Fencing practice, 1450-style [I Am Interested In The Medieval Era]
Is the time and caloric luxury of a stationary bike or a CrossFit workout - fitness for the sake of I̶n̶s̶t̶a̶g̶r̶a̶m̶ fitness - a modern invention? No!
Medieval health advice was much the same as today:
“Comb your hair after you wash it”
“Don’t wear a silly hat because other boys are - wear one that will actually keep you warm"
“Don’t drink milk and wine at the same meal, or you’ll get leprosy.”
If you cannot go outside your lodgings, either because the weather does not permit or it is raining, climb the stairs rapidly three or four times, and have in your room a big heavy stick like a sword and wield it now with one hand, now with the other, as if in a scrimmage, until you are almost winded… Jumping is a similar exercise.
People, then as now, were clearly trying to stay in shape because it's fun.
Pic from the Talhoffer Fechtbuch, MS Thott.290.2º
22-25, F
