Landsknecht, Fechtbuch & Weaponry

Links to pre-1600 Manuscripts about Weapons, Soldiers and War.

Zeugbuch Kaiser Maximilians I. – BSB Cod.icon. 222, Innsbruck um 1502

The Zeugbuch or Thing Book, of Kaiser Maximilian I, is a beautiful full color illustration of his war machine in action. All the war equipment you could ever ask for, pages upon pages of cannon, with the occasional soldier thrown in for spice.
It is really cool in that it shows in exacting detail how the cannons are mounted on the carts, how they are transported.

Interesting buckets and bags

Pikeman, and pike parts

Not sure of this weapon, but I love the view of the hat on the ground

Smaller size guns, with the gunners

Small size cannons, with gunners, love the Rock on the guy on the left

Rough pen sketch of two soldiers

The calligraphy and borders are really nice too throughout the entire book, especially the decorative pen work capitals towards the back, really beautiful stuff!

Sturm, Caspar: Warlicher bericht wie vo[n] den dreyen Churfürsten und Fürsten, nämlich Tryer, Pfaltz und Hessen weylandt Frantz von Sickingen über zoge[n] Auch was sich im selbige[n] mit eröberung seiner und anderer Schlösser, und sunst von tag zu tag begeben Durch den Erenhalten verzeychet, [Mainz] [1523] [VD16 S 10018]

Roughly Translated title: Sturm, Caspar: Report written down as Frantz of Sickingen conquering and fall of the three Churfürsten and princes, namely Tryer, Pfaltz and Hesse and other castles, day to day and going through the (halt?) [Mainz] [1523] [VD16 S 10018]

This appears to be an account of The Knights Revolt led by Franz von Sickingen.

There are several really good woodcuts in this book, Showing troops on the move Sacking the town and carrying off the loot on their heads The clothes are nice in this picture Nice view of the construction of the clothes in this picture. Also a view of the tents in the background Crossing the river in ferry boats. Its interesting to note the size of the boats relative to the horses and wagons, those are some big boats

Wintzenberger , Daniel: Beschreibung einer Kriegs –Ordnung , zu Roß und Fueß , sampt der Artalerey und zugehörigen Munition, von einem Wolgebornen Edlen Herren und wolerfahrnen Obristen , welcher seinen trewen Rath etlichen hohen Potentaten , so ihn darumb ersucht , schrifftlich mitgeteilet hat …, Dreßden , 1588 [VD16 W 3555]