German School of Swordsmanship

The German School of Swordsmanship is a historical martial arts tradition from the 15th and 16th centuries, focusing on detailed techniques for fencing with swords, notably the longsword. It emphasizes principles like timing, leverage, and understanding the opponent’s movements, often taught through structured manuscripts and master teachings such as those by Johannes Liechtenauer. The approach combines tactical, physical, and mental skills to develop effective combat methods, influencing modern historical European martial arts (HEMA). Practitioners study these techniques through interpretation of historical texts, aiming to reconstruct and understand medieval martial practices.