Learn the Art of Combat - Battlesword Fundamentals
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- The use of the striking German battle sword as found in many armories through out Germany still poses many unanswered questions - I have been asking myself exactly those questions for the past months. And have had some very interesting insights reading well-known and not so well-known contemporary books.
Read more about my research here:
hroarr.com/article/the-use-of...
Download the full article here (pdf in german and english):
ddhf.de/forschung-und-wissen/...
Timemarks:
0:00 Intro
0:25 The weapon
2:02 Gripping
2:59 Guards
3:47 Thrusting
5:18 Striking
9:39 Conclusion
Music source: Concerto Grosso in G minor
(commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...) - Спорт
As a gamer, I find it interesting that real "greatswords" were defensive weapons like we see depicted in Final Fantasy XIV. It's counterintuitive without the historical context, but with context it becomes even more interesting - based on the motions and guards, the battlesword feels more like a polearm and less like a sword, in many ways.
there are many styles how this can be used, this was just one of the many in certain situations :)
Some say, like me lol, they are unique in their place among weapons. Spears are the main human weapon since our knuckle dragging days.... Great sword seems to be the counter to that 😅 that is until the spear evolved into the bayonet musket..... even then great sword still fought. IMHO
Almost every weapon is defensive.
Humans were of the same mindset for most of human history, IE, very unwilling to throw themselves into the enemy to die lol
@@TaRAAASHBAGS warriors of differing cultures saw battle differently. Some native warriors would rather die young than get old....
@@Xterminate13 People think a lot of things until they see death right in front of them, especially in civilized cultures that have things to live for besides brutality.
Skallagrim talks about tactical use of greatswords in history.
Lindybeige analyzes the nature of the italian spadone.
Several videos about the regras of montante from Figueiredo and Godinho are already published here in youtube.
And now Björn also bestow upon us a video with movements and techniques for a doppelhänder. T’is a great time for a big-manly-homoerotic-greatsword enjoyer to be alive, indeed.
Do you read my article? That was the most of my work the past weeks :)
@ not yet, when I have time back at home I surely will.
@@ricardodemarco3486 I found out a few interesting things about the function of the Zweihander and was able to document them in writing as well. There are just too many assumptions and opinions out there ... or ppl look for what they want to find without remaining open about the result. We need hard facts esp. with this topic about great swords. In my article I tried not to make such mistakes but nevertheless i only scratched the tip of the iceberg.
@ First of all, I am sorry for answering you after so much time has passed. Second, you trully outdid yourself with that excelent article, the research done there, alongside with what is shown in this very video, can be considered the deepest study of the german battle sword we have today, even if our knowledge is still lacking.
One thing I want to add, maybe the reason behind the flammberge blade on german battle swords is that it was another tool against pikes. We know that hispanic montante, having a straight edge, was used primarily for bodyguard duties and crowd control, as evidenced by the 11th regra of Figueiredo manual (galley's bridge), but it was not known for fighting pike walls; german battle swords, however, were indeed used against pikes and do have several examples of ondulated edges. What if the flammberge was there not only to bite into fabric and light armor, but also (and perhaps as its primary goal) to catch pikes shafts, as to not let them slip and slide out of the blade and bind them to the sword once the doppelsoldner starts pushing the pikes aside? That would have given the battle sword another use on the battlefield outside of a defensive role, like making space in close quarter melees and allow one side's pikes to enter the fray again, but also an offensive one like actively seeking an engagement with enemy pikes, pushing them aside in order to disrupt the formation and allow other units to finally break it.
Did you just call yourself gay?
This was uploaded at the perfect time. My Blackfencer Zweihänder just came in, now I've got a guide to learn to use it. Thank you
Make a video please?
Be careful
How is it going with it? I got mine about 2 years ago and I still LOVE training with it. I had to take about 6 months off because I injured my elbow; it sucked to have to lay it down, I lost a lot of the muscle I’d gained from it that I just don’t get from my lighter swords. I’m getting it back now, though, the thing is a fantastic workout! Cheers.
Where did you get it
As an illustrator who likes to include accuracy in my weapons and armor, I found this EXTREMELY useful. thank you!!!
Such a gorgeous sword, and such majestic movements from Björn as well! This man flows like water with a sword in his hands. I love the Landsknecht pants as well.
I'm convinced at this point that this guy is actually a time travelling Landsknecht
Such a devastating and fearsome weapon--yours is absolutely stunning btw. Maybe a bit too big to really be efficient in a long, drawn-out battle, but it suits your size and strength, which makes for excellent footage. Always a pleasure to see your work.
In the video you can see a picture of my great swords ... in a battle i would rather choose the smaller flammberg...ideal would be something between these blades for me :)
if you are going to use such a slow heavy weapon might as well be a warhammer, harder to block or deflect
@@btf1287 you are underestimating the amount of power in the greatsword(two hander, battle sword,ect) they are very strong and functionally just as unparryable as other weapons, another thing is that warhammers were (at least to my knowledge) not as long as greatswords. if warhammers were truly just better then greatswords wouldnt of been used at all but clearly we see use of both, neither is better than the other they each just have different uses
@@camonsamon4894 point taken, but at what point do you just use a long ass pike?
@@btf1287 What weapon you'd use would depend on the armour available to you, as well as you position on the battlefield, if you're mounted, the terrain, which weapon you're best trained in and lastly personal preference.
If you got the best quality armour of the 17th century available to you on an open battlefield, you'd probably choose a halberd since it combines the reach that polearms have with the power of a blunt impact weapon such as a mace. Polearms are generally extremely effective weapons since they're useful in formation as well as in 1v1s, the most often used ones being pikes.
In terrain where the length of a polearm would be a hinderance, your best options would probably be a longsword.
If you're interested in this topic, I recommend reading about the battles of the Thirty Years' War. The sword shown in the video would also have been used during that time, the swiss Landsknechte were especially famous for using them.
Very lovely to finally see some german Battle Sword insights, been looking everywhere to find something and leave it to Björn Rüther to deliver! Very impressive, can't wait for more!
1) Respekt - mit einer solchen (doch recht sperrigen) Waffe so saubere Technik zu zeigen ist beeindruckend; 2) die letzte Sequenz im Video zeigt - für mich - schön auf, wie die Waffe eventuell geführt wurde; danke dafür! 3) dieser Video war für mich lehrreich - auch dafür danke!
I always love content centered around large two handed swords, great video, and I enjoy the added voice over explanations.
Also, I appreciate how over the years, your filming location has remained constant and unchanged.
I got Regenyei's Zweihänder around the start of summer, and have been working around Figueiredo. It's as tall as I am, and weighs a bit over 3kg. I can't swing that damn thing for more than about 30 mins before my shoulders say no. Damn good weapon to build upper-body strength, that's for sure.
Guess you train only one side properly that way🤣
@@Transgender-ProphetMohammed Nah, that's 30 mins in total. I swap grips halfway.
Same and same. I practice tossing it between hands and actually count swings as reps.
A lot of this was worked into my Iron Cross style. (It's a wooden cross, with Langets, and banded in wrought Iron. The rivets peened down to studs on both sides. I also call it a "Parrying Hammer.") It's not a HEMA weapon, but but can handle most period Infantry weapons. (Doesn't do much against slings, arrows, crossbow bolts, or shot. Haven't tried it on anyone mounted on a Horse.)
Schön mit den Adiletten. Ehre.
This kind of videos should be used in history classes, great work
This channel is quite amazing, it is just the sort of very well done visualization of the real combat techniques behind weapons I've always found cool but also always knew little about. Always looking forward to more content!
Naja geht so
Dude, thanks for demonstrating this. And what you're doing looks absolutely professional. Also your bodytension. This sword suits you!
I hope you are proud of your videos, they are very good.
I love your teaching and your show. The zweihander could pretty much handle any battle situation. Even in thin corridors it could handle it. Short space is not its friend. A beautiful demonstration of a elegant weapon. Thanks 🙏👍
But it is.
Narrow spacing gives your reach more worth.
And if you use the forward grip your space requirements are reduced.
Compared to the more nimble Montante style, this looks so much mroe war like. Understandable as Montante strikes me as more of a guardian form rather than battlefield.
I think it were more verstatile weapons for lot of situations then most can imagine. Since there isn't that much information incomparison to some more known weapons
From what I have read, albeit not as much as I would like, it would seem both are operative for battle. However, there seems to be the cultural differences at play. For example the design tradeoffs between German and Italian Longsword. Where the Italians seem to trend towards a slimmer more acute design, favoring the point. Whereas the German designs seem to tend towards favoring the edge.
That same difference in methodology and forms seem to carry over. The Montante appears to be in line with the Italian style of "agility" and "precision". The German Zweihander appears to be in line with their "motion and force".
Of course, there is clearly plenty of room for evaluation and critique.
Ecellent video! Your form is superb and the instructions/angles are clear. This is a great intro to such an incredible weapon. Thank you for uploading. You've made me realize how much of a hybrid weapon this is, it's like a longsword and polearm mixed. From my lack of experience with greatswords, I never thought about avoiding crossed arms but it does make sense, this adds a level of restraint and methodical fighting.
This is one of the best videos in my opinion, showing how it could have been used in big crowded battlegrounds against pikes. I can totally see that it is possible.
Immer wieder angenehm deine Videos zu sehen. Gewohnt qualitativ hochwertiger und informativer Inhalt. Großschwerter lagen immer außerhalb meines FOKUS. Aber spannende Waffe.
Vielen Dank :)
Watched and just read your article. Absolutely brilliant! I think you got some really solid foundations here and i cannot wait for more videos on the subject.
More excellence! Thanks so much for this, currently saving for a two-hander and looking forward to getting stuck in.
Loved the video, no idea about sword but just wanted to know that this js INCREDIBLY helpful for animators looking for references. Love ya' saved my life.
Incredibly comprehensive! Thank you! Such a shame these incredible blades get misrepresented as slow, cumbersome weapons little good for more than heavy bashing. Keep up the good work :)
Nuts, I wasn't even on UA-cam when this was posted. Being of similar height to Bjorn here, a two-handed sword such as this has had my attention for a while now.
Thank You from Russia. Sword helping me to live.
This has helped me fight in my larp group better with my greatsword, thank you
This sword you have is just a masterpiece
These vids are great. There aren't a lot of good visual representations on how to use these weapons, so these are very helpful :>
Dude, you have that down to a sweet & fluid science. Amazing!!
Endlich mal ein HEMA Kanal der mal die basics zeigt im Detail.
Geile Sache, Feier den Kanal^^
Herzlich Willkommen!
Really good video. Showing the control and awareness needed to not hit people around you makes this big weapon not seem so intimidating anymore.
Translation of guards for my fellow Fiorists:
Plow/Field guards ~ Short guard
Field guard w/ half-swording ~ either Serpent guard, depending on thumb orientation
Upper guard has no Italian equivalent (EDIT: after a little research, I learned there actually _is_ an Italian equivalent of the Upper guard, called the Falcon guard. It's just in Vadi, however, not Fiore)
Right side guard ~ Long Tail guard, or _maybe_ Full Iron Gate
Left side guard ~ Boar's Tusk guard
Long point ~ Long guard
Ox guard and Hanging guard ~ Window guard
Wow, Jagex made a huge blunder when they made godswords unable to use stab attacks. They even let you crush with them.
My view of an Runescape icon has been permanently tainted
"Buying rune 2h"
I just wanted to comment "In runescape those are called 'godswords'"...
@@snowywhite2160 Right now I'm theory-crafting a videogame where godswords function as the real life counterparts do, but with special attacks.
良い動画をありがとうございます。この型の剣、メル・ギブソンが使っていたのを映画で見た限りでしたので嬉しい限りです。
Klasse informatives und fundiertes Video zu dieser Waffengattung! Es ist wirklich eine Bereicherung, deinen Kanal zu schauen.
Abgesehen davon möchte ich mir nicht vorstellen von so einem Schwert getroffen zu werden... :()
9:49 I have actually heard people say that greatswords such as this should be classified as polearms, I have mixed feelings about it, although I don't think its incorrect. Anyways, amazing video, the examples from multiple angles of view are perfect, thank you.
Great choice of music (and thanks for including it in the description :)
Wonderful video as usual. Gorgeous blade trainer you have there.
Exceptional! I've only seen drawings and never imagined how this could be used. What a functional tool. Never realized how much defensive protection this provides. I thought it was an awkward weapon. Quite the opposite
Your videos are great. There's no way I'd ever take that thing into battle but it's use is interesting.
In any battle between you & a Katana brandishing Samurai Champion all while you are armed & fighting in that exact German fashion as depicted above my $$$ would be on you my man, even while wielding a shorter sword than that which you used in your outstanding demonstrations! For the versatility of those fighting techniques is extraordinary, fascinating & deadly effective. You have mastered such methods brilliantly, to dazzling effect!
I really like the move set of this one! Especially the double thrust weapon art seems really useful. I guess I am gonna use it on my next playthrough ;D
Great video, man. I'll read the article in a near future ^^
The sword looks beautiful, but I could imagine, that the production was very complex and the material costs are very high. If you have tu equip hundreds of soldiers with it, then the state coffers will quickly be empty.
Excellent video! Thank you!!
Greetings. I’d recommend the book from 1599 by fencing master Domingo Luís Godinho. By far the most extensive known work & descriptive manual regarding the use of the montante/spadone/zweihänder.
It includes teachings for several distinctive scenarios, whether it’d be for personal defense or other circumstances: streetwise; cornered against the wall; in tight spaces against multiple foes; against rapier w/buckler or w/dagger; against two-wielded swords; for dueling; for battle; how to use it if wearing a cape; how to use it if not wearing a cape; if accompanied by a lady friend; footwork; past practices, you name it. It’s a gem. There’s an English version of it, known as ‘Iberian Swordplay’, might be of your interest.
Keep it up, best regards.
Edit: Read your article afterwards, seems you’re already well acquainted with it. Apologies. : ).
Thx :) I appreciate every hint anyway!
Can I inquire about a good source you would recommend for getting a copy?
@@karkkosvolfe Greetings amigo, I believe the last edition is sold out. However, I made a quick search on eBay, and it would seem a few copies are for sell yet. If you hurry, you might be able to acquire one of them. Best of luck. : ).
@@SylvaHodracyrda Appreciate it! Do you know if there is also a PDF version?
@@karkkosvolfe I’m not aware of any. A few websites can provide it, but only as a purchase. It’s the Internet though, surely there’s options around it.
This is amazing. Coming from Warhammer Fantasy, seeing greatswords in action is amazing as always.
The animations still look as raw as they did in Total War Medieval 2. Not bad but still...
Nice video. The movement is oddly elegant for such a giant heavy weapon, it kind of reminds me of the meteor hammer/rope dart.
Great stuff and actually pretty similar to the Bolognese polearms :) looking forward to the next one!
Bolognese polearms? Fascinating. Care to elaborate?
@@Stormseer88 There are quite a few: Bill, Poleaxe, Spear, Partisan in one hand (with shield) or in two hands etc. to name a few. So far, I managed to do a few videos on the one handed spear & shield on my channel. Check them out, if you like :)
@@SchildwachePotsdam A partisan never struck me as a weapon to wield one- handed. Sounds like bolognese polearms have some pretty interesting techniques. Will definitely check out your spear and shield videos.👍
This channel is exactly what I needed to get some decent surface level knowledge on fencing for a story. Thanks 😊
I'm an artist and i'm drawing a comic with a character who uses a greatsword. This video is exactly what i need.
Liked and subbed. Good research and hypothesized/realistic technique. The flamberge battle sword is my favorite and I hope to own one someday.
It’s amazing how simple it is. Yes it’s the basics but still
Really cool! I was impressed to see the different guards in action... awesome that they sort of work like hybrid spears instead of the anime sword nonsense in my head. I can really see the practicality of these big ole things now.
Began my love for HEMA due to the landsknecht. And my first practice weapon was a claymore. Planning to make a zweihander soon. Loving this.
Very interesting, i will read the article also. Wait for the next one ;)
Wonderful information and demonstrations.
I love the slashed clothes you wear; I think it would be great if you assembled a full outfit in that style for these videos.
Edit: I just checked your older videos and see that you do or did have a very nice red doublet to wear! I think it should make a comeback.
Anxiously awaiting my Regenyei Type VIII, glad I stumbled upon this. I do have a halberd tho, so I guess I'll run through those other videos first lol
Just found you because I decided to train myself to learn greatsword and spear techniques at home. Reading your article right now 😁
right choice :) what do you think about the article :)?
@BjornRuther very informative, I can tell a lot of hard work and care went into writing it, it's always awesome to see someone practicing cool stuff and also knowing their stuff
I smell a lot of Meyer in here. This video series is going to be fantastic, I can feel it! Ich bin echt auf das Schlachtfeld-Video gespannt, wir wissen noch viel zu wenig daruber.
Ich auch...erstmal muss ich ein paar Knechte anwerben xD
Thank you so much for this video, its help me alot !!
While studying in Germany, I visited Meersburg where I saw one of these swords. It was menacing, captivating.
Its nice when weapons historians know how to use them
Excelent video man!! Greetings from México!!!
Wonderful video. Clean, concise, and informative.
I have been trying to develop a system for my Scottish Claymore that is similar to Battle Sword or Montante, but I can not find hardly any sources in my research. This video helped to highlight areas where I can improve.
If you have suggestions, I'd love to know them!
The Scottish two hander you see with the forward facing quillons isn't a Claymore my friend, it's just a two handed sword
The Claymore was developed a lot later, it's the basket hilted broadsword that became our most iconic weapon
@@valandil7454 You are correct. I use "Claymore" since it is such a deeply imbedded misnomer in the modern era.
But yes, to elaborate, I mean to say I'm working on skills and techniques to be effective with the Scottish two-handed sword.
Depending on the size of the weapon and the balance you can blend whatever source you find with Longsword techniques from more well fleshed out systems.
For my Montante studies I used influences from Meyer's quarterstaff and halberd manuals. The Iberian Montante manuals are scarce to find and hard to read but they are mainly based off of Longsword but with extra circular movements for momentum.
Another one you can try is an Italian manual by Marozzo about his two handed swords.
You can find most of these on the site Wiktenhauer
@@alternatebanana3670Claidheamh -mòr. Great sword. It is your sword and you may call it what you might. 😉
@@alastor1052 That is sharp advice. Thank you so much! I've been trying to apply many of Bjorn's longsword techniques but find a few of them incompatible due to my sword's heft (nearly 6 lbs.) and size (1.5 meters). Specifically, the quicker thrusts and pivots. I suppose that's where the Montante comes in!
That Sword design is so... iconic. I want it.
Wegen diesem Video hab ich mir heut Nacht noch nen neuen Zweihänder/Gassenhauer bestellt.. mal sehen wie zufrieden ich mit dem bin. Aktuell trainiere ich jeden Tag mindestens 45min-1h mit dem Anderthalbhänder, mal sehen wie das mit dem Gassenhauer wird.. mein Anderthalbhänder kommt an den nicht ran - 169cm Länge, 3,2kg.. Und wenns für n Kampf nichts ist, für Schnitttests und Ausdauer/Techniktraining wird es allemal super sein. Fast wie die Römer - im Training Schwerter verwenden die doppelt so schwer sind wie die im Kampf, damit man mehr Ausdauer aufbaut und mehr Muskeln.
Danke für die Inspirationen der Haue/Auffrischung einiger Techniken!
What a majestic weapon. Scary as hell though!
Man, now I want one of these bad boys! So freaking cool
Thank you for sharing!
Besst video on demoing greatswords I've seen 👍👍
Ooh. A must see video. Already pressed like, but will watch couple times when at home :)
Its nice to see this type of sword used in a style other than montante
Vielen Dank, Björn! 👌
Looking forward to the Battlesword and Pike Video!
Next one will be a fundamental about the pike before we dive into both weapons together :)
Thanks for finally making a vid on my fav medieval sword. good shit XD
Truth be told I’m bummed out with how few visual demonstrations exist for stuff like this.
yap...its sad. But maybe someone digs up a source in the future...
I know this video has been out for 2 years now but I really enjoy coming back to it to refresh my memories on the move and get some inspiration for practice.
I have a question though, I've been looking for a simulator for the battlesword on many HEMA websites, as I'm unfortunatly not yet ready to buy a full prized Battlesword like the Regenyei Armory Battlesword No.5 that you kindly showed us (it's planned, just not before quite half a year unfortunatly) and I've been wondering if you had any direction in which I might find something ?
Thank you, have a nice day
Well I am glad to have ran into you. I was hungry for HEMA demonstrations.
This was a very good video. I've been playing blade and sorcery and felt like my technique was lacking (like I'm using a katana technique on a greatsword) and while it mostly works I needed to learn how to use it more efficiently. Thank you for uploading this, I am very grateful
This sword looks like straight out of an anime
Richtig gut! Grüße aus Lübeck von einem ehemaligen Hammaborger! :)
Sehr informativ👍
I always thought these were rather comically large weapons that were more for show and intimidation, but now I see how they could be devastating if used properly
"So, how can we grab those big swords?"
Well, with those bulky arms of yours it's probably not that big of a deal~ Ho, mama.
Thank you brother. One domain of application of the Flammenschwert often forgotten is in situations of abordage in naval warfare as it was in the famous battle of Lepanto, Nothing more effective to singlehandedly control the deck of an enemy ship while your fellow brothers in arms arrive...
try fire and arrows
Im really diggin this channels content, awesome educational tools about all my favorite means of hacking men to pieces with.
Sehr geniales Video
I have a Konvex Zweihändler for a long time .... I have to say: it worked to cross arms for me. I tryed to take the Meyer stuff for the long sword work for the Zweihänder.
This is beautiful
Subbed, great video!
It's interesting to see this impressively strong man holding such a fine form thru most of the video, then becoming just a little tired while repeatedly "driving" with such a massive and long piece of steel. I wonder if I'd even be able to hold it in Plow.
One look at the trousers, you dont mess with this guy
I did stumble on this when looking for intel for my landsknekt class in my writing and RPG game system more or less based on late 16th and early 17th centry warfare! Much obliged! Thank you! Seems that I was right thinking this type of weapon was a Tank-based weapon.
No? Döppelhanders like this were used on the battlefield to bind pike heads. You'd need a smaller one to effectively use when fighting by yourself otherwise you'd get easily overwhelmed thanks to the lack of mobility.
I imagine when troops switched to such long weapons as pikes it was feasible to use weapons like these battle swords. You can have slower, more powerful strikes when your opponents movement has been
proportionally slowed. The advantages/disadvantages may be comparable to sword vs spear in earlier periods. Plus with a big hefty sword you get (maybe) beneficial “one hit ko” strikes that I imagine were important when dealing with a hostile unit of pikemen all poking at ya.
This is terrifying and exciting.
Love the backround ...and the sword 😏