Preparing the Champion: Reflections on De Re Militari from a Fencing Master

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!

​Setting the Stage

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!

Book I

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.

Book II

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.

Book III

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.

Book IV

​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…

​Closing Thoughts

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!