German Swordsmanship is a passion of mine, so forgive me if I'm even more lengthy than usual. German Swordsmanship as most WMAists study it starts with Johannes Liechtenauer, who traveled, fought, and studied, probably in the 14th century, finally creating his own system of combat. Most of German Swordsmanship for the next 300 years seems to stem from his teachings. Some of the German texts are interpretations of the teaching verses Liechtenauer left behind (there is no text that we know of written by Liechtenauer). Others work off of Liechtenauer's basics and add techniques of the master's own design. That's the basic history.
As for the system, Medieval systems of combat are very integrated. German books usually start by teaching longsword. From what you learn there, you can use the same principles of movement to wrestle (wrestling or "ringen" is a catch-all term for all unarmed combat and includes throws, joint breaking, some strikes and some groundfighting), dagger-fight, spear-fighting, fighting in and out of armor, fighting on and off horseback. All work off of the same principles.
The Tobler book is fantastic and a great resource to someone just starting up. It's one master's interpretation of Liechtenauer's verses and prefect for springing off into other German or even other Medieval texts.
