I've decided to write about the last two (main) counter-wards together, as they are very similar.
Krucke
Krucke means 'crutch'. It is basically an upside-down half-shield. It mostly protects the right side.
I see it as the equivalent to 'seconde' in 19th century sabre, and like seconde, it can be held higher or lower as needed.
Krucke is very similar to 'Hanging Ward' (see below), but the key distinction is that, in Krucke, the buckler hand is next to (or perhaps above) the sword hand, whereas in Hanging Ward the sword hand is always crossed over the buckler hand.
Here is a nice video showing Krucke being used to defend against a low cut or thrust.
Like half-shield, it is held largely central to the body, but needs to be turned into the direction of the incoming strike or thrust, forming a barrier that protects our body underneath the buckler (rather than above it like with half-shield).
The key attack from Krucke is a thrust from below.
It should be noted that the i.33 text tells us that, when in Krucke, if we rotate both sword and buckler together clockwise (so that the sword points up, and the buckler crosses over the sword hand) we get into a position not unlike half-shield - except with our buckler hand on top of our sword hand, where we risk our sword hand becoming trapped by the opponent.
Hanging-ward (Schutzen)
Hanging-ward is another name I invented. In i.33 it is simply called Schutzen (and other writers refer to it as Right Schutzen). It is similar to Krucke. Guy Windsor calls it Krucke-alike!
To get into Hanging-Ward, go to half-shield; now rotate the sword blade left, passing your sword hand over the top of your buckler hand, hanging your blade diagonally down to the left. Make sure your sword hand is safely protected behind the buckler - which is easier said than done when using bulky HEMA gloves. Raise this position just above your head.
Now, with the buckler face-on to the opponent, you have a basic hanging guard that defends against strikes from your left very well - although this is not shown in i.33. You will end up using this position a lot when you disengage from the left to the right of your opponent's blade.
However, this is not how i.33 uses hanging-ward. From the position described above, turn your entire body (bringing your left foot forward), until your buckler is facing somewhat to your right, and the point of your sword is pointing towards your opponent.
This version of Hanging-Ward is, in my opinion, the equivalent of Right Ochs in German Longsword. When used close enough to your opponent, it should provide good protection from strikes from your the right hand side, and its main threat is a thrust. In fact, I'd argue that its main defence is also a thrust: if you thrust while your opponent makes the strike you will simultaneously block their attack and thrust them. (This is assuming the illustration is to be taken literally).
In practice, Hanging-Ward on the right does not need to be held in such a 'hanging' fashion. The blade could be held more horizontally, across the opponent. This basically forms a horizontal barrier in front of the opponent's shoulders. Any strike from above they make would get caught on this barrier (this is essentially what happens when their strike gets caught on your thrust). Perhaps it is held hanging downward to fool the opponent into thinking he/she can make a strike to your head?
コメント