This also includes instructions for wrestling that are intended for an illustration but not included in the illustration (foll. 52r – 60v). The texts to be found in these sections are largely independent creations by Hans Czynner, which are neither tied to a specific template nor copied by later authors. Czynner's techniques are undoubtedly further developments of the fencing art of Johannes Liechtenauer and / or influenced by his fencing tradition. The second part, never intended for an illustration (foll. 61r – 89r), consists of partial copies of the fencing teachings of the Jew Lew (around 1452) and, through his mediation, Martin Hundfeld (mid-15th century). It deals with horse fencing (foll. 61r – 73v), foot combat in armor (foll. 74v-87v) and buckler fencing (foll. 88r – 89r). Apart from the information about his authorship and the time when the fencing book was written, no details are known about Hans Czynner. The same applies to the manuscript's journey to Graz, where it has been traceable since the beginning of the 19th century.

literature

• [1] Stranglehold and murder. The fencing and ring theory of Hans Czynner (1538). University Library Graz Ms. 963 edited and commented by Ute Bergner and Johannes Giessauf, Graz 2006, ISBN 3-201-01855-4
• Hans-Peter Hils: Master Liechtenauer's art of the long sword , Frankfurt / M. 1985, ISBN 3-8204-8129-X
• [2] University Library Graz / Department for Special Collections