Johannes Liechtenauer

Johann (it) was a German Liechtenauer fencing master of the 14th century and is one of the central figures in the history of European swordplay.

There is little reliable data about his life. It is believed that he was born in the early or mid 14th century, probably in Lichtenau in Middle Franconia.

From him only his mnemonic have survived, which are obtained as the " GNM 3227a " in the library of the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg and were glossed by the later fencing masters such as Hanko Döbringer and Sigmund Ringeck. John Liechtenauer is considered the founding father of the "German fencing school ". Later fencing masters saw themselves obliged him and taught in its tradition. His name was soon regarded as a kind of seal of quality in the fencing schools.

Even today, many groups devote the reconstruction of the system of John Liechtenauer based on the glossaries and fencing manuals of Hanko Döbringer, Sigmund Ringeck, Peter von Danzig, Hans von Speyer, Hans Talhoffer, Master Ott and others.