Realm Collections Blog

For those of you who are not sure or need a quick refresh on what a crossbow is/does then listen up. A crossbow is a range weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that shots bolts (ammunition, similar to an arrow). The development of these weapons dates back to Ancient Greece and they played significant roles in warfare till the introduction of guns. Here is a picture to further spark your imagination.

Now that we set the mood lets get back to the topic on hand shall we. That is, Crossbows in the Medieval Era. Crossbows played an important role throughout the Medieval period. The crossbow was really the first hand-held weapon that could be used by an untrained soldier to injure or kill a knight in plate armor. The most powerful crossbows could penetrate armor and kill at 200 yards. Crossbows are easier to aim than longbows because the crossbowman doesn’t have to use a hand to hold the string back while aiming. It was easier to master then a typical bow, therefor making it ideal for unspecialized soldiers. The only downfall to this was that a crossbow took a lot longer to reload.

In the armies of Europe, mounted and unmounted crossbowmen, often mixed with javeliners and archers, occupied a central position in battle formations. Usually they engaged the enemy in offensive skirmishes before an assault of mounted knights. Crossbowmen were also valuable in counterattacks to protect their infantry. The rank of commanding officer of the crossbowmen corps was one of the highest positions in any army of this time. Along with polearm weapons made from farming equipment, the crossbow was also a weapon of choice for insurgent peasants such as the Taborites.

Based on how we praised the crossbow above you may be surprised by the following statment. Medieval crossbows were inefficient. The reason for this is that the draw length and the lathe (also called a prod) of crossbows are short. So even though a crossbow may have a great deal of stored energy when spanned, the tips of the lathe do not have enough time to reach the maximum velocity, so the amount of stored energy is not transferred fully to the bolt. It is the lathe tip velocity that determines the speed of the bolt that is loosed.

Looking for a social group where you can discuss anything and everything revolving around the Celtic realm? Well so was I and after some exploring I have stumbling upon this small but growing Celtic social network, The Celtic Friends Network.

The Celtic Friends Network is a place to make friends and discuss or purchase Celtic jewelry, art, music, crafts, and more. I have connected with many new faces: artists, writers, store owners, and just those who want to learn more about the Celtic ideas.

This Celtic social network lets you fully customize you page with pictures, videos, text, and a variety of page designs. You can join groups, start or participate in discussions, write blogs, and much much more. So if you’re looking for a Celtic social world, the The Celtic Friends Network is my strong recommendation.

The Celtic Friends Network is an international social network that allows people with Celtic interests to make friends and discuss Celtic subjects. We are designed for the exchange of information, pictures, videos, and ideas about Celtic topics. This site is similar to other popular social networks like MySpace, yet provides a focused topic, which is anything Celtic.
-http://www.celticfriendsnetwork.com/

Out of ideas for a Valentine’s Day Gift? Don’t fret just yet, there is some time! If your lover (or maybe just a friend) has any interest in history or fantasy then these gifts may ease your hindrance.

Celtic Jewelry
Celtic Jewelry is a foolproof Valentine’s Gift. Not only is it jewelry which every woman loves (right?), but if she has any interest in the Celtic art your gift will be both beautiful and thoughtful. So if this sounds like the Valentine’s Day gift you have been looking for check out this collection of Celtic Jewelry from Realm Collections..

For the Fantasy Fans
If your significant other is a fantasy or video game fanatic a gift corresponding with his/her favorite movie/book/game would be perfect. Some options include Lord of the Rings Memorabilia, Assassin’s Creed Replicas, and Pirates of the Caribbean gear. for more options check out www.realmcollections.com.

These are just some ideas I thought go well with the holiday. If you are seeking some other historical gifts for Valentines Day (clothing, decor, swords, armor, etc.) you can find it all at Realm Collections.

If your an antique collector or just looking to buy/sell antiques you will be very pleased with this online auction site. It’s called SeeAuctions.com and is very much an ebay for antiques and vintage collectibles. I have tried the site myself from the seller perspective and have found it extremely user-friendly, and best of all, free! There is no fee for creating auctions and you can list as many items as you want. There are antiques of all sorts ranging from furniture to swords. So if your looking for a free, user-friendly antique auctions site with a great community be sure to visit www.SeeAuctions.com!

SeeAuctions.com specializes in exceptional authentic antiques and highly collectible items, providing a secure venue for live online auction hosting. Most auctioneers on the website have a passion for quality antiques and an acquired taste for exceptional deals. With over 50 years experience in the antiques and collectibles industry, SeeAuctions.com is committed to ensuring extraordinary value and opportunities to acquire “non-reproduction” items which meet their members’ demands. As a full service, integrity-oriented auction hosting company, SeeAuctions.com continually strives to provide the services and tools necessary to ensure every buyer and seller receives the best possible service and auctioning experience available. (http://www.aboutus.org/SeeAuctions.com)

Those of you who are going like ‘What in the world is Assassin’s Creed?’  probably aren’t much into the gaming world. Assassin’s Creed is a video game for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 consoles, and more recently, the PC. For more info on the game(storyline, characters, game play, etc. click Here). The success of this video game has lead to the creation of replicas and collections. This deluxe set of Assassin’s Creed collectibles consists of impressive clothing and weaponry. Here is just a taste of what lies within:

You can find the full set at RealmCollections.

What would keep the ren folk entertained if not for the Renaissance and Medieval Entertainment Groups? These groups come in all shapes and sizes performing historical music concerts, comedy show, re-enactments, skits, and more. Here are a couple that seemed really sensational.

The ScallyWags
The ScallyWags is a Pirate Comedy Show located in central Kansas that has been performing their acts at Renaissance Faires, private functions, Pirate festivals, weddings and more for over a decade. They are one of the longest running Pirate Acts in the U.S.. The Group does stage acts, sword fighting, improve comedy and more. They have been featured in magazines, books, radio, documentaries, television and they are regulars on the “Heavy Pork T.V. show. To learn more about the group go to PIRATECOMEDY.COM or join The ScallyWags Homeport at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thescallywagshomeport. Want to become a pirate, well better gear up!

Willys Wily Wenches
Willy’s Wily Wenches (formerly Willy’s Wenches) is a Shakespearean comedy troupe that proves to be a high energy, high comedy act with something for everyone. Anita Mann, Buxey Blaze, Ima Teese, and William Shakespeare Thadeus Beauregarde Chicken III ( or just Boo Boo Chicken for short) have a bunch of upcoming performances, so stay tuned to discover where you can next see this renaissance entertainment group! If you like their out fits you can find something similar or even identical HERE.

Three Quarter Ale
Three Quarter Ale is a Ren-rock band based in Atlanta, GA. Comprised of players Ariana Pellayle, Rosemary Quench , and Wicked Pete Speakeasy, Three Quarter Ale combines the lilting charm of 17th-century madrigals and traditional favorites with the high-energy impact of modern folk-rock for a truly arresting sound. The toast of the Georgia Renaissance Festival pub crowd, Three Quarter Ale’s tempting blend of lively harp, flute, guitar, and ethnic percussion with delicious three-part vocal harmonies in turn uplifts, enchants, and makes listeners want to dance in their seats.

You can start your own renaissance or medieval entertainment group too! Just pick a genre(comedy, battle reenactments, music, etc.) and don’t forget to gear up!

Reenactments of many events from all historic eras have been brought about in one way or another. Whether in theaters, films, and even social events(Like Renaissance Faires). Many groups and clubs exist with a sole purpose which is to reenact and keep history alive. Medieval Reenacting is considerably popular world-wide. These reenactments show and teach the audience the lives of historic folk. Wars, knightly games, and ceremonies are often reenacted, some scripted and some with actual competitive purposes.

The Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein, or the Devil’s Nightmare Regiment
This Medieval Reenacting Group are an award-winning historical reenactment unit based in Crownsville, MD. The members of the Devil’s Nightmare Regiment portray the Landsknecht mercenaries and campfollowers of 16th century Europe. The Devil’s Nightmare Regiment has performed at military reenactments and renaissance festivals throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. We are available for historical reenactments and showcases, school programs, civic events, and renaissance festivals. Go to http://www.landsknechts.org/ for more information on this Medieval Reenacting group.

The Ritterhellas
The Ritterhellas are a historical-revival association, which was created on the basis of participation and organization of cultural events reffering to the most important moments of the medieval history from the Crusades to the era of the Knights of Renaissance Europe. The Medieval Reenactment group deals with the resurgences of time period from 1204 until 1530, period where in Greece existed knightly battalions. To find out more about the Ritterhellas visit www.ritter.gr.

Medieval Reenacting can teach us a great deal of history and entertain us at the same time. Going to a Renaissance Faire or a Reenactment Groups next event can be a life changing experience. You never know, you just might decide to join a Medieval Reenactment group yourself!

Want to show off your sword without having to take it out from under your bed or from your closet? Well your in luck. While your not fiddling around with your precious sword it can graciously be displayed on a wall or in a stand. Displaying your sword is a great way to decorated your home or office, but make sure it cannot get into the hands of a careless individual. Ouch!

If you don’t want to bolt anything to your wall, stands are the way to go. They are available in many shapes, colors, and sizes with single or multiple sword holding capabilities. Displaying your sword in a stand is easy and convenient because you can move it around as desired. Here are some of my favorite sword stands:

Displaying your sword on the wall is convenient because it takes up less space and is more safe if you have kids running around. Swords can be hung on walls with special hangers or plaques, or with a homemade fabrication. Here are some examples of wall hangers:

The number of days between now and Christmas is growing slim and the last minute shoppers are starting to emerge. Being an early bird, I already have all the presents nicely packed and ready to be delivered. The good thing about shopping during the holiday season is you know you are saving some money, especially this year with the tough economic situation. Consumers are willing to spend less so stores need to submerge their prices to catch some sales. Let me tell you, this years sales are huge. Most of the items I bought were 60-70% off regular price! Here are some websites’ sale pages to show you just what I mean:

RealmCollections-On Sale
Guess Clothing-On Sale
Bath & Body Works-On Sale

Whether on the store website or actual at the store, you are sure to be bombarded with phrases like ‘Free Shipping’, ‘X% OFF’, or ‘$X.XX Off Purchase’. The percent off or amount saved seems to be a little higher this year and the receding economy may be what we should blame, or thank. Even if you have lowered this years budget, the hefty sales and special offers are sure to let you celebrate this Christmas like in the good old days.

Celtic knots are a variety of knots and stylized graphical representations of knots used for decoration, adopted by the ancient Celts. These knots are most known for their adaptation for use in the ornamentation of Christian monuments and manuscripts like the 8th century Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels. The Art of Celtic Knotwork is probably the most commonly identified kind of Celtic art. Basically it looks like strands of woven or braided strips that bend and weave amongst themselves. The knotwork panel may be made up of a single strip weaving through itself, or any number of strips.

In today’s era of Celtic appreciation, many knotwork designs have been assigned various meanings. Types of Celtic Knotwork symbols include: Dara Celtic knot, Celtic Quaternary knot, and the Celtic Trinity Knot. More symbolic knots and their meanings can be found on this website: Celtic Knots and Celtic Knots Meaning.

The Art of Celtic Knotwork appeared on many ancient Celtic manuscripts, sculptures, paintings, and jewelry. The artwork is also extremely popular today and appears on objects like jewelry and home decorations. Here are some modern pieces of Celtic Knotwork art: