The Armour Archive

Glen K

Anyway.... Could the mail shirt not go from being the best defence to a status symbol? I mean if I was well off I would buy the best armour there and so would other well off men so in a way it would be a relation of both it being a status symbol as well as a good defense. There's no doubt that owner...

Glen K

How'd this go from what vikings wore under their mail to what 18th century British officers wore? Because both are steel swords hitting wool. And it's 19th century, not 18th. And it was Russian infantry, not British officers. Heavy woolen tunic over a 1 or 2 linen ones. There is as much evidence fo...

Glen K

Glen, I'm not sure if you're serious or not. I've got the Cambrensis documentation ready

Actually, now that I think about it... wanna do it at MTT next year?

Glen K

We need to get together for a "norman invasion of Ireland" timeline...

Glen K

Robert,

if you could email me some more detailed pictures, I'd be happy to help out if I can.

Are you going for a specific culture/timeframe?

Glen K

Weren't the sabres used during the Crimean War very light - almost like fencing sabres? They would have trouble cutting through a woollen greatcoat. Well, first there were several types of cavalry sword used by the British during the Crimean War, and second none of them (that I'm aware of) were lik...

Glen K

ARg....

I'll reply to you soon, Robert, but I realized I'd left off another important (and much more recent) source for this: Lordship and Military Obligation in Anglo-Saxon England by Richard Abels.

Glen K

So today a CEO is a Earl? A Mayor a Baron? A Infantry Company Commander Captain to Light Colonel a Knight? Something like that? Actually, Robert, you've hit upon something that I realize has always bugged me (and don't take that as a slight to you... ): I think it's odd, incorrect, and dangerous to...

Glen K

Hal, While I'm positive the Y-strap configuration is documentable from several different sources, I personally have no idea as to whether the tieing arrangment is period... I'm not sure that's something we even can know for sure, but I'd love to know if someone knows otherwise. That being said, it l...

Glen K

I highly recommend Grunal Moneta:

http://www.grunal.charitydays.co.uk/index.html

He's very good, is well-researched, and makes a quality product.

Glen K

Felix, I think we are in complete agreement here. The terms we use, and indeed what the people "were" are proving to be so fluid, and had such different meanings at different times, that it boggles my mind. The reading I've done in the last 6-8 months has almost led me to dismiss the term 'knight' w...

Glen K

"Thegn" is probably a fair equivalent to "knight"

I have to respectfully disagree... the comlexities of what they both were (militarily, socially, and economically), how they changed over time, and how their contemporaries viewed them make them very different critters indeed.

Glen K

Maybe "lesser nobility"? Possibly, but could all thegns really be considered "noble" in the context of the times? Or, perhaps "warrior of the thegnly class"? That would definitely work, but (and only after I type something do I realize I don't ALWAYS have to do this, it's the museum-text-writer in ...

Glen K

Did you make the blade yourself, or find a source for period-esque ones? Please, share ALL your secrets!

Glen K

Translation: "I thought it was about time to put Saverio in his place. We can't have him getting cocky"

Oh yea, you're right... I'm sure you haven't noticed the fuzzy picture, or my complete lack of detail shots.... I promise, there's no reason for that, really.

Glen K

In fact, why don't we do that? Though I'm sure many participants just do it for the fun, we all bitch about the horribly wrong public perceptions of our period. This is a heaven-sent opportunity to change that. How about each attendee take on the job of talking to at least one member of the attendi...

Glen K

amhlaidgh, Without having the text in front of me, it sounds like that while the Gesta may have originally been composed in the early 12th century, the version being drawn from was written down in the 13th-14th century. This makes sense, because the ideals of knighthood and the knighting process exp...

Glen K

Well, first we have to define the term "knight" (which I've tried to get people talking about in another thread... m ). Being a 14th century work, translated (most probably) from Latin, I would guess the author was merely trying to impose a level of nobility (i.e. justify his actions in one way by e...

Glen K

Here's a little mental exercise for us all... can we define what a knight was, historically? Here's your chance to agree/disagree with the big dogs (Keen, Prestwich, Gravett, etc etc)

Glen K

Isn't that what this is about? The visitors?

Sorry, Kim, but obviously you just don't get it.

James, have a talk with her.

Glen K

Glen, why do you always seem so adamant and derisive on anything you personally dont agree with or support? Sorry for sounding derisive; I suppose humor is lost over electrons. As for adamant, I won't apologize for that. Certain of my ideas have grown from research I've done, and from looking at th...

Glen K

Gritting my teeth in frustration as I can't go and be a Norman archer....aargh. I lament that as well. We could insult each other and brag about our experiences over the best ales and stouts until our friends had to bodily carry us out of the pub and dump us back on the battlefield. Well, yes--the ...

Glen K

I have found reference of berserkers in at least two italian academic works. What is your point here, exactly? I've seen "academic works" make terrible references that reference completely innaccurate materials... you'd be shocked and depressed at how many medieval historians, who tend to completel...

Glen K

I finally stumbled upon this today.... m Is that three arrows in a soccer ball? Be sure and download the video of "live battle action" in the lower right hand corner. I blame English Heritage, and not The Vikings (NFPS) for the crap-fest that is this video. The first part with the choral music is ac...

Glen K

As always, pretty dang cool!

What are the details on the tunic? material, what is it edged with, etc?

And is it sans underwear? (Really, I am curious...)

Glen K

out of wool, anywhere from 1.5 - 2" wide, no complex patterns.

Thanks!

Glen K

Hello,

Does anyone make, or know of a good place to get tablet-woven braid and/or trim? I'm looking specifically for some stuff for a tunic and to use as leg wraps. Thanks!

GK

Glen K

Hello,

Does anyone make, or know of a good place to get tablet-woven braid and/or trim? I'm looking specifically for some stuff for a tunic and to use as leg wraps. Thanks!

GK

Glen K

The question isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t what do WE think the question is what do YOU think, if it looks enough like the image you have for you to be happy, run with it! Well, I SORTA agree. I was just hoping to get some other input, a "peer review" if you will. Never hurts to have help in this game! So, how do y...

Glen K

Now, as for Glen's chest, I think it's just a dandy place to stow a saddle. Then we can sit on it, and feel knightly, too. Acually, on second look and without a good scale reference, it might be too small for a saddle. What are the dimensions? LoL, would you believe I hadn't even thought of that! B...

Glen K

Have you seen it elsewhere? I think Chef has one like this out of Quartersawn Oak. I have seen Chef's, and got several good pics of it. His has a smaller door open up inside one of the upper pieces, rather than the entire "roof piece" folding away like it appears to on the reliquaries I was using a...

Glen K

Glen, I'm just wondering if you can maybe document the screwhead treatment on the nails? While I wouldn't quite call it "screwhead", yea, it's from those illustrations of what seems an "X" on other pictures of chests. Of course, I'd argue that if the nails were pyramidal, they'd be deformed/flatten...

Glen K

What Would Halvgrimr Say?

LoL!

I doubt he'd be able to get very far past the idea of it being used by a Norman...

Glen K

[img]http://imagepronto.com/public/6116/MVC-612S.JPG[/img]

Maybe it's just me, but the shape of this chalice (which I found at a local antique store for $5) is quite similar to those shown in some 11th century images of the Last Supper. Anyone else have any commentary on this?

Glen K

When I saw Saverio's chest, it inspired me to do a project I've been wanting to do for some time. Now, about two weeks later, working on it a few minutes at a time, I've gotten it to a quasi-finish point: [img]http://imagepronto.com/public/6113/MVC-605S.JPG[/img] The paint is still drying in this pi...

What is a Knight?

TNBO Promo video

Xpost: Tablet woven braid wanted

Wanted: Tablet woven goods

Pewter chalice

More amazing woodwork