The Vikings: Truth Revealed

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Administrator

When you think of a Viking, you most likely think of some buff dude with long hair from Scandinavia, carrying an axe.  Such is the portrayal of these people in today’s popular culture.  However, a lot of what has morphed into today’s Viking is not necessarily the most authentic picture.  So, let’s take a moment to sift fact from fiction.

One of the attributes Vikings take a good deal of flak for is being extremely bloodthirsty and severely cruel.  Media definitely hasn’t helped the cause, but contrary to popular belief, these guys weren’t any more violent and brutal than any other civilization of their day.  In fact, Christian armies of the time may actually take the prize here!  Take the Viking contemporary, Charlemagne, for example.  He was basically responsible for the genocide of the population of Avars and had many beheaded.  The Vikings, on the other hand, never did anything quite this drastic!  Yes, they were fierce fighters, but not savage brutes!

Viking Warrior Helmet:

Viking Warrior Helmet

Another popular culture perception of Vikings depicts them as being armed with monstrous double0handed battle axes.  Sure, Vikings used axes, but they were single-handed and light weight.  No evidence of double-handed axes in Viking civilization has been dug up.  And more so than axes, support shows that the primary weapon of choice in this era was the spear.  And no doubt other weapons were in play as well.

As far as who comprised of the Viking people group, it tends to be assumed that these crazy cats all inhabited Scandinavia and were their own nation.  You may be interested to know that this is merely myth.  In reality, the Vikings were comprised of merchants, warriors, and explorers separated into various groups and ruled over by a chieftain.  The mix of people consisted of Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes, but was not limited to this.  According to the Old Norse meaning of the word “Viking”, it refers to any individual who takes part in a sea journey.  Thus, Vikings were diverse in their makeup and anyone who joined their expeditions was considered one.

Due to the diverse mix of people in Viking civilization, this dispels the stereotypical image of being big, bulky, and blonde.  For whatever reason, Viking are thought of as tall, but truthfully, documentations shows the average height as being 5’7”.  So, we’re not talking Goliath, but a modest size!  When it comes to blonde hair, this was highly regarded in the Viking age and many men bleached their hair.  However, many people who joined the Viking ranks came from captive slaves and were often Spaniards, French, and Russian to name a few.  Needless to say, Vikings were not homogenous in their appearance and surfaced in all shapes and sizes.

17th Century Viking Battle Axe:

17th Century Viking Battle Axe

And last, but not least, how can we not touch on the horned Viking helmet?  Yeah, it’s a cool look, but sorry to say, this is not a historically accurate representation.  Horned helmets are nowhere to be found in Viking era research.  There is speculation that horned helmet variations may have been used in ritual processions, but this theory lacks concrete support.

By gaining a more accurate view of the Vikings, it is helpful in having a deeper understanding and appreciation for this impactful civilization.  To view our collection of Viking weapons, helmets, and armor, go to http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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Greek Swords: A Telling Tale

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Administrator

When examining Greek swords, it is impossible to do so without learning the basic history of their civilization.  Because every sword emerged for a specific purpose at a specific time, it greatly informs us of the events of the time and their lasting legacy.

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The first phase of Greek swords was in the 8th century BC during the Archaic Age, in which settlers inhabited Athens, Corinth, and Thebes.  Due to the high volume of people concentrated in these areas, fighting was in full force, as territories had to be defended.  The losers in these conquests were doomed to be slaves on the land.  And of course, during this time, swords were in demand as a choice weapon of defense.  Made of copper and bronze, the common swords were the aor, phasganon, and chalos.  The aor was crafted from bronze and is said to have made an appearance in the Trojan War while the phasganon happened to be the prized two-edged weapon for nobility and soldiers.  The chalos was the only copper sword noted.

Greek Sword from Trojan War:

Greek Sword from Trojan War

Skip ahead now to 500 BC where we find the Classic Age.  At this time, the Persians were being a bit annoying and needed to be dealt with and thus, the Spartans and Athenians joined forces to come against them.  This meant, however, that a draft was in order.  After a year of serving, each fighter was given their very own sword and a shield…not too shabby an earning for a job well done!  The highlighted swords at this point were the polearm, makhiara, and xiphos, with iron being the prime material of construction.  The polearm was basically a spear, the makhiara was a slightly curved single-edged sword, and the xiphos was a straight leaf-edged piece.

Probably the most recognizable period of Greek swords is the Hellenistic Age, characterized by the rule of Alexander the Great.  This leader carried a makhiara and his many men were armed with a xiphos and polearm.  As time progressed, the Greeks evolved into becoming skilled fighters who really knew how to do some real damage with their weapons!

Greek Sword:

Greek Sword

In addition to the swords of the three Greek Ages, there were also swords of mythology that appeared in oral tradition, literature, and were made into physical representation.  To see our collection of Greek swords and other Greek weapons, go to http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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Medieval Tournaments: Affairs To Remember

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Administrator

It started as a training ground for knights in France in the 11th century to refine their combat skills, but by the 13th century, medieval tournaments became a riveting social event for all ages.  Featuring knights in armor and armed with weapons, these occasions had plenty to offer.  Complete with activities, festivities, food, and fun, this event was a real hot spot of the day, not to be missed!

When thinking of events during a medieval tournament, jousting matches are probably the first to come to mind.  Indeed, jousting matches were the main attraction of these tournaments, as they were a truly exciting spectacle to watch.  After all, what could be more compelling than two men charging at one another on horseback, trying to knock each other off with cool weapons?  Often fought in honor of a notable figure in attendance, medieval jousting had two types.  The joust of peace was merely a recreational exercise, reasonably tame in nature, while the joust of war was a cut throat fight to the death.  Both had their own flavor and were crowd pleasers.

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Jousting Knight Suit of Armor:

Jousting Knight Suit of Armor

Another common event during a medieval tournament was Quintain, which proved to be beneficial for knights to perfect their aim with swords, battle axes, and lances.  In short, this was basically target practice with the goal being to hit specific points on a shield or hanging post.  Another variation of Quintain brought water sports into play.  Knights would ride the waves in boats and aim at a standing post in the water or one on horseback.  This game wet the appetites of the audience for the jousting games that followed.

In the tradition of group events, medieval tournaments did not disappoint, as they offered Melee.  This rousing activity pitted one assembly of knights against another and when given the go, they would aggressively advance towards each other, taking on any opponent that was within reach.  The focus of Melee was to capture an adversary and hold them for ransom.  Ransoms were no light matter and could be as much as the cost of a horse or suit of armor.  If a captive was unable to pay the amount demanded, a bit of grace was shown to him and he was released on his word of honor.  He would, then, return to his home turf to raise the funds needed to clear his debt.  Needless to say, this event proved to be quite profitable for many.

Medieval Halberd:

Medieval Halberd

After a long day of combat and competition, you can bet that knights had worked up an appetite.  Fortunately, this was remedied with a banquet in the evening.  Filled with revelry, food, music, dancing, and pageantry, this feast was the perfect way to end the day’s exhilaration!  This was also the time when knights were recognized for their victories with prizes.

Today, medieval tournaments are still recreated and remain a popular form of recreation and entertainment.  To gear up for this event and other medieval occasions, check out our collection of armor and weapons from the Middle Ages at http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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Chainmail: Lasting Effect

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Administrator

In the development of armor over the ages, one of the most unique and impacting is chainmail.  Comprised of rings linked together to form patterns, this armor type worked well as a protective force in the Middle Ages and beyond.  Its effects changed the fighting frontier in many ways and continue to serve many today.

For army leaders, the innovation of chainmail was a dream come true as it solved many problems.  No longer did they have to look for that all-encompassing and dependable protection to equip their men.  With chainmail came an inexpensive way to make armor for the masses, as well as flexibility to fit it to men of all sizes.  Another huge praise from this ringed armor was its ease of use, enabling warriors more mobility.  Up until the emergence of chainmail, fighters marched into battle with shields.  While shields were decent protection, agility was impaired as one hand was occupied by holding the protective piece.  However, this gear provided a solution by providing the wearer with defensive attire and freeing up both hands.  Thus, new strategies and techniques could be implemented.

Full Length Chainmail with Hood:

Full Length Chainmail with Hood

Another accolade for chainmail was its awesome injury prevention.  Granted, it was not invincible and couldn’t withstand every weapon (especially really blunt ones), it could definitely hold its own against the stab of a sword, the hit of a spear, and the blow of an axe.  Because chainmail made it a great deal more difficult for an adversary to penetrate the flesh, injury and death on the battlefield was reduced by a fair degree.  In addition to fatal wounds being less likely, chainmail armor also prevented minor injuries.  While minor jabs and skin openings weren’t deadly, risk of infection was high and could easily lead to something much worse if left untreated too long.  Fortunately, this new ringed apparel kept infection at a low as well.

As with anything, nothing lasts forever and chainmail was no exception.  Its glory days were eventually replaced by the evolution of plate armor, which offered even stronger protection for knights.  Fortunate for chainmail, it did not disappear, but shifted in its use from being primary wear to supplementary.  It worked together with plate armor to cover areas of the body such as knees, elbows, and neck that plate armor left exposed.  This combination of armor proved to be an unstoppable force for warriors and guarded them exquisitely!

Chainmail Armor Shirt:

Chainmail Armor Shirt

Though chainmail isn’t used in battle today, it still sticks around, being worn in industrial jobs and meat cutting among other functions.  Thus, what started as armor of long ago has proven that its effects are timeless.  To see our collection of chainmail armor, go to http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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The Way Of A Medieval Knight

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Administrator

Being a knight in the Middle Ages was not as easy as one would think.  For one, he was required to have mad skills and impeccable strength in times of fighting.  However, he also had to keep his aggression in balance while displaying respectable behavior, as dictated by the knight’s code.  This code wasn’t just a mere set of edicts and statutes to follow, but extended beyond that to be understood by all as a moral system.  And thus, chivalry was born implementing a code of conduct that every knight should strive for with values of courage, honor, courtesy, and the utmost treatment of women.

Medieval Swords: http://www.armorvenue.com/swords-medieval-swords.html

Medieval Knight Complete Set:

Hospitaller Knight Complete Set

The Knight’s Code of Chivalry dates back to the 12th century and was widespread, even making appearances in literature, one of the most popular being “The Song of Roland”.  In this piece, the code is laid out as follows:

  • fear God and maintain His Church
  • To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
  • To protect the weak and defenseless
  • To give succour to widows and orphans
  • To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
  • To live by honour and for glory
  • To despise pecuniary reward
  • To fight for the welfare of all
  • To obey those placed in authority
  • To guard the honour of fellow knights
  • To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
  • To keep faith
  • At all times to speak the truth
  • To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
  • To respect the honour of women
  • Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
  • Never to turn the back upon a foe

Knight mace:

Knight Mace

The values of the Knight’s Code were also reflected in the vows made during a knighting ceremony.  Needless to say, these were not to be taken lately.  As the saying goes, “With great honor comes great responsibility”.  The Knight’s Code lasted through the Middle Ages, though undergoing a few changes, and continued through the Dark Ages, as well as laying a foundation for conduct in other cultures.

To see our collection of medieval knight armor and weapons, visit http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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Medieval Swordplay: Method To The Madness

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Administrator

Since the dawn of time, swords have been on the scene and through the ages, sword fighting has morphed in many ways.  But it was the medieval knights who truly defined this great art and laid a foundation for future combatants.

Medieval Swords: http://www.armorvenue.com/swords-medieval-swords.html

While literature and films tend to portray medieval sword fighting as a spectacle to behold, it did not start out this way.  During the Middle Ages, knights were weighed down by heavy armor and swordplay was a means of defense against attacks from multiple enemies.  This period also introduced a new sword technique of thrusting transitioning away from the Japanese way of using a sword for hacking.  In addition to the sword, knights also incorporated an Austrian style wrestling style as Ott in combat.  The concept was to overtake and disarm an adversary with agility, speed, and strength.  This was a common fighting technique for knights and the sword was actually more of a supplement in the beginning.

Medieval Battle Sword:

Medieval Battle Sword

As the Middle Ages advanced, sword fighting became more of a prominent technique.  With a focus on footwork and implementing armor and shields for protection, knights were trained in how to battle multiple enemies at once.  They were also taught the art of counter cutting, enabling the sword to serve offensive and defensive purpose in one foul swoop!

 

Medieval Knight with Sword:

Mounted Knight with Sword

Medieval swordplay also drew on influence from other countries such as Germany and Italy.  German technique educated knights in taking the lead in combat, maintaining momentum and moving forward without waiting for the opposing side to make a move.  Italian technique trained knights in defensive behavior and identifying an opponent’s weakness in attack before striking. These fighting methods proved to be very beneficial to knights and only helped to make them stronger warriors.

Medieval knights spent many rigorous hours daily training with a sword.  While seemingly simple, it was no easy task and required balance, precision, quick thinking, and endurance.  Being a knight was an honor and a sword was often a symbol of status.

To view our collection of medieval swords, go to http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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Medieval Swords: On The Cutting Edge

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Administrator

In the scheme of medieval weapons, swords have won the prize for most favorite and highest interest!  While medieval sword fighting was prominent and exciting, an often overlooked fact is that these weapons were pretty simple and offered little variation in their selections.

Medieval Swords: http://www.armorvenue.com/swords-medieval-swords.html

To begin with, composition of medieval swords merged the best of two metal worlds together to make a master class weapon.  These cutting pieces contained a soft iron core surrounded by a hard steel shell.  This craftsmanship took the strength of steel’s hardness and combined it with iron’s flexibility.  In doing so, each metal’s weakness, steel’s brittle nature and iron’s softness, was compensated for, resulting in an exquisite, battle ready piece!

In addition to sword composition, there were consistent design elements intact throughout the various types.  To maintain rigid structure and strength, as well as lightness, there was typically a full, or groove, running down the blade’s center.  Curvature, cross sections, hilt, grip, cross guard, and pommel were also aspects of medieval swords across the board.

Medieval Arming Sword:

Medieval Arming Sword

For medieval fighters, the weapon of the day was the longsword, also called an “arming sword”.  The longsword was designed as a one-handed weapon and boasted 4 feet in overall length with a 3 foot blade and weighed in at 2 to 3 pounds.  This weapon was inspired by the Roman spatha and basically was a glorified gladius.  A relative variation of the longsword surfaced in the bastard sword, also known as a “hand-and-a-half” sword.  Essentially, this meant that both hands could have holding action, but the second hand could only have partial grip of the handle and pommel.  While both hands could be in play with a bastard sword, its original intention was one-handed use.

For a more intimidating weapon, another option was the greatsword.  Based off German and Scottish models, these were massive swords, possessing an overall length of nearly 7 feet and weighing as much as 14 pounds.  Needless to say, these suckers weren’t the most convenient to carry around.  The advantage that these swords offered over others was their ability to hack into and disrupt a formation of spearmen or pikemen.  In addition, they could also be used with the same fighting techniques as longswords and bastard swords.

Bastard Sword:

Bastard Sword

Other swords in play during the medieval period came from Japanese influence and were the tachi and katana.  Tachi had long, curved blades and were primarily used for combat on horseback.  From this sword, the katana developed and was able to be used for fighting on foot.

Today, medieval swords may not be used in the same way that they once were, but they still manage to captivate the awe of collectors, historians, and artists.  Indeed, their legacy lives on, giving the sword industry a great deal of inspiration.  To see our collection of medieval swords, go to http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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Viking Weapons – The Key To Winning Wars

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Administrator

They raided and traded.  They cruised the high seas like nobody’s business.  And they explored and settled in various parts of Europe, becoming a prominent civilization.  Who are these people I speak of?  They are none other than the Vikings.  And contrary to popular depiction, these guys were not brutal savages as some tend to think.  However, let’s not underestimate them.  While not crazy violent, they were warriors…and great warriors at that.  This was due in large part to their awesome weapons which they were armed with at all times.  Being a Viking and going from place to place, they had to be prepared for attacks at any moment with weapon in tow.

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Viking warrior weapons were not only important in fighting.  They also served as a representation of social status and wealth.  In fact, Viking literature even suggests that men would be buried with their weapons.  As far as types of weapons used, they ranged from swords to spears to axes to bow and arrow.  The most prestigious of these pieces was the sword, as it came at the highest cost to make and purchase.

Viking Shield – Brown:  http://www.armorvenue.com/viking-shield-brown.html

Viking Shield - Brown

In addition to being armed, Viking warriors were also armored with chainmail and helmets.  The helmets they were basically looked like a bowl on their heads with riveted nose guards and made of iron materials.  They also accessorized their attire with small wooden, round shields.  They sailed from victory to victory on long ships from land to land and fought on foot.  Once again, they were not barbarians, but rest assured that their reputation preceded them as skilled masters of combat and impeccable strength.

When it comes to Viking weapons, they were a sight to be seen.  In contrast to common images, these weapons were not just junky pieces of metal, but elaborately ornamented with inlays, twisted wire, and decorations crafted of bronze, silver, and copper.  For the average Viking, the weapon of choice was the spear with a length of 2-3 meters and incorporating an iron spear head and wooden shaft.  The bow and arrow served purpose in both hunting, as well as war, and was usually made from elm, yew, or ash trees with an iron arrowhead.  These suckers were powerful with an effective range of around 250 meters and a draw force of 90 pounds.

Viking Battle Sword:

Viking Battle Sword

In terms of cutting weapons, there were knives, axes, and of course, swords.  The typical knife was called a “knifr” was available for use to all classes, including slaves.  This was a simple, single edged knife, sometimes decorated, and served functions for utility use, hunting, and combat.  If you were of the upper class, you might also own a “seax”, a heavier, falchion-like knife.  As for the axe, it is considered the most common hand weapon because it was also used as a tool for daily, routine activities.  The shaft was wooden with an iron head and steel edge and was made to be thrown or swung with powerful force and effect.  Axes were of various sizes, depending on its purpose, and some were even as long as a man.  To round out the cutting weapons was the sword, reserved for the elite.  Following the model of the Dark Ages, swords were crafted for single handed use with a double-edged blade and meant to work together with a shield.

Truly, Viking weapons added a lot to these warriors’ plights and served as baluable tools for every day activities.  To see our collection of Viking weapons, go to:  http://www.armorvenue.com/.

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Samurai: Their Styles And Their Weapons

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Administrator

Throughout the history of Japan, one class of people stands out above the rest…the Samurai warriors.  As skilled military men, these guys ruled the country’s identity from the 9th to the 19th centuries leaving a lasting impression.  They were knowledgeable, proficient, and man, could they fight!

Samurai Armor: http://www.armorvenue.com/armor-samurai-armor.html

When it comes to samurai fighters, the typical image is a warrior charging into battle with a sword.  However, it should be stated that these combatants were masters of more than just swords.  They were also experts of the bow and arrow and a thrusting spear called a yari.  In fact, bows were more common than swords because a great deal of samurai fighting was done on horseback.  Swords were reserved primarily for close contact fighting and it wasn’t until the 17th century that samurais were recognized for their swordsmanship.

As the bow was widely used, the most prominent samurai fighting style, lasting the majority of the class’s existence was archery.  A compound bow, called a Yumi bow, was the prime weapon in this field.  It had an efficient range of about 50 meters and could even shoot further, but with loss of accuracy.  The Yumi served both warriors on foot and horseback and proved to proficiently hit an exact target within the 50 meter range.

Yari Spear:

Yari Spear

Marksmanship was another fighting technique that hugely impacted the way in which a samurai warrior fought.  As a matter of fact, samurai fighters were the first to embrace the match hook rifle when it came from Europe.  Renowned samurai leader, Nobunaga Oda, implemented rifles as an integral part of his troops.  His fighters were assembled into three lines with each group taking turns firing shots while the other groups reloaded their rifles.

Yet, an additional samurai fighting techniques was kenjutsu, a style of martial arts which emerged during the 15th century and mainly targeted swordsmanship.  This technique was put in place to train samurais for the battlefield and it is still taught today.  The aim of kenjutsu is for a warrior to become one with the sword.  This requires a huge amount of practice with unrelenting determination, thus falling in line with the samurai code to never give up and bring about dishonor.  This fighting technique offers flexibility in movement and stance depending on individual style, but there are specific guidelines in place that dictate how a samurai should carry himself and grip a sword.

Designer Hardwood Blue Samurai Sword Set:

Designer Hardwood Blue Samurai Sword Set

In regards to samurai swords, they started with a straight blade, but over time, emerged into a curved shape with greater strength and a sharper point.  Samurai were often known to name their swords, as it was a representation of their honor.  When combat first began, these fighters were armed with one sword, but during the later years, they carried two swords-a katana and a wakizashi.  As Japanese armor underwent changes, so did swords, which were able to penetrate through the gear.

Due to the varied fighting techniques and weapons used, the samurai class enjoyed many successful victories and their ways are still practiced today.  To see our collection of samurai swords and weapons, check out http://www.armorvenue.com/

 

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Civil War Weapons, They’re A Killer!

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Administrator

It was full of bloodshed.  It was brutal.  It involved over 3 million Americans and resulted in over 600,000 casualties.  And it forever changed the course of history.  If you haven’t figured it out yet, the event being described here is none other than the American Civil War, fought for 4 horrific wars from 1861 to 1865.  There are many distinguishing factors of this war and among them was the military weaponry, which greatly contributed to the numerous deaths accounted for in the war.

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In looking at the range of weapons used during the Civil War, there is a decent variety.  The most common were guns including revolvers, carbines, muzzle-loading muskets, and breech-loading rifles.  A major advancement in this category was the development of carbines, which offered ease and convenience for fighting on horseback.  Because these rifles were shorter and lighter than others, they could be reloaded while riding horses.  New spiral-barreled rifles also came into play, with better accuracy and wider range than muskets.

Civil War Cavalry Trooper Sword:

Civil War Cavalry Trooper SwordWhen it came to close hand-to hand combat in the Civil War, edged weapons were the hot item of the day.  These weapons included swords, sabers, cutlasses, bayonets, and Bowie knives.  While firearms were the leading cause of wounds and casualties, cutting weapons were responsible for one in 250 injuries.  Of these edged weapons, swords were used the most and there were a few different types.  One of them was the officer’s sword.  While there was variation on these swords depending on the officer, the basic model had a curved blade with a brass grip and wrapped in leather.  There were shorter and longer sword lengths for specific officers.  Another type of sword was the cavalry sword for soldiers on horseback.  These swords had less curvature in their blades and were generally shorter and weighed less than other swords.  A third type of sword common during the Civil War was the naval sword, primarily serving a purpose for combat in very close areas.  These swords had little to no curve with a sharp, short, and broad blade for slashing.

Civil War Cannon:

Miniature Civil War Cannon

Rounding out the Civil War era weapons were the artillery, basically cannons and howitzers.  Both weapons served a vita function for different needs.  Comparing the two, cannons contained longer barrels and fired at a flatter trajectory while howitzers possessed shorter barrels and fired cannonballs at an arc.  The most infamous piece of artillery was the Napoleon, which led to more deaths than all other artillery weapons combined.  This vicious sucker was a smoothbore, muzzle-loading howitzer.

The emergence of weapons during the Civil War forced military leaders to adapt new strategies for battle and brought about a lot firsts in fighting, making this war the first “modern war”.  To see our collection of Civil War weapons and artillery, go to:  http://www.armorvenue.com/

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