The university library of the Friedrich-Alexander-UniversitŠt in Erlangen holds a manuscript in two volumes, numbered MS.B 215. 1 and MS.B 215. 2. These volumes contain a treatise on fencing, written in the middle of the 18th century by fencing master Salomon Christoph MŸller.
MŸllerÕs First Principles of the Noble Art of Fencing first describes the basic principles of fencing. Next, it contains 91 lessons based on these principles, 91 counter-lessons to these lessons, 15 lessons on grappling while fencing, and finally 53 lessons for a left-handed fencer against a right-handed fencer. The two volumes together also contain some 634 illustrations of pairs of fencers demonstrating the techniques.
This book presents a modern English translation of MŸllerÕs First Principles, as well as a bief discussion of the work and its historical context. Note that the numerous illustrations found in the original volumes are not included in this edition.