10-09-2008, 12:02 PM
Quote:Hello to the list,
I've visited here many times but have not posted before.
I'm starting a small group to tackle byzantine living history, mostly a 11th C presentation, with some attention on 1453 as well… and perhaps as early as 6th C.
1453 is closer to my living history expertise, and lately I have been doing a Janissary impression, which I regard as an inheritor of Byzantine traditions, so this is nearly a direct step back in time for me.
I have 2 questions for the group.
1) The sash that you often see on military saints, usually on the 'natural waist' or even higher… does anybody know of any pictures that show this clearly from the back? Any doubt that this is some sort of "I'm an officer"-indicator?
1.b) At first I thought I was looking at some odd feature of the cloak… since usually it was the same color as the cloak. I don't think so….
2) The "Varangian Bra" a.k.a harness… I know there is no certain explanation but … any pet theories? My working theory at the moment is that it should be tight, and that it therefore helps distribute the weight of the armor, and perhaps by keeping the (flexible) armor snug in the area below the armpits makes it easier for the arms to more freely.
2.b) Has anyone seen pictures with the harness on an undoubted plate armor breast&back? Harness on soft clothing only (e.g. padded coat/Kavadion)?
Thanks
Rick
p.s. I'm also toying with the idea of greek fire artillery. It would be fully functional but pump water only though - I think it would be fun in demos to ask an audience member to stand under the nozzle with a bic lighter to ignite the stream… which might accidently spray some of the kids, hee hee hee.
The sash does have a name which I can't remember at the moment. Not sure if it is a rank indicator or not.
I have a pic from the Bulgarian Tomichov manuscript which shows a charge of armoured horsemen. At least half of these guys have sashes and one is falling forwards off his horse showing the rear of the sash which is blue. it appears to be tied in a knot with no loose ends (tucked in perhaps?)
The Varangian bra is another wierd one. One explanation I have seen is that it was an adjustable harness to keep in check badly fitting lorica supplied by the arsenal to all and sundry, ie thin guy, large lorica.
Kuura/Jools Sleap.
\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/
\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/