Heroic Dreams - All Things Medieval

Heroic Dreams - All Things Medieval
The Blog Devoted to All Things Medieval; Weapons, Armor, Knights, Castles, Books and More ———–Never Give a Sword to a Man who can’t Dance - Old Celtic Saying
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The Quest for a Samurai Sword Part 3

May 30th, 2009

If you are following along with my quest for a Samurai sword which I have here in Part 1 and Part 2 here is part 3. I do have a part 4 of this on my youtube channel: The quest for a Samurai Sword Part 4.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74IX3fjXFco[/youtube]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in By Will Kalif, swords, Travel, Samurai, Japan | No Comments »

Another Mysterious Medieval Castle to Identify

May 27th, 2009

I received a picture from a web visitor asking if I could Identify the castle. While it looks familiar I am unsure as to what castle it is. Seeing as our record is perfect so far with identifying various medieval things I thought I should add this castle to the blog and see if somebody out there can identify it. Here it is and if you know what castle it is, or can add some insight please send me an email! You can see a link to emailing me in the left column of this blog. Thanks!!! Oh and make sure you check out my medieval castle website where I have lots of stuff including looks inside a European Medieval castle that dates back to around 700 AD and a look inside a Japanese Medieval Castle - both of which I have visited. Medieval Castles Website

Here is a picture of the castle that needs identifying:

Unidentified Medieval Castle

Posted in Websites, Castles/Medieval, Medieval | No Comments »

Update on the Riddle of the Mysterious Medieval Halberds

May 24th, 2009

You might remember that I posted pictures of a pair of halberds to this blog and to my website. The blogpost is here and the website post, with lots of pics and more information is here.

Halberd picture 

 I was looking for more information about them and trying to see if they were worth anything. Anyhoo, I couple of days ago I got this email from somebody about them

Will,
I just saw your pair of halberd heads on the internet.  Those two would most likely have been made for ceremonial urposes (sergeants in england mainly during the 1650-1800 range of time) as symbols of office.  The numbers ON the heads, near the shaft connect, are the number of heads (as a serial number) that the person that actually hand crafted those two heads has made… being… the 3940th and 3946th actual halberd head that smith had crafted.  Being that you have a PAIR of heads, they are likely to be from two people of the same family (brothers) who both achieved the rank of sergeant in the english millitary during ‘period’.  By the linear date (considering a smith would start apprentice at 12-14, and continue a specialized weapon untill the day of ‘his’ death, the craftsman was old-er) the heads were most likely created around the 1680-1690 period of time, due to the intricate detail, even tho the halberd came about in use around 1280-1320 in a good number of applications.  Evolution from the Pike, to the Halberd. 
Now… the Symbols on your Halberd heads… Knowing that they are a symbol of office, rank, and used both in ceremony and actual combat.  Your heads were most likely (as above) from a pair from one family that achieved rank and office in a millitary function.  The symbols are most likely of the millitary unit, maybe the city or garrisson, and the commander of the person for each halberd head.  The intricasy, and the fact that there are no flanges where the heads attach to a shaft, dictate they were only funcionable as a symbol.  So your halberd heads most likely dont have any blood on them.  Some other highly intricate items from the period would be used for both combat and ceremony, such as swords or axes or something else, but due to the function, the first time either of your halberd heads would be used in a hooking manner, the head would come off the shaft… 
I’m not sure whether or not you fully understand what exactly you have there, but do NOT allow anyone to tell you those two items are worthless… being from actual period, and in the actual condition of them… you should put them in a glass security case, with an alarm ON it, or allow a museum to secure them for you (which would also get you more answers as to where, when, and how, due to the display).

Wow! Is that some serious news or what?

 

Posted in Medieval Weapons, Historical | No Comments »

May 24th, 2009

The Dragonslayer Bazooka Launch


Have a pesky Dragon in the neighborhood? Need help getting rid of it? Have no fear the Dragonslayer is here! This was a serioiusly fun project. I had a lot of fun designing and making the rocket launcher and of course I had a lot of fun shooting it off (Shown in this video). Anyhoo, I have more vide of this project coming.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Two heroes become one?

May 17th, 2009

Tametomo

In my travels I ran across this magnificent wood cut by Kuniyashi. It is of the legend of Tametomo. In the legend he is attacked by a large sea serpent and rescued by spirits. It’s a wonderful story and it immediately made me think about the legend of Beowulf and how he faced sea serpents. I just think that it is kind of interesting how there is a similiar tale across very different cultures. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to me if the stories, with different names, are actually based on the same person oh so many centuries ago.

It’s kind of like the Noahs ark thing. It is said that just about every culture in the world has a story of a big flood and of a man who built an ark to save the creatures of the earth. Even though they have different names they must be the same person. I wonder if Beowulf and Tametomo are the same person?

I really fell in love with this piece of art. The blue is just stunning. It was about $5oo so I balked. But, thinking about it now I really should have bought it.

 

Posted in By Will Kalif, About Epic Fantasy, fantasy art, Historical, Japan | No Comments »

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