The main page of my website is all about the house on 4.5 acres that I am renovating. It will be changing inside and out from vandalised, abandoned homestead to a modern version of a medieval themed castle. It will have my own personal tavern and a fantasy playground of 2 acres of evergreens. Future expansions include a modern, fully engineered 20,000 sq ft, two story castle on site. I'll post more pix as I can.
Sounds great. I was looking at your chain creations. look great.
I was reminded when watching the making of Kingdom of Heaven on DVD extras. They showed the prop chain mail and the people that make other props as well. Fascinating.
The mail was made of plastic. Looked rather sturdy as well as light. What do you know about that? Thought that would be much better to wear that as a costume. Wondered what the movies do with all that after the movie. If I was one of the army extras, I would do my darndest to keep my costume or some of it.
I also thought about, what if it was made of a carbon polymer, if possible. Something that is light, yet strong.
Sounds like you are going to have a blast doing this project.
After reviewing your photos and reading your ideas my only questions are project duration and available construction budget.
As a mental exercise I would start with a more detailed conceptual site plan taking into account an authentic castle layout in a concentric layered defense. Then provide for the modern automobile in a visually minimized manner. The rest is up to you.
With modern materials it could look like a castle for a lot less and shorter construction period. With the latest building codes the interior will be a little more challenging.
Here are some links that you might be interested in.
Dear Lord, lest I continue in my complacent ways, help me to remember that someone died for me today. And if there be war, help me to remember to ask and to answer "am I worth dying for?" - Eleanor Roosevelt
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)