Medieval Weapons

    Instead of another black-tie affair, my friend is hosting a costume gala on New Year’s Eve. Rather than a free-for-all like Halloween, my friend has put forth a theme of “Knights and Damsels.” Each person is requested to come in a costume with some variation on the theme.

For fun, my husband is going to dress as the damsel and I will play the knight. We modeled our costumes last night and I could not stop laughing at my husband’s attempts to wiggle into his pink gown. I, on the other hand, looked quite dashing holding my crusader sword aloft.

I was first introduced to the Society for Creative Anachronism while away at school. Though my college didn’t have many participants, I learned more about SCA through two friends at another school. They would detail their weekly training practices and preparations for the next big battle. As fascinating as weapon training was, I became more interested in the elaborate costumes participants used to clothe themselves during battle.

Every detail from the hauberk down to daggers is thoughtfully researched by the hardcore participants. For instance, a wealthier persona (player) might use a stiletto dagger, while someone who was adept with their left hand might carry a main gauche (French for “left hand”). There are eating daggers made with black antler or white bone handles. There are even bodice daggers for the ladies that can be sewn into a bodice or corset! The level of detail put into developing and clothing a character is amazing!

The Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman conquest of England, lends great insight to the military dress of the Normans as far back as 1066. From the tapestry we can tell that the kite shaped shield was used universally throughout the Norman cavalry. The large shield stretches from the upper chest down to mid-calf and was meant to protect the rider’s exposed left flank, but more often than not, knights are shown using the shields to protect their horses. On his person, a knight wore a hauberk. Made of chainmail, the hauberk was knee length, split up the front and back for riding with the two sides draping around the rider’s legs when mounted, for additional protection.

Under the chainmail hauberk, a gambeson was worn. A gambeson is typically a padded or quilted garment used to prevent chafing while riding. The garment also added a layer of protection if the knight received a particularly hard blow. Unfortunately, even with padding, chainmail was likely to dig into a knight’s flesh and potentially lead to blood poisoning.

Both the Lord of the Rings books and movies re-introduced us to the medieval setting in recent years. Even though the movies are set in a fantasy realm, much of the garb and weaponry is reminiscent of the medieval outfits we’re all so familiar with. Many products were release concurrently with the film to capitalize on this wave of medieval nostalgia.

For men, there are medieval armor and weapons that look and feel like the real thing. Although they can’t be used in battle, much of the armor is wearable and all of the accessories make awesome pieces of decor. And women will enjoy decorative displays, key chains, letter openers, and jewelry. Celtic jewelry is another trend that has been revitalize by the trilogy of Tolkien-based movies since the pieces look like they’re straight from Middle Earth.

Though Asian décor has had its own dedicated following in the West for more than a century, in recent years it has integrated with contemporary design. Asian culture, and more specifically Japanese culture, has influenced much of modern interior design. You’ll find traditional Japanese pieces like floral screens, lacquer statues, and prints of Japanese art in contemporary interior design, as well as traditional oriental swords.  In addition, the art of Feng Shui is widely practiced in Japan and has become an integral part of interior and exterior design.

It’s amazing how many pieces of far east décor you’ll find in Western design. Homes for sale on the market today have often been rearranged and prepared by interior design experts, and in addition to standard things like updated appliances and hardwood floors, homebuyers recognize Asian décor as contemporary, and from it deduce that the home is modernized and just in need of their personal touch.

Covering a warrior’s torso and vital organs, a cuirass was one of the most important pieces in the traditional suit of armor. Comprised of sheets of metal or other rigid materials, the cuirass is a combination of a breastplate and armor for the back. Warriors looking for increased agility and mobility often opted for leather cuirass models, which sacrificed protection for flexibility.

Although cuirass-style armor had been used throughout the ages, it wasn’t until the 14th century that the model we now recognize achieved widespread use. Since armor is inherently cumbersome, the cuirass extended down to rest on the waist. This minimized the need for bulky shoulder straps, freeing the soldiers’ arms for combat.

On a recent trip to Rome I took the obligatory tour of the Coliseum. The building has become so iconic that many people forget it was actually the stage for brutal combat and the deaths of countless gladiators and wild animals. Most people assume that the events in the Coliseum were held for the grandeur of the Emperor, or Caesar, but the truth is that they were actually for the common people.

The Emperors would dole out the money for these extravagant, daylong events as a means of entertainment to keep the masses complacent and prevent revolt. These leaders funded everything from the Roman armor to the wild animals, which were shipped in from Africa and exotic locales. Admission was free, with the seating divided by classes; the wealthiest and most influential received preferential treatment, sitting the closest, while the commoners were confined to the “nosebleeds.”

For most people, knives are appreciated for their practicality above all. But for some knife enthusiasts, these tools also possess an inherent aesthetic appeal. It should come as no surprise then that knife shows across America draw enormous crowds. Manufacturers are always releasing new lines that push the frontiers of creative design and artistry. Hobbyists also do their part to craft memorable knives of their own.

Collectible pocket knives are appreciated not so much for the sharpness of their blades or their practical uses as for their ornately carved handles and themed designs. For some collectors, a knife collection can act as the gateway to an interest in handmade swords and other weaponry. If you are planning to begin a collection of your own, be sure to inquire about the prudence of sharpening a knife. Not all collectible knives and swords are designed to be treated like typical weaponry.

The Excalibur sword is a cornerstone of Middle Age lore, but few people know the true story behind the blade. Sure, we’ve seen “Wart” pull the sword from the stone in the classic Disney cartoon, but what’s the real legend behind the quasi-mythical blade? In fact, some people debate if the Sword in the Stone and Excalibur are even the same weapon.

According to legend, Excalibur is the blade that King Arthur used in battle. And in some legends, the sword wields magical powers. There are dozens of versions and variations of the tale; you are basically left to your own devices to cater the story in whatever way you please. Personally, I prefer the grandiose version, where Arthur pulls mighty Excalibur from the stone, leading to his staunch defense against the Saxon forces.

Today we think of dragons as abstract mythical creatures - hardly a pressing concern when real dangers exist around every corner. In the Middle Ages, however, myth and superstition were as good as reality. People had a tendency to believe whatever they heard, no matter how fantastical the story might be. When Crusaders returned to England from their exploits in the Holy Land, they brought with them a whole new brand of tales.

They claimed that in ancient times England had been a dangerous place where dragons roamed free. By the time St. George came on the scene, all of the dragons save one had been slain. Still the kingdom was living in fear of the last remaining dragon, and George set out in with his medieval weapons and armor to vanquish it. When he did, he was celebrated as a hero. Even though none of this ever happened, people were uneducated and gullible during the Middle Ages.