Why bother to have a sword?! (Re: Swords: Broad or Dainty)

[Ellen & John Anglin]

No: HPFGUIDX 45726

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Steve" <bboy_mn at y...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Fyre Wood" <fyredriftwood at y...> wrote:
> > 
> 
> Why on earth would a (presumed) young person living in this modern 
age
> have a REAL broad sword?
> 
> Off Topic:
> By the way, Grey Wolf, why do you have a broad sword? And, if it's 
not
> too personal, I'm wondering what country you are in and/or what
> country you are from?

I can't speak for Grey Wolf But I and many of my friends and family, 
who are members of The Society For Creative Anachronisims, have 
quite a number of swords about the house, as well as daggers, battle 
axes, halberds, and the odd sonic screwdriver and homemade lazer too.

The SCA is an educational group dedicated sudy of and to historic 
reinactment of the middle ages from the 6th to the 16th century- all 
facets, Martial, domestic, cultural and artistic. (Everything from 
feasts to costumes, to bardic recitation,as well as the tournaments.

It is perfectly legal to own a sword in america, tho carrying one 
edged or not, may be more of a problem. Even a "Wall Hanger" can 
cause substantial damge when swung, and Local laws often prohibit 
carrying anything over three inches.

Aside from the SCA, many people who are fans of military history, 
renaissance fesivals, fantasy stories, and role playing games are 
collectors of swords.  A quick search on Ebay will turn up hundreds 
of swords of all types and qualities. 

You can get a "Roman" type sword, (made in China), complete with 
scabbard, that looks pretty good for around $30. (My husband bought 
one last pennsic.) It's strictly a "wall hanger", but since few 
people practice with live steel, or weild their swords in any way at 
all (Rattan is used for SCA combat swords.) it is sufficient for 
most people.

For someone looking for a <real> sword, thre are bladesmiths who 
will make incredibly accurate reproductions of period weapons, but 
you must expect to pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. If you 
are looking for something old, there are the victorian replicas, as 
well as the rare, and highly treasured authentic antiquities.

Yeah, I have a sword or two around the house (Near the attic door, 
last I checked.) A suit of armor, bows, arrows, four spinning 
wheels, three looms, and a pavillion. 
<shrug> 
So do most of my friends and family.

As for Harry's sword, to my only semi- educated eye, it looks more 
like a victorian ceremonial sword than anything else. The 10th- 12th 
century swords I have seen pictures and reproductions of had much 
broader, sturdy looking blades. And even short or single handed 
weapons tended to have a blade about twice as thick as the one in 
the picture of Harry.

But Hey- It's fantasy! 
As I have pointed out before, Moaning Myrtles bathroom certinaly 
hasn't been around since the 11th century, so who put the snake on 
the faucet? Heck- Who installed the trick sink?  Thre must have been 
an Heir about before Tom Riddle....or at least "Slytherins Plumber"

So maybe Godrics sword has been reforged. If it worked for Tolkien, 
then why not here?

Ellen Anglin AKA Mistress Elen Greenhand OL SCA