The Armour Archive

Glen K

It's the dashing FitzOsbern colors that make it.

Nice job!

Glen K

1) I loathe the term "Dark Ages" more than any other term on this earth. 2) The answer to the original question is so vastly complex (and debatable) that it reminds me of the posts we used to get that were along the lines of "I have a hammer, an anvil, and some road signs; will someon...

Glen K

I asked the same question regarding what we now call a swastika (Roman and Asian cultures use/used it) and got a greatly different answer last year...

not from me I bet you didn't.

Glen K

A very good question... My personal experiences have been that IF you do it right, having those images appear at a public event in an obviously not-nazi (notzi? ) setting can lead to a great conversation with the passing public about what the symbols originally were and how they came to be co-opted ...

Glen K

Oh my lord, I'm glad this book is out! I forgot about being in it.

http://www.peelaffinity.com/images/mtd-lance.jpg

I just can't remember which one of the archers I am...

Glen K

i don't have anything on hand that was period looking that was any longer.

I'll bet he has to say that to all the girls....

As usual, Chuck, top-notch.

Glen K

Glen K

Sorta... I thought I would share a couple of pieces I've recently aquired. I think they're pretty neat, but then I'm fascinated by the history and concept(s) of reenactment. The first piece is the "official souvenir guide" to the festivities surrounding the Battle of Hastings in 1966, the ...

Glen K

Knights without horses, Vikings without boats... There are plenty of instances where the reeanctment and/or interpretation of knights can be legitimately done without horses, and even more where the same can be done of the Norse without boats. I mean, how realistic is it for Vikings 20+ miles inlan...

Glen K

The Rule (specifically the Primitive Rule, based on Upton-Ward's translation anyway) states that: We prohibit pointed shoes and shoe-laces and forbid any brother to wear them; nor do we permit them tot hsoe who serve the house for a fixed term; rather we forbid them to have shoes with points or lace...

Glen K

I... uh... represent the King. Yea... and, uh... we, like... need our taxes and stuff.

Glen K

This makes the burning of the library at Alexandria look like a campfire.

Glen K

FINALLY... there hasn't been a movie about the Armada in the last 60 years. I sure hope it doesn't suck.

Glen K

Jesse is one of my best friends, but I'll still say with vehemence that his Viking kit is, by far, the best and most detailed I have ever seen, anywhere, in person or online, US or UK, period. If you think the pictures are nice you should see the stuff in person, or better yet watch him get geekily ...

Glen K

My opinion, if you can't afford the fabric in the real material, then you can't afford the impression. Granted, wholeheartedly, but then what does one do to recreate something for which the materials (or even extant evidence) are unavailable or non-existant, especially when that something should de...

Glen K

hahahaha u shaved your head and cheeks!!!

That's because it's not Paul, it's his Mirror Mirror twin....

Glen K

Why is the dating so uncertain? It has a over 500 year span....

Holey Moley, no WONDER that thing looks so awful!!!

Oh, you said years... sorry, I thought you said centimeters.

Glen K

Hi all,

I've got a copy of Osprey Man-at-arms Roman Military Clothing (1): 100BC-AD 200 that I'm sure I'll never need or use. I'd love to trade it for the 3rd book of the Roman clothing, or maybe another Osprey book I don't have, or if you just want to buy it make me an offer.

GK

Glen K

Well, being obsessive as I sometimes can, here is some plans (in .pdf format) for a portable "cottage" that actually quotes the above passage:

http://www.currentmiddleages.org/tents/ ... table1.pdf

http://www.currentmiddleages.org/tents/ ... table2.pdf

My guess is that, if you wanted, you could make it bigger and perhaps somewhat more authentic-looking, if you're into that sort of thing.

Glen K

I don't have plans for building one, but speaking of Tudor portable houses Henry VIII took one with him on his first campaign to France. He also had a huge tent that was erected when they would be staying for only one or two nights in an area, but the portable house (from the description, akin to a ...

Glen K

Wanna sell a couple of those Korean War era blankets to me?

Glen K

I am talking about people/groups that are just in it to portray battles or just play like they are a soldier and not portray the historical life of a soldier.

sounds like the classic definition of "reenactor".

Glen K

Yeah, that's one of the things I've never quite understood about most re-enactment groups; the fascination and focus on things military. Because that's how all reenactment started: a military focus. It's what got people interested in it, and continues to be (generally speaking) the driving force be...

Glen K

I know you asked for pre-1600, but if you'll pardon the digression... One avery successful local group was the Chatahoochee Refugee Society. It was a group of women who decided to get a unit together representing a group of women who had been forced to refugee South in front of the advance of Sherma...

Glen K

I personally think that a Battle of Civitate event would be awesome! The trick might being getting enough Byzantine-esque fellows to make the numbers even close to equal... but surely The self-declared Emperor of the East could take care of that.

Excllent idea, Egfroth.

Glen K

Think how cool it would be without all those silly farby bars!

Glen K

Norman....

Norman....

Norman....

Glen K

In 95% of cases, "no flash photography" in a museum is done purely to protect copyright or reproduction priveledges. Being displayed under 15 foot-candles for a 10-hour day does more light damage to objects than 100 flashbulbs. The other 5% is something that is extremely popular and well-known, such...

Glen K

Why -wouldn't- you?

I'm not really sure about other periods, but the reason you wouldn't do it in the 10th-12th centuries is because it's wrong, i.e. the evidence strongly suggests this wasn't done at all.

Glen K

One horse won't charge at a shield wall. 10 horses probably won't charge at a shield wall. 100+ horses will, and would probably run off of a cliff, just because "that's what everyone else is doing". I'm not saying that's all medieval cavalry was used for, or even the primary use. But if it was calle...

Glen K

Steve, Let me start over. The Vikes groups stateside basically use the same methods and standards for archery that they've been using in the UK for years. It is widely recognized that the very nature of archery makes it the most dangerous combat activity the Vikes are involved in. Conscious decision...

Glen K

For me personally, it's a risk I'm willing to take. The tradeoff is a more authentic look and environment than too many safety precautions can allow. What do you think the response would be if someone were to lose an eye? As they say in court "Objection, your Honor: speculation". My personal respons...

Glen K

An interesting observation: I placed this post on several forums, 2-3 american-based forums and a couple of european ones. On the european forums the discussion has centered on the program given, the response of the audience, questions that were asked, etc. Essentially on the educational aspect. On...

Glen K

I do stuff like this lots (though never enough ) for local schools, with swords, firearms, etc. All I've ever done is get pre-approval from the PRINCIPAL of the school either over the phone or on-site before I bring the stuff out of my car. Usually they're always fine with it, and only ask "you don'...

Glen K

Well, if anyone gets ten of them, I'd be interested in one. Otherwise, I can't get 10 crossbows.

Reenactment History

WTS/WTT: Roman Military Clothing Osprey