Ringen am schwert is the art of close combat with the   German falchion (curved sword) and langenschwert (long sword), as illustrated and explained in Meister Hans Talhoffer’s Fechtbuch (combat book).

Many modern researchers believe that the long sword was the nucleus of Talhoffer’s style. As NHB fights have demonstrated, combat frequently enters the trapping and grappling range whether either fighter wants it to or not. Thus, the German Fechtmeisters developed many strategies and techniques for use in close.. At this range, the sword is used for short stabbing and slicing attacks, and also as a leverage tool against the opponent's arms, neck and legs. The longsword is frequently held at the halbschwert (half-sword) grip, with one hand supporting the handle and the other either gripping or guiding the blade itself, to facilitate close-quarters combat.

Ringen am Schwert also includes Binden (trapping/binding techniques), Schwertnemen (disarming techniques), Unterhalten (trapping/immobilising techniques), and Winden (winding/entering techniques).

Click here to read Fechtmeister Sigmund Ringeck's "Poem of the Sword", describing the subtle attributes of timing and kinesthetic sensitivity which are the keys to mastering Ringen am Schwert.

Glossary:

Am schwert: "on the sword", attack by pressure to the opposing blade

Anbinden: the engaged position, swords crossed

Binden: "bind", trapping action through pressure against the opponent’s blade

Durchfuren: "disengage beneath", to break blade contact in order to attack beneath the opponent’s guard

Fuehlen: "feeling", sensitivity to opponent’s pressure, q.v. sentiment de fer

Halb schwert: "half sword", close-combat technique of gripping the sword blade with the second hand

Handarbeit: "hand work", phase of combat at close range

Hart und Weich: "hard and soft", tactic of yielding to strength and using force against weakness in am schwert techniques

Indes: "simultaneity", principle of timing through sensitivity to opponent’s blade pressure

Obere Ansetzen: "over attack", techniques delivered over the opponent’s guard

Schwertnemen: "sword taking", disarming and trapping techniques

Stuck und Bruck: "technique and counter", the dualistic paradigm of Medieval German Fechtkunst

Untere Ansetzen: "under attack", techniques delivered beneath the opponent’s guard

Unterhalten: "holding down", meaning both close combat techniques of trapping or pressing the opponent’s sword down with the second hand, and also grappling and ground fighting "pins"

Winden: "winding", circular or semi-circular binds used to redirect and control the opponent’s sword

Ringen am Schwert links

Many Ringen am Schwert techniques are fully illustrated and translated into English here.

Original scans of the 1459 Talhoffer Fechtbuch, including many Ringen an Schwert techniques, are available courtesy of the Royal Copenhagen Library via the AEMMA site