If a man during the 115th Century had gotten a limb amputated/ cut off :eek: , would he have still gone into battle? Is there any evidence of any sort of medieval men at arms continuing the fight with that kind of a disability?

I have a left leg amputation that I'v had since birth and do sword fighting in a reenactment group portraying the yeomen of the guard.

I fight with a broadsword and a pair of period looking crutches that Iv had specially made for me. I'v been talking to a number of people about having some sort of attachment or shield as part of the crutches. You can click on the link below to see pictures of me fighting :D

http://www.stamaria.com/shared/yeomen/pages/t...page3.html
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292350...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292435...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292350...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292435...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292436...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292436...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292351...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292444...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292444...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292359...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292359...827823078/
http://flickr.com/photos/eatingmywords/292445...827823078/

But would people have done that? Would they have adapted in order to fight? Or would they have just called it quits?

The captain of my group tells me they would have fought with a disability like mine, but I haven't found anything.

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Here is one example: Gotz von Berlichingen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Götz_von_Berlichingen

A viking in Grettir's Saga by the name of Onund lost a leg in battle, but appears to have continued to fight after he recovered, with his wooden leg earning him a new nickname of "tree-foot".

Not quite the same thing, but John of Bohemia had the same kind of fighting spirit as the previously mentioned and wouldn't let his near blindness stop him from going into battle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Luxemburg
Dan

The excavated remains of men who died at the battle of Visby in 1361 reveal that many of them suffered from more or less crippling conditions, including arthritis, tuberculosis, inherent deformities as well as past injuries that had healed but would have caused disability to some degree. These were however part of an emergency levy, so I’m not sure whether they’re to be considered representative for medieval fighting men in general, or at least not professional soldiers such as men-at-arms.

Nevertheless, my guess is that a disabled man-at-arms or indentured yeoman would have carried on with his service as long as he was fit for fight, as it must have been a matter of pride and prestige for him.

Btw Reece cool pics!

Perhaps Baldwin IV of Jerusalem? I know He's nowhere near the 15th C. But still, leprosy gotta be worth somthing lol

I found THIS thread to be quite helpful.

Cheers,

~A

On a much less historical note, I must say that I'm very impressed that even in your current situation you are still able to spar. From what little sparring I've done, I know that it can be exhausting, so the fact that you can do it seemingly pretty well with a crutch is quite an achievement to say the least.

My guess is that if you can sword fight for fun, a medieval amputee would definetly grab a crutch and a sword to defend his land and his family.

Reese - I have to second Dave's words. And I mean this with the utmost respect and admiration when I say you're truly a one legged man in an ass kicking contest! You're an embodiment of true passion and fighting spirit. I'd love to see you in action some day. I raise my glass in salute, my friend. Does your adapted fighting style incorporate your crutch as an offensive/defensive tool?

I too am blown away by your tenacity and love for the sport - don't ever give up doing what you love!

Instead of a shield what about a gauntlet and some armor for the left hand and arm. For example many royalist cavalry in the english civil war used gauntlets and braces on their left arms only which they used for warding blows on their left side..... some kind of easily slipped on brigandine sleeve with a gauntlet would be easy to use, not too heavy, and give you lots of protection. tr

Reece: Very impressive pics of you fighting and I imagine that using the sword only one handed is also an extra challenge.

Just curious, and excuse the indiscretion or my ignorance of issues that might make using an artificial leg difficult or impossible, but I wonder if you rely on always using a crutch or do you also use an artificial leg in fighting or in just getting around in every day life ?

With an artificial leg it would free you up for two handed use of the longsword.

Not exactly the period you are asking about or even the same activity but here is a link to Terry Fox who ran across Canada
on an artificial leg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox

( You may already be aware of Terry Fox, but it being a Canadian story of around 1980 you might not ? Inspirational to say the least ).

In the way of fighting through infirmity, my fencing instructor was 83(?) when he stopped instructing. He also had Arthritus and at least one titanium knee. Even with all this, none of the advanced students (including myself) had any doubts about his abilities. I would venture to guess that he could have given a rather good account of himself even though he couldn't move very well. He had over 40 years of experience in the art and didn't really need to move to kill you :D . Granted he wasn't what he used to be in his fighting days, but I still would have given good odds to him in a scored bout against most of my classmates.

Cheers,

I just recently uploaded a video of me performing at KCRF if anyone wanted to see me in action :cool: My crutches were coming apart so I apologize if guards look odd :\ Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9891vPGisw