Indoor weapons

[Corey Roberts]

As soon as I got my waster, one of the first things I noticed was that the overall length of it did not facilitate it's use indoors. Are there any ways of rectifying the difficulty of use in enclosed spaces, or were daggers and other shorter weapons primarily used while indoors, and longsword while outside in a more open environment?

[s_taillebois]

As soon as I got my waster, one of the first things I noticed was that the overall length of it did not facilitate it's use indoors. Are there any ways of rectifying the difficulty of use in enclosed spaces, or were daggers and other shorter weapons primarily used while indoors, and longsword while outside in a more open environment?

Perhaps others would also care to comment, however there are those places where it is necessary to practice in limited spaces. For such as crown, tag and all, a problem. Might need to modify these to be more oblique. However that could set up some bad habits later. Might also consider practicing half-sword/warding as a compensation for limited spaces. Wouldn't shorten the waster, as that could present timing and spacing problems later. And practice in more open areas when possible, so the adaptations needed for the confined space don't become problematic.

Longswords, bastards and such, many towns had edicts that these could only be worn when directly leaving or entering the towns. So, in general, these weren't worn on a day to day basis. Would be something equivalent to taking the Garand to the grocery store.
Rapiers, somewhat the same, the English eventually had edicts limiting the length of these, insofar they had become a nuisance in public spaces.
Also, to be too confrontational (such as day to day wear of battlefield weapons) likely caused more trouble than it was worth.
Either the town watch (often bearing staves and often quite effective with them), or the local aristocrats would come down on such for disturbing the commonwealth. Although they did have incidents, town charters were often partially contingent on keeping order...so neither the townsmen, or the local aristocrats could tolerate too much chaos, implied or actual. (Good example being in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the Duke comes down on the feuding families because of their disrupting the common) They'd lose all the lovely money which came from the ability to run fairs, markets and guild centers.
Anyway the medieval/Renn, gossip/social network did tend to try make people hold to some conformity . (In "Merchant of Venice" one of the ongoing themes is Shylocks refusal to listen to the town comments on not pursuing his revenge agaisnt Antonio...although that revenge was legal by the towns charter). Not directly related to the weapons, but it does show how Renn. towns did use gossip, social pressure to try to maintain order.

[Randall Pleasant]

As soon as I got my waster, one of the first things I noticed was that the overall length of it did not facilitate it's use indoors. Are there any ways of rectifying the difficulty of use in enclosed spaces, or were daggers and other shorter weapons primarily used while indoors, and longsword while outside in a more open environment?

In tight spaces use half-swording techniques.

[ElizabethPangerl]

I knocked out a light fixture in my garage last winter with my longsword waster. Until the ice melted and I could use the backyard again (contrary to popular belief it does get hot in Minnesota), I shifted focus to reading, footwork drills, and basic fitness.

If you are willing to temporarily (and only very briefly) sacrifice the feel of a waster to get the basic choreography of the some stances and guards, I've tried using a ruler or some other long, flat object.

[Eric Dohner]

On a mostly-related note:

I've just made a couple of longsword wasters, 52 inches, out of Lowe's finish-grade maple planks. So far, they're holding up well, but I'm wondering if it's wise to start out with homemade wasters without trying a few of the "real" ones first? Keep in mind that I've never held a real sword in my life and am unlikely to for a while, so I'm trying to do whatever I can to improve my technique and feel for now without one.

[s_taillebois]

Oh well, it seems the light fixtures, ceiling tiles, and all...are the sometimes price of progress.
Handmade wasters, would seem to be ok, provided the length and placement of the 'quillions' and grip is close to the type (or actual) weapon you're studying. At work, I've even used stretcher bars for painting as impromptu wasters. Not exactly ideal..
Wasters, expendible anyway. When not inadvertently using these to kill light bulbs, I go through about 2 a year. And I recall seeing a photo of a early Elizabethian waster, it looked to be little more than a tapered piece of wood, with a cross pinned onto it. However, it may have been a child's toy or something likewise. And was in poor condition from being buried in some muck somewhere.
Watch it with MRL wasters, have to modify those to make them somewhat more useable.

On the daggers, in certain period contexts, these weren't carried as weapons per se. Wasn't uncommon for a dagger/knife to be given as a reminder of a tontine. Resultingly, with some of the aristocracy and gentry, these where worn as a reminder of that obligation. In some cases, not wearing it could have been considered an omission or worse an insult.
Probably the closest thing we have to that tradition is giving silverware for weddings.

[Jeffrey Hull]

I suppose that in olden times it depended upon just how confined the given "indoors" in question was. A mead-hall or castle feasting-hall could be dimensionally like a modern high-school gymnasium - so swing away with whatever (and from saga-sources, it seems they did). But of course a tavern back then would be as voluminous as a pub or tavern nowadays (surprise, surprise), so I guess that resorting to daggers and so forth was in order.

Of course, the reminder to half-sword is valid to consider and practice.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

I agree I would half-sword in tight spots as well....as a note for training, I took an old waster that split and sawed off the blade, so I just had the hilt, this way I could train with it in my home, at work, and in hotels without a problem, i really like it and get alot done with it....AP

[s_taillebois]

I suppose that in olden times it depended upon just how confined the given "indoors" in question was. A mead-hall or castle feasting-hall could be dimensionally like a modern high-school gymnasium - so swing away with whatever (and from saga-sources, it seems they did). But of course a tavern back then would be as voluminous as a pub or tavern nowadays (surprise, surprise), so I guess that resorting to daggers and so forth was in order.

Of course, the reminder to half-sword is valid to consider and practice.

Another factor is that a dagger or knife, would be easier to hide, or easier and cheaper than a sword, to 'lose' after a incident. Granted their perception of public peace was very different from ours, but some events did attract the notice of the town watch, or sheriff (often one of the armour plated aristocracy). And in a questionable incident, given the medieval/Renn ability to remember a specific knife (the tontine situation), having a compromising weapon about could be trouble. Especially depending on who it was who got stuck...
And given the nature of a medieval hearing or prison, many wouldn't have been inclined to court that genteel involvement.

[david welch]

I knocked out a light fixture in my garage last winter with my longsword waster.

I am the nemesis of all ceiling fans... with several kills to my credit!

[JeffGentry]

I have hit a light or 2 in my day and have more than a few scuff mark's on my ceiling.

Jeff

[Randall Pleasant]

I agree I would half-sword in tight spots as well....as a note for training, I took an old waster that split and sawed off the blade, so I just had the hilt, this way I could train with it in my home, at work, and in hotels without a problem, i really like it and get alot done with it....AP

I did the same thing when one of my wasters broke, except that I have about half of the blade left.
Really nice when the weather is not.

[Corey Roberts]

I do indeed practice outside in my backyard currently, but when picking up and handling my waster inside I noticed the tightness of space, so I was just curious.