The Armour Archive

Glen K

Folks, I hope as many as possible can make it to our fun little event. As a bonus, and perhaps a means of getting more folks to attend, it looks like we might even have a Vikes trainer there! This means that for those not qualified/passed for steel combat, you can get it done here and not have to wo...

Glen K

Chef has the right of it, I'm a big Gravett fan, and quite frankly I can't stand reading anything that Nicolle writes; his desire to have every advance in European material culture come from Outremer is myopic to the point of lunacy. It destroys everything else he tries to say.

Glen K

I don't believe Niccole and Gravvit would likely colaborate on a large book together. LoL, no I don't think so at all... one is a good historian, the other one isn't. I think you're both right, Gryffin and Chef, that's definitely what this will be. They've done it with Romans, several WWII topics, ...

Glen K

So what do I need to add, change or remove?

For SCA use? For rebated steel reenactment? For living history? For Hyper-Authentic Kit?

Glen K

Mord, et. al.,

Please be aware that I do intend to join this greta conversation, but I want to have time to really think about it and post well. Perhaps later today at work when I'm not doing anything...

Glen K

Yes, I have given some thought to all this, but I really haven't had the courage or time to post my thoughts about the jargon of history, etc. Perhaps this week, since work is moving so slow. Believe it or not, I'd absolutely LOVE to hear it. If it's slow enough here for me to read it, it must be s...

Glen K

Rather than hash over why I think they didnt, why do *you* think they did? What is *your* evidence to support that they did wear quilted/padded undergarments? I have no clue as to what they actually wore under their armour, or under their pants for that matter. My point in all this isn't so much to...

Glen K

What would you have prefered, Glen? Is "Dark Ages" not a legitimate term? I'm afraid you lost me on this one... It's still generally the dark age over this side of the pond (up until 1066 then it is medieval, something to do with some minor scuffle on the south coast). Fellows, the phrase is simply...

Glen K

What type of underwear did the "Vikings" use?

Glen K

And perhaps terms such as "Dark Age Scandanavians" or "Medieval Norse" are more on target.

In the future, anyone who uses the term "Dark Ages" on this forum will be banned for life. And possibly shot.

Glen K

But Dave, based on your line of reasoning they didn't wear ANYTHING under mail. We have zero evidence of what they wore under mail for the 10th-11th century, of ANY type. The only question I have is how you made the leap from "no gambesons" to " definitely a wool tunic", considering this complete la...

Glen K

...apparently the general consensus now is that gambesons werent work under mail Well, not really... there isn't really any "consensus", as there simply isn't much proof either way. What we have for the early medieval period is a lot of guesswork (some educated, some not) and not much else, unfortu...

Glen K

Wyrm, I think you're trying to read too much into vague sources about a topic which we today know relatively little. The best solution is simply to go with something straight from a period source and not worry too much about 'interpreting' it to be a particular something.

Glen K

The trick with the "11th century gambesons" argument is that there simply isn't anything definitive pro or con. I've noticed that a lot of people on both sides of the issue (in an intellectual/professional way, usually) tend to go to lengths to dispute the other side's arguments: folks who really wa...

Glen K

The hanging hauberks in the BT pics, why are they not merely integral legs, rather then open? They look like suits rather than split sided hauberks. Because, for all practical purposes, it would be impossible to wear them as such in a battlefield environment. For infantry, the mail rubs and catches...

Glen K

Perhaps we should move it to Feb. 24/25/26-ish, then? I think that would probably fit better with everyone, and I want to make sure our NoVa bretheren can join us if at all possible. The next question is: based on the people who can attend, would it be better to have the event proper Friday and Satu...

Glen K

Another thing that might help is applying for some grants; if you intend for the site to be used to a significant extent as a site where the public, school groups, etc. can visit then it opens up a lot of funding possibilities. Email me and I'll hook you up with some grant stuff.

Glen K

Feh! So much emphasis on the Saxon dogs... why not take a look at the WINNING side. I honestly know an embarassingly small amount about pre-conquest England; however, I firmly believe that the army Duke William brought across with him was very professional, very capable, and very well-equipped. The ...

Glen K

My understanding is that the archeology for helms in the C11th/C12th doesn't support spangenhelm. Unfortunately, the "archaeology" for 11th century helms is (from what I understand) practically non-existent. As for existing artifacts there are what, 4-5 that survived? I've often argued that materia...

Glen K

That's VERY cool, Halberds... very few of us have been lucky enough to visit ANY Pacific battlefields... they're just so far away and (often) so hard to get to. My boss has been to Corregidor when he was much younger and shown me some pics, but he's one of the few I know who have been to any.

Glen K

But, of course, I want it cheap.

If you happen to have anything you're looking to sell, or (better yet) would trade for some top-notch CW reenactment gear, please contact me. I wear 44 coat, 38 waist, and I'm looking for repro and original. Thanks!

GK

Glen K

Isn't Armour Class's mail round wire rivetted? I'm not sure that that is WRONG per se, just that most people are referring to the flat ring wedge rivetted stuff known to more correct for late medieval western europe. Ya, the flat stuff is much more correct for later periods. Earlier stuff (oh, say ...

Glen K

I may offer a couple of comments... 1) I wish word processors had been able to do footnotes when I was a freshman in college... it just looks sharp. 2) While I'd tear it up for a grad level paper, it's probably one of the better freshman/undergrad papers I've seen. At least you've read the books and...

Glen K

Actually, I can set my bell-less wedge up by myself, with a don't-break-your-ankle-again kneeboot no less!

Though, to be fair, the peak is only 6.5'.

Glen K

Look at Chuck on that horse! He've even got a baculum near at hand, like he's some kinda Bastard...

Glen K

I was actually taking a nap. I put my hood over my head so my head wouldn't get itchy from the grass, and it was surprisingly comfortable. [img]http://www.dougconfere.com/redshield/slides/Dougwithplauge.jpg[/img] Look! Look! Dear GOD, is it possible? Can you sleep on the GROUND in an authentic mann...

Glen K

Now that I actually have a picture of my soft kit...

I'm the one on the right.

Glen K

...and Glen didn't break anything No, but guess who got close enough to catch the spear point coming right at him? Man, camera eye-holes sure don't have much depth perception. Of course, if you load the really big pictures and look carefully at my left ankle, you'll see how swollen it still is.

Glen K

Konstantin,

If you will give me until the first of the year, I'll have an entire online article; I'm working on it for the "grand re-opening" of the Fitzosbern website.

I'm hoping to put up as many 11th century non-BT sources for arms and armour as I can find...

Glen K

Ok Glen, I'll bite. Assuming you have a standard gold band wedding ring, what makes it OOP? We know people wore rings, and the ring is not outside of the scope of medieval craftspersons, and you have a hors, a hauberk, etc ergo yuou have some means to your portrayal, so why is it wrong? (I'm genuin...

Glen K

Dang! I forgot my wedding ring again. Every time....

Everyone else looks great, though.

Glen K

If I was sure it would fit me, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat.

As a matter of fact... Jiri, what would shipping be to the US for the Olmutz helm w/ the padded liner? And can you take Paypal?

GK

Glen K

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/3829025580/103-9536414-1358261

Check your local Borders; mine had this beauty for $20.

Glen K

Actually, a great many of the non-Bayeux Tapestry sources from the 11th century (guessing, at least half) show long sleeves on the hauberks.

Glen K

Variation, within the historical and technological context, is good!

Hear hear! Certainly my favorite entry in "Cap'n Atli's Very Thin Book of Wisdom".

Wanted: WWII Reenactment gear