Johann Andreas Schmidt’s Life-saving and enemies-defying Art of Fencing

Johann Andreas Schmidt was a student of Johannes Georgius Bruchius in Amsterdam, and once acquired a position as court fencing master by repeatedly disarming two other fencing masters in the presence of his future employer. Furthermore, as a bet he once ejected six strong peasants from a tavern using only a staff, and he could punch a dent into an oak table with his right fist. At least, if the Nürnbergische Gelehrten-Lexicon is to be believed. Whether or not these claims are true, Schmidt also wrote the Leib-beschirmende und Feinden Trotz-bietende Fecht-Kunst, which is one of the earliest German books on fencing with what can clearly be identified as a smallsword. In this book, Reinier van Noort presents a clear English translation of Schmidt’s complete treatise, including the sections on fencing, proceeding with resolution, vaulting and grappling. Also included are a discussion on Johann Andreas Schmidt, and his work in its context.