Jessica,
I think you're speaking in overly broad generalizations. There were some high-status messers, for sure, which like high status swords may have never seen much use. But there are also many nice, but not flashy, messers that are nicer than what a peasant would have and would have seen use by professional warriors and knights.
Here's one of the Maximilian messers:
[ Linked Image ]
It's not that flashy, is it?
I will agree with your point that our ancestors were concerned more about escaping with their lives and likely treated their weapons more like tools than many people do today. But I can't agree with your point that they were all peasants' weapons.
See here for messer pics:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=11315
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=10963
There are more threads on this forum as well, showing a wide variety of messers.
| Chad Arnow wrote: |
| Jessica,
<snip> I will agree with your point that our ancestors were concerned more about escaping with their lives and likely treated their weapons more like tools than many people do today. But I can't agree with your point that they were all peasants' weapons. |
Heya Chad -
I wasn't trying to make the point that they were all peasant weapons, but that the tool fits it's job. No, that Maximilian sword isn't flashy. To my eye, in fact, it looks like a highly functional sword. *Great!*
It still doesn't mean that the man using it will *care* if he gets a nick in the edge in the service of his emperor.
Thank you for pointing out those threads, I may not post here often, but I have been reading most of the threads here, daily, for many years. So I am quite aware of the various messers.
The only thing I take issue with is, what Jean termed, the "collector" mentality when it gets in the way of interpretation of a martial technique. The sword is not valued higher than the life or limb of the man using it, and damage to the sword should be viewed in it's context when analyzing techniques.
Thanks all, I am back to lurking.
Jess
| Jessica Finley wrote: |
|
The only thing I take issue with is, what Jean termed, the "collector" mentality when it gets in the way of interpretation of a martial technique. The sword is not valued higher than the life or limb of the man using it, and damage to the sword should be viewed in it's context when analyzing techniques. Thanks all, I am back to lurking. Jess |
Taking issue with :eek: The Horror: Of course you realize this means a duel to the death in the morning. ;) :p
( Just joking " obviously " :D :cool: ).
But just to clarify: do you disagree with what ? What I said ( I tend not to think so ) ? The modern collector's mindset when applied to period attitudes to damage to swords or messers ? ( Tend to think that this is what you mean. ;) :D ).
(NOTE: Actually re-reading what you wrote " carefully ", my whole post is redundant ( stupid) but I'm leaving it in as I think it's a funny parody of when people get all tense because they misread something and jumped to conclusions). :p
Jess,
I agree about the sword being less important than the man. We're on the same page there. :) I also agree about the nicks in the blade. I think we're on the same page about messers in general; it just seemed like you were saying they were either peasant weapons or non-using high-status weapons. I guess I mis-read you. :)
I agree about the sword being less important than the man. We're on the same page there. :) I also agree about the nicks in the blade. I think we're on the same page about messers in general; it just seemed like you were saying they were either peasant weapons or non-using high-status weapons. I guess I mis-read you. :)
| Jean Thibodeau wrote: |
| But just to clarify: do you disagree with what ? What I said ( I tend not to think so ) ? The modern collector's mindset when applied to period attitudes to damage to swords or messers ? ( Tend to think that this is what you mean. ;) :D ).
(NOTE: Actually re-reading what you wrote " carefully ", my whole post is redundant ( stupid) but I'm leaving it in as I think it's a funny parody of when people get all tense because they misread something and jumped to conclusions). :p |
WHOOPS!! :surprised: Out of lurking mode to say I meant the latter. I take issue with the modern collector's mindset if it gets in the ways of martial techniques! I only mentioned your name because I thought you put it so well.
So in other words: I agree with Jean! LOL Funny parody indeed.
Chad, yes, you got me and we're in agreement.
Jess
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