The Armour Archive

this year there are 2 events you can have a go at.

the EMA training weekend at tournament stud near brackley in april.
A reenactor only event with no public, cost as far as I know is 8 UK pounds per person which includes camping and most things that are happening.
contact Catherine of gwent on the livinghistory.co.uk forum to confirm please

Midlands history festival ( midfest ) held near northampton at the start of august, a multi period public event where reenactors can try out the new power hammer as well as all the other stuff.

at both events I will be helping out newbies and some more experienced friends will be doing the more advanced stuff

I will be trading at both events and at TORM, Tewkes and maybe the wilderness gathering.
ask if you want more details

Is there a webpage for the Brackley event? If not perhaps you could answer a few questions for me? What is the actual date of the event? Also, possibly a dumb question but what does EMA stand for (European Martial Arts?). Is this an event where all participants are in full garb at all times? Will you be spending a large portion of the event at the forge demonstrating armour construction technique or will it just be a brief demo?

Thanks!

date is not confirmed yet
the event is run by the
Early Medieval Alliance
garb / costume is not required
I dont do armour but there will be tools I make there for use
I will be with the forge all the daytime both days and so will others to help
a person who often helps me and said he will be there trained for several years at hereford
normally lancaster armouries do discussions and demos of armour repair
there are many other things going on too

EMA event is most likley 13 and 14th april, you dont have to be a member of the EMA, any reenactors are welcome
midfest is 3rd and 4th aug

Thats great thanks - Very kind. Will you be selling any mild steel stock (or scrap) there as well, or should I try and get hold of some beforehand?

Thanks again for you help and advice.

I will have some with me and it is free for a reasonable quantity, you can order in advance and I can bring stuff for you or you can also bring your own, you may want to bring favorite tools to use as well but basics will be there for all touse

Perfect. Thanks again.

13th and 14th april confirmed
cost 12 uk pounds including all courses and camping for the weekend
some of the things on offer ......

Armour Care and Repair - James Gordon of Bydand Armouries. Bring your battered gauntlets, helms and arms and legs and see how to give them a new lease of life.

Bow Care - James Farrar of Fairbow UK has kindly said that he will do a workshop on how to look after your bow, bow strings, etc etc.

Forge Work - Iron Dwarf - Come and have a go at making something out of metal - even I managed to make a very basic lantern holder!

Mediaeval Tiles - Have a go at making a mediaeval time, or even a modern tile but with mediaeval methods. Bring a pinny with you, unless you fancy wearing a black bin bag - messy time! Any children in attendance are welcome to take part in this workshop. Widge Thorpe, enthusiastic but amateur potter (and my friend) has agreed to come along to deliver this workshop. She also makes mediaeval style pots and is a self-confessed anorak about glazes etc. So she will have interesting information to impart.

Alex Greenland - Will bring his box of pigments with him, and is happy to talk about their properties and how to handle them.

Spices - I will bring my spice box and do a bit more research before the weekend, to talk about the various and unusual spices that were used in mediaeval cooking.

I am also looking into the possibility of a visit to a local manor house for a guided tour and tea and cake. There will, of course, be archery and combat training, and even an opportunity to be shot by the archers (but you will need adequate protection to take part in this).
Catherine of Gwent

packed and will be off to this event in the morning

Just to say I had a go on Iron Dwarfs forge and was very impressed. Sturdy construction, though easy to deconstruct and pack away. Not too difficult to light even in the wind and drissle, and generated plenty of heat to quickly bring the steel up to yellow/orange (and well beyond if you bury it under to coals!). For the price, which I think was a little over £100, I'd highly recommend.

Thank you tom, was not bad inspite of having fire retardant charcoal to light it with ( my fault )

next event is at the same location and is a Larp called Empire, last time there was 2000 people camping there at easter in sub zero conditions, may be more this time and I will have the forge going and at least one trained blacksmith to help me
date is 24th may for 4 days

midfest in august has been cancelled, should have posted this a while ago but forgot.