The Brotherhood of Saint Mark (German: Marxbrüder, Marx brothers) was the name of the most important organization of German swordsmen in the 16th century.
The Arms of the Brotherhood of St MarkThe Federfechter coat of arms shows two hands gripping a quill, a griffin holding a sword (repeated as the crest), two crossing winged swords and a swordsman armed with a Zweihänder.
The brotherhood originated in the 15th century, but it is not known when exactly it was founded. Hans Talhoffer may have been an early member, or even one of the founders (the lion of St Mark appears in his coat of arms in a manuscript of 1459). The earliest certain attestation dates to 1474. The group held an annual meeting in Frankfurt, where they elected their captain (Hauptmann). In 1487, Frederick III granted them the monopoly on the title "master of the long sword" (Meister des langen Schwerts), effectively making them a fencers' guild. This title was relevant for the Landsknechts, because a certified "master of the long sword" wielding the Zweihänder was entitled to twice the pay of a normal soldier (Doppelsöldner).
The earliest reference to the brotherhood calls them the brotherhood of Our dear lady and pure Virgin Mary and the Holy and warlike heavenly prince Saint Mark (German: bruderschafft Unserere lieben frawen und der reynen Jungfrawen Marien vnd des Heiligen vnd gewaltsamen Hyemelfursten sanct Marcen). After their recognition by Frederick, the brotherhood was usually referred to as "Marxbrüder", "Bruderschaft des heiligen Marren" or "Bruderschaft des St. Markus" ("Marx brothers", "Brotherhood of St. Mark").
Anton Rast (captain in 1522) was a known member of the brotherhood.[citation needed]Woodcuts, some of them by Albrecht Dürer, and other references, show that more than just rapier use was taught by the Marxbrüder. They also taught the use of the Zweihänder (as mentioned above), the dussack, the spear, the quarterstaff and the longsword. The dussack, being primarily a practice weapon, was used to train the real-life use of single-edged swords like the langes Messer.
A second fencing brotherhood, the Federfechter, was founded in Prague in 1570, and recognized by the city of Frankfurt, in spite of protests by the Marx brothers, in 1575. From 1607 the two societies shared equal privileges, as in that year, the Federfechter received their first letter of privilege from Rudolph II, the Holy Roman Emperor.
A third guild may have been Lukasbrüder (brotherhood of Saint Luke). They had no official recognition, however, and were probably closer to a society of hooligans than to a proper guild.
Secret History of the Sword, by J Christopher Amberger
Schools and Masters of Fence, by Edgerton Castle
The History of Fencing: Foundations of Modern European Swordplay, by William Gaugler
April 11, 2024
brotherhood, saint, mark, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, december, 2018, learn, when, remove, this, template,. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Brotherhood of Saint Mark German Marxbruder Marx brothers was the name of the most important organization of German swordsmen in the 16th century The Arms of the Brotherhood of St MarkThe Federfechter coat of arms shows two hands gripping a quill a griffin holding a sword repeated as the crest two crossing winged swords and a swordsman armed with a Zweihander Contents 1 History 2 See also 3 External links 4 ReferencesHistory editThe brotherhood originated in the 15th century but it is not known when exactly it was founded Hans Talhoffer may have been an early member or even one of the founders the lion of St Mark appears in his coat of arms in a manuscript of 1459 The earliest certain attestation dates to 1474 The group held an annual meeting in Frankfurt where they elected their captain Hauptmann In 1487 Frederick III granted them the monopoly on the title master of the long sword Meister des langen Schwerts effectively making them a fencers guild This title was relevant for the Landsknechts because a certified master of the long sword wielding the Zweihander was entitled to twice the pay of a normal soldier Doppelsoldner The earliest reference to the brotherhood calls them the brotherhood of Our dear lady and pure Virgin Mary and the Holy and warlike heavenly prince Saint Mark German bruderschafft Unserere lieben frawen und der reynen Jungfrawen Marien vnd des Heiligen vnd gewaltsamen Hyemelfursten sanct Marcen After their recognition by Frederick the brotherhood was usually referred to as Marxbruder Bruderschaft des heiligen Marren or Bruderschaft des St Markus Marx brothers Brotherhood of St Mark Anton Rast captain in 1522 was a known member of the brotherhood citation needed Woodcuts some of them by Albrecht Durer and other references show that more than just rapier use was taught by the Marxbruder They also taught the use of the Zweihander as mentioned above the dussack the spear the quarterstaff and the longsword The dussack being primarily a practice weapon was used to train the real life use of single edged swords like the langes Messer A second fencing brotherhood the Federfechter was founded in Prague in 1570 and recognized by the city of Frankfurt in spite of protests by the Marx brothers in 1575 From 1607 the two societies shared equal privileges as in that year the Federfechter received their first letter of privilege from Rudolph II the Holy Roman Emperor A third guild may have been Lukasbruder brotherhood of Saint Luke They had no official recognition however and were probably closer to a society of hooligans than to a proper guild Important centers of 16th century martial arts in Germany were Frankfurt Augsburg and Nuremberg See also editPaulus Hector MairExternal links edithttp www swordhistory com excerpts marx html http jan ucc nau edu wew fencing german html https web archive org web 20050412012652 http www georgehernandez com xMartialArts Blades SwordHistory htm https web archive org web 20091229123531 http www marxbruder com References editSecret History of the Sword by J Christopher Amberger Schools and Masters of Fence by Edgerton Castle The History of Fencing Foundations of Modern European Swordplay by William Gaugler Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brotherhood of Saint Mark amp oldid 1100304019, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
