Rabbit Hole Research
Rabbit Hole Research
Kevin Maurer
This podcast intends to share research findings of the Historic European Martial Arts.
Episode 20 The Fechtschulen Poems
In this episode I talk about the reasons for the rhyming poems that the renaissance era fencers wrote, Commemorating their bouts in the fechschulen. I read quite a few of my own translations of them. Hope you enjoy this episode.
Mar 7
51 min
Episode 19 Heinrich Schöppl and the Federfechter from Regensburg
This short podcasts shares details of the historical research of Heinrich Ferdinand Schöppl. (1868-1924). Military officer and archivist who had begun writing a Historic Novel in 1910, titled the Federfechter from Regensburg. Included in this podcast are insights into that work and others that should prove fascinating for those who enjoy the Historic European Martial Arts.
May 25, 2025
26 min
Episode 18 Insights into the wandering entertainers and the Fencing arts
In this episode I share insights and historical information about the connections between the minstrels and the Historic European fencing arts. hopefully, these insights will appeal to students and researchers of European history and those today who practice and reconstruct the Historic European Martial arts. thanks for tuning info and I appreciate the support and feedback.
Jul 5, 2024
28 min
Episode 17 The Trades Guilds and the Fencing Arts
In this episode I share historic details about the Trades Guild and their connections to the fencing arts and fencing guilds of the Holy roman Empire during the renaissance.
Jun 29, 2024
32 min
Episode 16 Making of Masters of the Longsword
In this episode I share and reveal historic details about how the fencing guilds certified Masters of the Longsword.
May 31, 2024
42 min
Episode 15 Insights into the origins of the Federfechter guild in Prague
Insights into the formation of the Federfechter guild in Prague.  In this podcast I will share recent discoveries about the conditions in Prague and elsewhere that led to the Emperor granting Imperial privileges to a group of Freifechter who would become known  as the Federfechter, or Freifechter von der Feder von Greifenfels. I also will share some interesting names that may be related to the original Patronage of the guild.  This has led to  some new ideas or theories and it may help us to understand more about the origins and formation of the Federfechter guild. Thanks for tuning in. 
Jan 17, 2023
42 min
Episode 14 Sword Dances
In this latest episode I relate a brief history of Sword Dances throughout the world. Giving a context for the main topic of this podcast, the German Sword Dances of the 15th-18th centuries and how they related to the Sword Arts and Fechtschulen.  From several 19th century German historians' work, I will read a thorough description of original sword dancing techniques and share opinions for the reasons behind them. As always I hope you will tune in and give a listen and potentially learn a thing to too.   Thanks for listening and thank You all for your support.    
Jan 12, 2023
46 min
Episode 13 The influences of ancient Greek and Roman cultures on the 15th-17th century German Kunst des Fechtens
Here I read from an unpublished article I wrote back in 2014. Detailing the direct influence of the ancient Greco-Roman histories on the 15-17th century German fencing arts, and more.  I hope this inspires others to also delve deeper  into research of the ancient cultures and customs that helped to influence and guide the renaissance era German fighting arts.  Once again, I'd like to thank you all for supporting me and this podcast. I am motivated to bring you more and more of the research I have accumulated over the years.  Thanks again. 
Sep 22, 2022
37 min
Episode 12 Fechtschulen rules and Ordinances
In this episode I continue with the theme of the Fechtschulen of the 16-18th centuries. Here I dig deeper into the rules and ordinances of the fencing events. How the city councils sought to maintain order and clean fencing. Using original sources that I have transcribed and translated, interesting facets of the history of the fencing events will be shared.  Hope you enjoy your time here and thanks again for listening in.  
Sep 16, 2022
34 min
Episode 11 The Landsknecht
In this episode I talk a little about the history and formation of the German Landsknecht. I briefly discuss their origins and affects on history of Europe and particularly our modern studies of the Historic European Martial arts.  I hope you tune in and enjoy.  
Jul 27, 2022
22 min
Load more