The Armour Archive

Black Swan Designs

Tentsmiths in new Hampshire did right by us- Jeff designed it, they built it, Jeff painted it. [img]http://photos-599.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v80/120/110/593316207/n593316207_109599_7498.jpg[/img] [img]http://photos-sf2p.pe.facebook.com/v80/120/110/593316207/n593316207_109601_7985.jpg[/img] ...

Black Swan Designs

Thanks for the votes of confidence folks! I will make a 'whole outfit package' out of any combination of items we offer, and discount the package. I'll often throw in feebies and/or shipping on whole outfit packages as well. We don't have many pachages listed on the website because quite frankly the...

Black Swan Designs

I used 'bezants' on the short cape I made for Jeffrey- http://www.orderofthecrescent.com/imgs/ra-07-soh/IMG_3954.jpg The cape is mulberry wool powdered with gold charms. I can see why bezants were used for surface decoration, as they made a very nice effect as they glinted in the sun. An unexpected ...

Black Swan Designs

Jeff and I looked at that too. We think it's a very long tail of the guige strap that's hanging free and just flipped up on impact. The strap clearly isn't broken, and I don't recall Arne saying anything about a broken strap after the run, or the shield hanging wierdly. I'll point him at this thread...

Black Swan Designs

Glitch and a double post removed!

Black Swan Designs

Since it sounds like some of you enjoy these, here are a few more- Dominic Sewell, Captain of Destrier on his Friesian/Cob cross stallion Hawthorn: [img]http://photos-438.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v80/120/110/593316207/n593316207_106438_8761.jpg[/img] Toby Capwell, captain of the Order of the C...

Black Swan Designs

Destichado- To make one of the shaped hats, I saturated one of our 'medieval felt hats' in hot water, then pulled/stretched it down over something roughly the form I was going for. I used a motley combination of plastic stadium cups, bowls, cottage cheese and ricotta tubs. I used a steam iron to rem...

Black Swan Designs

I'm delighted this thread has gotten some comments- I figured everyone was simply tired of seeing these pictures but maybe not. Toby was riding a 14 year old Gypsy cob stallion named 'Mutley'. Toes down- For the most part people ride with their toes down, however I think I'm capturing what happens d...

Black Swan Designs

The last image pretty much confirms my opinion that a net was used at least some of the time. A net makes so much practical sense- If a net is made to size, the perimeter rails could be simply threaded through them. This would be a far easier and faster process than threading the rope through holes ...

Black Swan Designs

Regarding improvements- Jeff comments on what's wrong with his harness all the time. He doesn't like the fit of the pauldrons, needs sabatons, etc. Some things he's already fixed, like changing the style and location of the plume holder on the armet, then moving from an armet to a great bascinet. He...

Black Swan Designs

A nice portrait of Dominic waiting his turn for the cut and thrust. His caparison is silk and the charges are embroidered. Steve poses for a portrait on Mutley. Toby rode Mutley for most of the tournament but Steve wanted to take him for a spin, so Steve rode him for the skill at arms games one day....

Black Swan Designs

Dom vs. Jeff. Yes, Jeff took the shot right in the kisser on this one. Dom's horse Hawthorn jigged out and in correcting Dom hit Jeff high. Dom lost points as head shots are illegal at the Armouries. The shock popped the catch on Jeff's visor, but Jeff was completely unscathed. Gotta love a great ba...

Black Swan Designs

Jeff vs. Will in the final. (Please note-In reality, Jeff's lance is nowhere near Seamus' face, although the angle makes it look as though Seamus is about to have his eye taken out.) http://www.orderofthecrescent.com/imgs/ra-07-soh/IMG_0849.jpg Steve vs. Fred http://www.orderofthecrescent.com/imgs/r...

Black Swan Designs

Over Easter weekend The Order of the Crescent (Toby Capwell, Jeffrey Hedgecock, Steve Mallett) competed at the Royal Armouries for the Sword of Honour. The Order came out strong and won all of their sessions, but the team Leodis (Arne Koets, Fred Piraux, William West) proved their equal. At the end ...

Black Swan Designs

We've just arrived home tonight and will be in the office tomorrow. If you've not sorted things out please feel free to phone Francena at 760-789-2299, or email me at gwen@historicenterprises.com.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

We are still in the UK taking a bit of a holiday after the tournament. I've been trying really, really hard to relax and not check email and call the office 5 times a day every day. Francena is off on Friday and I've not checked my email since Wednesday, which is why you've not heard from us. France...

Black Swan Designs

*and* he's one cool dude.

But then again I'm biased I guess.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

I looked at Ironwood's website a few months ago and wondered if they do any reproduction pieces. The website seems to go to great pains to point out that they don't- We make an effort to maintain a balance between copying and artistic freedom; often, the details of a piece are altered, added, or sub...

Black Swan Designs

Tim, unless I'm mistaken, Animal will send you to Maruk, and I've already given you his contact info. Maruk's been making stuff for us for a number of years and I highly recommend him.
Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Are va-r-let and va-l-et the same thing? I got confused in the middle of your exchange as you started out referring to varlets, but then went to valet.

We call Thomas our 'valet', but wonder if he is really a 'varlet'.

Thanks-

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Glad to see Joram here, he's a 15th C. thug of the first order.

We'll miss you next week Joram.

But then again, you already have your name on the sword.....

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Hallo Mag!

That's my brother Dominic wearing a Pleated Coat from my shop. It's my pattern but to be fair, I didn't make it myself, my assistant Denise made it.

The fabric? Just some farby imported Italian stuff I picked up in LA.

Glad you like it, I do too!

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

I don't suppose girls count as thugz, right? How about if they've been accused of running with scissors and wield a mean flesh hook? [img]http://www.ageofchivalry.us/redco/imgs/members/ginevra2.jpg[/img] I did include a couple of non-armoured pics, but here's another, just because I don't think 'thu...

Black Swan Designs

.....Where's the 15th C. Mafia? There are some in England.... http://www.historicenterprises.com/misc/leeds4-06/0235.jpg http://www.historicenterprises.com/misc/leeds4-06/0115.jpg Or in Holland..... [img]http://www.orderofthecrescent.com/imgs/IMG_0623.jpg[/img] http://www.historicenterprises.com/mi...

Black Swan Designs

Folks, we've tried to clarify the sizing on the website, but in case there is any lingering confusion- Measure yourself with a measuring tape OVER YOUR ARMING GARMENT. If this measurement is larger than 43", the 46" shirt won't fit you. Please remember the circumference of your shoulders w...

Black Swan Designs

We'll be at pennsic, same as always.

Historic Enterprises, Inc., 37 Street of Dreams

We're hard to miss as we're the only house on the block.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

If it's in stock, we ship asap. You happened to order an arming doublet that was in stock, so you didn't have to wait for us to make it for you.

Glad you're happy though!

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

The members of the governing committee are going to wee in their Wheaties when they show up the day of the event and try to sell a deserted baseball field to patrons expecting everything you provide. I can hear the howls of protest now... I predict you'll be vindicated the day after the event, when ...

Black Swan Designs

Cool info Rev. I knew the technique was used which is why I mentioned it. The images are 500 year old frescoes that have clearly sustained damage. It's no wonder the ropes are worn off. I could cite a dozen images of horses with no feet, tables with no legs, etc. It's not that an artist doesn't unde...

Black Swan Designs

If you want to be unique, copy one of the hoods from Gaston Phoebus, the ones that have a dagged strip front and back and are plain on the sides. Unique, documentable, dead center of the period you want to do and I've never seen anyone replicate one. Have a look at the dude in the lower left to see ...

Black Swan Designs

Exactly!

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Woodcrafter, with all due respect, you're making a *lot* of assumptions presented as fact. It seems that you're basing your comments on your own personal [unquantified] experience with rope bed making, and not on the historical evidence. The ropes normally pass on the outside of the frame What do yo...

Black Swan Designs

I'm a bit less cynical about it. I think people stray from the path of historical accuracy because of a lack of knowledge. History shows us that since earliest times men have covered themselves with clothing. Initially protection from the elements, the changing shape of clothing shows that protectio...

Black Swan Designs

Just an observation- One can be historical--or not. Just like Robin Williams' character in 'The Fisher King' who gives the advice 'you're either a smoker, or you're not. Decide which you are and just be it'. You can be historical, and follow the historical evidence. Then you can tell people what you...

Black Swan Designs

Having been involved with filming several shows for the History Channel and the BBC, I can assure you that most often the actor little or no input into the final product. They may be Regia members, but they were doubtless told what to so and say. Even when unscripted, comments are often cut and edit...

Joust for the Sword of Honour, April '07