De Re Militari is a collection of manuscripts written around the 5th century by Flavius Vegetius Renatus. The manuscript covers numerous military topics, including leadership, training, discipline, tactics, and more. The four-book manuscript was incredibly popular throughout its time and well into the Middle Ages. In fact, even today, military scholars find value in De Re Militari. But could it benefit a fencing master like the ones who authored some of the foundational manuscripts of HEMA?

Today, come along on my journey as I highlight some key takeaways from De Re Militari through the lens of a High Medieval fencing master. What lessons would I apply if I were paid to train people for judicial duels? I will be using the 2019 translation of Vegetius’ work edited by Harper-McLaughlin Adet, which includes all four books, so come along as we explore this interesting topic!

Before we can begin exploring the manuscript, it is critical that I set the stage for the lens through which we will read. I will be reading this book as if I were a fencing master paid to train people for judicial duels, similar to Fiore dei Liberi or Hans Talhoffer. I will also assume I am following the judicial duel bylaws as described in the Saxon Mirror, which provide a period of time to work with a client before their duel.
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I will also not be exploring the value of this manuscript from a general combat perspective or a knightly one. After all, the popularity of this manuscript throughout history speaks for itself in its military value.
So enjoy this fictional tale of notes from a High Medieval fencing master decomposing De Re Militari for application to his profession!

Vegetius opens his work with “The Selection and Training of New Levies” and focuses on what makes good soldiers. Right off the bat, we have our first piece of sage wisdom: “Achieving victory in war does not depend entirely upon numbers or simple courage; only skill and discipline will ensure it.” Fortunately for me, in nearly all judicial duels, at least in the Holy Roman Empire, I will not need to worry about numerical disadvantages. However, the success of my pupils is a direct reflection of my tutelage. If I am going to take a client, I am going to want to ensure that they have the potential to win. After all, you never hear the other fencing masters bragging about the clients they trained who lost, but the people of the towns certainly know. Based on Vegetius’ advice, I will focus my efforts on clients who show skill and discipline. Only they will be worth dedicating my time to.

Along with skill and discipline, the client's physique must also be considered. While weapons may equalize some parts of a fight, there are still physical advantages some may have over others. Vegetius says that quality recruits “have a lively eye, should carry his head erect, his chest should be broad, his shoulders muscular and brawny, his fingers long, his arms strong, his waist small, his shape easy, his legs and feet rather nervous than fleshy.” Before I take a client to train them for their duel, I should gauge their physical attributes to see if they have precursors of qualities that Vegetius highlights.

Vegetius also describes professions of levies that should be avoided. Interestingly, people like fishermen and bird hunters are to be omitted from service. This is certainly something I should keep an eye on. Afterall, how one makes their money may reflect some of the skills and discipline they have.

Another interesting idea is the concept of not giving someone a military mark until they have proven worthy. As Vegetius puts it, “Because many, though promising enough in appearance, are found very unfit upon trial.” Maybe I should test my clients before I sign any contracts to work with them. Just because they look to be quality, does not mean they have the mindset required to thrive in a duel.

Points of emphasis are made on the initial training to exercise daily, to run, and to swim (weather permitting).  These are all good aspects that I should incorporate into my curriculum for preparing my clients. It does them no good to know how to swing a sword if they do not have the heart and lungs for the activity.

A fascinating detail that Vegetius makes is on the use of round shields and wooden swords that are twice as heavy as the ones they would be using. He even goes on to explain how training with the pell with these heavier tools is good for soldiers and gladiators. What are my clients if not the contemporary equivalent of the Roman Gladiator?
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Curiously, Vegetius says to teach the thrust over the cut with the sword. He highlights that the Romans mocked those who trained to use the edge of the sword and that a cut delivered even with force hardly kills. There is certainly some truth in that a thrust is more likely to end a duel, but is a maiming blow with a sword, not just as valuable in a duel? I know some masters who emphasize the cut while others emphasize the thrust. For me, it depends on the weapon and the style in which my opponent is deploying against me.

This book covers the establishment and organization of a legion. Vegetius even explores the difference between the Roman legions and the Auxiliaries they deployed. If I were to be employed as a captain of a guard or even lead my own Condottieri division, I could see great value in this book of Vegetius. However, most of this book does not seem applicable to training my clients.
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However, Book II does include an entire section on the drilling of troops that I find fascinating. Vegetius advises training troops in the morning and afternoon, and highlights training with a wooden sword. Troops are to train against “imaginary antagonists on all sides and to aim at the sides, feet, or head, both with the point and edge of the sword.” It is true that I must prep my client for all sorts of scenarios before they enter their duel. You never know what an opponent may deploy against you, so prepping accordingly is critical.

This book is all about dispositions for action and includes things like the size of an army, encamping armies, crossing rivers, and more. One of these sections covers “Means of Preserving It in Health”. It goes without saying that a proper diet for my client and myself is a cornerstone of success. A fantastic quote from Vegetius is “…Little can be expected from men who have both the enemy and diseases to struggle with.” I must ensure my client is eating well. I should familiarize myself with the four humors if I am to better monitor my client’s health while I am under contract with them.

“It is essential to know the character of the enemy and of their principal officers…” Well said, Vegetius! Training my client in martial combat for their duel is not the only way I can help prepare them. It should be easy enough to learn about the opponent they will face. After all, this is a judicial duel and legalities in the proceedings. However, I should invest in learning who they hired to train them for this duel. If I know my client’s opponent and who is training them, I may be able to focus my client’s training on techniques and tactics their opponent will deploy. Discretion in this matter is of the utmost important. I can only imagine what it might do to my reputation if another Fencing Master knew I was gathering information on them or their client...

Venetius also makes a point to say we should learn from others. I think this is an excellent idea to improve my own technique and what I can share with my clients. I have heard tales of some fencing masters who traveled great distances, and at great expense to themselves, to learn from various masters to hone their skills. This is something I should do as well. It is always good to get other perspectives on my trade.
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Finally, Book III includes the statement that “men must be sufficiently tried before they are led against the enemy.” It is my duty as their fencing master to test them and hone their skills. I do not want them to encounter a technique they have not seen before in their duel when it matters most. I must add variety and creativity to what I train my clients in order to maximize their chances of success.

​The last book of De Re Militari discusses defenses, sieges, and naval warfare. In truth, I did not find much value in this book in regard to its application to judicial dueling. However, I did come across a word I liked the sound of: Obsessi. It is the Latin word for siege. It has a nice ring to it, and I may name a category of techniques after it…

There is so much we can learn from contemporary manuscripts about our normal fencing sources. De Re Militari was almost certainly read by some of the minds behind our sources, given its popularity, and it was fun to try to view the work through a lens it may not have been intended for.
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I hope you enjoyed this fun little exercise in diving into the mind of a fencing master and what they might consider important when prepping someone for a duel!

Funky Buckler is kicking off the year right with an exciting announcement. I have partnered with Ashley White of Appalachian Sword Club to bring you fun HEMA-themed clothing, stickers, and more! All proceeds of the Funky Buckler store will go to the artist, so check out the Funky Buckler Store today and support a creative artist in our HEMA community.

​My name is Ashley White, and I am an independent artist inspired by medieval illuminations, historical fighting manuscripts, folklore, and the art and symbolism of ancient civilizations and cultures.

For over 20 years, I have studied and taught martial arts while exploring creative disciplines such as music, visual art, dance, and performance. These experiences have shaped my understanding of movement, rhythm, storytelling, and form.

I've always found meaning in expressing ideas and stories through art. Sometimes this honors historical narratives and traditions; other times, it blends history with modern humor and memes.

This journey began when I designed a logo for my HEMA club. From that starting point, a deeper study of history and illuminated manuscripts propelled me to create a body of work spanning apparel, stickers, tattoos, and patches—each piece rooted in history, movement, and storytelling. As my work continues to evolve, I make it clear that every collaborative project has a mutually defined completion point, ensuring a transparent and positive conclusion to each creative engagement.

I.33 is a fascinating manuscript full of interesting techniques and exciting imagery. Just as exciting as the manuscript is the history and world around it. Taken at face value, the manuscript presents the depiction of a clergy member and a student partaking in combat. The leading theory of the origin of the manuscript was that it was produced by secular clergy, likely associated with a cathedral.

However, this raises the question: why? The Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 declared “Clerics to dissociate from shedding-blood” which took aim at the clergy’s involvement in single combat or duels. Furthermore, why write a manuscript at all to teach swordsmanship instead of utilizing oral teaching methods to educate students in martial arts?
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Today, we are going to discuss three books that I found to be useful when exploring the world around I.33. Through these sources, we will get a gleam of why people of I.33’s time wrote manuscripts, the secular legal structure surrounding the people, and the conflicting allegiance that a Germanic cleric in the Holy Roman Empire of 1300 may find themselves writing sources on martial arts.

But first, I would like to give a huge shout out to Taylor Hodne. We had some conversations recently on I.33 which inspired this post. Thank you again for reaching out, Taylor!

The Medieval Craft of Memory is a collection of texts and pictures that explore the trained art of memory. Much like humans today, the people of I.33’s time were also concerned with knowledge being lost to time. The various sources, ranging from the 12th century and the 15th century, explore various teaching topics such as techniques on using imagery and text together, composition connections, and examples of contemporary teaching methods from the time of I.33. This collection of primary sources shows us some of the knowledge the author, or authors, of I.33 were aware of when they sat down and asked “how do we capture these sword and buckler techniques so they can be passed down through generations.” For example, I.33 uses repeated verses and self-referencing sections, which these sources explore how best to do it for success.
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I was unaware of these sources for a long time until Keith Farrell mentioned them to me. So, a huge thank you to him for providing the additional context on why manuscripts were created in the first place.  

​The world of the Holy Roman Empire around 1300 is very different than our world today. However, what remains the same is the importance of law and its impact on individuals’ daily lives. The Saxon Mirror, written around 1220–1235, is a foundational lens into the legal world around I.33. It is a systematic written record of customary law as it was practiced among the Saxons, later recreated and written throughout the Holy Roman Empire. The manuscript covers inheritance laws for items such as weapons, which could explain how contemporary individuals studying I.33 may have received their swords and bucklers. It also includes the structuring of common judicial duels, which involved the use of sword and shield (which, based on later art, appears to be center-gripped round shields like bucklers). It even includes laws on what is to happen if a clergy member is assaulted with a weapon in a city.

​Rounding out this list, and the only non-primary source, is a book I found immensely helpful in understanding the power dynamic between the Holy Roman Empire, its people, and the Papacy. The Two Powers presents the wider world, shedding light on why the German clergy would have been banned from participating in duels by the Fourth Lateran Council, though they may have ignored that decree to celebrate their secular culture in the Holy Roman Empire. The book also sheds light on the Prince-Bishoprics that were beholden to both the emperor and the pope, and that were also hosts to many cathedrals and the beginnings of early universities.

No one can fully understand the historical context of I.33 by reading just a few books. There are entire doctorates who focus on this world, which requires lifetimes of dedication to understand. However, for us HEMA practitioners, the more historical context we can understand, the better we can comprehend the whys behind the manuscripts we study.
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So, as scholars of our arts, we seek knowledge and explore the various topics HEMA relies on. Our sources are not just an exploration of martial arts but also lenses into art history, legal history, biomechanics, and more! Whether we realize it or not, we are contributors to those fields as well through our activity and love of historical fencing.