Scotsmen and Scottish swords dominate todays' offering – if this had happened in the early 16th century, would have meant that something had gone terribly wrong along the Scottish Marches! But in modern context, the items do demonstrate that the modern Gael is still connected to his past and traditions – and swords (and sword users) are a significant part of that tradition.
Good for the Goose and Gander II
DEADLINE NEWS (Edinburgh, UK) 15 March 13 Point taken: Weapons of Scots king lost at the Battle of Flodden split opinion (Neil Pooran)
The campaign to return the Scottish King James IV’s sword and dagger to Scotland for the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden has suffered a serious setback; they might not be authentic.
Dr Ralph Moffat, Glasgow Museums’ medieval weaponry expert, was called to examine the sword and reports that “the sword can be dated to the late sixteenth century”.
What nobody disputes however, is the power of this sword as a symbol of Scots nationalism.
exercitus Scoticanus
EVENING CHRONICLE (Newcastle, UK) 13 March 13 Skeleton of medieval knight unearthed beneath city car park (Cheryl Mullin)
On the heels of the recent English location of Richard III’s grave, the Scots announce that they have found their own car-park knight – but buried in much more appropriate style thank-you-very-much!
A sword-symbol-etched slab of sandstone was found during an Edinburgh excavation, and under that, the body of a medieval knight.
Sword as Symbol … of Freedom
HAWICK NEWS (UK) 13 February 13 Craftsman Kenneth claims his right as a freeman of London
The Scots goldsmith Kenneth Moffat carried his hand-crafted sword from Edinburgh to-and-through London – and was the first person to do such a thing since James VI of ... Scotland did it 400 years earlier!
“I was granted a Freeman of the Company of Goldsmith’s in 2008. You swear an oath to the Queen to defend the city and so are allowed to carry a sword through the City.
And despite carrying a large metal sword through the streets of the capital: “No one seemed to notice, I was quite surprised”.
Where East Reports West
THE HINDU (Chennai, India) 05 March 13 Jousting knights in ceremonial armour
Even in the far-east, things medieval and western catch the eye of the local press. This short piece linked extols the virtues of the new Dresden, Germany display featuring 24 suits of medieval armour and their accoutrements.
WMA: The Next Generation
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION 13 March 13 Medieval Kids. (Sarah Larsen)
If you wonder where the next generation of WMA/HEMA enthusiasts are coming from, take a boo ‘down under’.
Snippets
NEW STRAITS TIMES (Malaysia) 17 March 13 Draw your weapon - The decorative markings on our traditional weaponry have Zuhaila Sedek-De Booij intrigued
PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH (UK) 13 March 13 Learn all about casting bronze swords