CILGERRAN CASTLE - CEREDIGION / WALES 2017

CILGERRAN CASTLE - CEREDIGION / WALES 2017

A slate stone build castle. An earth and timber castle was probably established soon after 1100, but the present castle dates mainly from the 13th and 14th CE. In 1223 Gilgerran was captured by William Marshal the younger, earl of Pembroke; he and his successors set about rebuilding the castle in its present form. It consists of two enclosures: the outer ward, containing auxiliary buildings, was entered by a small gatehouse; the main inner ward was separated from it by wide rock-cut ditch.

© GREX LUPORUM

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THE ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM / LEEDS UK

THE ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM / LEEDS UK

https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

A short visit to the museum by GREX LUPORUM members on the way back to the south of England from Jorvik 2017 festival. Here are some images of a personal interest and we are hoping that some of the information will be useful to other friends.

Long bow stave from the Mary Rose, made approximately 1544 (the boat sank in 1545). You can see where the horn nock sat over the wood and what also appears to be the 'bastard' or 'false' nock for using with a stringer.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Broadheads, European, 15th CE
Broadheads were used in peacetime for hunting large game because of their ability to cause large, disabling wounds. In war they were used against horses and unarmoured men. (Museum description ). https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Bodkin heads, European, 15th CE
The long, armour-piercing bodkin head was the typical military arroehead of the Hundred Years War. They had originally been developed to pierce mail, but later proved more effective than other types against plate armours. (Museum description). https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Types of Bodkin heads, European, 15th CE. https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

Bascinet (hound skull style) Helmet with mail aventail. Eye loops protrude outwards to help deflect attacks to the eyes. Pointed nose to also to deflect blows. They come together for quite a menacing look!  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Showing the detail of how the aventail is attached to the helmet. The thread (probably linen) is used to sew the mail to the leather band which is then held in place over the brass loops on the helmet with more thread. The mail links are about 6mm and round rings (all riveted). This method of attachment could be used with an aventail made with flat rings but the flat rings possibly could slowly cut in and fatigue the thread.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Showing the detail of how the aventail is attached to the helmet. The thread (probably linen) is used to sew the mail to the leather band which is then held in place over the brass loops on the helmet with more thread. The mail links are about 6mm and round rings (all riveted). This method of attachment could be used with an aventail made with flat rings but the flat rings possibly could slowly cut in and fatigue the thread.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Mail shirt or haubergeon - probably German, mid -14th CE.
This short mail shirt is made of rows of riveted and welded rings. Such a flexible defence provided valuable protection against slashing blows. This haubergeon possibly belonged to Rudolf iV, Duke of Austria ,1339-65. (Museum description).  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

Mail cape on aventail, possibly German, mid-14th CE.
This mail defence protected the throat, neck and shoulders. Made of riveted iron rings and a decorative border of brass rings, the aventail was worn suspended from a helmet. A decorative textile covering, a vrysoon, could also be worn over the aventail. The helmet is a modern reconstruction. (Museum description).  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Three different sizes of rivered rings on a mail coat. Neck, shoulders, low arms.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Three different sizes of rivered rings on a mail coat. Neck, shoulders, low arms.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Different sizes of riveted rings on a mail.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 The inside of a steel plated armour of a brigandine.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Curious type of a helmet. There seemed to be a ridge on the helmet over where the ears would be. https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 'Bastard or hand-and-half sword - European, late 14th - early 15th CE.
Swords with longer grips that could be wielded with one hand or two were known as 'bastard swords'. They could be used as cut and thrust weapons and posed a threat to mail and plate armour. Similar swords appear on many English brasses and effigies of knights between about 1370 - 1425. (Museum description).  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Arming sword - Italian, probably Milanese, between about 1370 - 1430.
The forward cross-guard of this sword has a small hook-like branch for the forefinger to give extra control and protection. One of a group of about 75 swords, it may have been part of a tribute payment or war booty from Cyprus to Egypt. The sword bears an Arabic inscription which dates it about 1432 (836 in the Islamic calendar). (Museum description).  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Pollaxe - North European, probably English, 1450 - 1500.
The poleaxe is a two-handed infantry weapon. Its head includes an axe-blade, hammer-head, and top-spike, designed to hack, crush and pierce plate armour as well as flesh and bone. The name derives from the old English 'poll', meaning head and has nothing to do with its wooden haft. (Museum description)

The shaft was approximately 6' long in this example but some medieval pole arms have been put on a different shaft at some point in their life.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Crossbow fire bolts production, Image 1 of 3. https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Crossbow fire bolts production, Image 2 of 3. https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

 Crossbow fire bolts use at war, Image 3 of 3

Of the 3 men shooting near the bottom of the picture, 2 have cross bows but 1 looks like he is shooting the bolt from a barrel of an early gun. Some early fire arm projectiles were more bolts/arrows/darts rather than a ball of stone or metal.  https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/

A crossbow maker putting the final touches to a crossbow. Engraving from Olaus Magnus. A description of northern peoples, 1555 (Museum description)

Note: Attention to different types of bolt heads.

© GREX LUPORUM

All rights reserved. No part of the text and photographs within the text may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by electronic means or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

WEALD & DOWNLAND OPEN AIRE MUSEUM

WEALD & DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEM

At

SINGLETON Nr. CHICHESTER, UK

During the winter months when not much is happening with historical events around the country our members get the chance to visit some very interesting sites in order to enrich their personal and the company’s historical research and knowledge.

The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum offers a fascinating collection of rescued historic buildings set in the heart of the South Downs National Park.

From early Medieval to 18th-19th century, the exhibits show the living and social conditions of the past with exceptional detail and historical accuracy.

Our visit on an overcast and cold winter weekday didn’t have the pleasures of the summer days, but on the other hand with low visitor numbers gave plenty of time to enjoy the buildings and workshops in a very quiet environment. It is worth the visit at any time of the year.

The 1.30 pm tour to the archives of the museum is the Aladdin’s cave to anyone interested in period tools and materials. Don’t miss it!

Here is a relatively very small collection of photographs of personal interest mainly  in the Medieval period.

Saxon house under construction.

Saxon house under construction. (Combine image)

12th - 13th c. medieval cottage.

12th - 13th c. medieval cottage - interior.

12th - 13th c. medieval cottage - interior.

12th - 13th c. medieval cottage - interior.

14th c. cottage.

14th c. cottage - interior.

14th c. cottage - roof construction.

14th c storage box.

14th - 15th c. house.

14th - 15th c. house - bedroom with canvas waxed windows.

 

15th c. Yeoman's hall.

15th c. drinking vessel.

15th c. drinking vessel.

15th c. chair.

15th - 16th c. house and shop.

15th - 16th c. shop goods

.

15th - 16th c. house wall construction.

15th - 16th c. market jail.

Coat of Arms at Chichester old market.

15th - 16th c. house wall decorations.

15th - 16th c. house wall decorations.

Types of 15th - 16th c. houses (ceramics)

15th - 16th c. house hall.

15th - 16th c. house room.

Thatched roof construction.

Medieval house frame model.

Detail off 17th c tollhouse.

Medieval Coracle riverboat reconstruction.

The Archives. (combine image)

Types of medieval poetry.

Tools of the trade 15th - 18th c.

Tools of the trade 15th - 18th c.

Tools of the trade 15th - 18th c.

Tools of the trade 15th - 18th c.

Museum view from the woods.

LINKS

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum

http://www.wealddown.co.uk

© GREX LUPORUM / YIORGOS NIKITEAS

All rights reserved. No part of the text and photographs within the text may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by electronic means or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.