The Armour Archive

Charlotte J

It's funny how a little education can go a long way. When "Knight's Tale" came out, I knew the clothing sucked rocks (but it's still a fun movie - if you look at it the right way) but I didn't know anything about the armour. It didn't bother me at all. It was on TNT the other night, and the first th...

Charlotte J

Ya - It's a pair of dutch shoes, trim off the top, trace the sole, belt-sand down & add straps. I buy a wooden shoe. Check. I chop off the "shoe" portion. Check Next two steps? No Check. What am I belt sanding down and why did I trace my foot? The shoe is still wider than your foot, you have to cut...

Charlotte J

Hey Jeff, Have you ever thought about talking to the source and seeing if they would make a line of these? I'm betting that almost all wooden shoes are made on a numerically-controlled machinery. Clamp in block, close lid, push ON button, wait 5 minutes, remove shoe, move to next machine for final ...

Charlotte J

Jeff J wrote:Basswood. Used because it's lighter & easier to shape.

And because that's what dutch wooden shoes come in?

Charlotte J

Jeff, I've got a pic online of the ones you made me.

Please note, the farby screw has since been replaced with cut nails.

Charlotte J

I've often heard fighters say that they've had to learn to fight and step differently, but it brings them a consciousness of their feet that they appreciate. You would certainly fight differently in turnshoes than in cleats. Lloyd - I haven't heard them called poulaines before, is that another term ...

Charlotte J

Back in 2003, I was asked by the Prince of Northshield to come back to the SCA and help them with developing jousting. I came back, but for some reason, my 20 or so years of jousting and all that I learned during that period (most by trial and painful error) was pretty much ignored. IF the SCA is s...

Charlotte J

(Which prospect scares me witless I might add!) I'm with you, Gwen. There's some things I just don't think we should do. People who make and use period makeups don't use the lead bases that they used - that'd just be stupidity. And wouldn't it be fun to reenact a medieval childbirth? So, one out of...

Charlotte J

Watch yourself, buddy! Kelson's clothes won't all be hand-sewn, but there will be some wow-factor anyway. I ain't sayin' a word more. You'll all just have to come and see for your own selves. -Tasha Ok, folks, step right up! I'm taking bets on this one. And, I have absolutely no inside knowledge on...

Charlotte J

Actually folks, this is what Jeff says when he meets a hot chick farb:

"Hey there, want to come play living history with us?"

Charlotte J

Pssst, Jeff. Tasha is making Kelson's outfit. Do you really think he'll look like a farb?

You're a brave (read:foolish) man to say so!!!!

Charlotte J

Klaus, I admit I knew all of this when you made your comment, and I admit it made me giggle for a loooooooong time... PS, I may make it to coronation. Too bad I already know who Kelson is, otherwise I'd try to be an impartial judge. Hey, maybe I can drag Jeff along, he wouldn't know you two from ea...

Charlotte J

Klaus, I admit I knew all of this when you made your comment, and I admit it made me giggle for a loooooooong time...

Charlotte J

Klaus, we missed you and your wife this weekend. I spun around in a circle and flew into a snow bank, spent all my cash on the tow truck to pull us out, and STILL made it to the event... what's YOUR excuse? (I'm teasing you -- I'm sure you and Isabelle had a very good reason for not attending! The ...

Charlotte J

To the original question, instead of continuing to discuss whether or not underwear is a good idea... (which, by the way, I don't think there was ever a question that undershirts were worn, at least frequently) Steve, the undershirt wouldn't be quite as fitted as the grande assiette garment, and you...

Charlotte J

Cord made this way is pretty darn strong. Many uses I would imagine. With a big enough tool (not like these!) you can fashion rope (useful for various things, especially among a sea-faring race) cords could possibly used for drawstrings for trews, Pointing hose, make small enough cord (thin) like o...

Charlotte J

Lucia -

You live in Nordskogen? Do I know you? I lived there until about 2 years ago, under my ultra secret code name of "Mathilde".

Charlotte J

It depends. I have sometimes found myself working nearly at the tips of mine. The lyre shaped ones you see nowadays tend to be modeled on much later designs - often post-16th century. As previously noted, early lucets were simple, hollow tubes (often bone) with prongs at one end. However, it is har...

Charlotte J

Cunian wrote:They look like the lucet cord making thingies.

Only very slightly. From what I've done of lucet, you need to have a deeper V or U, to have room to do the weave. Something with tines this short, I would think that the thread would slip right off.

Charlotte J

But... but... but...

You can't prove women *didn't* fight!

Charlotte J

Simple. Maille. Get some big beefy 14g 3/8 inch links for some quality manly armor/coif pieces OR get some wee 22g 1/16 inch links for some seriously delicate micro-maille bracelets and earrings. You can have the best of both worlds with just some pliers and some wire. Griffin, the calligraphy, mai...

Charlotte J

Oooh, gold... pretty....

Hey soldier...

Charlotte J

HMMMM, My speculation is that anyone who was in contact with th Byzantine Empire wopuld have encountered Lamallar, and that if he couldn't work the metal he would use whatever was at hand to copy it. In this case water hardened leather. Just speculation, but I thing the logic holds together. It's v...

Charlotte J

Yes, you can start by researching a nation (France, say); you will certainly find information about the Merovingian Franks by starting with France. You will also find information about the Franks by starting with Germany. But the problem with this method (which, btw, is perfectly logical and sensib...

Charlotte J

Mead, No biggie. There are new people all around, it all just depends on your approach, and how you ask questions of people. Try to be polite, and try to remember that they're telling you some things for a reason, because they want to help, not because they want to fool you. Also remember, they're s...

Charlotte J

Charlotte, I never said you were an idiot, and I am sorry if you took it that way. Has it occured to you that I have dug deeper? Furthermore, considering my education and my profession, that I know how to dig deeper? pssst... I was kidding. Hence the smiley. S'all good. I understand your profession...

Charlotte J

Oh, boy, here I go... Yes, but you're missing Germany and all the German Scholarship that goes with it. This is nationalism at it's worst. France and Germany have been fighting about the Franks for centuries. Searching by nation does not give you a complete picture. Mord. Mord, I'm not a research i...

Charlotte J

http://www.kensmen.com/catholic/paterchant.html This site is fun, as you can chant the pater noster along with the priests. Though, I think the .wav file is missing the last two lines... I had about 6 lines going when I was trying to learn a few months ago. And isn't there some difference in pronun...

Charlotte J

Charlotte, This is not as good a thought as it might seem with the Merovingians or with the Carolingians. The problem is that these folks--generally called the Frank--lived in what is now Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, etc. Searching by the name of the country does not necessarily give you what...

Charlotte J

Whoooow, I'm gonna have to put my nose in some books. "Merovingian"? Mead, It seems to me that you've picked a "thing" or fashion that you like, and you're working to put it in a place and time. Might I suggest, that you may find it easier to go the other way. Pick a country, and a time frame, and ...

Charlotte J

I do most of my ordering from Denver Fabrics. They are very fast and very easy to work with. I have been more than pleased with every piece I have ordred from them and highly recomend them. m Just today, I saw a length of their 4.4 oz white linen, and it was quite nice. Not very slubby at all; as g...

Charlotte J

There was a nice thread a while back on the topic of period lighting. http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=32958&highlight=oil I highly recommend olive oil lamps. Olive oil is not combustible on its own - it needs a wick to burn - so is much safer. If you tip over an olive oil lamp...

Charlotte J

The best set up to shoot indoors is a corner with an opaque white backdrop (like a white bed sheet pinned up in a corner) and plenty of ambient light. Even outside it is better to shoot on a light backdrop than a dark one. The only exception to this rule is if you are shooting an extremely light or...

Charlotte J

Charlotte here, I think MTT, Marching Through Time, a LH timeline event, is the 8-10 of April, at Marietta Mansion. http://www.pghistory.org/MariettaMansion.html Marietta is in Glenn Dale, MD, just east of the DC Beltway. It wouldn't be an SCA thing, but it could be a fun day out. -Charlotte Who is...

Charlotte J

Brennus wrote:The Hancock Fabric store here is selling Linen for 3.97 a yard.

Be careful with Hancock and JoAnn. Often the "linen" they sell is linen look, or linen weave, and has a component of poly in it. That's not to say it's not possible, as I've bought linen there in the past, but Caveat Emptor.

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