The Armour Archive

Black Swan Designs

We had a horrible problem with this at our event last weekend- had our 2 English guys down with heat exhaustion, and I'm surprised others fared as well as they did and we didn't have any other casualties. It's going to be a continuing problem at future events, as we'll be bringing international comp...

Black Swan Designs

We didn't use the flip scorers because we thought they looked cheesy. Griff actually had a clue and could repeat the scores so we opted against them, at least for this event. We may decide to have some other form of visual scoring in the future.

Black Swan Designs

Hurray! Some images from the mounted melee showed up on Facebook this morning. Luke engages with Arne as Jeff H (striped caparison) and Dominic close in. Jeff W (green caparison) on the right- http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v249/193/46/574036332/n574036332_801310_3054.jpg photo- Lesl...

Black Swan Designs

I was mostly musing out loud, as Toby has a 'smote' button on the back of his ecranche.

My comment was mostly a joke. Sorry, I forget my brand of humour only works in person.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Hmmm, he didn't indicate the location of the "smote' button. Odd. Must be an old drawing.

Black Swan Designs

-Major- bummer! I think the melee was the best part of the event!!!

Oh well, maybe someone else got footage.

Black Swan Designs

Squire challenge is a pretty cool idea, I'll run it past the management. I hope someone comes up with video of the mounted melee, that was awesome. Photos from pre-event practice- Jeff on Pete, Luke on Tristan http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v231/126/65/664698782/n664698782_855195_711...

Black Swan Designs

We're always open to input, so if you have something in mind please let us know- gwen @ historicenterprises.com jeffrey @ historicenterprises.com luke @ historicenterprises.com Our next event, The World Invitational Joust , is scheduled for November 1 & 2, 2008. We're still making final decision...

Black Swan Designs

100* is unseasonably hot for this time of year.

The poleaxe heads were composite on an ash haft. Jeff designed and made them, and they will probably be introduced as an HE product later in the year after some further testing and refinements.

Black Swan Designs

The official temp for Poway said 96.6*F, but my car thermo said it was over 100*. Bouts were fought open visor because 1) There would be better visibility 2) Armoured combat with open visors is seen in Talhoffer and the Beauchamp Pageant 3) There was a gentleman's agreement between all combatants th...

Black Swan Designs

The poleaxe and longsword combats were *awesome*. I've been watching this stuff for years, but this was a completely different animal. The guys were really going for it full out, and it was very exciting! A mom standing next to me had allowed her small son to stand right at the edge of the list when...

Black Swan Designs

Some of the photos taken have started to come back from the photographers. Photos by Cecellia Berger Some awesome shots here- the one of Jeff and Luke smashing it up is pretty cool. I'm going to wait until we get a few more sets of photos and put them up in a separate thread, as this one is getting ...

Black Swan Designs

A bit more information on Jeffrey Forgeng's presentations-

9:30- 10:15
Martial Arts of the Medieval Knight. 30-min family hands-on
workshop: Talk and walkthrough with basics of knightly sword and lance techniques, and the tactics of the footsoldiers who faced them. Foam â€œweaponsâ€

Black Swan Designs

There was talk of Claude Blair when we saw Toby in March. He said 'Claude Blair is the Pope of Armour'.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Ack- who told you that???? We'll accept orders in any amount, but the website can only handle orders over $15. I've said time and time again that there is no minimum amount for phone orders. Send me your postal address and I'll send them to you at no charge because you were given incorrect info when...

Black Swan Designs

Sorry for the delay, here is the schedule of the main events: Joust 12 noon to 1PM 4 - 5 Skill at arms- 10:30 to 11 Foot combat / Melee 2:30 - 3 Jeffrey Forgeng 9:30- 10:15 (kids' program) 1:15- 2:00 (intermediate kids program) 5 - 6 (WMA program) Also scheduled (does not conflict with main events):...

Black Swan Designs

We're working on it now and should have it finalized in the next couple of days. I'll post it when we have it.

Black Swan Designs

ME TOO! I thought I was going to break a rib I laughed so hard. Achmed was all the rage in Leeds with the Crescent. As a matter of fact I nearly lost it when, after winning the event, Toby rode down the rail brandishing the Sword of Honour shouting 'SILENCE! I KEEL YOU!!' at the audience. Of course ...

Black Swan Designs

SILENCE!

(Sorry, been giggling over Achmed all week and just couldn't resist being silly)

Black Swan Designs

The American Sword of Chivalry Tournament happens in a mere 2 weeks! 6 competitors battle it out with lance, pollaxe and baston clubs over 2 days to accumulate the most points. The victor has his name engraved on the Sword of Chivalry, which will be displayed next to the Sword of Honour in the Roya...

Black Swan Designs

(now that all the people who like horse stuff are watching this thread....) The American Sword of Chivalry Tournament happens in a mere 2 weeks! [img]http://photos-207.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v191/120/110/593316207/n593316207_1104213_2698.jpg[/img] [img]http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-...

Black Swan Designs

Mutley is a Gypsy cob stallion owned by Nicky Willis. He's lovely.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Just got home and have right/left click capabilities again, so can post photos- Jumping straight to the final. The Order of the Crescent, Captain Toby Capwell holding the Sword of Honour- http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v192/126/65/664698782/n664698782_754874_8772.jpg Photo by Nicola ...

Black Swan Designs

Just put up photos from Saturday's jousting-

The Sword of Honour, 2008, Day 2

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Oh, and since Matt mentioned it specifically, Luke whipped up the demi-gauntlet for Jeff, so that's Luke's work you're seeing there, as well as Arne's spaudlers and besagews.

Jeff and Luke will begin taking new commissions on May 1, 2008.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Another quick update. We woke up to a frost of snow on everything. There was a flurry that added another dusting as I walked to the stables, and both jousting sessions were carried out as the snow fell. It was so ridiculous that I finally started shooting video, so you could see the snow coming down...

Black Swan Designs

The website won't accept an order for less than $14.99. We dropped it from $25 at customer's requests. I'm sorry, but that's the break-even point for orders placed through the website, and we can't go lower than that at this time. As always, we can accept phone orders for less than $14.99. Place an ...

Black Swan Designs

Hey folks, just put up 4 more linen bundles containing Regia approved colours.

[img]http://www.historicenterprises.com/images/products/465_large.jpg[/img]
Image for illustrative purposes only. Colours shown do not necessarily represent the colours being offered in this post

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Hi All- Just wanted to let you know that our phone is currently out of service and may not be back online until Sunday. It seems a main cable was cut somewhere down the line, and half the town is without phone service. If you call, you will probably either not get through at all, or get a message th...

Black Swan Designs

You can tie the ends together, but if the bead is snug on the cord it won't slip off, which is really the only reason you'd need to tie the ends together. I think having the ends free makes moving the bead around a bit easier.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Start with a long thong or strip of leather Make a knot in the middle Fold the thong at the knot and bind or stitch the 2 free ends together as close to the knot as possible. You now have a 'button' attached to 2 thongs/drawstrings. Thread the free ends of the 'drawstring' through slits near the edg...

Black Swan Designs

deleted double post

Black Swan Designs

http://www.eclare-enterprises.com/jp/photogallery/gallery01/knight-School-march-2008_018.jpg Here are more photos of Jeff and Luke's first Knight School as a teaching team, yesterday Saturday March 1st: Knight School slideshow photos by JP Clamme, one of their students. Gwen

Black Swan Designs

The intention is to begin taking orders for pieces May 1. I do not believe they have to be stock pieces, although custom pieces will take longer than 4-6 weeks.

I will let the guys address that themselves when they get back from the airport.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

We are delighted to announce that armourer, jouster and horseman Luke Binks of Australia has moved to California to join the Historic Enterprises team. http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v156/120/110/593316207/n593316207_647728_4096.jpg [img]http://photos-207.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf...

American Sword of Chivalry Tournament

Regia linen bundles

Historic Enterprises phone down

Luke Binks joins the Historic Enterprises team!