13th Century

[Ryan Ross]

The thing is that I was asked to do a short (30 min), demonstraition of combat techniques used by Scottish warriors through the later half of the middle ages and early Ren. period. I was asked to do this by someone with a passing knowledge of Scottish history. My troop which normaly does nothing close to this urged Sir Wulfscyld (another member of the troop) and myself to do this simply for the exposure. It's being done free so we can't spend a lot of money on the equipment or costumes, and the audience in question is a group of boy scouts. So we are hurrying to piece together make-shift kits that are a blend of what the kids will recignize and still have some historical merit. This goal, to be honest is turning into a nightmare. I'm starting to think that we should just cut back to using out English kits just slightly tweeked with some north-of-the-border flair. I figure that I could put together a quick kit and refine it later if I enjoyed doing this. The liberties we are taking are due to a lack of time, but even so we are tying to use reasonable facsimilies of what we know to be accurate. The only "could have been" I have is a French style axe and I figured that since the Scotts and French were military allies much of the period we are being asked to portray (a window so big that it's hard to pin down a look), that a Frenchaxe would not be out of the question. So much of living history is about modest beginings and the constant work toward the goal of authenticity.

As to the sources for the early targes, I based this on art references from the period. As with other weapons, it is not quite fully developed, but it is the direct ancestor to the final targe.
http://manuscriptminiatures.com/apoc...t-d-4-17/1859/

http://manuscriptminiatures.com/the-...or-ee359/3189/

http://manuscriptminiatures.com/quee...l-2-b-vii/803/

Note the center figure in the second image. He is using a two hand axe with a small shield fixed to his upper arm. The fist could be termed a buckler, but the third image is definatly a target. There are a few others in that site that depict them, but thase were the ones I could think of on the spot.

I was never questioning the use of a round shield (center grip, OR mounted like a targe)... what I was really hoping for was a bit of historical refrence to using a greatsword, or even a longsword, in conjunction with a shield gripped in the hand (as opposed to mounted on the shoulder).

Have you any pictures or descriptions that show such an arrangement? I've never seen or heard of such a thing, and would as a result, be most interested.

I'm still very confused, as you've said that target an essentially longsword were used together, but my more than passing knowledge of longsword techniques suggests that that would be virtually impossible. The longsword would need to be used one handed (after an identical manner to the single hand sword), sacrificing a good bit of speed and power, or else it would be used two handed, but the majority of it's techniques would be made impossible, due to the shield.

I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, but I'm very much sceptical, I must admit.