~for~
Born in 1969,
Stefan Dieke, has been involved with historical fencing since 1992.
Though his interest originally began as a minor aspect of his
historical reenactment activities, he soon started working with
historical fencing treatises exclusively, focusing on authenticity of
the fighting techniques and their effective
realization.
Specializing in German rapier fencing first, he
has made a thorough study of Joachim Meyer's treatise of 1570, which
is likely the most complex and precise source for the German school
of rapier fence.
Based on the knowledge and skill that he had
already acquired working with the rapier, he then managed to
reconstruct Liechtenauer's system of the Long Sword in a historically
valid and martially effective manner. The works of Peter von Danzig,
Sigmund Ringeck, Lew the Jew, and Paulus Hector Mair as well as HS
3227a (Dbringer) form the core for Stefan's longsword
research.
Working towards his ultimate aim to achieve a
universal understanding of fencing which goes beyond individual
weapons, Stefan also researches, studies and practices medieval and
renaissance dagger, staff ('Halbe Stange') and 19th century military
saber as well as unarmed fighting styles of the 15th and 16th
century.
In the year 2000, together with some like-minded
friends, he founded "Die Freifechter - Gesellschaft fr
Historische Fechtkunst e.V." the first official club in Germany
for historical fencing as a martial art.