tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post3135495030283885759..comments2023-10-12T02:21:40.102-07:00Comments on English Historical Fiction Authors: Swords and Armor - History You Can HoldDebra Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03256313302199653185noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-5788148571787226982013-03-03T00:20:13.530-08:002013-03-03T00:20:13.530-08:00I had the honour of holding a replica sword one ti...I had the honour of holding a replica sword one time (borrowed from a church of all places) and an production me an another member of my church did. It was a big crowd attraction afterwards if I recall and one clever chap was able to swing it around over his head- I think he was a balcksmith or some such talented profession.<br /><br />Then there's the photo of me with the Norman sword and helm...... English Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806974885775295349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-31133533207034822672013-03-03T00:16:46.320-08:002013-03-03T00:16:46.320-08:00This might be a reason why it annoys me when Medie...This might be a reason why it annoys me when Medieval aristocrats are regarded or presented as having been lazy and pampered and not having done 'any work'. Er excuse me? I would think that wielding one of thees things was no easy task! English Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806974885775295349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-6891557939472321142012-06-08T16:39:51.359-07:002012-06-08T16:39:51.359-07:00Actually boiled oats — or porridge — is something ...Actually boiled oats — or porridge — is something you can crave without spices etc, if you were raised on it. For many years, porridge was my usual childhood breakfast — it's a Scottish thing, probably, even though my scottish ancestors are several generations away. <br />What most people forget to add when cooking porridge is salt. That turns something bland to something tasty. Yes a little sugar or other sweetener adds to it, as does dried fruits, etc, but plain old porridge is still something I occasionally crave.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02564152027118499399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-69284384640429315422012-06-02T18:02:36.429-07:002012-06-02T18:02:36.429-07:00Thanks Leah! I am so glad you liked the article. C...Thanks Leah! I am so glad you liked the article. Cycling a sword 30 times can wear you out and I can only imagine the endurance and strength, coupled with crippling fear of death, that it would take to not give that inch.<br />I do admire the men and women of old that forged those paths too. The peasants had such a rough life and 40 was considered old. If I could go back, I would have to bring a few creature comforts, but I do believe I would take it if offered!Scott Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13978834492904487296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-18638611108142489412012-06-02T17:53:31.317-07:002012-06-02T17:53:31.317-07:00Debbie, I had no idea there were some replica cast...Debbie, I had no idea there were some replica castles out west. I would love to crawl around in some of those. When I was in the Navy some friends and I crawled around a couple old fortresses on Corfu, Greece. I got to see Jerusalem also and admire the walls. The best was in Rhodes, Greece as much of the old town is walled and so much is still standing. We crawled into some old sapper tunnels that we could access from the dry moat - pitch dark, many offshoots, narrow (gasp), candle niches on the walls. It was a dream doing that!Scott Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13978834492904487296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-73118288818574595292012-06-02T17:02:59.551-07:002012-06-02T17:02:59.551-07:00I just loved this post! Everything about the medie...I just loved this post! Everything about the medieval era interests me. Like you, I own some swords, and each time I pick one up it amazes me at the strength one had to of had to wield one knowing it could mean all the difference between life and death if you gave an inch during battle and the brute strength one had to have to wield it. I have such an inner pull to that time and feel like my soul is an old one living now. We can look back and think of how hard it must have been to live then but for the people who did, it was just life. Like us now, not knowing what the future holds, they lived the only way they knew. I can't help but admire the women, men, and children who forged paths for us today. I can't help but think they must have been much stronger as individuals than we are now in our lives of ease. Even with the daily struggles they each faced, disease, political and religious upheavals, I would jump at the chance to time travel back and experience first hand the medieval period. Ah, to dream. :)Leah Weller (leahluvsmedieval)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17868406686231656969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-60673368801960018402012-06-02T14:25:33.445-07:002012-06-02T14:25:33.445-07:00Scott, there are some castles here. I've been ...Scott, there are some castles here. I've been to one in Napa Valley- granted, it is only 7 years old :/ but it is built from European stone and in every way seems realistic to me. It could be grittier and more worn, but oh well. That comes with time. <br /><br />And of course there is the Hearst Castle and the one in Disneyland. :D<br /><br />I haven't been to the older castles in the east. But a search brings some up!Debra Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03256313302199653185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-32403396400501861542012-06-02T14:12:53.185-07:002012-06-02T14:12:53.185-07:00Joanna, I have never seen FMJ, but I can only wond...Joanna, I have never seen FMJ, but I can only wonder how it would feel. I always imagine a splinter coming into the eye slit. Gasp!<br /><br /><br />Cynthia, every time I see that helmet I have to remind myself that it's not going to best me again! And yes, little details add color. I wish the US had a castle or two!<br /><br />Wanda,I am glad you enjoyed it. I am glad that I have such great responses!Scott Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13978834492904487296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-23713542667260304742012-06-02T09:51:37.794-07:002012-06-02T09:51:37.794-07:00Scott, I thoroughly enjoyed your wit here. ( I act...Scott, I thoroughly enjoyed your wit here. ( I actually felt slightly claustrophobic, reading about the struggle with the helmet.) Being both a historical fiction reader and writer myself I really appreciate the main thrust of this post; it is the small details that make all the difference between a bland telling, or a medieval feast of a tale. Excellent, fun post to wake up to this morning. Thanks for the chuckles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-49690737578522648802012-06-02T07:00:38.676-07:002012-06-02T07:00:38.676-07:00Thank you for such an enjoyable article!Thank you for such an enjoyable article!wandaluce.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10490426611544156004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-1820716012828914922012-06-02T06:43:32.912-07:002012-06-02T06:43:32.912-07:00Kudos, Scott. Did you catch the TV reality show, F...Kudos, Scott. Did you catch the TV reality show, Full Metal Jousting when it aired? Although it's a modern interpretation of the sport, the series really opened my eyes to the sheer strength required and the brutality of riding pell mell toward an opponent with the objective of knocking him into the dirt. The jousters of FMJ likened the impact to that of a head-on collision in an auto.Joanna Waughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08053211782268427159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-89643996303504128392012-06-02T06:39:03.249-07:002012-06-02T06:39:03.249-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Joanna Waughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08053211782268427159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-90727508345363743182012-06-02T04:45:34.976-07:002012-06-02T04:45:34.976-07:00Thank you, Barbara! I would love to live or take a...Thank you, Barbara! I would love to live or take an extended visit to the UK to get a better feel sometimes.Scott Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13978834492904487296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456802468539868519.post-13335645379921744452012-06-02T01:31:38.642-07:002012-06-02T01:31:38.642-07:00A fascinating and beautifully written article. The...A fascinating and beautifully written article. These are the details and experiences I avidly collect - but with all too few opportunities. Oh, the glories I am missing by living in Australia!Barbara Gaskell Denvilnoreply@blogger.com