Joust for Joy

When most people think of the medieval ages, they typically think of knights in full suits of armor, riding gallant steeds across the countryside. What could possibly be more medieval than the revival of Full Metal Jousting?

For a 10-part series that premieres on the History Channel this Sunday, modern men (some covered with elaborate tattoos) will find themselves reliving a very un-modern time period. 16 heavily armored contestants, including an ex-Marine stuntman, a professional polo player, and even a bull rider, will be sent into a full-contact jousting battle, competing for $100,000 in cash.

Unlike the medieval ages, safety will be the number one priority, but there’s no compensating for the fact that being struck by a jousting lance is like “getting hit by a Mack truck.” Much of the show will be choreographed, in order to avoid injuries, and according to John Gonzalez, a resident who has worked at Medieval Times for 18 years, “it’s going to be kind of [a] Nascar effect. [Viewers are] going to be looking for the accident rather than the actual race.”

Despite the fact that much of the jousting will be scripted, this medieval revival will try to keep everything as real as possible, with real lances and real war horses, which also means, real injuries. Jousting competitors have reported that they’ve experienced broken bones and fractured ribs.

Of course, there’s more to jousting than simply the satisfying crack of a wood sword on a metal shield. There’s a rich history, a story if you will, just waiting to be unfolded to the audience. According to Ricardo Salazar, “It’s almost like you come to see a play, a movie.”

You get to catch a glimpse of the reality and adventure of medieval knights in armor, and see the lifetime of work it takes to gain the skill needed to wear 80 pounds of armor while riding atop a horse charging full speed.

So if you’re looking for a window into the past or simply looking for good, clean entertainment, then you might want to consider tuning into the History Channel this Sunday at 10 p.m.
For more information about Full Metal Jousting, you can read the entire article here

Skyrim: A World of its Own

In case you haven’t heard, ElderScrolls V: Skyrim is quickly becoming one of the most popular action role-playing games ever developed. Created by Bethesda Game Studies, this game completely immerses you into a medieval world of dungeons, dragons, magic, and good old fashioned adventuring.

Although I can’t personally claim that Skyrim can accurately portray the historical aspects of medieval times, I can guarantee that this unique world can satisfy your lust for tales of glory and gold while filling your imagination with brave warriors and damsels in distress.

Whether you prefer to delve into the deeper mysteries of magic or simply enjoy the pleasure of hacking your opponent with the nearest blunt object you can find, Skyrim has created a vast and complicated realm that will have you playing (almost obsessively) for hours on end no matter which type of combat you delight in at the time.

Each and every character has a personality and a story, and it’s entirely up to you whether or not you want to follow the plotline or simply explore the woods and mountains nearby. With dragons soaring overhead and undead stirring in forgotten crypts, Skyrim can be the perfect way to escape your modern day cares and bask in the engaging and beautiful realm of a medieval adventure.

While many typical rpg’s leave gamers sighing upon completion after 10 or 12 hours of gameplay (or less), Skyrim offers almost endless hours of game time without the boredom of grinding for experience or farming for gold. Some have put in over 120 hours into their Skyrim sessions and are still finding new and amazing quests to keep them occupied.

Coming from both a gamer and a fantasy-loving nerd, I can personally attest that Skyrim is a world all on its own. 40 hours in the game, I still can’t help but admire how enormous the world is. From atop a mountainside cliff, I almost get a sense of vertigo. While exploring an abandoned mine, I can nearly feel the claustrophobia and the fear of a potential cave collapse. The textures are convincing, and the sheer amount of detail put into the game are enough to make even the most skeptic bookworm admit that Skyrim has set a new standard when it comes to RPGs.

If you’re looking to plunge yourself into an entirely new world of medieval fun, then Skyrim might be just the game for you.

The Knights Medieval Armor

Wars have been fought since time began, fighting with clubs, swords, guns, and bombs. As time has progressed weapons, time has also progressed armor. In the 13th century, armor had progressed quite well.

Back then, armor did not come for free. It had to be purchased and fitted. The armor had to fit closely to the body for the soldier to be able to move around easily. Because armor had to be fitted, it was often not cheap. Knights were generally one of the few who were able to have it.

A symbol of power

Because of the high cost, Knights were generally the people who had armor. Armor was often a symbol of power. On their shields their house crest would be engraved and they would have spurs. When a knight was disgraced, their spurs would get cut off and their shield would have to be worn upside down.

A Lengthy Process

Putting on one’s armor was never a quick process. With all of those pieces of metal, the knights had to take time out of their day to be able to put it on. An apprentice to knights, called a squire, would often accompany them to the battlefield and assist with armor.

Layers of Armor

• The bottom layer is just as important as the top. Without the under clothes, the armor will chaff against the knight’s skin.
• The Aketon is an arming doublet
• The arms required chain mail, besagues, reebrace, and vambrace.
• To cover their torso, they would wear a chest plate and a back plate.
• For the head, chain mail would be worn to protect your brain.

Without Armor

Even though a portion of the army was without armor, it was still vital for the survival of the soldier or knight. When faced with an opponent, you will be glad you decided to buy teh armor.

Weapons used by the Knights Templar

There is a lot of speculation going around as to what kind of weapons the Knights Templar. Some claim they only used swords, shields, and bows and arrows. While others claim the Knights Templar has more sophisticated weapons that can rival some of the weapons we have today.

A Look at the Sword

The sword is the most useful weapon of the middle age. It has the power to go hand to hand in combat that has been lost today. Swords can vary in shape and size depending on the day and age, and upon the user. Every Knight had a preference as to what kind of sword they would like to use.

The Flame thrower

In a study done by the History Channel, the flame thrower was replicated by a blacksmith who was familiar with the customs of the time. The blacksmith was able to make the flame thrower in the form of a trumpet that would spew fire upon its enemies. This caused fear in all those who would cause the Knights Templar grief.

The Fire Ball

Another weapon that was used by the Knights Templar that involved fire was the fire ball. A ball made of a heavy substance would be coated with a liquid quite like gasoline and tar. Acting like greek fire, people would be unable to put out the flames. This ball would then be thrown down at their enemies and cause mayhem wherever it was thrown.

The Truth

It is hard to know what the Knights Templar really used. Countless records have been kept about these famous people, but it is difficult to tell if the accounts are authentic. The sword and shield were most likely used, but whether the flame thrower or the fire ball were used remains to be seen.

ABC’s Legend of the Seeker

Two years ago, ABC produced a tv show that surprised audiences all around. The Legend of the Seeker, based off the Sword of Truth book by Terry Goodkind is about a woman who travels across a boundry to find a seeker that can restore peace to the midlands. Once she crossed the boundry, she stumbles into the seeker, but does not know it at the time, and continues to look for the wizard who can show her to the seeker.

The story continues on about Richard Cypher’s journey through the midlands, trying to kill the evil tyrant Darken Rahl. This show is full of adventure, romance, and even a few laughs along the way. This show is perfect for anyone who loves medieval mayhem. There is plenty of swordfights, mythical creatures, and magic.

A Little bit of Love

For those who are more interested in the romance side of the story, readers can rest easy because there is plenty of it. The two main characters, Richard Cypher (played by Craig Horner) and Kahlan Amnell (played by Bridget Regan), fall in love. However they cannot be together because of Kahlan’s magic as a confessor. The tale of how they learn to cope with this challenge is an interesting and exciting one.

A hint of Laughter

The humor comes from the wizard, Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (played by Bruce Spence). The old man is humorous from the moment he walks onto the screen. This form of comic relief helps keep the show light when it seems to be at its darkest moment.

The Tragic Ending

This great show was cancelled after two seasons because one of the producers decided not to renew the show. Fans of the Legend of the Seeker rose up in hopes of renewing the show. They called “Save our Seeker” and are constantly working to bring their beloved show back to life.

Facts About Charlemagne

Considered one of the greatest medieval kings, Charlemagne was born in 742 in an unknown place. He was originally of German origin, and he was said to have strength of body, courage of spirit, pride of race, and crude simplicity often associated with the German race. He had only read a few books, instead focusing on other areas of study. However, Charlemagne was known for his takeovers.

Starting in his capital of Aachen, Charlemagne began a series of 53 separate campaigns to expand his reach. He fought the Saxons, because the Saxons were said to be pagans, and he continued on campaigns against many other tribes as well.

However, by the time he grew older, he resigned himself to peace. The truth was always that Charlemagne had preferred administration to war, and while he was able to persuade men to go to war and lead them effectively, it wasn’t his first choice.

Charlemagne in his time, made military service a requirement to own property, and he founded the martial morale. Every free man was called to arms at one time or another, and the sense of community and public responsibility grew under his reign.

Outside of his war campaigns, some consider Charlemagne to be one of the most enlightened and just government systems seen in Europe since Theodoric the Goth. Of course, not everyone agrees and there are some who would argue more for the influence of his wars on his reputation and overall nature.

However, because he fought to free the peasantry, restore schools, and many other things in direct opposition to circumstance at the time, it’s hard to deny that Charlemagne was more than his wars.

Shakespearean Festival

Never mind jousting, are you in the mood for some medieval fare, raucous insults, and provocative innuendo? Get your feel of medieval times by visiting the Shakespearean festival, in none other than Cedar City, Utah.