Hans Talhoffer (c. 1420 - c. 1490) was a Fechtmeister (literally 'fencing master' or 'fight master'), employed as 'master of arms' to the Swabian knight Leutold von Konigsegg, a feudatory of Count Eberhardt the Bearded of Württemberg in southern Germany. He is the author of 'at least six' Fechtbücher, illustrated treatises describing methods of fighting with bare hands, dagger, long sword, short sword, pole weapons, shields, maces, and on horseback.