German Swordsmanship refers to a historical martial art that focuses on the techniques and principles of fighting with swords, particularly the longsword. It is rooted in the teachings of medieval masters like Johannes Liechtenauer, who developed a comprehensive system of combat that includes strikes, grappling, and defensive maneuvers. This martial art emphasizes the importance of timing, distance, and body mechanics. Practitioners learn various techniques through drills and sparring, often using manuals known as fechtbücher that detail the methods and philosophies of sword fighting. Today, it is practiced as a form of historical European martial arts (HEMA).