Admiral Cod: Mensur

04 August 2014

Mensur

8 comments:

Robert said...: Where does one begin? It's a form of fencing but more in the tribal than the olympic sense. It was the original "fight club" with a facial scar to show you belong. Participants fence at arm's length and stand more or less in one place, while attempting to hit the unprotected areas of their opponent's face and head. Flinching or dodging is not allowed, the goal being less to avoid injury than to endure it stoically.
The scar resulting from a hit is called a "smite" (German Schmiss), and is seen as a badge of honor, Today, most Mensur scars are located on the left temple of the forehead. Scars on the cheek and chin prevalent in the 19th century are uncommon.
Today,the Mensur is practiced by about 400 traditional Studentenverbindung fraternities in central Europe, including all the Corps and several of the Burschenschaften, Landsmannschaften, Turnerschaften and Sängerschaften. "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" (Hail to you in the victor's crown); 04 August, 2014 17:35
Unknown said...: This the origin of the famous Prussian dueling scars on the face of Fearless Leader from "Rocky and Bullwinkle"?; 05 August, 2014 07:52
Jacobite said...: "'Tis but a scratch!"

These pathetic German school children need to join either the American or British military if they want to receive some real battle scars or missing appendages as their forefathers did.; 05 August, 2014 14:21
Anonymous said...: LBF,

It perfectly captures our scene at the pub. I refuse to allow a Keynesian ruin such a fine evening!; 05 August, 2014 18:16
The Viceroy said...: @Jacobite:
Talking about pathetic...
http://nenads-irisches-tagebuch.blogspot.de/2012/07/mechthild-aus-olpe.html; 06 August, 2014 13:13
Ivar said...: It is extremely gratifying to know that this tradition of gentlemanly trial by combat is alive and well.; 07 August, 2014 20:37
Stefan said...: Here is an interesting article on German fencing fraternities by an English investigative journalist:
http://www.jonathangreenonline.com/articles/report_a03/; 21 August, 2014 14:06
Anonymous said...: Fencing is an entirely etiolated remnant of chivalric sporting contests. The people who engage in it are decadent pukes.

Even tennis is more sporting.; 31 August, 2014 18:24

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