08-22-2011, 12:44 PM
I also have been sword fighting for over 30 years and gauntlets are mandatory in Australia. Vambraces are not everywhere but I have mandated that a vambrace is compulsory at our local Easter gathering (400ace-1100ace period) but is loosely defined and can be as little as a roll of woven fabric bound about your leading wrist because wrist injuries were a notable high proportion in intergroup combat.
On an aside I had a fight weraing a very thin brass bracelet many years ago and was impressed that at the end of the fight the bracelet had been struck and was lying on the ground and I had not even noticed the blow- proving to me that jewellery is functional of as armour.
Also- what was the name of that traitoress who was bashed to death by soldiers with shields in republican?tarquin? times when the soldiers asked what she wanted as a reward she ventured the bracelets on their arms??? I was told that story years ago but have no idea of its origin- but it made an impression on me-and is evidence(?) of jewllery worn in combat (for at least the heroic period?????
On an aside I had a fight weraing a very thin brass bracelet many years ago and was impressed that at the end of the fight the bracelet had been struck and was lying on the ground and I had not even noticed the blow- proving to me that jewellery is functional of as armour.
Also- what was the name of that traitoress who was bashed to death by soldiers with shields in republican?tarquin? times when the soldiers asked what she wanted as a reward she ventured the bracelets on their arms??? I was told that story years ago but have no idea of its origin- but it made an impression on me-and is evidence(?) of jewllery worn in combat (for at least the heroic period?????