Heroic Dreams - All Things Medieval

Knights had a reign that lasted several hundred years and in this time period the weapons they used varied and changed significantly. Some of the factors that caused this change were improvements in metalworking and improvements in weapon design. Armor also improved over this period of time and it mandated improvements in weapons. One of the most significant changes came with the advent of plated armor. This new type of armor caused changes in many of the knight’s standard weapons. Slicing and bladed weapons were often accentuated or replaced by weapons that could pierce or apply a hammer-like blow. This development of hand weapons continued to change for centuries and reached its apex in the fourteenth and fifteenth century with the advent of gunpowder. This articles looks at some of the more common weapons from this time period.

Before gunpowder rendered them obsolete there were basically two different types of weapons that knights used: single-handed, and polearm (two-handed). Of the single-handed weapons the sword is of course the most popular and best known. And it was the beneficiary of technology improvements. Over the centuries they got longer, sharper, lighter, and stronger. They were central part of a knight’s armory and even as hand weapons became obsolete swords remained part of a knights arsenal as a symbol of power and chivalry.

Another common one-handed weapon of knights was the mace, which was a short handled striking weapon with a ball on the far end. The ball often had spikes or flanges on it, which would penetrate a foes armor. The flail was another standard weapon and it was short handled with a length of chain then a ball or flail head. This ball on a chain, when swung could generate enormous force, and just as importantly, it could be used to swing up and over an enemy’s shield. The warhammer was another common weapon and it was a direct modification of the blacksmith’s hammer. It was a very common weapon particularly in the early centuries of medieval warfare and was very similar to today’s modern claw hammer having one end that was flat and used for striking, and the other end having a piercing beak that could penetrate armor.

Polearms were long handled weapons that knights often used in combat -particularly when mounted on horses. They ranged in length from six feet to as much as twelve or sixteen feet. The basic advantage of a polearm was its reach from atop a horse. It could be used to attack an enemy before he could get close enough to use his own weapon. They came in many variations and the most common type of polearm is the lance, which is still used today in jousting competitions. The lance was also a capable, and feared, weapon used for breaking up the foot ranks of enemy formations. Other types of polearms were often variations of hand-held weapons mounted on the end of a long pole. And two good examples of this are the poleaxe and the halberd, which were forms of axes, often with a hammer, or axe blade along one side and a point at the very tip for penetrating armor.

While there were many weapons that knights used there also were a few weapons that they refused to use for various reasons. Knighthood came with a complete code of conduct and a rule of chivalry and these had an effect on the weapons they could use. The three most popular weapons that they didn’t use were the bow, the crossbow, and the dagger. The bow and crossbow were considered to be unknightly because you did not face your foe when fighting. And the dagger was considered to be a dishonorable weapon because it was used stealthily and hidden; although, the dagger did start to become a sometimes-used weapon toward the end of the middle ages but it predominantly for ceremonial purposes only.

The use of weapons by knights over the course of the Middle Ages changed and evolved significantly based on many factors such as blacksmithing skills, engineering skills, improvements in armor, improvement in combat techniques, and even the code of chivalry. While many variations of weapons came and went there were only about a dozen trusted weapons that had proven their worth through centuries of use on the battlefield.

Popularity: 50% [?]

Castle Building reached a feverish peak all throughout Europe around the 15^th Century. This was of course quite a while before the Pilgrims made their way across the Atlantic Ocean and you would think this means the United States missed the whole castle building frenzy. But it didn’t. There are quite a few amazing and beautiful medieval castles peppered all across North America.

During a period of time from the late 18^th century to the early 19^th century much of the world went through a period of time, in terms of architecture, called the Gothic Revival. This revival was a renewed interest in the architecture and styling of the medieval castles and buildings that were built during the Middle Ages. The focus was on the late period castles that were more of a manor home than a fortress.

This period of time also matched a period of very high prosperity in the United States and there were many wealthy individuals and organizations that built castles fashioned in this Gothic Revival style. Technically, none of these castles can be called true castles because they weren’t built with defense and armament in mind; They were more designed as manor houses but they still incorporated all of the wonderful and impressive architectural stylings that we come to associate with true castles. Many of them remain to this day and have found unique ways to continue to flourish. Some are museums, some are bed and breakfasts, some are wineries, and others are still living quarters. Here is a short list of some of these beautiful structures.

New England, being the oldest part of the country, was also one of the richest during the gothic revival and there are many impressive castles peppered throughout the New England states. The most famous of all of the locations is Newport Rhode Island where Belcort Castle, The Breakers, and Ochre Court can be found. Belcourt Castle is a legitimate castle and The Breakers and Ochre Court are mansions. These buildings are a testament to the wealth generated by early 20^th century manufacturing. Nearby Massachusetts also has its share and one of the most notable is Herreshoff Castle in Marblehead. It was built in the early 20^th century and is fashioned after a castle built by the famous Viking Lief Erickson and it is now a bed and breakfast. Also of note in Massachusetts is Hammond Castle, which is located in Gloucester. The noted inventor John Hammond built it in the early 20th century and it is now a museum.

As we move away from New England and west across the country we find many more castles that were built near large industrial cities where their builders usually made their riches. One of the most remarkable of these is Boldt Castle located on Heart Island in New York. The owner of the castle was the proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Another noted castle is one in Michigan called Curwood Castle. James Oliver Curwood who was a very famous writer of adventure stories built it. Grey Towers Castle was built by two brothers in the sugar refinery business and is located in a suburb of Philadelphia. It is a National historic Landmark and is currently open to tours and is quite a large and magnificent structure. Henderson Castle located in Kalamazoo Michigan is another spectacular structure that is also now a bed and breakfast.

As we travel across the continent we come finally to California which was a mecca for money and for castle building. There are many structures that are still being used today and notable of these is Castello Di Amorosa, which is a working winery.

We end our look at some of the castles in America at one of the most famous, and most opulent. This is Hearst Castle located in San Simeon California. It was built by the media mogul William Randolph Hearst and epitomized the power and money of early Twentieth century politics and Hollywood. It is open to the public.

When we think of medieval castles images of mountain top structures in England and Germany come to mind but America has also built its share of these magnificent structures, there are literally hundreds, and many of them are still in use today as bed and breakfasts or museums. So if you want to see a medieval castle but don’t have the money to travel to Europe there are probably some beautiful options right in your home state.

If you are interested in learning more about medieval subjects, weapons, and castles visit the authors website at: Medieval Castles

Popularity: 37% [?]