You *do* have to get around that pesky fan. That's why they're there. Tugging on the fan does not take a leg off. ;)

That video was quite interesting, that guy ,must be pretty tough :wtf: . Taking an armoured foe off a horse would be quite a challenge, you could get a wicked long spear and try and get it to pierce or just hook onto the armour to knock him off of the horse then as some have said you will own him with any weapon you can get.

Another way to get an armoured foe down is to use rocks to rattle the brain, I was watching a documentary last night about the Emile Griffith story where a person had died in boxing from the rattling of the brain. Now I'm not saying you would have to take off the guys helmet and start unmercifully punching him, but you could toss a rock at his head that would make quite a loud sound and possibly knock him off his guard then have your friends do the dirty work of finishing him off.

Now I'm not saying you would have to take off the guys helmet and start unmercifully punching him, but you could toss a rock at his head that would make quite a loud sound and possibly knock him off his guard then have your friends do the dirty work of finishing him off.[/quote]

Very true! It would disorient him. That would almost be like sticking your head inside a bell, right? It would sure put me out of the equation! :eek: -Ted

Did not seem like the initial attacks in the video were well coordinated. Everone advanced on a narrow front. Not sure the later ones were that coordinated either, but it did seem to show vulnerability as the unarmored folks started to use more space. Seems like the gent in plate had problems keeping track of everyone and just locked in on one target. Not much consolation for that person, but it seemed the other two people could, or should have, really exploited the situation if determined to do so.

What about using a hammer with a backspike? Would the hammer be able to put enough of a dent in the armor that it would be pressing into the flesh underneath? The backspike shouldnt have too much of a problem puncturing plate armor should it? I've always figured that different armors called for different weapons.

I seem to remember this one battle in history where a bunch or men in full armor were marching over a bridge, and so the other guys all hid under this bridge with pikes. And when the guys in armor walked over... STICK! right up the rear. I don't think that many suits of armor have much protection right around that area. But yeah, the guys with the pikes won the battle, so it must have worked.

As a student of the teachings of Liechtenauer, I feel obligated to put in my 2 cents.

First off, defeating an opponent in plate is impossible with a slashing attack. You must use piercing and blunt force attacks to deal any damage. Normally by the 14th and 15th centuries (the period of the armor above), longswords and bastard swords were the standard sword being implimented. Against armored opponents, these swords would be wielded in the "half-sword" style allowing for precise aim and added power during a thrust.

Spears were also a traditional weapon for these time periods and can be weilded proficiently against an armored opponent with deadly results. Though a swordsman still has an advantage over a spear or polearm if they are knowledgable in proper polearm counterattack techniques.

As for disabling an armored oppenent, there are many ways to do this with ease. The first being to strike the hands of your opponent with the tip, otherwise called a Krumpua. This technique is performed from the standard right shoulder position against an opponent swinging from his right side. This technique simply involves stepping to your right and swinging (vertically) at your opponents hands. This has the added bonus of blocking your opponent's attack.

Grappling is a very important part of historical warfare. An armored opponent is weakest when pinned due to his added weight and lack of his weapon. Also disarms can be made against armored opponents just as easily as unarmored opponents.

By the way, mail is not easy to penetrate. Do you think it would have been used for 2000+ years if if couldn't stop a blade? Also, it is not easy to knock over a fully armored opponent. A full plate High Gothic Harness weighs between 60 to 75 pounds, which is evenly distributed over ones entire body. A properly trained individual wearing correctly made armor can do summersaults in full plate without much discomfort.

All my information regarding techniques is taken from "Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship" and "Fighting with the German Longsword." My knowledge of armor comes from personal experiences and researched statements by members of the Arador Armor Library.

My stance is very similar to what Christian Tobler teaches, except I us a slightly wider footing giving me better balance and power, and stand slightly bent over to lower my center of gravity.

If standing in a right sided stance:

Left foot facing towards enemy.
Right foot at a 45 degree angle to my left foot, toes facing the same direction as my chest.
Footing is slighty wider than my shoulders with my right foot about 8-10 inchs to the right on my left foot.
I stand on the balls on my feet.
Knees bent depending on forward or backward weight distribution which should always be around 65% to 35% ratio.
Back bent slightly inward to lower my center of gravity.

The bending your back and wider than normal stance is what seems to feel odd to people.

Thanks Chad, it sounds quite familiar.

Sani!
Alberto...

Interesting painting. Thanks for posting it! Of notice to me were a number of things.

First, the guys on either end are using the blunt side of the axes - probably makes dents that really make armour difficult to breathe in.

Next, the guy second from the left, who appears to be finding just the right chink to slip that dagger into.

Finally, there's the fourth guy, who seems to be putting his finger over the peep hole.

Don't think this one's going the way the knight intended...