Vikings and the Dark Ages
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
The period known as the Dark Ages was greatly due to the Norse and their pagan beliefs, even though this period was not as dark as its given credit for. It was also a time of great exploration and blending of cultures. Some feel the Vikings simply disappeared after 1066, but the fact is they were still strong in their native lands and successfully assimilated into the other nations they had contact with....
Forging Swords
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
Every sword Windlass® makes is proudly hand forged by master bladesmiths from a single ingot of high carbon steel. Windlass chooses the designations 1065, 1075, 1085, or 1095 depending on the application. After the ingot is heated and hammered (sometimes by as many as 3 smiths alternating different sized hammers!) into its general shape a highly experienced grinder gives it its final shape and the blade is polished.Tempering takes place to relie...
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Medieval Fighting Tactics
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
The style of fighting with sword and shield varied little through out Europe and consisted mostly of cutting at the foe from behind the shield. With the sword drawn back it could be held out of sight of an opponent behind the shield so they could not see where a cut was coming from. This type of deception is why the quickest and most aggressive usually won an encounter- you had little warning where to move your shield to block a blow.
It s...
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