Archive for December, 2008
The definition of The Hand and a Half or Bastard Sword according to A Glossary of the Construction, Definition and Use of Arms and Armor, is a long, straight blade of the 15th century with a plain cross guard, long grip and rounded pommel. This sword was ordinarily used with one hand, but the grip was long enough to allow it to be grasped with two to three fingers of the left hand if it was desired to give extra weight to the blow.
Actually according to Swords and Hilt Weapons this Bastard Sword made its appearance in the mid twelfth century. Perhaps these early Hand and a Half Swords were produced for the Plantaganet family, or a well known family who always desired a little extra power on the blade.
One of the most famous Bastard Swords that is preserved belonged to Henry IV of England. It was made for him by Herman van Cleve, a goldsmith. This Medieval Sword was obviously ceremonial in nature, because of its rich detail of gold forget-me-nots, which was Henry’s symbol before he ascended the throne. If you are interested in an entertaining description of Henry IV, Shakespeare provides a lively account in his plays, HenryIV, parts I and II. If you desire to be a Renaissance man with a sword and combat skills, try adding a little literacy to the mix also.
Speaking of the Renaissance, this is the period that saw the greatest popularity of the Bastard Sword. Plate armour became very sophisticated with metal of various sizes being attached to a reinforced heavy fabric jacket. In combat against this type of armor, the thrusting sword was favored over the cutting sword. The mounted knight of the early Renaissance was armed with two swords, one on the front or side of his saddle and the other on his hip. Both of these weapons were Bastard or Hand and a Half Swords.
These swords were used extensively in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Their use continued until the seventeenth century.
If you are interested in a Bastard Sword in your LARP or historical reenactment, there are many different price ranges of these replica swords. If you have the big bucks, why not have a custom Hand and a Half weapon made especially for you. One of the most talented swordsmiths is Michael “Tinker” Pearce. Also, Pearce has done design work for CAS/Hanwei, and if you can’t afford a custom sword, the CAS/Hanwei “Tinker” Sword is an outstanding well balanced weapon. Who doesn’t need a little extra power in the blade?
Many pagan cultures played a very important role in Christmas celebrations from Medieval Europe until December 25, 2008. Their rituals may have been reworked and glossed to fit our present day interpretation of the holiday, but the fact remains that the Vikings, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and other ancient cultures played a very significant role in the Christian celebration.
The Romans which are so influential in anything of any consequence in the Medieval and post Roman occupation of the European world also put their stamp on the Christian holiday. In Rome pagans celebrated three important Roman festivals, Saturnalia (December 17-23), the Kalends (January 1-5), and Dues Sol Invictus, which we celebrate as the twelve nights of Christmas. This celebration to the sun was December 25. The citizens would light bonfires, decorate buildings with evergreens as encouragement for the sun to return.
If the Vikings had seen pictures of Santa Claus cruising the skies in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, they probably would have assumed he was catching a ride with Thor, the Norse god of thunder. According to Viking traditions, Thor’s personal transport was a flying wagon pulled by a team of horned goats. The ancient Viking god, Odin, also brought gifts to good little Viking boys and girls.
The Roman Church designated December 25 as the date of the birth of Christ in the fourth century. Some early Christians did not celebrate Christmas, because they felt that the celebration had too many pagan practices. In Roman occupied England the Catholic church banned mumming (masquerades) and wassailing (Anglo-Saxon for good health) as pagan practices, but the common people still celebrated with enthusiasm. When the Vikings invaded, they would reinvigorate pagan practices. In the rural areas pagan traditions remained very strong. When the Roman troops were recalled in the fifth century, it was very common that Thor and Christ were worshipped side by side.
In the romantic times of knights and kings, men went to war with swords and shields. A knight’s shield is his emblem of power and protection. These are made by craftsmen with the knowledge that this is often the only thing that separates the user from certain death.
Many shields are actually intricate works of art. That is because they carry the emblems of the army they belong to, or the nobleman’s crest. Displaying a medieval knight’s shield, such as the crusader shield is one great way to decorate your home and greet your guests. This will definitely be a good conversation piece for your parties. It is also said that these can help ward off or deflect bad luck from your home.
The medieval wars were brutal wars, based on the weaponry that they used during those times. That is why medieval armor, which is made up of steel plates, also came with chain mail for further protection. The weapon of choice during those feudal times was swords. These were two-edged swords with pointed edges that were used more for thrusting than for slashing. That is its main difference from the samurai sword of Japan.
Other medieval armor weapons include crossbows and arrows and the mace and flail, which are deadly spiked balls that were placed at the end of chains. This is an indication that to be a soldier or warrior during that time, you had to be physically fit, and ready to die for your cause.
The Greek city-states were intensely competitive in sports as well as warfare. Inner-city wars were almost continuous, and this wasteful behavior weakened the whole country. This spirit was described in Homer’s Iliad when Achilles’ father Peleus urged him always to try to excel all other men. This competitiveness was to be desired in sports, artisitic and vocational endeavors but was chaos with the continuous warfare among the states.
This state of affairs resulted in each city state building up its military strength, and the result was what has been termed the “hoplite revolution”. The hoplites were heavily armed infantry. The body-armour of the hoplite consisted of a breastplate or cuirass (Chalcis), a helmet with nose and cheek guards (first seen at Corinth), and greaves-all of which were constructed of bronze. The Greeks learned these techniques from the east as China was the first civilization to develop the technique of bronze metal. The most vital protection of this Greek infantry was a round or elliptical round shield (Argos) secured to the left arm. They carried a short, straight iron sword (Chalcis) and a nine foot long thrusting spear.
The hoplites fought in a phalanx which is a close, tight mass of soldiers eight lines deep. They pursued the battle by shoving (othismos), and every man was responsible for protecting his neighbor. This form of fighting eliminated the hero of the battle which Homer praised. The age of ego was left in the past of ancient Greece, and the state was the major commitment to the hoplite warrior.
There are a number of Greek reenactment groups all over the world. If you were inspired the movie, “300″, joining a Greek reenactment group may be just the thing for you. Reenactment groups are a great way to meet people with interests like yours, and it is also an important in looking at the past, so we may navigate better in the future. It’s also just plain fun!
One of the most important archaeological finds in the research of the Anglo Saxon culture was the discovery of a mound in a cemetery overlooking the Deben River near the Suffolk coast in England. The relics and weapons found in the tomb forced a revision of long held notion that the Anglo Saxons were a primitive and simple people. These intricately designed early weapons have been the pattern weapons for many collectible swords and amor of the modern day.
This significant discovery was made in 1939. Up to this point in history the poem, “Beowulf,” was the only historical evidence that perhaps a more sophisticated Anglo Saxon culture existed. From Beowulf there is a quote that in a sense describes the grave that the archaeologists found.
“Upon the headland the Geats erected a broad high tumulus plainly visible to distant seamen….within the barrow they placed collars, brooches and all the trappings which they had plundered from the treasure hoard. They buried the gold and left that princely treasure to the keeping of the earth, where yet it remains….”
The name Sutton Hoo is taken from the site where the tomb was found. Many rumors and mysteries surround this burial place of the ancients. It was rumored that Henry VIII’s representatives dug and found treasure at Sutton Hoo. Elizabeth I’s magician, John Dee, also sought treasure there.
What had not been plundered was still very magnificent. In the earth there was an impression of the ghost ship which was elegant and long. The wood had rotted over time, but the metal fasteners of the ship were still in place. Inside the ship the magnificent regala which obviously belonged to a a mighty warrior or King was found. The treasure consisted of an intricately designed battle helmet, a ceremonial sword with gold and garnet fittings, a whetstone, a stand, spears, a battle axe and a shield with bird and dragon figures.
Still there is no precise evidence to indicate if this place was indeed a burial site. Soil tests have been inconclusive. But in 1979 evidence of a coffin was found in the ship. Who knows for certain about this Sutton Hoo Man?
Man has always attempted to protect the valuable head from injury. Obviously the importance of the head was recognized even in prehistoric times. The caveman used the skins from his animal kills and placed the animal head over his own. He at least looked menacing to his enemies. This was adequate during the stone age, but when weapons became more substantial, the animal head was very little protection. During the Stone Age man learned to sharpen the tips of spears by subjecting the the weapon to a hot fire. These spears could easily pierce the head and heart with only animal skin protection for the body.
Our prehistoric ancestors then turned to the carcasses of animals and fish to afford a more substantial protection. Bones were used to build a more secure battle helmet that was not so easily penetrated by a sharp spear or axe. This was necessary because too many of the brave cave warriors had been knocked senseless by a spear to the head.
A more substantial battle helmet became necessary around 3000 to 3500 BCE when bronze smelting was developed in China. Bronze was a misnomer because 90% of the metal was copper, but by the next millennium bronze was the most dense metal the world had ever seen. Not everyone had access to the knowledge to develop bronze at the same time, therefore, those who did not possess the knowledge to produce the metal were overwhelmed by their more astute neighbors.
Bronze battle helmets were worn by the hoplite Greek army during many famous confrontations. King Leonidas wore a bronze helmet with a horsehair crest when they confronted the Persian Emperor Xerxes and the overwhelming Persian army in August 480 BCE. The place of this battle was called Thermopylae. It was one of the most courageous battles of the Greek democracy.
In the ancient ages of our world how knowledge spread was a very vital part of whether a culture, city-state or a nation survived. If an enemy knew the composition of metal smelting and they confronted a nation who was still wearing helmets of walrus tusk, the outcome was inevitable. At one time the one who had the best weapons and technology won, but is it still true today?
At one time in our existence the most formidable chariot won the battle. The number of soldiers involved in a battle was key to success. The best bomb was vital in the end of World War II. What is the winning element today?