Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2010 11:29:50 GMT
Hello, real newby, only just registered. I am Simon, or my character is, I am a member of historical stage combat group, have been for just over a year, our periods cover Roman to Nelson's navy, hence the interest in swords. I own two at the moment, a cutlass, spec'd from the Dutch East India trading Co about c1780. This is my "piratey" sword. The other is a falchion, this fits with Simon who is a 14th century archer. Now this is my reason for joining today, I am researching into Simon. Clothing I have built up over the months, so as to be as historically correct as possible. My stumbling block is his sword, well how to carry it actually. In battle I understand (assume) it would be close by, maybe stuck in the earth along side his arrows,for instant access when required. But when walking all that way to Crecy or Agincourt, where does he put it? The nobles and Knights would have frogs, rings, straps and baldrics, mighty fine "knightly" made leather work. But Simon although a land owner, due to the exploits of his father, is no noble. He has no money for armour etc. I cannot see him sticking it in his belt and walking of to follow the king. It would cut through the belt after a time. Or he would need to keep hitching it up as it becomes uncomfortable.
Do any of you knowledgeable people know the answer or even point me in the direction of some answers?
I intend to make this myself, if I can.
I hope this is a place that can help me if not I apologise now.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Dec 29, 2010 14:27:52 GMT
Welcome!
You actually could use a scabbard just fine. If your archer picked up the sword off the battlefield then he could be forgiven for not having a scabbard; in this case he probably would've just knocked together a leather sheath from scraps, or made a sort of belt-loop for it. If he was able to pay for it, then he would've probably gotten a scabbard with it. Your idea isn't unreasonable that he might have stuck it in the ground by his arrows, but in the long run this isn't particularly good for the blade, and I don't think most re-enactors will care too much if you have a sheath/scabbard as long as it fits the period. I would possibly also purchase a small leather or metal buckler to go with it as well. It's a little extra weight, and I'm not sure if a buckler is accurate for the 1300's, but just a sword isn't much defense if your only other protection is a bow and your skin!
From Osprey's 'Scottish and Welsh Wars 1250-1400', by Christopher Rothero, there's an English archer with a quilted jerkin, helmet and a sword in a leather scabbard... hope that helps. Again, welcome to the board, and we welcome your questions anytime!
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Post by chrisperoni on Dec 29, 2010 19:10:36 GMT
yep, a self made scabbard would be just right- even something put together from scraps and leftovers would do the trick and suit Simons means. If he is in battles and survives it's reasonable that he'd have a chance to pick at 'leftovers' on the field, no?
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ghost
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Post by ghost on Dec 29, 2010 19:49:07 GMT
I know knights likely carried their swords strapped to their horses, or they had them thrown into a cart while on the long road to battle. I can only guess that whoever is the "lord"/commander of said archers/footmen provided carts for food supplies and heavy pole-arms, other heavy weapons, extra arrows, etc. to ease their march. Usually all of a knight's/lord's vassals are primarily faithful to "him" only and NOT to the King. They were very loyal to whoever paid their wages, protected their families and lands. Ergo, supposed you were following after the Black Prince on his march through France. He would have lord/knights underneath him, then even more foot soldiers/archers underneath each lord. I believe each lord took care of his men and subdivided out the spoils of war. Likely after a battle was over, they just stockpiled salvaged weapons/armors onto a cart (the lord's spoils which he divides later as he sees fit), while individual items such as gold, necklaces, jewelry, expensive daggers were kept by the "finder-keepers." I think myarmoury has several threads up on this topic, but it is hard to find concrete evidence of what actually went on. Myarmoury is a very historically dedicated site and I suggest you go there to ask some questions  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2010 20:59:51 GMT
Thank you folks, some sound comments there. Elheru Aran you are correct, seriously, I would not like MY falchion stuck in the ground. I am off to find mr Rothero now, thank you. Crisperoni, thank you too. I will just have to make sure Simon "gets a rich one". Ghost, that is all sound and I will look to myarmoury.
Thanks for that welcome.
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