The Armour Archive

BdeB wrote:Would someone please tell the Chivalry of Aethelmarc (and the East for that matter) to stop wearing white tennis shoes? It's not 1990 anymore. It's just embarrassing now. Why go to all that effort of having an excellent looking kit and be lazy with the shoes? ( Flame on!)

You know, Bryce, I knew there was a good reason I liked you....

I must say as one who works very hard to make pictures look "period" (yeah, I know that's a contradiction in terms), it drives me nuts to see people who from the waist or even ankles up look awesome, only to have that whole picture glaringly flawed because of white freaking tennis shoes (or white athletic socks, or brightly-colored sweatpants...). I have discarded many, many photos that would otherwise have been pretty darned good because I felt it detracted so much from the over all picture.

I was chatting with Duke Ragnarr Blackhammer at the recent Tournament of Chivalry, and I was surprised to see he was wearing all-black tennis shoes, especially since I had just taken a bunch of pictures of him and hadn't even noticed until he sat down next to me. Even then, I had to look hard to tell they were indeed tennis shoes. Many Atlantians are now wearing greaves or some type of cloth/leather covering to disguise their anachronistic footwear, and by and large, they do a fine job.

So thanks to all of you who work so hard to look good, but for pity's sake, please don't neglect your footwear! Sorry to be so critical, but this is a definite pet peeve of mine. 90% of you look great out on the battlefield, and the 10% who don't really stand out, but not in a good way...

Ursus

I don't think it's being overly critical at all, I completely agree. However, I think the poor footing caught a few of us off guard. For me personally, the next step in my kit will be to find some footwear that will work regardless of how wet/muddy/sloping/bumpy the ground

Wet footing is certainly understandable, however, I will say that I was in Aethelmarc just two weeks ago and counted numerous pairs of white tennis shoes on knights and unbelts alike. The footing was just fine, perfect even. The knights do so it because it is culturally accepted and the unbelts do it in imitation of the knights.

Do better guys, that is all I'm saying. Most of your kits really look impressive and then you ruin it with white shoes. I'm putting it out there for your consideration. Take of it what you will.

BdeB wrote:The knights so it because it is culturally accepted and the unbelts do it in imitation of the knights.

Do better guys, that is all I'm saying. Most of your kits really look impressive and then you ruin it with white shoes. I'm putting it out there for your consideration. Take of it what you will.

Hey, nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism

Though my shoes are black, they are still not even close to historically accurate. I need to make a better effort.

Bryce, what do you wear for melees?

I could of swore you had on either black tennis shoes or combat boots, I thought I saw laces, at Blackstone?

I wear black hiking boots in melees, and wear black biker boots in tourneys.

I wont wear turnshoes. I really dont like how they look, and well my feet get stepped on enough in fights, tourney and melee, that I wouldnt wear them for that reason either.

Like Ursus said, if they are black, you really dont notice them that much, if at all.

Yeah, you can cover them, and if you do it well, they look nice. I have also seen some folks attempts to cover their laced shoes, that to be honest, look worse than the tennis shoes.

Is there an issue, yeah, and some of us make comments on it, and kid them for it. Its a work in progress.

SyrFinn wrote:Bryce, what do you wear for melees?

I could of swore you had on either black tennis shoes or combat boots, I thought I saw laces, at Blackstone?

Nope. I wear football cleats, covered by the talented Baron Talun of Nottinghill Coill. The design is based on a 12c shoe pattern. No good close up pictures, but here is one from Blackstone Raids:

http://ursus.smugmug.com/gallery/484343 ... iLUdj-A-LB

For tournies I wear a pair of Revival's Fake Turnshoes, with a vibram sole and my medical inserts. They are the most comfortable, best looking footwear I have ever had. (well, the cleats are pretty nice too....)

http://ursus.smugmug.com/gallery/431677 ... rwUpq-A-LB

I can deal with black & brown shoes a little better, its the white ones that are just so halfassed and lame for formal events. I also have a pair of black nike tennis-boots that I practice in and wear for bad weather.

Ah, thats what I remembered seeing. it was the cleats not the laces.

Yeah, have seen a few of Taluns work, those are really nice.

I keep looking for shoes I like the look of. Was easy for my early period, I liked the look of those boots, that I had. Unfort, doesnt work well with 13th cent. Will need to do some research and see if I can find something that I like the look of.

Excellent! Much study of these videos shall be undertaken in preparation for my August relocation

Does Count Henri have an offside? I don't understand why he wasn't throwing offsides in the fight with Olafr...

Dmitriy wrote:Excellent! Much study of these videos shall be undertaken in preparation for my August relocation

Does Count Henri have an offside? I don't understand why he wasn't throwing offsides in the fight with Olafr...

Are you moving to AEthelmearc? If so, to what area?

As for your question, I'll leave that to His Excellency Henri to answer more fully for himself. But as a frequent opponent of his, I can attest to the presence of a robust offside offense

Does Count Henri have an offside?

Your Excellancy, I can assure you that Count Sir Henri does indeed have an offside. I have had many a bruise to prove it .

Might I inquire to what part of our Kingdom you will be relocating to?

As Always, In Service

Lord Gabriel Hawkes
Squire to Count Sir Henri d'Artoi
Knight Marshall, Canton of Steltonwald

I swear, I have watched 4 of his fights now from different tournaments, and not a single offside unless you count the slot shots... But I'll take your guys' word for it.

I'm going to be in Pittsburgh for a year, getting my masters at CMU. Not sure how much fighting that will allow for, but hopefully I'll manage to find time to get beat up by you fine fellows now and then .

I look forward to meeting you then. I have a practice on Tuesday nights starting at 6pm in Steltonwald(Beaver County) and there is also the BMDL practice on Sundays. Hopefully you will be able to attend both practices to some degree.

As Always, In Service

Gabriel

Dmitriy. Yes. Henri has a wonderful offside shot. Against Olaf though its a nearly pointless shot. Olaf is a lefty like me. Our shield is on the side of the offside shots and they are damn hard to pull off with someone who fights regularly. Its one of the first things I was trained to block against. Wraps and offside shots.

Snaebjorn -- maybe lefties fight differently out there, I've found offside heads to have the highest rate of return against lefties. Offsides, and wraps.

Dmitriy wrote:Snaebjorn -- maybe lefties fight differently out there, I've found offside heads to have the highest rate of return against lefties. Offsides, and wraps.

I agree with Dmitriy. A proper offside blow is a very effective tool against lefties. No matter where they come from, or what style they fight.

As a Lefty, I'm a big fan of the offside against Righties, So the reverse should be true for Rightie against Lefty.

Dmitriy. Thats just it. They do work great against lefties. Both of those shots. Hence why my training with Sir Rowan was her throwing offside head shots and wraps all the time. Taught me to block those shots and see them coming as soon as they came out.

Olaf trains with his Master, Robin Wallace (rob(in) here on the archive), who trained with Rowan when he got started, and Sir Rowan as well. So he's gotten damn good at blocking offside shots. I've watched him practice and he reads those shots faster then I could imagine. But then he's fought longer and more often then me.

Dmitriy wrote:Excellent! Much study of these videos shall be undertaken in preparation for my August relocation

Does Count Henri have an offside? I don't understand why he wasn't throwing offsides in the fight with Olafr...

I don't understand why I didn't throw offsides either. Something I need to work on.

Olafr

You could maybe stand to throw a few more, but I counted two full offside shots and one offside pump-fake in your fight with Count Henri. Didn't see any against Sir Michael though.

You know, this thread has veered SO far from the initial topic that there should be another thread for the technical discussions.

Heh... yup it sure has

I take away the whole offside game when I fight versus a lefty. I alter my stance such that the left handed fighter is forced into an on side attack, for which I have a pretty decent defense and counter punch. Of course it also depends on the fighter, I went topside against another lefty earlier in that tourney and got him with a quick offside.

Are you thinking of our fight? I do believe you finished me with a quick offside to the head, though I seem to remember it taking some time in the delivery.

Magnus, you forgot to use your powers

DA

I tried I gave him a menacing look even lifted my eyebrows like in the movies, then smack....

Dmitriy wrote:I swear, I have watched 4 of his fights now from different tournaments, and not a single offside unless you count the slot shots... But I'll take your guys' word for it.

Yes. I can say for certainty he has a strong offside. Offside body, offside head, offside leg, and they all solid.... Henri is the kind of fighter who will position his opponant for the kill shot he wants to deliver. Seems to me he was choosing his shots very carefully that day. Watching. Waiting. Is he of the kind of mind that would take the entire day to watch and setup his opponants for next time. At no time did he sit down, relax and just chill in the shade. Is that a symptom of him watching the opponants he will face next time? Is he that devious? Possible.

As you say, an offside to a lefty is just another sheild arm shot unless very carefully placed.

Now the fight with he and his squire Gabriel Hawkes. As you say, Finn, a thing to see. When a knight walks off the field saying, "Jezus! who taught that guy???" about his own squire. That is a sign of a good student and a better teacher. Has that made utube yet?

Gabriel has potential. He showed power, speed and determination at crown. But the path to knighthood is not just fighting and sheer brute force. Grace, humility, gentility, and self-discipline..... we must never forget those. On the field and in life.

May I say here. Congrats to their Highnesses Christopher and Morgan. Well deserving of the honor, a wonderful day of fighting for him, and a gracious inspiration in all stages of the tourney. They will be wonderful rulers yet again.

Sadly it appears as though my curse is still in full force . None of my fighting ever seems to be videoed. I wanted very much to get to see that particular fight so I could learn from my mistakes and improve. Not to mention after hearing many people say how amazing the fight was it would be nice to see what the excitment was about. It was the best battle I have had with Henri to date and despite losing I came away with a feeling of accomplishment. I just hope that above all at that instant that I made my Knight proud.

I thank you for your remarks Heronsohn 1 though I am not sure who you might be. I would however ask that if you have advice for me on following the Path of Chivalry please find me at Will's Revenge or War Practice so we might speak. I am always willing to hear of ways I can improve myself both on and off the field.

As Always, In Service

Gabriel

William Freskyn Murray wrote:all my videos are posted

www.youtube.com/williamfreskynmurray

Will

Hey! Vlad finally got his device painted on his shield!!! Vivat!!