Folio 1vStrasbourg, 16th c.
Meyer's woodcut of a low guard with the sword hanging in front, point to the ground.
Talhoffer, Alte Armatur und Ringkunst, 1459 — Ms.Thott.290.2º, fol. 9r. Wikimedia Commons ↗
Folio 1rGerman (Meyer)

Alber

— the fool

The Fool's Guard. Sword hanging low in front, point at the ground — an invitation that disguises a counter.

Alber is so called because it appears to offer the head freely. In truth the low hanging sword is well placed to rise into a Krumphau, to set aside a thrust, or to receive an Oberhau on the strong of the blade and answer with a Scheitelhau. Liechtenauer's verse names the Scheitelhau as Alber's destroyer; Meyer makes it the proof that no guard is safe in itself.

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