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The Dance of Death. 16th century

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Surprise! To celebrate Labor Day, we're having a sale! From now until September 6th at midnight CST, save 15% on orders over $50 with code LABOR15 at checkout.

Click here for full details.

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Looking to upgrade your gothic jewelry collection? We're proud to offer a number of gothic jewelry pieces on our website.

Check out the whole collection here.

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Ingrid (1 of 2) - Marcin Kulesza

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Timeline of the Middle Ages |

Have you ever been confused about the general order of when things happened in the Middle Ages? In this post, Medieval Collectibles hopes to give you a quick timeline of the span of European history known as the Middle Ages.

What were the Middle Ages?

The Middle Ages were a period of time that spanned from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance. The exact dates for this differ between historians, but the dates of 476 and 1492 make good start and stop dates. 476 was the Fall of Rome to Odoacer and the end of the last emperor in Rome itself. Meanwhile, 1492 was the start of Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the New World. This date does overlap with some historians’ timeframe for the Renaissance. Together, the two dates span over 1000 years of human history. This covers a lot and is why many historians break down the Middle Ages into different parts.

How are the Middle Ages divided?

A way of dividing the timeline of the Middle Ages is between the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages. The Early Middle Ages covers the timeframe from the Fall of Rome to the 10th century. This period covers multiple well-known names and empires. For example, much of the early Arthurian legends place King Arthur at the beginning of this age. In later centuries, there was Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire alongside the Viking Age. This is also the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire. All of these people and empires began or occurred within the Early Middle Ages.

The 11th century starts the High Middle Ages. They last until the 14th century. At the very start of this period is the Norman Conquest of 1066, and it is filled with the Crusades. This is the era of Richard the Lionheart and, therefore, Robin Hood as well. As this period comes to a close, a volcanic eruption causes significant flooding and bad harvests.

With the Late Middle Ages starting in 1300, Europeans were faced with a lot of strife and death. This is the period that includes the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, and the Wars of the Roses amongst other issues. Famines and revolts were not unknown in this era. This is also the time of the Gutenberg press and the beginning of the Renaissance. Some of the major figures of this era include Joan of Arc, Henry VII, and Ferdinand and Isabella.

Summary

Since the Middle Ages covers 1000 years, a lot happened during this period. From the Vikings to Black Death and more, this period of time saw great changes and upheavals. We hope that you now have a better of idea of the timeline of the Middle Ages.

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Choosing Your LARP Weapon with Medieval Collectibles

It can be overwhelming when trying to choose a weapon for a LARP event. There are multiple aspects for you to consider. We hope to help walk you through the process of choosing your LARP weapon. To begin with, the main aspect of any LARP event is safety. This is especially true of the weapons wielded at said event. Thus, weapons physically wielded against another individual will be foam weapons.

There are other items that may be at a LARP event that will not be foam, but those items are not expected to come in contact with another individual. LARP groups will usually keep the weapons available for contact combat restricted to the types of materials and constructions mentioned in this post. They may even restrict the options further than what we discuss below, so make sure that you check with your group first to find out what they allow.

Keep reading below!

Type of Weapon

Perhaps the easiest decision when it comes to choosing a LARP weapon is the type of weapon you want to wield. For example, do you want to wield a sword against your enemy? Or do you prefer to carry a polearm? There are many options. Beginning with swords, there are more traditional-looking swords, and then there are ones with more of a fantasy style. They can feature a two-handed grip such as a longsword, or they can have a single-handed grip. Which one you choose depends on your desired fighting style and aesthetic.

There are also polearms. These weapons can vary from single- or double-headed axes to maces and even flails. They also may have one- or two-handed grips. If you choose a weapon that only requires a single hand such as a sword or axe, you may wish to carry a shield in your off hand. We offer a variety of LARP shields. They come in different colors, shapes, and styles. There are also LARP daggers, throwing knives, and props. These weapons fit many different characters and personas.

Brands of LARP

While we offer many different brands at Medieval Collectibles, there are certain brands that feature a variety of LARP weapons. Epic Armoury, Mytholon, and Calimacil are our three most popular brands when it comes to LARP. These brands have the largest number of LARP weapons for you to choose from. Our selection of Epic Armoury and Mytholon includes other products in addition to LARP weapons, but our selection of Calimacil products focuses specifically on LARP weapons. When it comes to the hardness of the foam that they use, Epic Armoury uses the softest foam of the three. Calimacil uses the hardest foam out of these three brands. The construction of their LARP weapons will differ, which brings us to the next topic.

Types of LARP Construction

When it comes to LARP weapons, there are two main types of materials and constructions for you to choose from. The two main types of foam are EVA foam and polyurethane foam. Calimacil exclusively uses a type of injection-molded polyurethane foam for their weapons called Calimacil foam. Polyurethane foam tends to be durable and weather resistant. It also tends to be harder than EVA foam. EVA foam will often, but not always, have a latex coating. Latex and latex-free foam are filters that we use on our website to help you choose which you prefer as this will affect the maintenance more than just the type of foam alone.

Also, it should be noted that some weapons may be a combination of both EVA and polyurethane foam. For example, Epic Armoury has a line of weapons called the Stronghold weapons. These weapons have polyurethane handles and latex-free blades that are made of a proprietary EVA foam called Epic Foam. Epic Armoury specifically designs these weapons to require less maintenance than weapons made from latex foam. This brand also offers a line of weapons called Ready for Battle which consists of latex foam weapons that are priced for beginners to LARPing. These latex foam weapons have the same quality construction as any of their other weapons.

Weapons made from latex foam will need to be kept lubricated with maintenance silicone. We offer maintenance silicone in our DIY and Maintenance section of the LARP area of our website. If allowed to dry out, the LARP weapons can crack and become less durable and useable over time. Latex-free weapons will not require as much maintenance as a latex-foam weapon, but you should still look after it with proper storage and usage. It is advisable to store your LARP weapon away from sunlight and heat. If your weapon is latex foam, ensure that you keep it lubricated and do not let it dry out or it may crack. Also, weapons such as swords should not be left standing on their tip as this can damage them.

In addition to the type of foam, there are two main construction styles when it comes to LARP weapons: those with and without a central core. Many weapons have a fiberglass-rod core. These rod cores will often feature Kevlar tips that give them greater durability. This central core provides strength to longer weapons such as swords. However, not every weapon has one. The two main types of LARP weapons that lack a core are shields and throwing weapons. With shields, it makes less sense to have a central core based on their wider shape. However, with throwing weapons, it is for safety reasons that they lack a central core. Throwing knives, daggers, and other props for throwing have coreless constructions so that they cause less damage if inadvertently thrown at sensitive areas such as the face.

Besides the different types of foam and internal construction, there are weapons that may feature small sections of other materials as well. This mostly occurs with polearms and swords. They may have leather or suede grips. Beyond the grips however, they are entirely foam with or without a core. Shields will have leather straps on the back for carrying. Beyond the use of leather or suede, it is rare for a LARP weapon to have a material besides foam and a fiberglass core.

We hope that this post helps you when you are choosing your LARP weapon for your next event. There are many factors to consider beyond what fits your character. With the information laid out here, pick your weapon and enjoy your LARP battle. Again, please remember to check with your local organization first to determine what they allow.

Video Guides for LARP Brands!

Check out some guides we’ve put together  below that highlight different LARP brands we carry and the lines of weapons they have to offer.

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Have you ever wondered how to take care of your leather wares properly? This week in our Medieval Masterclass, McKenzie shows us the proper techniques to keep all your leather goods in their best condition.

Want to learn more? Check out our Medieval Masterclass series where we teach you about the history, care, and use of all things Medieval Collectibles.

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Vintage 1960s Tolkien flair

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Write your own fairy tale with Medieval Collectibles.

Outfit featured:

Brigid Celtic Maiden Outfit (OUTFIT-F71)

Come behind the scenes of this photoshoot with us!

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Allow us to introduce ourselves. 😎

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We're a bit excited for more Lord of the Rings content to be released soon, so we wanted to give you guys a 4K look at one of our favorite swords in our collection.

This licensed LOTR Hadhafang Sword of Arwen is an entirely decorative sword that features a Tengwar inscription on the blade.

What's your favorite weapon from the LOTR franchise?

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Gold and serpentinite scarab amulet, uncovered from the tomb of Neferkhawet, Egypt, circa 1505 - 1447 BC

from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Chase the wind and touch the sky in our new Merida Dress from HolyClothing! 🎯

Check it out here.

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I’m probably not the first to think of this but whatever. It’s still hilarious.

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HOUSE OF THE DRAGON ↳ Princess Rhaenyra and her she-dragon, Syrax

Rhaenyra Targaryen was a precocious child, bright and bold and beautiful as only one of dragon’s blood can be beautiful. At seven, she became a dragonrider, taking to the sky on the young dragon she named Syrax, after a goddess of old Valyria.

— Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon (A Question of Succession) by George R.R. Martin.

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Medieval Female Armour || Medieval Collectibles

If you want to become a mighty warrior princess, you will need to don some armour for battle. In this post, we take a short look at medieval female armour, not just its history but also the practicalities and sizing issues involved. We also mention a couple of our most popular pieces of female armour.

Historical vs Modern

When it comes to womens armour, there aren’t many examples of known female warriors to draw from. For the most part, it is easier to look at historical images to get a better understanding. Joan of Arc is the most recognizable female warrior in the medieval period. Female warriors like Joan of Arc most likely wore the same armour, design-wise, as men. It would have just been sized down. This would have been the least complicated way to deal with the smaller statures for any armorer. They would have been used to sizing down for younger men or boys depending on the circumstances.

The main reason why we believe medieval women more likely wore the same armour as men come from images of the time. For example, there are some miniatures or illustrations from manuscripts that portray Joan of Arc in armour.

This picture depicts her with the Dauphin of France wearing a helmet and full arm armour along with a cuirass. The faulds of the cuirass are visible on the side of her skirt.

Meanwhile, this image from a 1504 manuscript depicts her in full, gold-colored armour. While rather decorated in appearance, her armour would not have looked out of place on a male warrior.

In addition to images of real warriors, there are images that feature ideals or mythical figures. This image depicts the goddess Athena in armour giving armour to soldiers. Images from manuscripts, sculptures, and other sources help to support the idea that women just wore the same armour design.

For modern female armour, women have a greater range, especially when it comes to styles. They can choose the same pieces as their male counterparts, the same way as they did in the past. Also, they can choose pieces that curve like a female body. For example, a cuirass that curves around the upper body is the Artemis Celtic Leather Cuirass for Ladies. Meanwhile, the Lena Steel Tasset Belt has a slight curvature that mimics the curves of a woman’s hips.

Practicalities to Consider

There are two main practicalities when choosing medieval armour that a female will have to consider differently than a male. The first is one that modern female athletes must consider and that is the movement of the chest. If a female athlete or medieval warrior needs to move around a lot, it is advisable to contain and restrict the movement of the chest for greater comfort. This is especially true when it comes to wearing steel armour around the torso.

The other consideration is the difference in size and stature. Most women are on average shorter than men. They also have different proportions than men. Combined, these differences may make armour pieces either less comfortable or not protect the body in the same way. Tassets and other pieces of thigh armour can illustrate this well. Depending on the height of a woman, a particular tasset may end further down her leg than what it would on a man. It also may not cover as much close to the hips since women tend to be wider there proportionally speaking. Women are more angled on the outside of the legs so a rectangular tasset will protect the body slightly differently. Different body structures may cause some people to have more of these issues than others. Thus, knowing the measurements of your body and your armour is the most important factor to getting a good fit

Sizing

When it comes to choosing pieces of medieval armour for a woman, there are many choices available. You can choose to look specifically at our female armour category or choose to look at the general leather or steel armour categories. Regardless of what category you look in, the main thing to keep in mind is your body measurements with the particular pieces that you are looking at. For the most part, armour pieces are fairly unisex in their design, and many pieces can fit a wide variety of sizes. You just need to make sure that you focus on pieces that fit your body measurements.

Specifically, pieces like bracers and greaves will have laces or straps for an adjustable fit. Gorgets and spaulders are also unisex but will be slightly more size dependent. For example, a spaulder sized for a larger shoulder will have more space between the wearer and the armour piece. This could cause it to slide around or not fit properly. The Adam Spaulders, for example, come in a large size and a small size. The large is a couple inches wider than the small and thus fits someone larger. Again, the design itself is not gender dependent; it is the possible size difference that could cause issues for women versus men.

Cuirasses and other torso armour pieces are where sizing comes into play the most. When measuring yourself for a piece of armour, you want to get the measurement of your torso at its largest possible size. If you try to take your waist, underbust, or just under your arms, you will likely get a piece of armour too small for you.

Clothing and Arming Wear

In addition to taking the measurement at the right location, you should also consider your clothing as well. When you are choosing a cuirass, you will want the armour piece to fit not just you but also over your clothing, especially any arming wear. Arming wear helps to provide greater comfort when wearing steel armour. Thus, you want to ensure that there is enough room for you to wear the armour over your clothing and any arming wear. If you need more help, we have another article specifically on how to wear your steel armour.

That being said, too much space can cause the armour to bang against the wearer because it doesn’t fit snugly. This is where the practicality of chest movement comes into the situation. Too much room and not restricting the chest can lead to a fair bit of discomfort. Make sure to choose pieces that best fit you. Some of our most popular medieval female armour pieces are from the Mina and Kendra armour series. Some of our most popular female armour pieces are from the Mina and Kendra armour series. The Mina armour set is a steel option with a feminine shape to its torso and armour belt accompanied by versatile gorget and spaulders. The Kendra armour set is a leather option that also features torso armour with a molded shape.

A large portion of the armour we sell has a fantasy style. The style of armour that you choose is going to depend on your needs and preferences. You may want armour with a more historical or practical style. More historical or practical armour is going to look different than more fantasy-inspired armour.

This picture shows a great example of some female armour with a more fantasy style. This ensemble includes the Rogue Female Armour with the Leather Rogue Corset as well as the Kendra Ladies Bracers. These pieces create a look that is more fantasy than historical but still very stylish.

Summary

In summary, there are a few considerations that a woman looking at medieval armour may have. Overall, a woman can wear the same medieval armour styles as a man or female-specific armour, so long as they pay attention to the sizing of the armour regardless. The considerations of size, proportions, and chest size would have occurred to medieval warrior women as they do now.