Medieval Wrestling

In the Middle Ages, wrestling was practiced as both pastime and self-defense by every level of society – nobles, townsman and peasants alike – and was regarded as the foundation of all other martial arts. And no medieval wrestler’s name looms as large as that of the Jewish master Ott, ‘wrestler to the noble Princes of Austria’, whose treatise is included in over a dozen fencing manuscripts.

In this first of its kind book, Jessica Finley of the renowned medieval martial arts association, the Selohaar Fechtschule, guides the reader on a journey that begins with the historical background of Ott’s wrestling and culminates in step-by-step instruction for practicing the techniques of this ancient fighting art. Both the lover of history and the wrestler on the mat will find this work an invaluable resource.

Author Biography

Jessica Finley has been a student of the sword for over fourteen years. Her interest began in stage combat, but quickly branched out to German Medieval Swordsmanship. She had been a student of the Selohaar Fechtschule, within which she held a rank of Free Scholar, and has founded three chapters of that organization as she has moved across the country. Currently, she lives outside of Atlanta with her husband and children.