Sword and Shield Combat in Norse Sagas

A previous post discussed the subject with regard to treatises and the use of the sword and shield. […] The idea that the shields of this period were weak in some fashion, even though there is evidence of them being destroyed in the same saga, should not be over-stated, the shield was still used as…

Sword and Shield Treatises

In studying the idea of the use of sword and shield in the medieval period there is an issue as there is a large gap in knowledge. Studying the sword and shield in the Renaissance period is not so much of an issue as when the shield left the battlefield it found a place in…

Forerunners of the Fechtschule Pt I: Antiquity

The Fechtschulen or ‘Fencing Schools’ were combat sport events that purposefully emulated their historical predecessors as public spectacles attempting to maintain martial arts training traditions that date back to Ancient Greece. Some argue these Fechtschulen events for the Middle and Lower classes were pure sport and spectacle with little value […] Continue reading Forerunners of the Fechtschule…

How to remove medieval arrows (and more about crescent heads)

How do you remove a medieval arrow head stuck in your body and what the heck are those crescent shaped heads for? This film shows you how to get a barbed arrow head out and explains (I think) what the curved arrow heads were for. Many thanks to Max Albertz for providing the reference for…

Six Medieval Arrow Types – What are they for?

Tod of todsworkshop.com discusses six medieval arrow head forms. How and why they were used with the English Longbow in Medieval Britain. If you are interested in medieval reproductions my commission work can be found at www.todsworkshop.com and my budget lines at www.todcutler.com Arrow heads discussed: Plate Cutter Needle Bodkin Barbed type 16 Leaf shape…

Medieval Baselard Daggers – 3 styles

A film discussing the Italian/English and the Swiss/German style baselard and the differences in construction. Part of this family of weapons, and the 3rd to be discussed, is the Swiss Dagen or Dolch. The two daggers are available from www.todcutler.com and the Dagen is from www.todsworkshop.com

Medieval Dagger Grips- how big??

Looking at medieval dagger grips; their size, shape, function and comfort using 7 daggers as example pieces for discussion. All these daggers are available from www.todcutler.com , visit my facebook page next week 21st-25th May 2019), get the code and you will get free postage anywhere in the world. If you are interested in medieval…

The Medieval Sword Knot

Sword knots are well known in military sabers, but it has it’s roots in the Middle Ages, lets take a brief look at the Medieval Sword Knot. Note: Putting the sword knot on this swords pommel wasn’t an option due to the odd pommel shape. It would almost always be attached at the pommel, but…

Did they have soap in medieval times?

Jason investigates medieval soap and other techniques for cleaning your hands after a long day at work. Credits: Direction, Camera, Sound, Editing Kasumi Presenter Jason Kingsley OBE Tweets by RebellionJason Tweets by ModernHistoryTV Tweets by Rebellion Music licensed from PremiumBeat.