Anyone else checking this out on History channel. Interesting stuff!
Oops..it's on National Geographic
I saw that show! You need to get a life, watching the same shows as me... [laugh]
Quote from: badgalbetty on January 18, 2011, 08:37:34 PM
I saw that show! You need to get a life, watching the same shows as me... [laugh]
That was some good stuff! I never heard about that male/female style of fighting they had.
yeah that was pretty brutal. Imagine being whacked in the head with a rock wrapped in a scarf or veil. The man probably got what he deserved..... [laugh]
Didn't know about this - but I'll have to give it a look up.
It's always ingenious to see what people who aren't supposed to have something come up with. Lots of weapons in the east and west are descendants of farm tools because the people 'in charge' said commoners can't have things like swords.
in medieaval times I would imagine cost of things like swords had a lot to do with it. Most of the common folks where not living a very comfortable life,and a sword would have cost a lot of money. Here is an example....The house where my mother was born ( its 800 years old) had a tax record dating back to the 14th century in a local church book and it showed they paid 3 shillings rent for the year. This was a 3 stall house with a timber frame and thatched roof. Pretty large and well built. 3 shillings in US$ is about 40 cents. Even with with passage of time and the value of money increase I doubt if you could have a sword made today for you at a price under several months mortgage.
Swords were luxury items. However, Pikes were not. They were made usually by the owner who then purchased a ready made metal piece for the end. Same with Bows...............made by the owner.
BGB
Well besides the cost in many cases swords were restricted to noble classes. For example, in feudal japan it was illegal (upon pain of death) for a commoner to own a sword.
In Europe, rules were not so harsh - but yeah cost did have a lot to do with it. Swords were not cheap - and a 12' section of fire hardened ash was about free. If you had to supply your own weapons (not uncommon in militias) and you were a dirt poor conscript that Ash pike was looking pretty good...
Another interesting topic is 'womens' weapons. Knives disguised as hair stays, worked into dresses, bladed fans, muff (hand warmers you sickos) pistols and more.