Garter

2006-06-20T06:25:56Z

203.166.96.236:

A '''garter''' was a strap, typically of [[leather]] and sporting a [[buckle]] as a fastener that would be used to hold up [[stocking]]s , [[hose]] or the tops of very long [[boot]]s.

[[category:clothing]]
[[category:artefact (medieval)]]

Gambeson

2006-05-02T02:02:59Z

203.166.96.236:

A '''gambeson''' is a padded [[jacket]] used to protect the torso (and generally arms as well) from bruising blows. In period, the gambeson was a foundational garment worn under [[armour]] or on its own and would have been worn by thgose who could not afford better.

==Gambesons in the SCA==
In the SCA, many [[heavy fighter|fighters]] do not wear gambesons or heavy armour, taking advantage of the [[SCA]]'s rules to maximize their speed and mobility. When a gambeson ''is'' worn, it is generally worn under a [[heavy fighter]]'s rigid [[armour]], and for [[fencing|fencers]] it is generally worn just by itself with minimal added protection to groin and joints.

Ideally, a gambeson is be made of tough, heavy [[fabric]] on the outside, and soft, comfortable fabric on the inside, with a layer or two of quilting between them for padding.

== See Also ==
[[Arming doublet]]
[[padded armour]]
[[category:armour]]

Norse

2006-03-05T23:39:19Z

203.166.96.236:

The '''Norse''' or '''Northmen''', commonly known as [[Viking|Vikings]], were settled primarily in Scandanavia and northern [[Germany]]. Early in [[period]], these peoples were loosely connected by common heritage and culture, but had no unified leadership. Primarily [[pagan]], they became increasingly [[Christian|Christianized]] as the [[medieval]] ages proceeded.

Although maligned in history as nothing but savage [[barbarian|barbarians]], the Norse in fact had a flourishing culture, with profound [[religion|spiritual]] depth, music, [[saga|poetry]] and history.

==Norse Warriors==
Throughout the [[medieval]] period, most Norsemen would have been armed with a [[sword]] and short [[spear]], or sometimes an [[axe]] or [[hammer|warhammer]], and defended by a stout [[centre boss]] [[shield]] and a [[byrnie]] or [[hauberk]] of [[maille]], [[cuir bolli]] or [[scale]]. Norsemen often used [[bow|bows]] and [[thrown weapon|thrown weapons]], but were not particularly renowned for their archery skills. The Norseman fought best [[infantry|on foot]] and [[melee|hand to hand]].

Contrary to the common modern belief, the Viking helm did not have wide flaring [[horn|horns]], but instead was usually a stout conical cap of [[leather]] or [[iron]], sometimes called a [[spangenhelm]].

The skill at arms of the Norse became so well known that many Europeans actually hired them as skilled [[mercenary|mercenaries]]. Most famous of these were the [[Varangian]] Guard of the Emperors of [[Constantinople]].

See also:
[[Viking fighting equipment]]

==Viking Raids==
The Norse were known for their seamanship and their wide- ranging travel, as well as their willingness to [[rape]], [[pillage]] and [[burn]] just about anything. Each fast and sturdy [[longship]] could carry twenty to forty armed [[fighters]] on [[raids]] anywhere near water. Since longships drew less than four feet, this included a surprising distance inland along rivers. Groups of warriors in longships would ''go viking'' on [[raid|raids]] across vast distances, striking all of northern and western [[Europe]], the [[Britian|British Isles]], northern [[Africa]] and even into the [[Mediterranean]]. Norsemen sailed along riverways deep into the [[Russia|Russian]] steppe.

A typical Norse raid involved a sea voyage of days or weeks to a foreign coastline, where they would beach the longships and [[march]] a short distance inland, then attack a settlement or [[monastery]] with little or no warning. After resistance was quickly overcome, the Norse would [[loot]] anything valuable and retreat to the longships before [[reinforcement|reinforcements]] could arrive. Such a raid devastated [[Lindisfarne Abbey]].

Until the disasterous defeat of a Norse [[army]] under [[Harald Hardrada]] at [[The Battle of Stamford Bridge|Stamford Bridge]] in 1066 C.E., the Vikings were one of the most feared and hated peoples in Europe. Many of the [[fortification|fortifications]] raised in the early part of the [[medieval]] period were raised, at least partly, as a defense against Norse raids.

The depredations of the Norse were so severe that the clergy even had a prayer which specifically entreated God: ''From the Fury of the Norsemen, Good Lord deliver us!''

==Viking Settlements==
As the medieval period progressed, many Norsemen began to settle in those lands they formerly raided. The [[Norman|Normans]] were descended from Norsemen who settled in northern [[France]] and intermarried with the locals. Many such settlements were founded in northern [[England]], coastal [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]]; the modern city of [[Dublin]] started as one such settlement.

The [[Rus]] were likely another branch of Norsemen settled who in the steppes of Russia, primarily along the [[Volga]].

The westernmost Norse settlements were to be found in [[Iceland]] and [[Greenland]], and Norsemen were probably the first Europeans to reach the [[New World]], founding a single, ill-fated settlement in what they called [[Vinland]].

One of the most notable features of Norse settlement in foreign land was the speed at which they blended with the local culture. Within a few generations of initial settlement, most Norse would have assimilated entirely, merging with the original inhabitants of an area, and very likely fighting off viking raids by their former cousins.

Cunnan - User contributions [en]

Garter

Gambeson

Norse