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Celtic Radio Community > Historical Archive > Medieval History/warfare


Posted by: jime307 31-Jul-2007, 12:36 AM
Weapons, Warfare, And Culture of the Medieval Peoples are my specialty if Anyone has anything to talk about or anything they would like to find out this is a good place!

Posted by: jime307 31-Jul-2007, 01:27 AM
Knights in Training Played chess a lot for strategic combat training I guess.

One of the First and best types of Armor was Chain Mail, it was strong against slashes and some piercing. The thing about it hough is that if you were hit with a heavy bludgeoning weapon you would probably break bones rather easy...

Posted by: spatialguru 31-Jul-2007, 02:05 PM
I was always interested in smithing in general and making my own armour - just to learn something. Seemed chain mail was simple enough if you had time to spare, eh? Have you done anything like that?

I'm also very interested in swords and always enjoy a good fight. Would love to make one - maybe I need to take a year off to do it? wink.gif

Posted by: jime307 31-Jul-2007, 07:27 PM
Huh Chain mail. You mean making some looks simple? That would be an interesting thing to do for sure. a bit time consuming though considering it involves making and interlocking thousands of inty metal rings. but I think that would really awesome to say you made your own mail!

I have a few swords myself (I didn't make them, though I did a bit of sharpening the edges.) I have a Katana(a cheap model full of many,many Nicks), and an odd Chinese fencing sword, it looks like a normal sword but it is very flexible so it wouldn't hurt someone in a fight. I have sword fights every day with my friends and I love doing it.

Posted by: jime307 31-Jul-2007, 08:30 PM
what is a tad bit confusing is that while at least 20 people have seen this and only one person has posted apart from myself

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 05-Sep-2007, 06:30 PM
Hi jime307, I will speak for myself when I say that I tend to forgo the medieval forums and frankly don't know why because I love medieval history...a lot.

If you're interested in some really good books on the subject of medieval weaponry I have three titles here that might be of interest to you, here they are:

Ancient and medieval siege weapons-by Konstantin Nossov
Very well illustrated and accurate guide.

Fighting techniques of the medieval world-AD 500/AD 1500-by Matthew Bennet
This one is particularly good in explaining battle strategy.

Arms & Armour-by Frederick Wilkinson
In this one the book explains the different weapons use by man as early as cavemen all the way through modern day guns.

I've seen quite a lot of different armors in my travels and the one that impressed me the most was the one made for John of Gaunt,this man was simply a giant his armor as well as many kings are in display in the Tower of London.
It is a very impressive museum of weaponery in there and very rich in artefact too.

Hope you'll find these books are good references for you in your quest to learn more about this era.LOA

Posted by: jime307 05-Sep-2007, 07:01 PM
Wow thanks I'll be sure to check them out!

Posted by: TandVh 06-Sep-2007, 10:41 AM
Hmm- a question- you wouldn't happen to know the meanings behind the embellishments found on the front of the targh (shield) carried by The celts in battle? I have seen various symbols and metalwork on different targhs and have been curious.

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 07-Sep-2007, 05:47 PM
Hi TandVh,

If you're interested in knowing about the targe and see different design of them you can look up the web site www.scottishsword.com and look on the far right at the bottom for the link " Targes ".
There are beautiful designs and explanation about this magnificent weapon.

And I found a little definition for your question concerning decoration here it is.

The targe is covered in cow or deer hide and decorated with nail heads. In history the Scottish clansmen did not have special designs to every clan to own targes, it was if you could afford to make one and find the time to design your targe then you did. Some people adopted one another’s designs. There would have been Targemakers trading to the Clansmen.

It has been known when the Jacobites of the 17th century killed a redcoat government troop, they would decorate their targes with the red material and the buttons from the tunics of the dead soldiers. After decorating their targes, the sight of the Clansmen approaching the redcoats would terrify them of the sight of the targes looking like they were covered in blood, but it was the tunics of their comrades.

In the middle of some targes, there are brass bosses with a thread that could take a spike that was screwed in. This worked excellently in the great Highland charge. The Clansmen were famous for their charge holding their spiked targe, a dirk blade, their basket hilt, and broad sword all of this in their hands while running at their enemy.LOA

Posted by: jime307 07-Sep-2007, 06:47 PM
Hmmm... Targes.

Posted by: TandVh 07-Sep-2007, 07:02 PM
Lady of Avalon- What a great site for info- I especially liked the antique swords and dirks presented there.
My son has a targe of a cross between The Bannockburn style and the Sterling style featured on the site.
Here's a fun picture of us messing around in the front yard one day-

user posted image

As you can see- he has the spike screwed into the centre of the targe.




Posted by: Lady of Avalon 08-Sep-2007, 12:42 PM
Indeed this was a formidable weapon and a protection for the soldier.

During these turbulent times of unrest unfortunately men were quite violent and gruesome fellows. Today we are only re-enacting battles with replicas of those weapons but imagine for a minute a man of 6'3" built like a bull with a full beard and all you can see are the eyes that have no expression except murder,coming at you with this weapon on one hand with a dirk hidden behind it and a long sword in the other. Yes these weapons were quite lethal and very fearsome.

If you want to see beautiful ones all you have to do is type "targes" on Google there are hawsome site there and all kinds of targes design you can find.

Posted by: Rindy 10-Sep-2007, 11:17 AM
What a wonderful thread. Here is a site where you can get hand made swords and daggers. This man knows his historys of swords and daggers. I have a copper dagger that is just out of this world.

He is a very good swords man himself. He has performed in movies such as Braveheart and King Arthur to mention a couple of the many he has been in.. He would be more than happy to make you one.

Here is his more information:

http://www.kirkpatrickweb.co.uk/armoury.html

Slainte

Posted by: Rindy 14-Sep-2007, 10:15 PM
I am wondering if anyone has had a chance to stop by the site for the swords and if so what did you think? I do get a lot of compliments on mine.

Slainte

Posted by: jime307 14-Sep-2007, 11:45 PM
That seems like a great place to get a sword, I have bookmarked it and Maybe I will order one. Thank for the Link!

Posted by: Rindy 18-Sep-2007, 11:30 AM
Your very welcome jime307. I hope you do order one and would love to hear what you got and may be pictures....I think you will be happy with it.

Slainte

Posted by: TMcAdams 12-Oct-2007, 08:59 AM
Great thread guys! I was wondering if anyone knows of any Scottish weaponry books? My main interest is in Claymores.

I have found a couple websites with info...
http://sites.scran.ac.uk/weapon/index.html

http://members.aol.com/dargolyt/TheForge/WPNMAIN.HTM

which are good, but I would also like a book. Royal08.gif thumbs_up.gif
Thom

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 12-Oct-2007, 06:22 PM
Hi Thom, I do have two titles that may be of interest to you.

Swords and Sword makers of England and Scotland.

Weapons-A Pictorial History.


Posted by: jime307 14-Oct-2007, 03:42 PM
The Scottish Claymore ( Claidheamh Mòr)
The claymore was an awesome weapon on the battlefield. The amazing reach (as much as 60 inches of overall length for standard claymores)made it extremely difficult for opponents to close with the wielder. The long ricasso allowed the bearer to switch to a more close-quarters style of combat if an opponent made it inside his distance. The claymore (or more accurately, "Claidheamh-mor" in Gaelic) was first reportedly used in the 13th century, and was used as recently as the 18th century. The twisted hilt claymore was the most recent of the claymores (c. 1500) and features the downward-angled crosses that end in small honeycomb patterns. The twisted wooden hilt was a better way to grip the sword (and the fact that it looks so damn cool probably had something to do with its broad acceptance among highlanders). Legend has it that a claymore was hurled into the field of battle, toward an opposing army before combat, to signify that the Scottish troops were ready to fight. No real evidence of this, but it’s cool and fits the highlander idiom, so we thought we’d pass it along.
This info was found here http://www.strongblade.com/history/scottishweapons.html
and I'll keep my eye out for more Sorry about my inactivity on the forums everyone hope i didn't miss too much!

Posted by: Rindy 15-Oct-2007, 09:03 AM
That's very interesting jime307. Glad your back. Thanks for posting this.
Claymore's is my favorite.. smile.gif

Slainte

Posted by: TMcAdams 15-Oct-2007, 01:18 PM
Thanks very much for the great info everybody!
Is it true that the lowland Claymore had straight quillions? All my Claymores have drooping quillions as per Highland type, as the Gregors are a Highland clan. I have seen pictures of Wallace's sword, and it has straight quillions.
Thanks for all input!
Thom Royal08.gif

Posted by: Rindy 16-Oct-2007, 09:55 PM
Hi Thom This is one of the best sites I have ever found on answering your questions about swords of any kind. There is more information on claymores in the Arms and Armour thread also. Hope this helps.

http://www.swordforum.com/

Here is a picture of what William Wallaces sword would of looked like and some information about it and the legend himself.

http://swordforum.com/fall99/sword-of-william-wallace.html

Slainte

Posted by: TMcAdams 17-Oct-2007, 02:25 PM
Thanks very much Rindy! thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 17-Oct-2007, 05:24 PM
Thanks Rindy for that picture. I've seen that great sword with my own eyes and mounted the 250 steps in that monument and more because one have to climb the mountain by foot to get to the monument.

Having this said...it was worth it.The great sword was taller than me and I'm 5'8" and they don't exaggerate when they say that it is impressive. I've read many stories about William Wallace and they all describe him as a very tall and strongly built man.

If the legends are true I think the sword in display there is proof enough about the man himself.

Posted by: Rindy 17-Oct-2007, 11:13 PM
Your both very welcome. That would be so wonderful to be able to see his sword. He was a tall man. My claymore is 55 inches long, with 4 circle quillions very nice sword, If you want to see it its in Arms and Armour thread I put I couple of pics up. I have almost had it a year now.. Where does the time go.. With it being so long you should of seen the trouble I had getting it sent from Scotland..they asked over and over is it a real sword...then I would say battle ready-then have to say sharp. Took awhile but I finally have it to go with my Nights Templar and Junjitsu sword and a copper dagger that a man hand made it..he would love to make people swords and daggers.. If you need info give me a pm and I give it to you.


If you guys find anything ya want to add to the claymore type away!!!!

Slainte

Posted by: jime307 22-Oct-2007, 06:36 PM
Wow that sword must have been Incredible, I hope I'll get to see it someday, Bigger than 5'8 whoa can't see anyone holding that.

I don't have a Claymore but I have an Impressive Broadsword It's about 4'7 and it's really heavy, but kinda neat too

Posted by: Rindy 23-Oct-2007, 10:26 AM
jime307, I think your sword sounds wonderful. I would love to see a picture of it if you have one. I think it is amazing how these people carried these swords. Just to be able to mount your horse in armor would of been something...they had to be in fantastic shape.

Slainte

Posted by: jime307 01-Jun-2008, 01:14 AM
about the man who made swords on the site you posted rindy, How do I order one of those?

Posted by: Rindy 01-Jun-2008, 12:24 PM
Hi jime307, I am not sure which site your referring too. Is it the Kirkpatrick swords and daggers?

Slainte

Posted by: Rindy 01-Jun-2008, 07:52 PM
Hi jime307 Is this the one you were looking for?

http://www.kirkpatrickweb.co.uk/

Click on the links page and then Kirkpatrick Swords. I have the copper celtic cross dagger and its so neat. All are one of a kind as they are hand made and he does wonderful work-just drop him a email. I hope this helps. I hope you get one. Let me know.
I will post this post/link in the Arms and Armors thread so I don't lose track of it.

Slainte

Posted by: Patch 01-Jun-2008, 11:41 PM
QUOTE (Rindy @ 01-Jun-2008, 02:52 PM)
Hi jime307 Is this the one you were looking for?

http://www.kirkpatrickweb.co.uk/

Click on the links page and then Kirkpatrick Swords. I have the copper celtic cross dagger and its so neat. All are one of a kind as they are hand made and he does wonderful work-just drop him a email. I hope this helps. I hope you get one. Let me know.
I will post this post/link in the Arms and Armors thread so I don't lose track of it.

Slainte

Thanks for the links. Are they good reproductions? I collect Claymores and to a lesser extent, daggers. Some day I hope to have a suit of armor too. I will have to get rid of some of my stuff to display it though!

Slàinte,    

Patch    

Posted by: Rindy 02-Jun-2008, 09:34 AM
Hi jime307 and Patch. I am going to send you his email address in a pm.

Patch, these are not replicas they are one of a kind. Any how let me know if you get one. I think a full suit of armor would be great to have as well. Costly but cool....

Let me know if you get the pm please.

Slainte

Posted by: skeets52 30-Jan-2009, 05:27 PM
Im hoping that some one might have a good sullpier for some Masonic sabers. And I'm sure that if I cant find a brother in here that doesnt know ,then I may be in deep trouble. If there be a travling man that knws of a good dealer please let me know.
Peace Skeets


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