Suggestions of sites to visit in the UK

[Peter Goranov]

Hey everyone, I'm going to visit England for several days (Oct 9 to 22) and i was wandering if you could suggest some sites i should visit? Museums, Castles, Cathedrals - anything historic but with an emphasis on the Middle Ages and of course, weapons and armour! I will be staying in Leicester but will have the option to travel a lot so even locations in Scotland or Ireland could work. Also, i would like to attend an ARMA training session if i have the time, only as an observant naturally. Any groups close to Leicester?

[Jaron Bernstein]

Hey everyone, I'm going to visit England for several days (Oct 9 to 22) and i was wandering if you could suggest some sites i should visit? Museums, Castles, Cathedrals - anything historic but with an emphasis on the Middle Ages and of course, weapons and armour! I will be staying in Leicester but will have the option to travel a lot so even locations in Scotland or Ireland could work. Also, i would like to attend an ARMA training session if i have the time, only as an observant naturally. Any groups close to Leicester?

I dream of someday visiting the Royal Armories at Leeds.

[Peter Goranov]

I took a look at their web site, I am definitely going to visit them! Also i was thinking of going to see the Bayeux Tapestry in Reading. I doubt i will have the time to go to France and see the original.

[Will Adamson]

I could have spent an entire week in the British Museum in London. York has a fun Viking museum. If you go to Scotland, Sterling is the place to go.

[Peter Goranov]

On an unrelated note, i am considering my first sword. I am old enough (23) to know not to hack away like an idiot with a real sharp weapon, especially when i lack the skill to wield one. But i *need* a sword, it's just a matter of time before i get one. I will also get a longbow probably, although i have read http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/longbow/longbow.htm and i am certain i lack the skill to shoot such a weapon. In regards to the sword hwoever, this (http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-oakeshott-xa.htm) one immediately caught my eye, in part because it is named after a great man, in part because if it's stunning appearance. Can one of the practitioners here elaborate on the Albion swords in general, and to this model in particular? What would you recommend for my first sword? And i know a waster is the way to go but sadly there is no one to train with in my area.

[Benjamin Smith]

People ask me “Why should I pay 2-3 time the amount of money for a sword from Albion when I could get a similar weapon for much cheaper?” My simple answer: proper weapons encourage proper technique. Yeah you could get a “sword” for $350, but the difference between the two brands is pretty big. Hanwei, Cold Steel, Del Tin, and others all make/made swords in that price range, but none of them have the depth of research, quality of workmanship, or attention to detail that Albion has.

One example Hanwei’s Hand-and-a-half model compared to the Albion Crecy. You can see the difference on in the stats and Hanwei’s rather vague commitment to quality. Hanwei’s piece is heavier, has a CoG that doesn’t quite fit, and a design philosophy that doesn’t even take pivot points into account. The pommel is obviously unrealistically large for a solid pommel (as opposed to a ring-hilt variety with a hollow center), and the blade is almost certainly too simplistic in shape for an “Authentic replica of [a] Museum Piece.”

I have handled both blades. The Crecy has a generally more fluid feel, encourages proper cutting technique, its point is easy to control, absolutely glides from stance to stance, and cuts like a dream. The Hanwei, while a cut or two above most of the older “replica” swords I’ve seen doesn’t compare, it is heavier, requires more torque to rotate, more effort to move laterally, and has a slower point. The difference that solid and detailed research makes is tremendous. Reasonable persons ask do three ounces, a few changes in profile and distal taper, historical cross-sectional variation, and a properly sized, shaped, and weighted pommel really make that big a difference. My short answer is yes. I’ve never seen a modern reproduction superior to an Albion Next Generation line. Some top researchers who have handled the real things in museums say that they feel that these are the closest you can get to the real thing these days. In my mind if this is what the “real things” were like, that’s what I want, and I won’t settle for less.

I will highly endorse purchasing an Albion, any Albion, because of the extensive research behind them. If you're looking for a single hander the Oakeshott model is an unusual style, only one of it's blade type is known in Europe if my memory serves me correctly (it is not a typical type X by any means I'd even argue it's not a type X), however, it is a historically based model and would serve you well.

[Peter Goranov]

Being the inexperienced lad that i am i must confess i went for the Oakeshott for purely aesthetic reasons and for the name it bears. The price is quite high, partially because it is a limited edition sword. I could go with a common, more widely spread one if you would be so kind as to recommend it and give me the link. Although if i don't get convinced i would probably consider and give that $1100. I work for a US company and my salary is based on commission, plus i don't hold any obligations to a family so i can spend my money as i please Thank you for the thorough answer though!

[Benjamin Smith]

There are plenty of less expensive Albions, but if you like the Oakeshott and have the money go for it.

[Shane Smith]

I have been to the UK several times. I have been to and highly recommend;

Royal Armouries at Leeds
White Tower
Burrell Collection at Glasgow Museums
Wallace Collection
British Museum

I also had the opportunity to train with Matt and his guys while there. Great time all-around.

[Peter Goranov]

Thanks you all! The Royal Armories, The Wallace Collection, The British Museum are all on the list. Never heard of White Tower but i will wikipedia it and give it a shot if it's within reasonable distance (Glasgow for example is 300 miles from Leicester where i'm at currently)

[Martin Austwick]

If you're going to be in London then the Museum of London is an absolute must. Some great medieval finds and an interesting selection of weapons from Bronze age to Renaissance.

[Peter Goranov]

I went to London but sadly did not have the time to visit all the places i wanted. However i am back from the Royal Armories at Leeds today and i want to thank Jaron for suggesting the place - it was awesome and i took hundreds of pictures. I will upload them once i go back to Bulgaria. Some exibits were especially interesting such as the Lion Armour, a magnificent suit of full plate, and some very good hand and a half swords and great swords. Also very good pieces of German gothic plate. By the way they host a tournament each year in the summer time and award a sword to the winning team (last year the Royal Armories team won). We could maybe send in an ARMA team as well to thwart all the wannabee knights there?

[Peter Goranov]

As promised here are the links, the albums are in Facebook, if most of you don't have registrations there i can upload them in Flicr or an equivalent site.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=8 ... =603170019
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=8 ... =603170019
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=8 ... =603170019