Rabbit Hole Research

Insights into the formation of the Federfechter guild in Prague.  In this podcast I will share recent discoveries about the conditions in Prague and elsewhere that led to the Emperor granting Imperial privileges to a group of Freifechter who would become known  as the Federfechter, or Freifechter von der Feder von Greifenfels. I also will share some interesting names that may be related to the original Patronage of the guild.  This has led to  some new ideas or theories and it may help us to understand more about the origins and formation of the Federfechter guild. Thanks for tuning in. 

In this latest episode I relate a brief history of Sword Dances throughout the world. Giving a context for the main topic of this podcast, the German Sword Dances of the 15th-18th centuries and how they related to the Sword Arts and Fechtschulen.  From several 19th century German historians' work, I will read a thorough description of original sword dancing techniques and share opinions for the reasons behind them. As always I hope you will tune in and give a listen and potentially learn a thing to too.   Thanks for listening and thank You all for your support.    

Here I read from an unpublished article I wrote back in 2014. Detailing the direct influence of the ancient Greco-Roman histories on the 15-17th century German fencing arts, and more.  I hope this inspires others to also delve deeper  into research of the ancient cultures and customs that helped to influence and guide the renaissance era German fighting arts.  Once again, I'd like to thank you all for supporting me and this podcast. I am motivated to bring you more and more of the research I have accumulated over the years.  Thanks again. 

In this episode I continue with the theme of the Fechtschulen of the 16-18th centuries. Here I dig deeper into the rules and ordinances of the fencing events. How the city councils sought to maintain order and clean fencing. Using original sources that I have transcribed and translated, interesting facets of the history of the fencing events will be shared.  Hope you enjoy your time here and thanks again for listening in.  

In this episode I talk a little about the history and formation of the German Landsknecht. I briefly discuss their origins and affects on history of Europe and particularly our modern studies of the Historic European Martial arts.  I hope you tune in and enjoy.  

 This Episode contains details of death and serious injuries that occurred in the 16th-17th century Fechtschulen.  I share research from various historical sources which  reveal interesting facts of fatalities and serious injury.  Hope you tune in and enjoy the subject. Thanks

In this episode I talk about the Winkelfechter. This group of fencers practiced and learned outside of the officially approved fencing guilds  during the 16th-19th centuries.  I mainly read from an article I wrote  several years ago which can be found at  Mffgresearch.com.   Thank you all for tuning in and as always, I hope you learn a little something.  

Here I talk about the little known third group of fencers, that never was given royal or Imperial privileges, yet nevertheless existed alongside the two known Fencing guilds during the 15-18th centuries.  I explain some possibilities for the origins of their name, some historical confusion about them. I attempt to clarify that by reading several excerpts from historical sources. And finally how they ended up. Thanks for joining me.  

In this episode I share research about the second known fencing guild from the German renaissance era to receive Imperial privileges to teach, instruct and also certify Masters of the Longsword.  This group was often in direct competition with the first known Guild of fencers the mighty Marxbruder.  Through revealing historical anecdotes and poems, I share details about their fascinating customs.  I hope you enjoy this episode and check back often for more podcasts like this. Thank You. Kevin Maurer 

In this episode I share research that points to the origins of the first fencing guild to be given Imperial privileges during the renaissance era in Germany.  I also talk about their functions as instructors of the fencing arts and the  certification authority for Masters of the Longsword. Revealing fechtschulen poems, and apprenticeship papers are also shared.  Hope you will give it a listen and be sure to check back here for more episodes detailng the other official fencing guilds of the German Renaissance.  Thank you

In this episode I begin a series of podcasts that will reveal interesting facts about the 16th and 17th century German competitive fencing events known as the Fechtschulen. What they were and what they were not, who participated and why. How they were administered and held. All this and more will be shared through my many years of research and translations of these fascinating and often bloody events.  Hope you join me.   

In episode 4, I share biographical facts about the early 17th century Fencing Master, Sebastian Heussler.  I read from my published work on Heussler and reveal interesting details about his family and early life. Also in this episode, I  begin to describe his military adventures.  Stay tuned for part two where I will  delve deeper into the fascinating life of this well traveled and adventurous 17th century warrior and fencing book author. 

In this episode I discuss the Martial entertainment during the 15-17th centuries in Germany. Including research data from the Shooting festivals and Fechtschulen.  I give a brief overview of these fascinating competitions meant to entertain the public during the renaissance era in Germany.

In this first episode I'll be explaining how and why I do research into the Historic European Martial Arts. And how that helps to further my physical understanding of the arts as a Martial artist and practitioner.  I share tips and advice on the reasoning behind the research.  Special emphasis is placed on the works of 16th century German fencing Master Joachim Meyer.  In addition I explain the many other topics that I plan to cover in upcoming episodes. Tune in to find out what this is all about. Thanks for your time and interest.