origins of "dance master"

[Allen Johnson]

I thought I recalled instances where in the manuals a master would insult another instructor by calling them a "dance master". Implying that their instruction is just for show and lacks real martial application. Am I imagining that or does anyone know which manual(s) I can find this in?

[Corey Roberts]

The reference to "dance masters" or Leichmeister, can be found in Codex Döbringer MS 3227a, 14 Recto.

http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Dobringer

"Als man noch manche leychmeistere vindet dy do sprechen / das sy selber newe kunst vinden vnd irdenke~ vnd meyne~ das sich dy kunst des fechtens von tage czu tage besser vnd mere / Aber ich wölde gerne eyne~ sehn der do / möchte nür ey~ gefechte / ader eyne~ haw / irdenke~ vnd tue~ / der do nicht aus lichtnaw°s kunst gynge "

[s_taillebois]

Additionally it would be an insult resultant from the traditions of the aristocracy. Children of the knightly class were often sent to the households of other families for training. The earliest portion would be in social graces including dancing, learning etiquette and etc. A few also valued dance as a form of body awareness which applied later to martial training.

And a pretty good chance that these kids would recall with some resentment the period of enforced civility when they would have been rather out practicing and learning the arts of the sword and other weapons.

And in a squires early training they were often expected to present the meat to their knight, cut it properly and etc. Which would put them under double scrutiny by both the knight and the court people responsible for refinement and manners.

Since many of the fechtbuch authors were lower echelon aristocracy many would have been through these court conditions. They were killers but were expected to have some gentility. Ringeck for example in his introduction used a writing style which would have been common to those of a elevated class, and was learnt often while at court. More refined than Deborne and more practical but Ringeck/Leichtenauer were writing later...

[Allen Johnson]

Thanks gents!