| In Our modest social circles, WMA enthusiasts are seen to be a somewhat ... umm, eclectic group of characters at the best of times. So, what happens when you mix WMA with another socially-“interesting” group – say science-fiction authors?
Speaking of mixing, We also offer an item on a ‘mix’ of combatant’s that has yet to get the traction in the community that is due.
Cryptonomiconic Bartitsu?!
IO9 (New York, New York) 30 May 12 Sword Fighting with Neal Stephenson and His Mongoliad Co-Authors (Douglas Wolk) If one can’t own the money-tree that is the WMA-salle in modern times (We’ll pay for that one later), it would be at least encouraging to be able to use one’s sword fighting skills and knowledge to push their ‘day job’ ahead. In Seattle, there is such a group that manages to meet for both business and bashing – and within a variety of disciplines to boot. And, as an added bonus, there’s an excellent wrap on why WMA is the perfect art form for people looking for that perfect fitness challenge. “…Angus Trim adds.”You get a nick in a sword and hit it wrong, whang, it goes flying across a room. How many times did Excalibur have to be replaced in a ten-year period?" “(Neal Stephenson): "Part of what makes this an interesting story is how, in the 19th century, jiujitsu was adopted by women. … This had an unintentional side effect that suffragettes would see performances, and decide they wanted to learn self-defense: 'I want to defeat a man!' Jiujitsu as a 'husband-tamer'!”
Lost & Found I
WASHINGTON EXAMINER (DC) 29 May 12 32 years later, Ollie North reunited with his Marine sword After reading so much about stolen swords, it’s warming to see that our society still has individuals that go the extra mile to do the right and honourable thing. Again, please insert Our usual comment about marking your kit!
Lost – and Found II
МЕНИДЖЪР (Bulgaria) 27 May 12 Рицарски кинжал откриха археолози край Созопол ФОКУС / FOCUS (Sofia, Bulgaria) 30 May 12 Още едно рицарско оръжие е открито в Созопол An ornate 13th-14th Century ‘Crusader’s dagger” has been found during an excavation of the fortress walls within Sozopol. Local archaeologists theorise: “"Though daggers are weapons of Bulgarian and Byzantine armies, who often fought in this region, this one is a weapon of the Western knights who used them during melee when there is no space to turn their huge swords. Bulgarians fought mainly with swords, and Byzantines with a short 70 cm sword, which is equally convenient for fear of open spaces and for close combat.”
Lost – and Found III
ФОКУС / FOCUS (Sofia, Bulgaria) 30 May 12 Още едно рицарско оръжие е открито в Созопол And if fighting your way over the Sozopol fortress wall with a fist full of dagger is not enough of a challenge for your muddy, armour-clad, climbing effort; might We recommend something from our popular halberd line?
All Iron – very little visible Lace.
NEWS-HERALD (Southgate, Michigan) 05 May 12 Knights of Iron enters the lyst in competitive jousting Jennifer Landels recently drew our attention to Ms Sara King taking the Sword, Lance and Revolver Tent-pegging competition from the men at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this year. We’ll it seems that Ms King is in good company when it comes to ‘the gentle gender’ and their equine partners ‘kicking chivalrous male butt’. (Kellyn) Burtka, who is one of about 40 women jousters in the IJL, has been into competitive riding for years and decided to try jousting last year when the team needed another knight to perform.
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