his opponent's pressure in order to know whether he should be "weak" or "strong" against him. He then either attacks on the vor or remains in the bind until his opponent acts, depending on what he feels is right. When his opponent starts to act, the fencer acts indes (meanwhile) and regains the vor before the opponent can finish his action. What follows is a list of technical terms of the system (with rough translation; they should each be explained in a separate section): Range Some of the later practitioners of the German school of fencing, such as Theodori Verolini, started to use the term Mensur (measure) in the 17th century to explain the different ranges of the art of fencing. Weite Mensur (wide measure) the attacker has to make two footsteps to reach his opponent with his weapon. Mittlere Mensur (middle measure) the attacker has to make one footstep to reach the other combatant with the blade. Nahe Mensur (near measure) the attacker can cut or thrust his enemy without having to make any footsteps. Enge Mensur (close measure) the attacker and his opponent are so close that they are able to reach the other person with their hands. Most of the wrestling-techniques (Ringen am Schwert) can only be used in the close measure. Basic attacks Liechtenauer and other German masters describe three basic methods of attack with the sword. They are sometimes called drei wunder, "three wounders", with a deliberate pun on "three wonders." Hauen, "hews": A hewing stroke with one of the edges of the sword. Oberhau, "over hew": A stroke delivered from above the attacker. Mittelhau, "middle hew": A stroke delivered from side to side. Unterhau, "under hew": A stroke delivered from below the attacker. Stechen, "stabbing": A thrusting attack made with the point of the sword. Abschneiden, "slicing off": Slicing attacks made with the edge of the sword by placing the edge against the body of the opponent and then pushing or pulling the blade along it. Master-Hews (Meisterhäue) Called "five hews" in 3227a, later "hidden hews," and in late manuals "master hews", these likely originated as secret surprise attacks in Liechtenauer's system, but with the success of Liechtenauer's school, they may have become common knowledge. All five are attacks from the first phase of the fight (zufechten) and are long range, accompanied by triangular stepping. Zornhau: "wrath-hew" A powerful diagonal hewing stroke dealt from