Text, memory, skill: late Medieval fight books as transmitters of knowledge

Authors

• Antti Ijäs University of Helsinki https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0637-628X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54334/mirator.v22i1.119822

Keywords:

kamppailukirjallisuus, muisti, keskiajan kirjallisuus, opaskirjallisuus

Abstract

Medieval fight books are works that convey or describe fighting technique. Even though actual fighting skills can only be acquired through practical exercise, fight books can act as a mnemonic support for explicit knowledge, thus offering knowledge that governs practice. This article discusses three ways in which medieval fight books facilitate the transmission of technical knowledge: enumeration, visual aids, and didactic verse.