The Armour Archive

Glen K

Glen wrote:

...armour was a reasonable defense against weapons of the day. Not proof, not useless, but reasonable.

Russ wrote:

[quote]The answer to the question Ã¢â‚¬Å“was handbow archery effective against mailÃ¢â‚¬Â

Glen K

After having read the paper a couple more times and slept on it, I'd like to offer a few more thoughts on the issue. I think what is lost on Mr. Howard is that Russ isn't trying to do a test to check for the effectiveness or arrows vs. mail vs. arrows; what he's doing is trying to determine if it is...

Glen K

Mr. Howard, your rudeness, arrogance, and seeming inability to discuss things in a mature and professional manner practically negate anything positive you could add to this discussion. Please be so kind as to treat other folks with a bit more respect in the future.

Glen K

Super-duh on my part. You had mentioned him, and in my head I translated that to him being the author. As such, I never even looked at the author when I opened the paper.... And now it all comes together... that's the article you've been talking about working on. I've very sorry to have let all the ...

Glen K

Wow, that's a great article. Kudos to Dr. DeVries for his work! I'm going to have to read it a couple of more times to digest it, but I find myself completely and totally agreeing with his bottom-line conclusion: [quote]Although there were unavoidable material caveats involved in these tests, they s...

Glen K

Thanks, Josh. I've edited my post to reflect my mistaking two different pieces of armour, both from way outta my period.

Glen K

It was an FAQ meant to briefly address the major issues. I'm not about to write a 50,000 word thesis on the subject for an online forum, which is what would be required to address these issues in detail.... I didn't dismiss your "arms race" totally. I said that it was the least important factor whe...

Glen K

This [arms race] is a very modern viewpoint heavily biased because of the rapid development and counter development of military technology during the 20th century. This rapid technological advancement is unprecedented in history and cannot be applied to the Middle Ages or even the Renaissance. Duri...

Glen K

While we'll probably never have a definitive answer, someone on a History Channel show (believe it or not) put it in a way that I often paraphrase/plagarize when I'm doing a presentation: armour was a reasonable defense against weapons of the day. Not proof, not useless, but reasonable . The Interce...

Glen K

It looks like Osprey will (finally) be publishing a book on the Templar order in October, and one of the 'Warrior' series no less... m While my excitement was initially high, after looking at a couple of things I'm slightly worried about it. First, it's NOT David Nicolle, so that's something. It's b...

Glen K

Right, Wil. I know of no extant pieces that could definitively be called "Norman". I assume they used something similar to what their not-to-distant Scandanavian forefathers used, and all the archaeological evidence I've been able to read about (which, granted, is a secondary work but based on descr...

Glen K

The folks Seyc put me in touch with don't do bows anymore, unfortunately. So the search continues... Also, please note that I'm not looking for a specific Anglo-Saxon bow, but something Norman-ish.

Glen K

Personally, I wouldn't pay $.02 for Eric's male tools. I'd guess with all the handling by Eric they're plenty worn and blunted by now.

However, in the interest of having a tasty pickled treat, I WILL bid $30 for his brain in a jar.

Glen K

I will heartily echo Chef's thought that it is, most unfortunately, impossible to learn a "medieval" style of riding. My advice posted above will enable you to (eventually) profenciently handle weapons and do medieval things [sic] from horseback; whether it is in an authentic or period method, who k...

Glen K

Wil,

For me, it's an availability thing... I haven't been able to find rivets long enough! I would love to do so, though. I found them once, but had to order like 200 of them minimum, and what am I gonna do with 192 extra rivets?

Glen K

I have to say that I've grown to have a new appreciation for Osprey books... as a whole they're by no means a primary source (as some would believe); they are not the 'cutting edge' of scholarship; sometimes what they say is fundamentally flawed. But they're great fun to read and look at! I would co...

Glen K

Depending on what kind of carriage bolts you've got, I think they would definitely work. There are the "old" kind w/o threads, that were meant to be threaded later or peened, and are definitely more proper-looking. The modern ones you get at Home Depot (which I use, btw) can be modified with some wo...

Glen K

I'll concur with seyc in this matter, for what my opinion is worth: Hunter seat, IMHO, will make you a better rider than western. Of course, the trick is to convince your riding teacher to let you do hunt seat with the reins in one hand.... for "medieval" riding, especially if you intend to do it fr...

Glen K

Pete,

They're yours. I'll contact you via email...

Glen K

Sersem,

My copy is at home, but I thought that he listed the sources (however briefly) in the commentary on the facing page. If not, I'll see what I can dig up this evening, or at least try to.

Glen K

I have some duplicate Anglo-Norman Studies: Proceedings from the Battle Conference volumes that I need to move along. Listings of contents and price for a new volume are listed below (from the official Battle Conference website): Volume III Volume VIII Volume X Please note that the price for all thr...

Glen K

I've been doing some research, reading, and pondering on those pesky little squares that mailled warriors on the BT (and some other sources)have. Having come up with several possibilities, I'd love to hear what solutions [sic] others have arrived at concerning them. (Egfroth: Don't worry, I've alrea...

Glen K

Seyc, yes, if you could do that I'd appreciate it!

Glen K

DeCalmont, Yew would be preferred but any documentable wood (ash, elm especially) would do. As far as draw length, ~28" and weight ~35#. As far as style, it would still have all the basic characteristics of a longbow: a flat back, D-shaped belly, no recurve, and preferably a self-bow (if of ash or e...

Glen K

Ok, folks.... does anyone know where I can get an 11th century bow, of proper construction and material? Not a longbow, not something made out of an undocumentable wood, just a plain ol' medieval bow, without paying $500? Please let me know here or email me. Thanks,

GK

Glen K

I would probably pay any reasonable price. Speaking only for myself and a couple members of FitzOsbern, we'd probably forego any meal plan (if such an option were possible) and hit the local restaurants or provide rations inside the camp. Regardless, we are definitely "in" for such an event. The nex...

Glen K

I'm actually really bummed, because the wife and I had been making big plans for two-week trip that would include the Big One, Sussex coast, parts of Normandy, and Portsmouth. I know a lot of other people had been planning on a 2005 one too... hadn't EH all even said it would be 2005 earlier?

Glen K

Rhoetus, all; While there certainly were tournaments at least as early as the mid-12th century, they didn't consist of knights riding towards each other one-on-one in the manner of the joust proper until the later 13th-early 14th century. But Rhoetus is right in the respect that fellows went far and...

Glen K

Depending on how early into the 13th century you're going, here is a group with some pictures of kit....

http://www.novae-militiae.com/

Glen K

I sure am glad noone decided to be self rightous and post flames instead of usable info

Respectfully, I don't think anybody did.

Glen K

arooski!

Glen K

Is there any Norman armor made from larger lamalar, or would it be within reason to say his personna purchased or traded for it? Is he looking at early, mid, or late 13th century? Bascially, all-mail is the only historically viable alternative, but there are bits of plate that can be added here and...

Glen K

Even the dane axe could be thrown. Not very well but it could be thrown.

The real trick, though: can you provide evidence that they ever did? Or even might have? I can't imagine throwing away your primary weapon, and can think of no reference to such a thing...

GK

Glen K

Email sent, Ambrosius. Thanks!

GK

Glen K

Ambrosius,

I sent an email to you requesting photos and info. If they're still available please send to: gpkyle@bellsouth.net

Thanks,

GK

Osprey Book on Templars

Anglo Norman studies volumes III, VIII, and X for sale

Bayeux Tapestry "chest squares"

Wanted: Bow