The Polearms of Joachim Meyer's Kunst des fechtens, provides us with a unique opportunity to
clearly see the inter-relations and common usages throughout the complete Meyer Compendium.
There is an inter-relationship between all of Meyer's weapons that is apparent when one studies comprehensively the Whole of Meyer. This represents an simplistic and yet ordered style where often, the Cuts and Thrusts should be changed off into one another readily.
Also, familiarity with the Guards and their fluid transfer is a core of understanding Meyer. This core of understanding is in fact, essential to the successful application of these techniques.
Concerning The Halberd:
Meyer says that to learn the Halberd is useful to develop agility of the body. He further advises us to learn and Manfully drive and cut. Remember that all of the Guards used in the Halberd are actually from the Staff section, which is covered first in the three polearms.
He begins by teaching us 4 high cuts. These are the rudiments of many of the lessons that he follows with.
The first cut is basically a diagonal Cross Cut using Long then Short edges or Over/Over starting from the Left in the Left High Guard, the halberd being held with the left hand forward, is extended and cuts diagonally down thru the opponents face with the Blade. Recovering the first strike into the Right High Guard as we have previously learned from the Ox in the Longsword section,(maintaining the point at his face). Immediately slashing diagonally down thru the opponents face with your Hook (short edge) Recover this strike by returning to the Left High Guard. Follow the diagonal cross, back and forth at your opponent. We are advised to be able to do this beginning from the right as well. Again, these basics are employed throughout the rest of his Halberd teachings.
The Second cut is basically a diagonal Cross Cut from below or Under/Under/Under. From the Left High Guard, you firstly must drop the point and slash with the Blade from lower left diagonally up thru his face. Go up with both hands so that you end in the right High guard. As you do this, Meyer advises us to turn our back to the opponent slightly by turning to your right, immediately slash up thru his face to the left, again as if you intended to gather for a high cut, ending in the Left High Guard. Then slash up again at his right and so forth. Following the diagonal cross upwards thru his face.
It is important to note that all of these cuts Target the Opponents FACE. These are High Cuts from the High Guards. And proper extension is necesary for the techniques to work.
While Meyer is not too specific about footwork, he clearly shows the left foot forward as a predominant starting position. Footwork is to be natural, preferably deep and off line, as we have previously and extensively learned from his Longsword section.
The Third Cut is an Over/Under Driving Cut in opposition, Start from the Right High Guard. Slash down thru the left side of his face with your hook, recovering this strike by allowing it to extend behind you slightly, quickly slash up diagonally thru his right side of face, with your Blade, ending where you began, in the Right High Guard. Meyer advises us to Repeat this several times, driving thru the opponents face. This basic technique is enhanced in the devises section, by teaching to look for the apparent openings and then thrusting or cutting in.
The Right High Guard is in my Opinion, the Right Ox. Meyer refers to this postion in the two previous cuts, then actually names it in this third Cut. Unfortunately, the text only says the Uppermost right little figure, it does not say Plate G, it gives no plate, however, the ONLY upper right little figure doing just what Meyer says to do, is Plate G, Both hands up high beside your head. this is essentially the Right Ox. Maintaining the point at your opponent.
And as we know well from Meyer's other weapons, to always start and end in a Guard. The very first cut he teaches refers to the previously learned Longsword Ox. Specifically addressing the recovery of your strike. To further substantiate the assertion that this is one of his Halberd Guards: the Pike apparently includes this Guard as well. Plates D and E upper right Pikeman is in this position. The fact that there may be a Halberd Specific Guard, should not seem that far off, as Meyer introduces new Guards in the Pike section. Different Weapons require different Guards and Strikes, to maximize their useage. This is however, only my opinion, through my study of his polearms' section.
Note: The images in Meyers plates appear to be in transition for the most part. Much can still be extrapolated from these images, as we move through the Guards and Hand Positions as Meyer advises, you will see the relevance of them. (Plates).
The Fourth High Cut is an Over/Under starting from the Left High Guard. Slash down from above at his right side of face, drive thru, and end in the right Low Guard. Immediately slash back up with your hook at his Left side of face. ending in the Left High Guard.
This he says is used to put off all the opponents thrusts. By breaking down from above or up from below. All the while you should be looking for the opening that is created. To end with a Counter Thrust.
Meyer further advises us to be able to execute these four driving cuts in combination, and to change them off into one another. This, I believe is an essential part of Meyer's Halberd fighting system.
And should seem familiar to anyone who knows his Longsword.
There are several instances in the Plates where the Halberd is not pointing at the opponent
following a strike, but Meyer clearly instructs us to maintain good point control, (ie. at the opponents face) after striking. This is far more effective and doesn't present your openings. However, Meyer in contrast, also instructs us to purposely present an Opening, only to close it off quickly with a Counter and then Thrust or Strike.
Here's an example of a series of cuts that Meyer intends for us to especially learn:
Middle Cut Device (with a strong Oberhau)
To Start, raise up into the Left high Guard, from there slash Horizontally with a Middle Cut from your left to your right, then, turn the Blade up and slash back through from your right to your left, gathering this cut with both hands around your head left-side, to cut Down with a Scheitelhau, at his forward Left arm and Face. Finish this off with a Thrust to his face.
Meyer informs us that these two powerful cuts serve to send away your opponents weapon while you can then Rush in on Him with the High Cut, before he recovers. This is a very powerful and effective movement. Great power can be generated from side to side with these cuts. This is only possible with earnest footwork.
Which I believe he intends for us to be versed in already. The necessary movements to and from the Opponent mandate that foot work is to be used in conjunction with these strikes and devices. Often stepping to the side you are striking.
There are many references to deceptive techniques in the Halberd as well as Meyer's Staff. This is consistent with the previous teachings of the FechtMeister. Meyers' intentional and provocative Guards,
are the set-up for what you must follow with. Every one of Meyer's sections, contains deceptive precepts inherent in the useage of that particular weapon. His works are repleat with examples, and for good reason. We rely on this common knowledge, and ability to apply multiple weapons systems synonymous to each other. Granted, each is unique unto itself, there are specific and unique useages, that contrubute to make up the whole of his comprehensive fighting system.
Concerning the Staff, it is reasonable to assume that anyone who possesses a solid practical knowledge of Joachim Meyer's Staff, is capable of knowing that much more Meyer Halberd. For he not only states that the Guards for the Halberd have been previously taught in the Staff, but he clearly names Long/Short edge strikes with the Staff. In preparation, I believe, for the Blade and Hook use of the Halberd.
The following should be familiar to everyone wishing to learn the Halberd techniques of Joachim Meyer:
From the High Guards of the Staff, Meyer wishes us to learn stepping out and Thrusting simultaneously. Next, to strike out his staff down from above then quickly counter thrust, Thirdly, is the concept of breaking thru from above then slashing back up, or from below and down again. And finally he wants us to be able to deceive the opponent then quickly thrust him in the face. There is much use of deceiving steps, feinting thrusts only to thrust in at him elsewhere, and much more. All of these Staff techniques, are relied upon heavily in fighting with the Halberd. As if Meyer intended for us to be primer'd by the Staff, to fight with the Halberd. Just as Meyer mentions throughout his Longsword, Dussack, Rappier sections to be able to fluidly change from cut to cut or cut to thrust and as in the Halberd, in combination. He consistantly says to Begin and End in a Guard. This, and many other examples can be shown to apply throughout the different weapons. By studying each one diligently, we can hope to perceive the holistic meaning of the complete fighting system. Another example would be: the Dempfhut, the suppressing guard, Dempfen, to suppress. Meyer includes this technique in just about every one of his weapons and it actually culminates in the Pike section, where there is a specific Guard with many workings from this powerful Binding Position. The Principles of Hard and Soft that he so thouroughly covers in the Longsword, should be readily applied to Staff, Halberd and Pike.
Halberd Counters against Postures, or how you should lay on against him:
If your opponent is in the High Guard, you should threaten to Thrust at his face, when he falls down on you, quickly pull out from under and fall down on Him, wrenching and jerking his Halberd down until you can Thrust him in the Face.
Another is similar and both advocate stepping out sideways, and Thrusting over his Halberd at his face.
If your opponent is in the Low Guard, then fall upon his Halberd with yours close behind his Blade, Suppress him until you perceive your opportunity to work.
Image from the Higgins Sword Guild
Also, when you encounter the Low Guard, thrust earnestly at his face, when he goes up to strike out your Thrust, pull your Thrust and change through underneath, and thrust at his other side. Sound familiar? Meyer Staff is repleat with these types of Movements. Stepping requirements should seem obvious. The first step is a shorter off line forward step with the left foot, the change requires you to, step with the right foot forward and well to his left, your right. This facilitates the change through underneath to thrust at his left side. By leaning your head and upper body well to your right, you stand a better chance of not being in the counter counter thrust strike range!! Yet your thrust should be more or less on-line. Unless your opponent is stepping off line as well. Then quickly chase and follow him that way. If he commits again to an attack with ernest, cut thru the Cross in Abzug, stepping away from him.
In a Precept, Meyer advises: "When you strike down from above at his hands or arms, whether to entice or to hit, and you are under him, quickly go back up with horizontal Blade, striking out his incoming Thrust, only to Counter thrust Him". This use of the Blade of the Halberd will become obvious to you, through practical application. The force that can be generated is sufficient to wrench or bat away the opponents weapon. Making a conspicous opening in the opponents' mid/lower sections. Thrust quickly then recover with stepping.
Meyer's Halberd represents a weapon that, with the combined accumulation of knowledge of his Previous weapons, enables the fighter to possess that much greater understanding, physically. And is in keeping with the Holistic Nature of the fighting system Joachim Meyer intends.
Kevin Maurer
Free fighter
"Everyone thinks differently from everyone else, so he behaves differently
in combat" -Joachim Meyer, Kunst des Fechten, 1570
"For as we are not all of a single nature, so we also cannot have a single style in combat, yet all must nonetheless arise and be derived from a single basis." -Joachim Meyer, Kunst des Fechten, 1570
"Who despises me and my praiseworthy craft,
I'll hit on the head that it resounds in his heart."
--Augustin Staidt, Federfechter
"The Truth in Combat is different for each individual.... Truth lies outside of All Fixed Patterns." -Bruce Lee
