Hans Talhoffer

Hans Talhoffer
Portrait of Talhoffer from 1467.
Bornc. 1410-1415
Diedafter 1482
NationalitySwabian
Occupation(s)Fencing master
Mercenary
Employer(s)David and Buppellin vom Stain
Eberhardt I von Württemberg
Luithold von Königsegg
OrganizationMarxbrüder (?)
Notable work
List of manuscripts
  • Ms. Chart.A.558* (1443)
  • Ms. XIX.17-3* (1446-1459)
  • Ms. Thott.290.2º* (1459)
  • Ms. 78.A.15 (1450s)
  • Cod.icon. 394a* (1467)
  • Ms. KK5342 (1480-1500)
  • Cod.I.6.2º.1 (before 1561)
  • Cod.Ser.Nov.2978 (1500s)
  • Ms. 26.236 (1600s)
  • 2° Ms. iurid. 29 (1600s)
  • 2º Codex MS Philos. 61 (late 1600s)
  • Cod.Guelf.125.16.Extrav. (late 1600s)
  • Cod. icon. 394 (1820)
  • Cod. icon. 395 (ca. 1820)
    * Archetypes
Signature

Hans Talhoffer (Dalhover, Talhouer, Thalhoffer, Talhofer; c. 1410-1415 – after 1482) was a German fencing master. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it clear that he had some connection to the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer, the grand master of a well-known Medieval German school of fencing. Talhoffer was a well-educated man who took interest in astrology, mathematics, onomastics, and the auctoritas and the ratio. He authored at least five fencing manuals during the course of his career, and appears to have made his living teaching, including training people for trial by combat.