July 29th, 2009
You might remember that I occasionally get requests to identify medieval objects such as weapons, chests or even castles and I, with the help of web visitors have had perfect success identifying these things. The latest request was to identify a medieval castle from a single picture and a web visitor sent me an email with the identify of the castle. If you want to know what castle this is then you can buzz over to my medieval castle website and check it out here: Another case of a Mysterious Medieval Castle solved
Picture ownership Remi Kaupp and freely published under the GNU Free documentation License
Posted in Websites, Medieval, Historical, Travel | No Comments »
July 28th, 2009
I was browsing through my netflix account last night looking for something good to watch when I stumbled across this film: Reclaiming the Blade (Reclaiming the Blade (2-disc Special Edition)
. It is a documentary of sorts that describes the history of the sword and also delves deeply into the lasting impression that the sword has on us even to this day when swords are pretty much not of any military use. It is undeniable that the sword holds a place of symbolic power, strength and reverance in today’s world. And this film explores this theme.
There are lots of great tie ins to modern film, and how the sword is still very much used in film, from star wars to period movies like Kingdom of Heaven. There is also lots of footage from these movies and an explanation of how the sword is portrayed and used in these movies. There are also a lot of great interviews with archaeologists, film makers, sword makers and even actors including Viggo Mortensen from Lord of the Rings.
Another interesting aspect that is covered in the documentary is the difference between European swords/martial arts and the Eastern swords and martial arts. Which was an extra bonus for me considering I just recently returned from a trip to Japan where I purchased a Samurai Sword.
Here are a few tasty snippets that I got from the film:
1. Want to know what brought the sword into its modern day prominence? It has got to be Oakshotts classification of Swords. you can see it here: Oakshotts classification of Swords
2. Here are some great modern movies that stay true to having the sword fighting be authentic to the period the movie was made for:
And, there is lots of stuff about the modern practice and art of sword fighting through sub cultures like the Society of Creative Anachronism, and the HACA (The Historical Armed Combat Association). All in all, if you are a fan of swords then this is a must watch. You are going to be pleased and amazed.
Posted in Medieval Weapons, Medieval, Historical, swords, Video | No Comments »
July 14th, 2009
There are Castles, and then there are Fortresses. The Fortress was a serious work of business. It wasn’t just a place where royalty lived. It was a place that was built with one thing in mind: keeping its inhabitants alive. And the art and science of fortress building was something that developed and changed over the centuries. And eventually reached a peak in the period between 1200 and 1300. And this is the exact period covered by a book soon to be released on Amazon.com. It is called “English Castles 1200-1300 (Fortress)” It will be released on July 21 and it is available for pre-purchase - which I have done. If you are interested in this sort of thing you can pre-order it here ( English Castles 1200-1300 (Fortress)
). Or you can wait a week or two for me to receive my copy so you can read my review.
Here is what Amazon.com has to say about the book:
Product Description
The simple castles raised after the Norman conquest had been developed throughout 11th and 12th centuries, whilst the introduction of Islamic and Byzantine fortification techniques from the late 12th century led to further developments in castle architecture. These fortifications were to be well tested throughout the course of the 13th century as England was riven by the conflict, characterized by prolonged sieges, between the monarchy and powerful magnates. As well as providing the focus for warfare, castles increasingly became the centres of their communities, providing a more permanent base for the lord, his family and retainers, as well as acting as centres for justice and administration.
About the Author
Chris Gravett is a former Senior Curator at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and a recognized authority on the arms, armor and warfare of the medieval world. He has worked as an advisor for numerous TV and film productions, and has written many books for Osprey, including Warrior 1: Norman Knight 950–1204 AD. He currently works as a curator at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire.
The Gathering Storm
The Gathering Storm is now available for pre-release purchase on amazon.com here ( The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time)
)
This is a strange and bittersweet novel that all of the epic fantasy world has been dreading yet looking forward to. Robert Jordan rose to super stardom in the genre and in 2007 the world was shocked by the news of his illness and subsequent passing. I find myself torn between wanting to see an end to the series (By end I mean a grand resolution) and by a part of me that doesn’t want to see it end. Anyhoo, there is a wonderful irony here in that this novel isn’t really an end. It is part of three books that make up the end. Interesting to see how this all turns out. You can pre-order the book now and it is scheduled to be released on November 3rd.
Review
“The battle scenes have the breathless urgency of firsthand experience, and the . . . evil laced into the forces of good, the dangers latent in any promised salvation, the sense of the unavoidable onslaught of unpredictable events bear the marks of American national experience during the last three decades.”—
The New York Times on The Wheel of Time
“The Wheel of Time . . . is a fantasy tale seldom equaled and still less often surpassed in English.”—Chicago Sun-Times
“Jordan has a powerful vision of good and evil—but what strikes me as most pleasurable . . . is all the fascinating people moving through a rich and interesting world.”—Orson Scott Card on The Wheel of Time
Product Description
Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.
The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor—his wife, Harriet McDougal—to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book, and so Tor proudly presents The Gathering Storm as the first of three novels that will make up A Memory of Light. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era.
In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward—wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders—his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.
Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower—and possibly the world itself.
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
Posted in Books, Castles/Medieval, Fantasy News | No Comments »
