Hawkyns

Bloody 'Ell, Zorg!! Lucky to have your hands is right. and other bit's of your anatomy, as well. Someone was looking out for you that day, that's for sure. Pearl is 1000% right. Shit happens, even to those who have experience. Guns and cannons are pipe bombs waiting for you to drop your guard. Black powder is an explosive, and will kill. Being paranoid about safety is a good thing. Luck t'ye Zorg. Hope the burns heal well with little scarring. Hawkyns

Gwen and I will be there. Not sure just which kit yet. We'll have the lime green armbands, probably not the badges though. Badges? We don't need no steenkin' badges.... Hawkyns

Hey- that looks real good. Nice idea to make the full tang, instead of the rat-tail, that will add a fair bit of stability. A suggestion, if I might. Looking at the quillons, they look to be 4-5 inches long on each side. I might recommend that you shorten them a bit, or put some curve into them. Here's why. If you carry the weapon in the small of your back, everytime you move, one of those quillons will poke you in the back. I speak from experience. On the historical side, very few of them were straight quillons, because they are just not useful in that configuration. The two standard curves are 1) both slightly downturned to catch blades, or 2) one turned up across the knuckles for extra protection, and the other turned down to catch blades. In 2, the knuckle bow is longer than the downturned. Don't know if this is feasible for yours, frequently lamp parts are cast brass and not malleable at all. Don't want to break them while trying to bend them. Just an idea. Hawkyns

Details please!! What ships, what cannon are needed? Hawkyns

SO WHERE WERE YE ALL, YE BUGGERS?? Coastie and his lady, Francois, Greeneyes, Gwen and myself had to drain the blasted rum keg by ourselves. An' ye missed damn good music, too!! Hawkyns

Any word on that weapons policy??? Hawkyns

Welcome to the joys of 16th and 17th century re-enacting. And, believe it or not, the situation is 1000% better than it was when I started in the period 18 years ago. There is not much call for the early stuff, it's a very limited market. All of my early guns are specialty pieces from small gunsmiths, virtually custom guns. Sykes Sutlering, John Buck, Brad Spear, Jurgen Kreckel, Leonard Day and Dale Shinn are the names to look for. Sykes is the only one with a web site. The others I find at events and see what they have available. Very much hit and miss, with a large dose of luck. The Rifle Shop has very little of it's catalogue in inventory at any given time. Most pieces are cast as requested, and they do it when they get to it. I should mention that many of the castings are very rough, and a number of gunsmiths have told me that they require a LOT of work to make useable. Not at all a project for the novice. Hawkyns

Vicky's has a leather line? Deerskin thongs? must check that out... Hawkyns

Gwen and I are planning on being there. Question- is this full kit (garb)? What is the weapons policy? Has anyone checked with the bar about this? Hawkyns

Well, stay away from metal grips- wood, bone or horn, or wire wrapped over leather would be correct. Obviously the figure 8 or double disk hilt is out of period. Look for civilian styled hunting hangers. The early form of the term, curtleaxe dates to about 1580 in an English reference, so yes, they do date to England in period. They are listed as sabers, hangers, dusagges, only occasionally do you see the term cutlass. The sword predates the word. One particular type that I do like is the Sinclair Sabre http://showcase.goantiques.com/detail,germ...bre,529520.html Very early in the history of Museum Replicas, they offered a copy of this type of sword. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't get one. If anyone has one lying around unloved...... Hawkyns

Elizabethan is my home period, too, with occasional forays into golden age. The swept hilt is period from the 1580's on, even earlier depending on the exact pattern and definition. I have half a dozen swept hilts of variuous types and styles, most correct for the period. I don't carry any of them. They are a pain in a crowd, catch on boots, skirts, wheels, booths, and just about everything else. Historically, they are a gentleman's weapon and took a fair amount of instruction in the correct use. I've had a lot of instruction and (said modestly) am a fair hand with a rapier. My preference for a carry weapon is a short, single edged, 25 inch curved blade with a shell guard over the knuckles and a single knucklebow with a slight downswept quillon. Variously called a cuttoe, hanger, hunting sword, cutlass, etc. I forged the hilt and carved the grip myself, the blade is an original 18th/19th century Austrian sabre. I carry if for many reasons. First, it is real and I won't carry any weapon that won't do the job it is designed for or is just a showpiece or wallhanger. Second, it is correct from1580 to 1740, so I don't need to worry about a different sword for each period. Third, slung from a baldric, it stays out of the way. That's my two penn'orth, anyway. Hawkyns

OK, the Wallace catalogue has about 8 pages of them. It simply calls them 'triangular knuckle guards'. All dated 1620-1650 and the majority are Spanish, with a couple of Italian thrown in. No other countries mentioned. Norman (The Rapier and Small Sword, 1460-1820) does not mention this particular type of gauche. Interesting note though. Of the Spanish rapiers that match the time period of that particular dagger, the majority are elaborate cup hilts, similar to a modern epee guard in shape. that is where the similarity ends, however, since they are not solid, but are intricate traceries of metal, chiseled, and with a number of variations for the finger bar. Hope this helps. Hawkyns

I'll check Norman tonight and see how he categorises them. Also the Wallace Collection catalogue has several and I'll check how they list them. If memory serves, and I believe it does, this was a design with Spanish origins in the early 17th C Hawkyns

I occasionally carry one from Museum Reps. It's the old Reivers dagger, decent blade with a small basket hilt. I'm making a new scabbard 'cause I don't like the one it came with. Also thinking of taking it to the wire wheel and removing the chrome from the bars. Just too shiny. Hawkyns

OK, so Gwen and I were coming down anyway. I cancelled the hotel space and booked at the campground this afternoon. In a cabin, though. We'll be getting in too late on Friday (midnight +) to worry about setting camp. Looking forward to meeting you all. Hawkyns (Lime Green????? you have to be joking )

Depends on whether you want to learn the real thing or faire dialect. They are two very different things. The best thing I've come up with was a tape that was used at Plimoth Plantation for training, called 'Oh For a Muse of Foire'. Best I've found so far, but I checked on line and don't see it available anywhere. Cascabel, I think you're both right and wrong. Yes, it is different from what most people think of as Early Modern English. For instance, many letters that are now silent are pronounced in the early dialects. Knife, for example, becomes k-nife, pronouncing the k. On the other hand, the visitors at Plimoth don't seem to have so many problems understanding the interpreters. Now granted, it's a more solid situation and the visitors stand and listen. Trying to understand it on the run, or shouted like a Dublin fishwife might cause problems. Even the accent I use in persona can cause some issues. I was born and brought up in the Yorkshire Dales before I came to the colonies. It's easy for me to slip back into that accent/dialect and even though it is not 100% correct, it's relatively close, and the syntax is quite close. But for those of you who've watched 'All Creatures Great and Small' and tried to understand the farmers, that is my native accent. Not easy for many Americans to understand. Hawkyns

Truer words were never said. Museum and historic site directors are walking a very fine line. On the one hand, they have to attract people to their site to pay the gate fees and keep the money flowing. On the other, they have to maintain their standard and keep their academic reputation as a legitimate site. If they have to err, it will be on the side of their academic and historic credentials. Unfortunately, the pirate community can be it's own worst enemy. Having the attitude 'I'm a pirate, I don't have to follow rules' is not going to make many friends among site directors. It is often not appreciated among faire managers, either. It creates the impression that we are not really interested in the site, other than as a place to do waht we want, whether it relates to the site or not. Self centered and ignorant are words I've heard used. Also unfortunately, pirates are frequently out of period for many sites and faires. Tricorns and 'captains coats' are 120 years after the Elizabethan period, which is the basis for the majority of fairs. Many other events bill themselves as being of that period and the coats and hats are just as out of place. Ren faires can either be accepting or not and it doesn't take long to find out how your kit is going over. Same goes for other events. I know I was royally pissed to see tricorns, long coats and Queen Anne pistols at Pennsic. There are a number of us who are on staff who are working to make enforcement of the pre-1600 rule a lot more harsh. A number of historic sights that I work with are doing the same, but they have more clout to enforce the rules. Even if you are wearing 1720's kit and working with an early 18th c site, you can still be unwelcome. The average mariner of the period did not walk around dripping skulls and crossbones. Advertising yourself as a 'pirate' was a quick way to get an introduction to the hangman. If you were not in a very few cities that had a looser attitude, you were not welcome. So you have tobe realistic in your portrayal if you want to use a historic site. So a huge collection of skulls, celtic knotwork, and enough crap hanging off your belt to rival Batman's utility belt won't please the director of interpretation, either. Not meaning to rant here, I just think there are ways we can help ourselves to get more events and venues to play, if we consider what the site wants, instead of what we want to do. Hawkyns

Said it before and I'll say it again- location, location, location. Ya plays by the rules of the site, whatever they may be. If you're at a historic site and they have strict rules and jurying, play their rules or don't play. At a fair or festival with relaxed or no standards, wear what you are comfortable with. When it comes to historic sites and re-enactments, I'm the biggest hardass stitch counter you ever want to meet. It serves me well and it's got me into places that most people don't get to see. At fair, I relax and have fun. I'm currently working on a fantasy pirate costume for Gwen based on a Clive Caldwell drawing ('Treasure Chest' for those who know his work. Got to modify it a bit because of the damn stupid rules about nudity). Hope to have it for MD Ren Faire Pirate Invasion. What people need to realise is that there is no 'one size fits all' rule. Standards vary by site and event. If you don't like the rules for one, either adapt to them or don't go. If you want to wear pink chiffon, don't expect to get invited to a museum. I've spent more hours than I care to think about staring at period portraits and artwork, trying to figure out how something was made. If I'm at a site where it counts, then I get PO'd at somebody who tries to skive around the rules, If I can do the work, I expect everyone to do likewise. If I'm at fair, I like watching all the non period and fantasy eye candy just as much as the next guy. It all depends what you call fun. I have a hell of a good time spending hours making museum reproductions. Not everyone does. Still boils down to doing what gives you the most pleasure. Hawkyns

Don't have any elms, but I've got some leftover red oak, and I think some hard maple. would that help ye? Hawkyns

By this time next Friday, I'll be driving the truck to Pennsic. Doesn't everyone need to rent a 10foot box truck to go on vacation? Don't forget, B08, at the shrine of St. Barbara. Stop in and say hello!! Hawkyns

At the last Governor's Cup Firelock Match I attended (Ft Frederick, Maryland), at 50 yards, firing right-handed (and I'm a southpaw), without practicing for a year, I was able to hit a man-sized target 2 or 3 times out of ten. The guy who regularly won the musket competition used a Charleville, and he hit 10 for 10, all head shots as I recall. Blackjohn At the Grand Muster of the 17th Century, held every October at St. Mary's Citie, MD, I regularly get 5-6 inch groups at 50yds. That's with a smooth bore matchlock, .62 cal, shooting .595 ball unpatched, from the rest, as is correct for the period. Won the shoot several times like that. Cap'n William- though I have not done it myself, I know a lot of people who have taken deer with muzzleloaders. Both Tulles (.62), and the Kings' Arm (.75) are common hunting guns and everyone I know shoots round ball for deer. Hawkyns

Actually, Hawkyns has 2 personae, depending on the event. The more developed is the Elizabethan. I was born Roderic Hawkyns in1555 in Skipton, in Yorkshire. My father was a carriagemaker. I was apprenticed to my uncle, a saddler and harnessmaker. In the course of my apprenticeship, I went to the castle to maintain the harness of the garrison and Trayned Band. I came to prefer being with the soldiers to my other work, and eventually joined the garrison, much to the dismay of the family. I trained as a musketeer and eventually as a gunner. After some years service, I came to the attention of George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, who was the lord of Skipton. He was equipping ships to sail privateering to the Caribbean, and took me on as a ship's gunner on the Bonaventure. I continued to sail on his ships and was aboard his ship when the Dons were defeated during their great Enterprise. After the Armada, the Earl returned to his privateering, where I still serve him as master gunner on his ship. The other persona is less developed, but involves coming to the colonies in 1720 and becoming a smuggler on the New England coast. When the French wars break out in 1739, I fight for my country against the French and the Spanish. Hawkyns

Hey Scupper this is FRIDAY night? the 16th?? Just checking to make sure. Hawkyns

"Boarders Away vol. 2 Firearms in the Age of Fighting Sail" by Gilkerson is your best bet. Has a whole section on what he calls 'little artillery'. Hawkyns

Non functional weapons are not my area. I'm only concerned with the ones that use powder and show up on the line, at the classes, or that get fired illegally agound the camp. Would I be happy to see it? Not really, not if it can't be documented. I believe in the pre-1600 rule and flintlocks aren't. Look at it this way- pirates have a very shaky rep in the Society, unfortunately well earned. Walking around in non period kit, carrying non-period weapons just reinforces the stereotype. Come out in pre-1600 kit with correct weapons and you do a lot more good for yourself and all the nautical personae. Just FYI Here is the schedule for the nautical track from the A&S office: Development of Ships in the SCA Period Captain Elias Gedney. A timeline & discussion of the evolution of major ship types in western Europe 600-1600. Sponsored by the Nautical Guild of St Erasmus. Mon 16th 2:00 pm AS 12; Wed 18th 3:00 pm AS 4. Early Methods of Navigation Lord Leon the Navigator. An overview of period navigational methods from Loadstone to Astrolabe. Class will have hands on experience with instruments such as the Arabic Kamal, Sun-compasses, & Backstaffs; and will cover hand-crafting your own navigational instruments. Limited materials. Mon 16th 9:00 am AS 4. Nautical Persona Roundtable Captain Elias Gedney. An open forum for discussion of issues related to nautical personae & their portrayal within the SCA. Tue 17th 1:00 pm AS 8; Fri 20th 1:00 pm AS 9. Period or Non-Period Pirates? Captain Elias Gedney. A field guide to telling period from non-period nautical recreation. Tue 17th 11:00 am AS 8. Viking Boats: Construction & Operation Skapti Herjolfsson. Learn about the construction & operation of Viking boats. Mon 16th 4:30 pm AS 4. Hawkyns