To start, nice forum here. Some of you know me from the AA. If so, please vouch for my good (or otherwise) behavior....please?  

Anyway, I'm intensely into the Battle of Wisby (ever since I found the book in our military library at the research laboratory I was at). It’s an amazing piece of work, and I would like to copy the Wisby armour, clothes and mannerisms as closely as I can, and still get on the SCA field (yes, boooo!! Hissss!!  

I am making a Great Helm that is correct to the period. Great Helms sat on your shoulders! You couldn’t turn your head.

My armour weighs in at ~100 lbs. plus or minus.

My COP is done (and painted).

I’ve made elbows, and I’m working on “locking” gauntlets to protect my hands (concession to the fact I have to use my hands to work).

Anyway, most of you are “serious re-enenactors” (no insult intended, please!!), and probably have walked out onto the SCA field, and received your share of ribbing.

Given:
1. I would like a reasonably correct suit of armour (and clothes) for 1380 AD Germany.
2. I really do LIKE the SCA (really). I’m not leaving.
3. We’ve got a Viking (you know what I’m talking about) behind every bush. (and frankly, some Vikings that play the part rather well too!)

Question:
1. How do you “steel” yourself to this “ribbing” you receive?
2. What is the appropriate response?
3. How can you adjust your attitudes to fit the situation, and keep your friends?

Can you help me, please?

Thank you for your time,

Your questions pertain to more than historical impressions, they pertain to life in general. So, grasshopper;

Question:
1. How do you “steel” yourself to this “ribbing” you receive?
A- A little ribbing is always around, the hard part is recognizing whether it's good natured, or if the person is a being a jerk.
2. What is the appropriate response?
A- Laugh at the first, ignore the second. If you do need to respond, think about the response a bit and don't stoop to their level. Sometimes the quick responses make you look like an a$$ as well.

3. How can you adjust your attitudes to fit the situation, and keep your friends?
A- If they ARE your friends, they respect you enough to understand that you want to do this. If not, get new friends.

(I feel just like "Dear Abby-in-a-kettle-hat", and the visual is killing me.)

Walk this way, folks.

BTW, I like this topic. I think it's admirable to use the Wisby grave find on which to base your harness. I'd sure like to see the book sometime. Wish I had the time to track it down.....

------------------
Cheers,

Robert Coleman, Jr.

Those who beat their swords into plowshares end up plowing for those who don't.

In an effort to be less unintentionally inflammatory with our posts, Jeff and I are writing and editing our responses offline before posting them.

Hauptfrau,

Where is Ramona, CA? I've got family in Los Altos, CA, and we will be in the area for Christmas if you want to see (or copy) the book.

Also, I could copy the book and get it back to you (please pay cost of printing and shipping... ~$40 give or take...I will funish receipts). It is frankly VERY good. Dr. Thoredeman did some FANTASTIC work. This was the day when you didn't just uncover a dig and call it good. He had to prove it with examples from effigies, paintings, etc... Good work, well documented.

It's from this that I found out how "Knights of Old" got traction on the ground (off their horses). Their FEET had maile on them!! The had the same "waffle" print modern sports shoes have, but with chains! This was a revelation to me (and I need to find someone who does rivetted chainmail cheaply...I don't think butted mail would survive that sort of torture).

quote:

---

Originally posted by hauptfrau:
You're not losing your mind.

In an effort to be less unintentionally inflammatory with our posts, Jeff and I are writing and editing our responses offline before posting them.

He has a VOLUME on this written up, but a very high-stress day combined with the 2 martinis he drank when we got home at 8:45 PM kicked his butt before he posted it. He said he'll post it today.

---

Hauptfrau:

Martini suppers? I could think of far worse ways to end a hectic day!

Robert Coleman, Jr.

Got the tome posted on Arms and Armour.

Aaron, yes, I'd like to arrange a photocopy. Do you have access to a good quality copier? How many photos of pieces are there? I understand there are pattern reconstructions of some of the brigandine (leather and plate) composite pieces, is this true?

Thanks!

------------------
Cheers,

battle_of_wisby@yahoo.com

Please include your snail-mail address. I will try to photocopy as much as possible down the street at the Kinkos or local print shop, and mail it to you.

Given that this is a site for historical re-enactors, I'm guessing you guys want EVERYTHING in it. I don't have everything (the legends in Swedish I left out when I did the photocopying), but what I do have may interest you.

It would cost you $ of photocopying + $ of postage. I believe this is reasonable to cover those expenses.

Thank you,

Aaron Miaullis