We'll be back in the UK in October for the NLHF- any chance you can make it down to Leamington Spa for a visit? The market is full up with traders and looks to be worth the trip.

How's your Dad doing?

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P.S. The Lady Fennguard just got her Clydsdale "Lexie"

d13lee@hotmail.com

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I am native American and in my tradition it is a good thing to introduce yourself before jumping into a conversation, this way people know at least a little bit about who is speaking. In too many forums on line I tend not to have a problem just posting because most people who post there are rude (from my point of view). After reading Fire Stryker for a bit it seems more like the kind of place where I should introduce myself first.

Ninewidbaskohaung ndeznekas. (my name is "to become a man of the rolling thunder" .... my 'other' name is just Tim though) Mkwa ndodem (my family is the bear clan) Bedosiga nogema. (my headman is Petosky) Waganakising Odawa ogichida ndaw (I am a warrior from the Crooked Tree Odawa)

Now you know who I am, a bit. If you are interested you can see some of the armor I have constructed, or read a bit more about me at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13620608

You can also see where I do much of my traditional metal work at www.camlann.org

Kijimigwetch

--Tim

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Let me indroduce myself. My name is Przemyslaw Rey (its real name - I know that sound litlltebit strange in english). Since 1997 i'm in one of the oldest polish reenactment group (Bractwo Miecza i Kuszy). This year i'm commander of Cracovia banner (Choragiew Krakowska) in Battle of Grunwald (1410).
If anyone will be interested in participating in event please let me know.

ps. pictures from last Grunwald are here http://www.kasztel.kylos.pl/index.php?option=com_akogallery&Itemid=45&func=viewcategory&catid=63

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Hi Przemek . I am gladd to see other Polish member. It's good to know that I am not alone . Are there anyothers Polish members here?

Best regards from Poland!

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I'm not sure if Brent is still lurking around on the board, but he might be able to hook you up for Texas Medieval.

Jenn

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I am happy to become a part of Fire Stryker and I am eager to help as well as learn.

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My name is Todd Webber and I am interested in becoming apart of a medieval living history group.

I am currently residing in Petawawa (near Ottawa), Ontario, Canada.

I am currently part of a War of 1812 Living History Group which operates out of southern Ontario. However due to travel involved, gas expenses and my occupation I am only able to attend 3 or 4 events a year. I am looking for different era to re-enact which will allow me attend more training events and battle re-enactments.

I have been interested in the medieval period of history so I’m hoping to branch into the time period if possible.

I have been conducting research into arms, armour and clothing over the internet and from my personal library of books that I have gathered over the years.

I am interested in becoming a spearman or archer if possible due to the lower cost of the arms and armour.

My wife is also interested in taking part if there is a role for her. She currently takes part as a camp follower in the War of 1812 that I belong to.

Can anyone direct me to a group in Ontario, Quebec or Upper New York State.

If you speak french a bit and search for a high authenticity level, you can check out the Société d'Histoire IN MEMORIAM. We offer some various historical periods, from 15th century to WWII.

See the web site here: http://www3.sympatico.ca/napoleon.josephine/shim.htm

And all the pictures albums here: http://www.imagestation.com/members/IN-MEMORIAM

Les Compagnons (http://www.compagnonsdarmes.com/) might meet the physical aspect.

In NY you will find Red Shield 1391 (http://www.redshield-1391.org)

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Thank you for the warm welcome and providing the links.

I do not speak French however I would like to become part of a unit known for it’s high authenticity level.

As I mentioned earlier, I am interested in being an archer however I am not sure if there is a great need for that type of soldier?

Gadzooks! Too bad New Hampshire isn't within range for you, because I can use every archer I can lay hands on - there are FAR too few archers out there in 15th century re-enactment, on this continent.

HE makes decent stuff, it is the entry level standard for our recruits to Wolfe Argent.

The only Czek company we have done business with for harness is MJ www.bestarmour.com
They make decent stuff, what we use as munition harness for our infantry portrayals, but they don't make historical liners, so we have them rivet in the leather band for one, while we make proper suspension liners for thek.

I'd recommend Patrick Thaden, of Thaden Armory very highly, as well www.thadenarmory.com
He can make anything from a helmet raised from springsteel, hardened and tempered, up to cast cauldrons. He has a line of off the peg historical munition armour as well, coming out, jack chains, splints, and the like.

Eric Dube, from your general region is also an excekllent armourer, and of course takes canadian dollars, which is a little less painful in regards to exchange rates.

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Thank you for the links. I was familiar with http://www.bestarmour.com/, they seem to have nice prices however I was not sure of the quality.

Do archers require armour? For my research, I know helmets were common however I am not sure about a brigandine or maile being required?

Sure! www.wolfeargent.com
(It is outdated, we have a new one almost done). We currently have 14 people, 2 horses, and several members emeritus who participate on occasion.

Archers were generally lightly armoured, although household retainers of lords often wore in essence a half-armour (brigandine,"spleynts"(demi-cannons of the vambrace), mail sleeves, standard, and fauld, and sallet. Most of John Howards retinue archers were armed thus.

Most archers, however, wore jack (1), "sallet"(1) - usually open-faced, not visored, and maybe a mail standard. The burgundian ordinances specified either a brigandine and standard and sallet, or a haubergorn of mail under a 10 layer jack (with a sallet of some sort as well, of course). Diebold Schilling's drawings of burgundian archers on campaign show them in light skullcaps and jacks, the Master WA engravings show them in brigandines and sallets.

Hope this helps.

[ 08-17-2007: Message edited by: chef de chambre ]

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Thank you for the information, I am currently re-reading the English Longbowman 1330–1515 by Clive Bartlett.
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=P4911~ser=WAR

My next question would be about the Livery’s, do most groups have their own colours and badges?

I have priced out some clothing, weapons and arms, and I think I can have a complete set of beginner equipment for about $500. Does this amount seem reasonable from your point of view?

Liveries vary from group to group, and you should not worry about them until you settle on a group. $500 on the other hand, for basic kit sounds like you are exactly in the right ballpark, as that is what we figure should take to equip a pikeman or bowman.

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Thank you for the help. In your view what role is more enjoyable, pikeman or archer?
I am interested in both however in the end I believe my budget will make me decide in my portrayal.

I am wondering does your group belong to Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts or any other group?

Is there one group large organization which groups try to follow for authenticity level and combat rules?