05-14-2007, 08:02 PM
Quote:Australia is a hotbed of Varangian re-enactment, with quite a heavy focus on Byzantium in some of our branches
That makes a lot of sense. I've heard that Viking reenactment is the most popular genre both there and in NZ. So, I'm sure there must be a lot of overlap with Varangian groups.
Quote:Which Yahoo list do you know of with English Varangians? Sure it's not one of the above?
You're right, those are the groups I've seen. I was speculating that Varangian groups are comprised mostly of men of English decent as opposed to mere nationality. Of course the genre is probably popular in the Scandinavian countries as well.
Quote:The helmet I wear is shown here.
So, it appears to be a more simple type of spangenhelm. Very interesting design. I wonder if the knob serves any purpose (e.g. the attachment of a horse hair tail).
Quote:At the risk of name-dropping, this is Dr Raffaele d'Amato's wedding- he asked me to be in his honour guard. And the best man was Prof. Taxiarchis Kolias.
Getting wed in style You look regal.
Quote:The kit has been on hold for a while. I've had other things on my plate (like attending the Battle of Hastings re-enactment). Evemtually I want to get the whole lot together, including armoured skirt and padded greaves.
Armoured skirt, hmm...I can't recall seeing an example of one. Also, would a two-handed battle-axe be incongrous with your kit since you carry a kite shield ?
Quote:Do you have a copy of the Ravenna Christ mosaic with a more detailed rendition of the lamellar cuirass? It's very hard to see the form of the plates. The Deepeeka ones seem very short compared with those I'm aware of from this period.
Unfortunately, that photo is the best close-up I could find online. But I'm going to visit a library soon and look for a better photo in one of their large picture books. According to Dan Peterson the Deepeeka plates measure about 4 inches (10 cm) in length. So, I would have 4 or 5 rows of plates since I'm not tall. Two rows are visible on the Christ mosaic but he must have at least three and just maybe even four, IMO.
Quote:I've collected quite a few copies of contemporary representations of 6th century Roman armour, if you're interested in seeing them. (I also took photos of 6th century lamellar plates in the museum of the Crypta Balbi in Rome - unfortunately they didn't come out all that well).
Wow, I'd be most interested in seeing whatever you have from the period !:
~Theo
Jaime