From De Arte Athletica by Paul Hector Mair (c. 1500) at the Bavarian State Library
Just because they wear colorful, puffy pants, it didn't mean that these medieval martial artists weren't deadly. Paul Hector Mair documented the various gruesome weapons used by fighters during medieval times in his manuscript De Arte Athletica.
You can browse the entire manuscript online (it's 600 pages long), but if you're short on time, BibilOdyssey has some choice illustrations: Link
I saw a great documentry last year, I have to dig up the name of it. It was about the history of sword fighting in Europe and displayed many techniques of using a 2-handed sword in was you wouldn't even think. Things like grasping the blade and using the hilt either to bludgen your opponent in the head or even snare and trip them. It was quite ammazing to watch how fluid the moves were for such a large weapon.
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I personally would like some framed prints of these illustrations.
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I suggest you play the 'Star Trek' fight music as you browse the pictures. It enhances the experience wonderfully.
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Wow, that's a great site. I found a manuscript illustration (http://tinyurl.com/bb3ldp) of a fairly rare instrument that I am just learning to play: http://flickr.com/photos/allengarvin/3238955191/
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The one with the spiked cudgel to the bottom looks especially embarrassing and painful at the same time.
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I love martial arts. Thanks for the great info. I have been collecting martial arts videos for ages
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