Medieval Weapons

An early Crusader who had just arrived in the Holy Land viewed a band of Saracens from a distance.  He was so impressed with the curved sword that they wielded that he attempted to locate his own.  Naturally the Saracens were not anxious to trade with the enemy, so he was forced to use his own straight blade crusader sword.  The image that the Crusader saw is the picture that the western world still holds of the Islamic warrior—a turbaned soldier with a curved blade sword.

However straight bladed swords were also used by Islam during the Crusades.  The stereo-type exists, because the Prophet Mohammed likely carried a curved weapon.  There are relics which are preserved in the armory of the Sultans in the Topkai Palace in Istanbul that substantiate that he possessed a Scimitar.  There are two swords that are associated with Mohammed at the armory.  One of the swords is a narrow blade and is slightly curved.  The hilt and scabbard of the weapon are embellished with precious stones and gold.  The period that he utilized the blade would have been 560-632. 

We have written about western swords with names in this blog.  Islamic warrior’s swords also had names.  The famous sword mentioned above was ‘Dhu’l Faqar’.  Mohammed wielded this weapon at the battle of Badr in 624.  Legend recounts that the sword was cloven in two near its point, and this is how it has  been depicted ever since.  It was bequeated to Ali, son-in-law to Mohammed.  He served as Caliph from 656 to 661.

The Scimitar as well as being a beautifully formed sword, it also is very balanced and easy to handle.  Collectors and reenactors appreciate the sword.  Also it is so easy to wield that it is also used today in exotic belly-dancing.

Swords, with their long sharp blades and sturdy handles unfailingly bring to mind swash-buckling, dragon-slaying knights either in flouncy costumes or in shiny armor.  More often than not, these men are princes or noblemen out to save their kingdom or rescue some damsel in distress.  Swords also remind us of medieval times with their action-packed, crisscrossing swordfights, of flying, all-in-black ninjas, and of fencing fights.  Unquestionably, these well-built weapons are impressive and remarkable that is why a number of people revel in collecting them.

Sword buffs will be ecstatic over the rich selection of swords in online stores.  There are scores of handsome swords for the taking, which they can purchase and add to their precious sword displays. Browsing and selecting are bound to be hassle-free and satisfying because the items are sorted accordingly.  A few of those categories are Samurai and Katana Swords, Sword Sets, Fantasy Swords, the Side Sword, Sword Canes, and Movie Swords.

Every year I am left at a loss as to what to be for Halloween; if you go with a stereotypical costume you simply blend into the crowd, and if you getup is too far-out, you may ostracize yourself. One of the happy middle grounds is to take a run-of-the-mill costume to the next level, which is exactly what I decided to do last year.

I have a certain affinity for the medieval period—The Sword in the Stone is one of my favorite films—so I decided to go as a knight. Naturally I pulled out all of the stops—from a heavy sword and shield to wearable armor. The costume had just the effect I was looking for; it garnered compliments without being too extravagant.

Valentine’s Day is the ultimate celebration of love.  The origin of this day of love is obscure; it is thought to be named after St. Valentine, a Roman priest, who lived during the time of the persecution of the early Christians.  Valentine supposedly married young Christians when the government sought to prevent their marriage to stymie the growth of Christianity.  All the information regarding the love-day is fable.  Regardless of how Valentine’s day came to be celebrated by lovers,  romance has existed since the beginning of time.

Marriage and love in feudal Europe presented some unusual customs and rituals which we do not experience in our modern world.  If a vassal or bondman from a certain manor wanted to marry a woman from another manor, he had to give the lord of that manor a brass pan in compensation; and the pan had to be of such a size that the bride could sit in it without undue compression.  That tradition was probably the result of a rich merchant that ordered too many large brass pans.

Witnesses to weddings often would hit one another to impress the occasion on their memories in case they might be called on to attest to the validity of the marriage.  In Medieval times there were no formal records.   Uncle Brun readily could remember  the occasion of Attila and Matilda’s nuptials because , Aunt Maud broke his right jaw.  The passing of the ring which symbolized the union in Medieval Europe is still a tradition today.

All Medieval dwellings were very cold.  Lovemaking was possibly limited during the winter.  When spring came, it roused people to a pagan frenzy.  The sun shone and lusty blood flowed. Lovers took to the fields, freed from the crowded houses where whole families often lived.  Most love poems were written in the spring; such the modern term, “spring fever.”

One tradition from the Middle ages that is still around today is the toast to love.  All classes had access to some form of celebratory beverages.  The nobility had wine, and the lower classes had beer and ale.  I really believe that young peasants knew how the nobility’s wine was made; and I will wager that many a bottle was made and consumed in the spring fields during a lovers picnic.   During the marriage ceremony the bride and groom toasted each other with the finest Medieval Chalices that were available. Glass was not readily available in Medieval Europe so silver, gold or pewter was used for the wedding toast.   Often they were borrowed from the church.

Love is the most wonderful thing on the face of the earth, and it was the same during the Middle Ages.  No one told them that they were living during depressed times; they believed that they were a very advanced society.  Slow down and enjoy the celebration of love.  Toast your lover, go on a picnic, propose, eat chocolate, smell the roses, write a poem of love and take a large brass pot to your beloved home and let her sit in it.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Are you expecting a magical gift from the love of your life or from the love of the moment?  How do present day lovers  compare with those true knights in shining armor?  Was the Medieval male a passionate slave to his love  or did he regard the  woman of his life as his slave?

According to Belle Tuten, a renown Medieval historian, love and courtly love were  very important in the life of the Medieval male.  He explores the subject with the following description:

“  Medieval literature is full of stylized, “courtly” language speaking of love and desire.  A suitor’s flowery prose expressed his hope of winning the lady of his choice.  Courtly love poetry-frequently addressed to a woman who was completely out of reach-tolerated and may have even encouraged, love outside marriage, as in the stories of Guinevere and Lancelot and of Tristan and Iseult.  There were also real-life examples: Geoffrey Chaucer wrote his Book of the Duchess(1369) for Blanche, duchess of Lancaster; at whose death he mourned the “siknesse (i.e. unrequited love) that I have suffred this eight yere.”

Such devotion could be taken to extremes.  Ulrich von Lichtenstein, a noble Austrian who died around 1275, wrote a poem–partly fact and partly fiction–describing the activities of the perfect courtly lover.  Among Ulrich’s extravagant gifts was one of his fingers, sent to his lady-love with a book of poems.  He also underwent a dangerous operation to repair his harelip, hoping to appear more handsome for her even though they had never met.  After he had camped outside her house for some time, the lady finally agreed to see him.  But when he begged her for more than a greeting, she replied sternly: “Nay your courage may not aspire so far as that I should lay you here by my side . . .. My lord and master shall live ever free from fear lest I should love another man than he.”

There are many other examples of courtly love as practiced in Medieval Europe.  We will explore some of those courts of the past in the next few days before the great day of “love.”

Piracy has been an iconic event since the beginning of time.  Romans  suffered  attacks from pirates whenthey traveled by sea.   The Vikings were some of the most fierce pirates that ever sailed the seas.  They looted Europe with wreckless abandon in their powerful sailers.  One of the most renown pirates was a looter of the American seas and shore.  

His favorite haunt was  the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida.    His name was Gaspar and he was a native of Spain.   He was one of the most successful pirates; Gaspar is credited with capturing over 400 ships from 1789 to 1821. Adopting the nickname Gasparilla, he buried treasure in numerous places throughout the west coast of Florida.

Known as the “Last Buccaneer”, Gasparilla was planning on retiring from a life of piracy. Ironically, on the day he was dividing his treasure among his crew. he spied a fat British merchant ship passing offshore.  Gaspar couldn’t resist one last plunder and gave chase.  Unfortunately, the merchant ship was really the disguised USS Enterprise - a U.S. Navy warship on a pirate-hunting mission.

Jose Gaspar pulled in close to the ship before realizing, too late, that it was a trap.  A spirited battle between pirate and pirate-hunter ensued.  Gaspar’s ship caught fire and was about to be boarded.  Rather than give up and be hanged for piracy, Gasparilla wrapped a heavy chain around his waist and jumped off the bow of his ship.

While Gaspar disappeared beneath the waves, he was not forgotten, nor was his treasure.  Gaspar had left it on shore with some of his trusted crew as he went to attack what he thought was the merchant ship.

After the battle, the crew that remained onshore took the treasure inland and buried it in different places along the coast.  None of Jose Gaspar’s treasure has ever been recovered.

For over one hundred years, Tampa Bay has celebrated the memory of Jose Gaspar with a massive parade and festival called the Gasparilla Pirate Fest or Gasparillafest.  Over half a million people attend annually.  The world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship, the “Jose Gasparilla“, sails up into Tampa Bay accompanied by hundred of small boats.  The ship is loaded with pirates, firing cannons, intent on capturing the city.

Each year, the city surrenders and the pirates take to the streets and lead a huge parade with over 120 krewes and their floats winding through downtown Tampa.

Now a reincarnation of Jose Gaspar and his crew have returned and continue to hide more  treasure in the Tampa Bay area.  Finally, you have the opportunity to find some of his treasure for yourself… 

Enjoy a unique family vacation by attending the Gasparilla Festival.  It is an exciting and colorful event.  Dress as a pirate and enjoy the party.  It occurs during the month of January.  We appreciate the many Gaspar sites which contributed to this post.

One of the most storied and legendary civilizations in recorded history is that of ancient Rome. Although it was started as a monarchy, the political structure shifted to an oligarchic republic during its span. During a time when empires rarely lasted for than a few generations, the Roman Empire thrived for over a thousand years in various incarnations.

Although there are a myriad of facets that make up the complexion of the society, the military is one of the most important. While Ancient Roman swords and armor would obviously be rudimentary by today’s standards, they were inline with their contemporaries. Along with Ancient Greece—who had a considerable influence on Rome—the two makeup what is now referred to as the “classical period.”

Today children and adults alike are resistant to learning history, and TV and film are often the only ways that they are exposed to the events of the past. The film 300 documents the legend of a particular group of Spartan warriors. The Spartans defended their country, and their people, against the stronger and more numerous Persians. The movie proved that the Davids can beat the Goliaths through sheer determination, skill and bravery.

While many people had heard of the Spartans before the movie, the film rekindled an appreciation for the warriors in their Spartan war helmet and armor. Spartan attire has come to symbolize heroism and courage at its finest. Every kid, or kid at heart, wants to own their own set of armor and wanted to be a Spartan warrior, even if it was just in their imagination.

The term Samurai was first noted in writings of the Eighth Century.  The first Samurai were servants. The word, “Samurai,”means retainer.  As precarious circumstances developed around the inhabitants of the castle, the Samurai were asked to perform military duties.

They first fought with bows and arrows.  As the battles became more fierce, fewer of the archers were seen, because very few possessed the skill to ride and manage to hit their human target.  A more accurate weapon was the  spear (yari) which was  ideal for stabbing a foe to death as well as throwing from the back of a horse.

Confucianism and Zen Buddhism were very strong intellectual influences on the Samurai.  The most important ethical demands made by Confuscianism were filial piety and loyalty, both of which were fundamental to the beliefs of the Samurai. 

When the famous Samurai sword became the most important weapon of the Samurai, it was not a simple matter of just the mastery of the sword.  Confuscianism which was part of the core of the Samurai’s belief, stressed the prowess with the sword combined with the need to serve the master.  The sword was to be more than a simple weaspon, it had to be an answer to life’s questions.

In this blog we have written about swords that possess souls, have names, and are an extension of their human bearer.  The Samurai sword is perhaps the most soulful weapon of any, and we will explore all the facets of the Samurai and his weapons in weeks to come.

If you know someone who is a history buff, medieval décor would be a great gift for them.  If you look online, you can find great selections of medieval inspired art and figurines. From Norse warriors to dragons, there are several resources that have several pieces to choose from.

While some time periods are clearly defined, medieval is a broad term that is used the Middle Ages, which spans over 1,000 years. Because of this, there are literally thousands of distinct accessories that you can use to when outfitting a home to achieve a medieval ambiance. The next time you’re searching for a gift for someone who has their nose buried in the history books, go with something that you’re certain they would enjoy.