How would a 14th century archer (on campaign) sharpen a sword, knife and possibly arrowheads? At living history events I'd like to present an authentic view of this activity. Most whetstones that I see for sale are decidedly modern in appearance. Any suggestion for period kit?
Ed T.
| Ed T. wrote: |
| How would a 14th century archer (on campaign) sharpen a sword, knife and possibly arrowheads? At living history events I'd like to present an authentic view of this activity. Most whetstones that I see for sale are decidedly modern in appearance. Any suggestion for period kit?
Ed T. |
Mostly guessing but a stone roughly circular like a hockey puck but I would avoid a Hollywood cliché of using a very rough rock in a sloppy way.
Stone but portable water wheel maybe ? I used to have a round stone with a handle to turn it with the stone's bottom third could be wetted in a trough: It was easy to get it rotating very fast and sharpen knives and axes with it quickly without heating the steel.
More or less large versions might have been available for use by common soldiers in camp to sharpen their own equipment or servants skilled at sharpening might have usually done the job ?
This image is circa 1150 showing a sword being ground. It's from the Canterbury Psalter:
[ Linked Image ]
Below are two illustrations drawn from period art as found in Knives and Scabbards -- a publication from the Museum of London.
______
Psalm 39; a grindstone
[Whole folio] Psalm 39. Border decoration with grotesque. In the lower margin, a grindstone turned by two men; a third man sharpens a knife on it
Image taken from Luttrell Psalter.
Originally published/produced in England [East Anglia]; circa 1325-1335.
Shelfmark/Page: Add. 42130, f.78v
Language: Latin
______
Martyrdom of St Bartholomew
[Whole folio] Psalm 58. Border decoration with grotesque. In the lower margin, St Bartholomew is stretched on a table and flayed by two executioners, under the supervision of a king. A third man sharpens his knife on a whetstone
Image taken from Luttrell Psalter.
Originally published/produced in England [East Anglia]; circa 1325-1335.
Shelfmark/Page: Add. 42130, f.107v
Language: Latin
Attachment: 56.43 KB
Copyright © The Boydell Press
Attachment: 20.12 KB
Copyright © The Boydell Press
Attachment: 148.64 KB
Psalm 39; a grindstone
Copyright © 2010 The British Library
Attachment: 152.8 KB
Martyrdom of St Bartholomew
Copyright © 2010 The British Library
[ Linked Image ]
Below are two illustrations drawn from period art as found in Knives and Scabbards -- a publication from the Museum of London.
______
Psalm 39; a grindstone
[Whole folio] Psalm 39. Border decoration with grotesque. In the lower margin, a grindstone turned by two men; a third man sharpens a knife on it
Image taken from Luttrell Psalter.
Originally published/produced in England [East Anglia]; circa 1325-1335.
Shelfmark/Page: Add. 42130, f.78v
Language: Latin
______
Martyrdom of St Bartholomew
[Whole folio] Psalm 58. Border decoration with grotesque. In the lower margin, St Bartholomew is stretched on a table and flayed by two executioners, under the supervision of a king. A third man sharpens his knife on a whetstone
Image taken from Luttrell Psalter.
Originally published/produced in England [East Anglia]; circa 1325-1335.
Shelfmark/Page: Add. 42130, f.107v
Language: Latin
Attachment: 56.43 KBCopyright © The Boydell Press
Attachment: 20.12 KBCopyright © The Boydell Press
Attachment: 148.64 KBPsalm 39; a grindstone
Copyright © 2010 The British Library
Attachment: 152.8 KBMartyrdom of St Bartholomew
Copyright © 2010 The British Library
Not your period, still, but perhaps of interest:
From The British Library
Knives or cifers to grinde
A man sharpening knives on a wheel.
Image taken from The Cryes of the City of London Drawne after the Life. Les cris de la ville de Londres L:arti co:muni che uanno : Londra, etc. [Seventy two engravings, with two titlepages, also engraved.].
Originally published/produced in P. Tempest: [London, 1688?].
Author: Laroon, Marcellus
Illustrator: Mauron; Tempest
Shelfmark/Page: C.97.h.7,
Language: English
Attachment: 69.7 KB
Copyright © 2010 The British Library
From The British Library
Knives or cifers to grinde
A man sharpening knives on a wheel.
Image taken from The Cryes of the City of London Drawne after the Life. Les cris de la ville de Londres L:arti co:muni che uanno : Londra, etc. [Seventy two engravings, with two titlepages, also engraved.].
Originally published/produced in P. Tempest: [London, 1688?].
Author: Laroon, Marcellus
Illustrator: Mauron; Tempest
Shelfmark/Page: C.97.h.7,
Language: English
Attachment: 69.7 KBCopyright © 2010 The British Library
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