The Liechtenauer tradition

The Liechtenauer tradition is a medieval German system of swordsmanship that emphasizes principles of timing, distance, and technique. Developed by the fencing master Johannes Liechtenauer in the 14th century, it comprises a set of methods and concepts used to understand and improve combat skills. The tradition includes detailed teachings on how to interpret and respond to an opponent’s movements, focusing on controlling the fight through precise strikes and counters. Its teachings have been preserved through handwritten treatises and are foundational to many historical European martial arts practiced today.