The Armour Archive

Black Swan Designs

What I saw was the rider taking the rein in hand at the end, and letting go immediately after starting back in the other direction.

And you're correct Thomas, it was disturbing. Very disturbing.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

I'm told they drop the reins because they don't want to gob the horses in the mouth when they get hit. As for the stopping technique, I suppose it's because they have no reins, and seat and leg aids are an unknown concept. As I said, these guys are just passengers, they're not really riding by any d...

Black Swan Designs

If it's who I think it is, it's done as entertainment for a small RenFaire in Northern CA, but it's legitimate competition, not a choreographed show. I could be wrong, but I think this is the same tournament that Jeff and I went to last year . If it's not the exact same event I know some of the comp...

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The sad part is, the writer probably didn't have to beef that story up at all to get that. The guy being interviewed probably is wearing 120# of armour. His horse probably does weigh 2,000#. He's wearing a rubbish bin, so it probably does needs to be smacked *at least* 3 times to make it fit. If thi...

Black Swan Designs

OK, could someone please KILL ME NOW AND PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY??? My Inventory guy Adam just sent me this article from the Modesto (Northern CA) Bee . After reading this crap, do you guys understand why Jeff goes to another continent to joust???? 120 pound armour???? He doesn't need a Percheron, h...

Black Swan Designs

Hmmm, that's from Froissart's Chronicles, the Tournament at St. Inglevert. The painter has the 3 crimson tents right, and the 2 shields hung on each tent, but Froissart doesn't say anything about an audience. Interesting. Of course this was done like 80 years after the event, so I suppose artistic l...

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Well, you're nothing to throw rocks at in 14th C, but 15th sure is dead sexy! [insert boot to the head here]

I hear you about the lotto. Looking at Jeff's "proposed jousting schedule" for next year, *WE* need to win the lottery. And I need to schedule conjugal visits.

Gwen

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Think nothing of it my friend. Just your cheerful local crack dealer sending out free samples.

Cool beans about the kid's clothes! Can't wait to see 'em.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Congratulations to John MacFarlin , winner of the Teague Family Benefit Auction!!! John will receive a Charles the Blois doublet in his choice of fabric, and the Teague Family will receive a check for $350. Thanks for everyone who placed a bid, your support is very much appreciated. But don't go aw...

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Hehehehehe. Just wait till you get the DVD of images from the RA that we're sending you. That should really get you stoked. Now don't go and do anything silly. We need you for the American team we're bringing to the RA in '08......* Gwen (OK, so it's just a wish at this point. A girl's gotta have he...

Black Swan Designs

My copy of Froissart (Penguin Classic) recounts 6 individual matches of the 136 Froissart detailed. Of the 6, each set consists of 3 runs between the same pair of knights. Of the 6 contests there is a single unhelming, a double unhelming, one unhorsing, and a wounding (lance broken off in the arm). ...

Black Swan Designs

I agree to the whole "bin the points" sentiment that gwen put forward. Cool Arne! Spoken like a true Action Nerd! Let's face it- after ripping your helmet off with that shot, you guys would have said Toby was the winner even if he hadn't been declared winner on points. You do it for glory and fame,...

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HA! The plot thickens!!! With the single exception of the Viking horse, the pre 17th C. examples are all Eastern- Persian, Mongolian, Chinese, [India]Indian. Pech Merle is in the Midi-PyrÃ©nÃ©es region in France. The cave painting date to 25,000 B.P. (Gravettian culture), with some possibly earlier ...

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For a long time I've considered the question in the light both Peter and Mike approach- was there a genetic mutation (or more likely, the importation of a horse with the gene/s to throw coloured offspring) that caused the relatively sudden appearance of coloured horses? It is generally conceded that...

Black Swan Designs

no paints are shown, I suspect because illuminating paints would break up the composition and look odd. Or maybe they're not represented because they are not common? If they were common or desireable, they'd probably show up, at least periodically. I look at paintings all the time, and don't start ...

Black Swan Designs

You know, I guess I'm just terminally naiive or something. I didn't even know there was such a thing as tail extensions until we had a spate of tail thefts around here. Thieves would sneak into a pasture at night and lop off a horses tail up to the bottom of the tail bone. One horse had his tail sto...

Black Swan Designs

Hi Richard/Merlin I suggest you send David a private message and ask for his address. That way you can send him your donation directly. Click on the Seach button at the top of the page (between FAQ and Memberlist). Enter "David Teague" into the "Search for Author" box on the Search screen. Look for ...

Black Swan Designs

Dominic Sewell rides a 15 year old Freisian/Cob stallion named Hawthorn who is absolutely drop dead gorgeous. [img]http://www.historicenterprises.com/misc/leeds4-06/0368.jpg[/img] Hawthorn is as mild mannered as a lamb, but because of the Freisian in him can lose the plot entirely. He can be complet...

Black Swan Designs

Aren't gypsies/vanners cobb horses? Yes. As I say, in the UK they're really no big deal. Cobs are fab horses in lots of ways, it's just in the UK they're so common that nobody gets worked up over them. They're an import here, so their rarity makes them more valuable. Add the fact that they are gorg...

Black Swan Designs

In the UK, Cobs are a dime a dozen, like Quarter horses are here. You can't throw a rock almost anywhere in England without hitting 4 of them. They're kinda the basic, nothing special horse of England. My English friends are absolutely gobsmacked that a Cob would sell for $40,000. When I told them, ...

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All hail JT the Magnificent!

Seriously, thanks for doing this for us.

Gwen

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Thanks! Told you my boys were pretty! (Your guy is pretty impressive as well, if you missed me saying so earlier!) Jeffrey made the chanfron for our mare Bella (who passed away), but it actually fits Petrus better. Pete got used to it in about 2 minutes. He trusts us implicitly, so it wasn't a tough...

Black Swan Designs

Micah, I love you. Really I do. If you and Michael, and Bob and Kim and Rachael and Stan and Jason and his crew and all the rest were around here we might not have sworn off the SCA. oh well, c'est la vie. On a brighter note, the new Caid Equestrian gal seems to be very much interested in what we're...

Black Swan Designs

Absolutely! Like any proud parent I never miss the opportunity to brag about my kids and show pictures. Jeff's now on the phone with my brother Dominic in the UK, plotting their jousting trip to New Zealand in February. Jeff does all the web stuff, so I have to wait until he's off the phone to get h...

Black Swan Designs

And Jeff got a talking to at the last SCA thing we did (Queen's Equestrian Tourney couple of years ago) about how his armour was scaring the horses. Hellloooo.. At another event someone came up to him and said "And who are you supposed to be?" Unfortunately, the SCA is just not a good fit for us. Yo...

Black Swan Designs

I learned to love Cobs in England. they can be just the coolest horses -ever-. *sigh*

Are any of those Bob and Kim's?

Gwen

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Oh, this is a baby picture moment! I was waiting for the opportunity to post pictures of our boys. Flittie, Jeff is currently out icing our baby's leg down- he and Pete had a bit of a row the first day we were home (showing off for us, dopey horses) and Leo got kicked. His fetlock is swollen and he'...

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Ah, then I've misquoted you and I apologize. But ultimately you didn't let me down, regardless of how I've misquoted you. It's nice to know there are some things in life that live up to one's expectations, eh? Still, being "right" isn't always the best thing, is it? Now the ability to learn , that's...

Black Swan Designs

Too funny!!! You see, you guys don't have to give up any of that fantastic (and by fantastic I mean surreal, outrageous and nearly space age) stuff to do historical jousting. Tell me that Klingon stuff doesn't look a lot like Negroli parade armour and I'll say you have not been looking at the right ...

Black Swan Designs

(swoon) Jason, you are -so- cool! I've been a fan of you and House Leonthas for years.

Well done man, you rock my boat for sure.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Chris G- cool! You're always welcome to come train with us- airline tickets are pretty affordable in the off-season, and the weather here is still gorgeous when it's horrible on your side of the country. Jeff and I are also available by phone and email, so if we can do anything at all to help your e...

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I hated Heath Ledger's dreads. Ick. And whatsername gave one of the most inspired medieval Valley Girl performances -ever-.....although I don't think that was her intent. Kinda like Keanu Reeves can only do vacuous, no matter what role he plays. Paul Bettany was fantastic- Aleks, can you do intros l...

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EXACTLY! See, he gets it!

Gwen

(Have I told you just how very weird it is to see you signing your messages as "Dominic"???? I just can't wrap my brain around it, there's only one Dominic in my life, and you ain't him!

)

Black Swan Designs

Jeff and I LOVE Knight's Tale!! It's my very favorite movie of its genre. We watch it periodically, quote lines constantly, and Jeff watches snips from it on a regular basis. Michael, the next time we're around each other, give me a drink or 3 and I'll explain to you why the music and costumes are *...

Black Swan Designs

Excellent! It's great to remind people about all the forms of jousting currently available. When it's clear what the differences are it will be easy for folks to go with the style that suits them. Cool. For anyone interested in the type of jousting Jeff outlines on the front page, we'd like to remin...