The Armour Archive

This past Friday, at Great North Eastern War between the Province of Malagentia and the Barony of Endewearde, I endeavored to introduce the North to the culture of the Deeds of Arms many of us here strive for.

This was not without challenge, as the attitude of the Northern Army is not one easily changed or molded. More on this point later.

16 Men and 1 Woman took the field that evening.
4 of these men already strive to present themselves in a way that would grant them access to the CotT at Pennsic.
13 of them took the time over a course of 5 months to create armor of a reasonable facsimile. They made Jupons to cover what they already had, forged greathelms of varying quality, made breastplates and greaves, arm harnesses and sugarloafs.

Where they perfect? No.
Would they gain them access to the Pennsic deed? For most no.
But the dedication, and heart they put into what they did for a few hours of a day on an entire weekend. That is something I am eternally greatful for and to which I can never repay them. The gift they have given to me moves me.

3 men traveled great distances.
All three are archivers, John Meyer aka Enzo, Jace Boatrite aka Johanness and Roger Young aka Alejandro. The first two driving to Maine from Buffalo and the third from Deleware.

I will post more on this later when I have collected my thoughts.

On lighting a fire, one first must make a spark. The spark is not the full warming flame, but it can lead to it with nuturing.

What I mean by this, is that the kits in this deed where far from the level of the true CotT. Almost no one had greaves. Most of the helmets where rough. And one man was even allowed on the field in sneakers.
Why?
Many reasons. Some outside pressures, some for want of more participation, but mainly for heart.
The amount of heart put forth by each person on that field that day was to be rewarded. From the men who drove great distances, to the young man who put together his first true 14th century kit (including jupon) and forgot his boots at home.
I cannot tell you all how humbled I am by the amount of work people put into this. Into something we didn't even know if people would enjoy. All I can say is thank you.
This will continue at GNEW. And it will grow. The spark will be fanned to a flame, and the flame to a fire.
More on the actual combat and pictures to come.

I'm glad to hear that this first endevour turned out so well. I hope to see it continue.

The evening was hot. And hardly any wind stirred the air on the field.
We gathered, almost milled around as the time drew near.
The sidelines quickly filled with more people than I thought would come to view it. There had to be over 100.

The combatants gathered round, and were evaluated. All were deemed worthy, some for kit, some for the effort of trying.
The were instructed of the conduct of the field. The rules were set out.

The teams were instructed to form ranks behind their Captains. 9 on the English behind me, and 6 on the French behind Count Arloff.

I turned and asked if one of the English would be honorable enough to change sides, one man obliged. The sides were set at 9 for the English and 8 for the French.
The French had two shield men with Maces, and were mixed of great maces, pole arms and a bastard sword. The English all pole arms except for one great sword.

We ran the scenario 3 times. Twice so the we could better acquaint ourselves with the conventions, and a third with ransoms paid.
The first round began as the English flanked the french . A few French combatant were taken as hostages. And some even rescued. But the French, with the cry of MOUNTJOI!! Rallied, and ran the field. The French won the round.

On the second round the English quickly routed the French. All were taken prisoner, only a single English hostage taken.

We took a brief break, to breath and drink and talk.
The French brought a Bard, Baroness Annoleda Falconbridge, who played her harp and sang in French to entertain the crowd.

We were asked if we were ready to proceed. I stated yes and my French counterpart agreed.
A marshal of the Norhtern Amry started to yell- "Hats and Bats!" but I interrupted, and said "Nay my friend, try this: Arm thyselves in the manner to which you are accustomed!"


As the third round began the French lined up with a pole weapon behind a shield. Try as the English did we could not defeat this. I was taken hostage twice. The first time my captor left me on the field, he did not escort me off. I was almost captured a second time, but Sir Angus O'Neal rescued me. The true second capture he could not, though he tried. Alexendre de la Mar was the last English on the field. He was swarmed, and the French Captain yelled "SINGLE COMBAT! SINGLE COMBAT!" He tok the first, but succumbed to the second.

The French were victorious.

Ransoms were paid, largess given to those seen as worthies, and thanks given to and received from the crowd.

I just want to thank you for running it. It was blast and really made me understand having pride in ones kit. It has greatly increased my desire to put a truly period kit together, not just something that passes the 10" approx rule.

Thoughts on next year.

- Pole or great weapon only. No shields, no single handed anything unless as a backup.

- A viewing gallery for honored guests.

- Retainers- Each combatant must have at least one.


I will now touch briefly on a comment I made above. The culture of the Northern Army.

There was a cultural disconnect.
The Deed was constantly referred to as a "Tournament." Perhaps I was not very good at describing what a "Deed" is.
There was talk about trying to add some sort of Prize, and I kept saying "The Prize IS the Deed." Again, I don't think I explained it very well.

We shall see how this evolves going forward.
It was very well received overall, and people want to see it done again next year.

addicted- if I ay ask, whats your SCA name? I hope we met this weekend

And yes, I will try my hardest to do it again!
I am overall very happy with how it went.

And thank you. It means a lot to me to hear someone say that.

And-

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The English

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We did. I was the gentle in the saltshaker helm who came in last minute hoping I could play. I have no SCA name(yet), as I don't really like the whole persona thing. I go by my mundane last name, Ringo. Occasionally, and most unfortunately, known as Wizen Pizzle.

On the Norther Army bit, I was going to suggest asking for a Marshall who was as dedicated to the idea as the combatants. I remember hearing the call for "Hats and Bats" and know I was not the only one who was more than a little dismayed by the blatant regression to what I heard referred to as "early period scadian."

Retainers, perhaps not? It might be hard to find a person to help. If the goal is to inspire greater accuracy in our recreations, something that creates another barrier may not be helpful. Especially so early in kindling the flame. However it may be the opposite. By bringing in retainers you may bring even more inspiration to those who retain and to others who would wish to portray period retainers, but not period fighting kits.

Just my 2 cents. I'm new to this whole scene so probably not worth even that.

addicted2aa wrote:We did. I was the gentle in the saltshaker helm who came in last minute hoping I could play. I have no SCA name(yet), as I don't really like the whole persona thing. I go by my mundane last name, Ringo. Occasionally, and most unfortunately, known as Wizen Pizzle. Yes! I actually saw a picture of you fighting at Panteria. I was hoping you would come up!

On the Norther Army bit, I was going to suggest asking for a Marshall who was as dedicated to the idea as the combatants. I remember hearing the call for "Hats and Bats" and know I was not the only one who was more than a little dismayed by the blatant regression to what I heard referred to as "early period scadian." I tried my best to combat that. I like that idea, finding a marshal who is just as in to it as the combatants. Or letting the Captains make the calls.

Retainers, perhaps not? It might be hard to find a person to help. If the goal is to inspire greater accuracy in our recreations, something that creates another barrier may not be helpful. Especially so early in kindling the flame. However it may be the opposite. By bringing in retainers you may bring even more inspiration to those who retain and to others who would wish to portray period retainers, but not period fighting kits.
I understand and welcome the feedback on this. Here is my rational. There was confusion as to what is to be done with the captured once a person captures them. While the two "Ransom Points" worked on the fly, I would like to see each combatant set up their own small space, whether it be a small tent, a table, or just a chest/box to sit on at the sidelines. Having a retainer there to offer the "Guest" a drink or a small repast would certainly add to the atmosphere for both the fighters and the crowed. It would also allow those who would like to take part in the deed, but not fight, to do so. Perhaps making them "Mandatory" is the wrong next step. Highly Encouraged may be a better term. There are usually volunteers for this kind of thing who could be made available for someone who doesn't have their own.

Just my 2 cents. I'm new to this whole scene so probably not worth even that.

Everyone's opinion is worth its weight in gold to me, as long as it is constructive I hope whoever received your ransom liked it!

It looked wonderful. I will endeavor next year to be both present and worthy. If I am not found worthy, I will gladly volunteer to Marshall, and promise to not let thirty years of "Northern Army Cultcha" rule my voice.

Ceawlin
Baron, Smoking Rocks

Thank you Ceawlin.
Hearing such good things about it, from people such as yourself, means a lot to me.

I want to add, there is nothing wrong with the "Cultcha" (TM) of the Northern Army. It is what makes the NA the NA! When I am on the regular battle field I will yell HATS AND BATS BOYS when I hear the order given.

This is just different,and we will all get used to it

MJBlazek wrote:

addicted2aa wrote:We did. I was the gentle in the saltshaker helm who came in last minute hoping I could play. I have no SCA name(yet), as I don't really like the whole persona thing. I go by my mundane last name, Ringo. Occasionally, and most unfortunately, known as Wizen Pizzle. Yes! I actually saw a picture of you fighting at Panteria. I was hoping you would come up!

On the Norther Army bit, I was going to suggest asking for a Marshall who was as dedicated to the idea as the combatants. I remember hearing the call for "Hats and Bats" and know I was not the only one who was more than a little dismayed by the blatant regression to what I heard referred to as "early period scadian." I tried my best to combat that. I like that idea, finding a marshal who is just as in to it as the combatants. Or letting the Captains make the calls.

Retainers, perhaps not? It might be hard to find a person to help. If the goal is to inspire greater accuracy in our recreations, something that creates another barrier may not be helpful. Especially so early in kindling the flame. However it may be the opposite. By bringing in retainers you may bring even more inspiration to those who retain and to others who would wish to portray period retainers, but not period fighting kits.
I understand and welcome the feedback on this. Here is my rational. There was confusion as to what is to be done with the captured once a person captures them. While the two "Ransom Points" worked on the fly, I would like to see each combatant set up their own small space, whether it be a small tent, a table, or just a chest/box to sit on at the sidelines. Having a retainer there to offer the "Guest" a drink or a small repast would certainly add to the atmosphere for both the fighters and the crowed. It would also allow those who would like to take part in the deed, but not fight, to do so. Perhaps making them "Mandatory" is the wrong next step. Highly Encouraged may be a better term. There are usually volunteers for this kind of thing who could be made available for someone who doesn't have their own.

Just my 2 cents. I'm new to this whole scene so probably not worth even that.

Everyone's opinion is worth its weight in gold to me, as long as it is constructive I hope whoever received your ransom liked it!

Not actually me at Panteria,I didn't make it. Not sure who you saw, since I'm pretty sure I'm the only one with a kit like mine in the north, but glad you saw someone cause it let me play.

Having the captains make the calls sounds cool. Or I'm not sure how true this is, but in some of the historical fiction I've read there were scribes or some such that met before the battle to agree to terms, locations, ect, and then watched the battle to record it. If each team produced a Marshall of their own, in the role of a scribe, or something similar, that could be cool. Someone who could also record the deed and perhaps have it spoken of at court in a more bardic fashion. Not sure if that's going to far away from the core of the deed though.

Now that I understand the desire for retainers, I completely see where you're coming from. Asking for volunteers, as is sometimes down for consorts for singles tourneys for the people who don't have, sounds like it would work perfectly.

Duh.. it was at Palio.

Having the deed recorded by a Bard a great memory.
I had Master Toki present when Sir Alfred vied for the "Couter of Chivalry"
http://www.eastkingdom.org/mediawiki/in ... the_Couter

As one of the two who traveled from the far lands of the Rydderich Hael in the Sylvan lands of Aethelmearc, I must say I truly enjoyed the deed. It was my first, and it taught me the lesson to not fight with an open faced (bar grill only) helm as I met death at the hands of a zealous Frenchman with a poleaxe.

Here's one of my favorite pictures, post battle, of the Hael boys (I am in green).

The detail on Jace's kit is fantastic. Everybody complimented him on it.
John's kit is fantastic as well.

I was very glad they came up, and they have given me an idea.