Research and Discussion Forums

It stuck me last night, as I was reading Ms I.33, that we have no idea how long something was in use. We have no idea how long the style contained in Mss I.33 was being taught before the surviving manuscripts were written or long after those sources we have, we have no idea how widespread that sword...

Van Bren may be the only source. De Gheyn doesn't cover rondache at all. Buckler/target is usually smaller than the rondache, maybe 25cms at the largest. Rondache are about 60cms plus

Has anyone seen anything on drills for the use of the Rondache/Target. That is to say the large shield used by 16th Century infantry

Try this....Hate to think How much this cost to make.....

http://www.medievalrepro.com/Premier.htm

Sorry for the late reply. Nope that's not me.......It does kinda make sense for clothing and armour fashions in this era to march in lockstep together. Fashion set the trend and armourers did what their clients paid for

I'd say that Swetnam is refering to overall length at all times. Both types of sword do reach 48" in total length but blade lengths can be up to 10" less than that! Swetnam does give an interesting figure suggesting the reach of a fighter armed with such weapons is 12' . Not bad at all. I'...

No, No No! The peascod look was a fashion statement. It was worn by everybody who wanted to be fashonable, regardless of their own size. If you look at any picture of gentry in their 30's and upwards they ALL have filled out faces, slightly plump. Faulds at the end of the ribs? Thats called armour t...

Sorry...Should have reread your post. If you're on a tight budget then I'd suggest for Cut & Thrust sword or Rapier then you look at darkwoord armoury for swords. For armour then I'd go for late 16th Century and build up with peascod back and breast with fittings for shoulder & arm p...

First question should have been. What Do you want to do? Longsword? Cut & Thrust sword or Rapier? That will assist your enquiry. By Jousting or Foot armour. The question does hint at the answer. Jousting armour is, usually, the additional heavy plates added to normal armour to provide extra ...

I seem to recall Sir John Suckling surviving a thrust from a rapier in a duel conducted in the style of a brawl because of the mail ever worn under his doublet or sewn into his doublet. Wonder how you do that? Out of idle interest I managed by dint of sheer stupidity to wound myself on my own A&...

Brian It stays online throughout the thrust or lunge like a dream. There's no need to apply force to keep it on target at all. Mind you, mine has a 40" blade fitted as requested. I don't think just blunting it would make it safe for use in drilling. The blade is very stiff, so stiff my instruct...

I would suggest Arms & Armor. My Italain rapier is a rib breaker in stiffness, that's if it hasn't puched thro your lungs! For training. Darkwood armouries......Doesn't flex too much but it wouldn't break ribs..... Too stiff a blade and you will break ribs....Which itsn't a good way of makin...

Lamellar and scale had reached the area by at least the 10th for definite. Don't forget the steady stream of Vikings and various Nordic types to serve in the east

The only example of this I can think of is Highlander gentry with Targe, dirk, broadsword and pistol. There are pictures, both paintings and black line drawings depicting this. The targe is strapped to the left arm and the left hand holds a dirk that is long enough to stick out from the side of the ...

"The only issue I have with historical footwear is that they don't often work well on modern surfaces. You may find yourself skating around the gym "

Thats why you see pictures that show the heel lifted off the ground in quite a few stances!