Swords in public venues?
Under the right conditions, the public will flock (and sometimes pay) to see your historical swordplay demonstration or visit a historical exhibition of swords.
But, display those very same blades in a park or dimly-lit alley, and the public reaction is apt to be significantly different – notwithstanding your best and most harmless of artistic intentions.
We’re in Violent Agreement
FARO DE VIGO (Spain) 03 April 14 ´La recuperación de la esgrima histórica aún es reciente´ (Salomé Soutelo)
Denis Fernandez, founder of Salle Gallaecia in Armis recently game a demonstration of historical fencing to an education group, after which he took questions:
What is the difference between sport fencing and historical fencing?
“Historical fencing is a martial discipline …”
Is it logical to think that anything involving violence can be a sport?
Not at all. At the bottom line, all sports are conflicts, a confrontation between two sides.
Mr Fernandez then went on to discuss his students (aged 21 to 56) and a bit about his two hour fitness program.
If it’s not Scottish and over five feet long, it’s crap
STV (Edinburgh, UK) 04 April 14 Wallace sword has new home as monument refurbishment is completed
THE SCOTSMAN (UK) 04 April 14 William Wallace's sword goes on display
I’ll let the videos speak for this piece, but yes, the iconic blade has a new home.
For a detailed assessment of the ‘authenticity’ of this particular sword, I recommend you to this very useful piece from the Academie Duello Library.:
Robinson, Lin. The Mystery of the Wallace Monument Sword. The Highlander: The Magazine of Scottish Heritage Sept/Oct 2013, Volume 51, No. 5. 20-25
Stand and Deliver a Quality Bow!
DAILY NEWS (Lebanon, Pennsylvania) 29 March 14 G.I. Bow: The American archery product (Tyler Frantz)
Justin Steinmetz of G.I. Bow is determined to support the expanding interest in primitive archery by building affordable traditional bows.
“There is something special about the rustic, unadorned harmony of the humble stick and string that transcends time and captivates us all”.
"Most people can't afford to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on an expensive compound or glass laminated bow, so G.I. Bow systematically manufactures the purist form of archery, right here in America."
That said, G.I. Bow also offers the archer the chance to purchase a bow ‘cut to spec’, but in an unfinished condition that allows the archer to ‘personalize’ their weapon.
Statement of the Obvious
THE COURIER (Dundee, UK) 02 April 14 Kirkcaldy man was seen with sword and axe in street (Graham Gibson)
A member of a re-enactment group got himself arrested when he posed for photo of himself posing with a sword and an axe in the courtyard of his apartment … all while wearing a balaclava.
The detainee later told officers he could understand why someone would be shocked to see it.
Comment: Public perception counts. Public concerns always trump our art’s “legality” Let’s conduct ourselves accordingly.
Snippets
- Barring disagreement, this looks interesting.