Hans Talhoffer (Dalhover, Talhouer, Thalhoffer, Talhofer) was a 15th-century German
fencing master. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it clear that he had some connection to the tradition of
Johannes Liechtenauer, the grand master of the
Medieval German school of fencing. Talhoffer was a well educated man who took interest in
astrology,
mathematics,
onomastics, and the
auctoritas and the
ratio. He authored at least five
fencing manuals during the course of his career, and appears to have made his living teaching, including training people for
trial by combat.