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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 11:57:31
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Courtly love grew up among the aristocratic classes of Europe during the early Middle Ages around the late 1100s. Since most medieval marriages were often considered to be little more than business contracts, the extramarital relationship serve a function as the only type of true romance in the lives of many medieval Europeans. The birth of this concept led to a concentration of artistic focus under the eye of Medieval artists, minstrels, troubadors, and authors. They all regularly used the concept of courtly love as an important and underlyning theme in much of their music and works.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 11:58:31
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In some tribal societies the concept of the house tends to be based around the idea of a single volume, or one main room for all the activities which take place within the house. Usually this type of house is constructured directly against or alongside neighboring structures and an important consideration in the construction is close proximity to the tribal meetinghouse or the religious structures. In some societies the shape of these types of houses may be continued through an entire village, with many portions of the village holding repeating patterns of similar house design.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 11:59:35
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There are other house design concepts, which were used extensively in ancient tribal societies. Houses following this type were often of simple geometric design. The shapes included — circular, sometimes with conical roofs, for example. To construct these houses, tribes would regularly rely on the building materials they had at hand. For example if mud or clay were regularly available, then they would be used to gap and fill the spaces between pieces of wood. These materials were also made into bricks, usually only after being sun-dried. The useage of large growth reeds in construction saw some dwellings, built of entirely different materials, mainly built in marshland areas of tribal lands. For those houses contructed in heavy rainfall areas, designers saw to it that a hearth was built in the interior of the house, to provide warmth.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 12:00:36
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The standard Greek dwelling or house essentially remained simple of design throughout the majority of the classical period. A short passageway normally led out from the street into an open court off which three or four rooms were to be reached. The whole structure was fairly small in terms of scale.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 12:01:57
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In ancient Roman mythology Genius, was a house-hold god, a protecting, or guardian, spirit. Romans held the belief that every individual, family, household, and city had its own 'genius' and that the 'genius' was granted special worship as a house-hold god or spirit mainly due to the belief that the spirit was thought to grant success and bestow intellectual powers on its faithful. This is the reason why the word 'genius' had come to be associated with a person of high intellectual powers. 'Genius' of women faithful were sometimes called a 'juno'. Roman art regularly depicted the 'genius' spirit of a person to appear as a winged youth, while the 'genius' of a place or house-hold was seen as a serpent.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 12:03:10
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Werewolves are often believed to be sorcerers or magicians who have deliberately taken on the wolven form and powers through a diabolical pact, with some vile creature or nether world spirit.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 12:04:21
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The Banshee is commonly regarded to be a spirit of Irish and Scottish myth, also sometimes called 'the Little Washer of Sorrow', in Scotland. She was commonly depicted as having one nostril, a large front tooth projecting from her jaw, and streaming, and stringy long hair. Because it was believed that she spent her entire life by the lakes, it was presumed that she had webbed feet. Her constant wailing could be heard from the river side, while she was washing the clothes of a person (normally a man) who was soon to die. She had bright red eyes, mainly due to her constant weeping and wailing.
It was also believed that should she ever be caught by a mortal man while washing clothes in the river, she would be forced to reveal the name of the man destined to soon die, and bestow three wishes upon the person who had captured her.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 12:06:00
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These next few posts are really only useful, if like me, you sometimes use a little philosophy in your campaigns -
Leibniz liked to believe that the world and the surrounding universe was composed of fundamental self-subsistent, individual monads. These monads were governed by rational thinking and consciousness, that he believed to be like 'calculation'. Acording to Leibniz every person in the modern world was basically alone with their freedoms, to behave as they saw fit.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 12:07:44
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Some useful terms -
Dualism
This is the metaphysical idea that the world is in reality two kinds of thing, usually mind and matter.
Res Cogitans
Rene Descartes' theory that we all are basically disembodied thinking beings
Res Extensa
Rene Descartes' theory that all material things are simply extended geometric shapes in a spatial co-ordinates system.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2003 : 12:10:26
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That's it for updates today. I am only going to be adding a few updates for the next few days, as my friend has many of my tidbit notebooks.
Anyway, let's see some other ideas from people 
May all your learning be free and unfettered
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Herr Doktor
Seeker
52 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 05:52:41
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I found this information on the web, just scrounging for something to contribute. I am in love with this thread! Keep posting guys!
quote:
Some words pertaining to castles:
battlements——a low wall with alternating rising and lowering stonework for the archers.
barbican——a fort at a gate or bridge leading to a city or castle.
bastion——a fortification that extendes from the castle where archers are positioned.
crenelation——atop the walls surrounding the castle and its grounds was the alternating rising and lowering of stonework. The crenelations allowed the archers space to fire from and protected them at the same time.
curtain wall——the huge walls that surround the castle and castle grounds.
dungeon——where prisoners were confined. It was in the upper region of the castle, the lower part of the castle was for storage.
drawbridge——the bridge lowered over the moat for entry into the castle.
embrasure——same as the crenelation. An open space with raised stonework on either side to fire projectiles from.
esplande——level or sloping open space around the castle which left the attackers open to fire.
guardrobe——this was the toilet seat, placed inside a recess in the castle walls. It emptied out into the moat or a stream if there was no moat.
garrison——the soldiers who lived on castle grounds.
great hall——the large hall on either levels of the castle which led to the other rooms.
keep——the innermost and safest part of a castle, also another word for castle.
loops——the slits in the tower walls from which the archers would shoot from.
machicolation--same as a murder hole, an opening in castle ceilings for soldiers to strike at intruders.
merlons——the name for the rising stonework on either end of the embrasure.
moat——a deep trench filled with water that encircled many castles. The filth from the guardrobe found its way there which helped keep the intruders away, sort of like crossing the Rio Grande (but more effective). Some castles did not have moats.
motte--castles without a moat would be built on a motte, a defensive mound that sloped away from the wall. This made it difficult for invaders to get close to the wall and possibly tunnel under it or break into and through it.
murder holes--if invaders got through the gate, there were openings in the ceilings above from which defending soldiers would shoot arrows, throw spears and rocks or pour boiling water.
portcullis——the gate of timber or iron laticework suspended by chains over the gateway to a castle, lowered when under attack.
parapet——the wall which the archers stood behind.
solar room——another name for bedroom.
tower--there were towers placed throughout the curtain walls. Archers would shoot their arrows from the slits in the tower's walls.
turret——a small tower projecting from the castle.
wall-walk——the area atop the curtain wall on which the archers walked.
Here are some of titles held by important men:
chief justiciar——the chief political and judicial officer
chamberlan——manager of the king's household
chancellor——had judicial powers
constable (also castellan or castle commander)—— Watched over the garrison, weapons and soldiers food. Govern district and in charge of castle repair.
marshal——was in charge of military affairs and ceremonies
steward (also reeve or bailiff)——the king's chief officer of a town or district.
sheriff——chief law-enforcement officer of a county. Keeps the peace, executed court orders, collects taxes. Presided over the "Shire Moot", a court held periodically in his shire.
wardrober——In charge of clothing, food, jewelry, etc. Also kept the king's private seal. His office became one of great power.
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Herr Doktor
Seeker
52 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 05:55:48
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Here's some stuff on medieval entertainment:
Entertainment for the peasants:
The poor had to wait until the harvest festivals and Christmas for pleasure. There were quarterstave bouts, archery contests, music and dancing.
Entertainment for the "Nobility":
While the nobility entertained themselves by hunting and playing music and games, they also brought entertainers into their homes. Among the performers were:
jugglers, acrobats, tumblers, contortionists, minstrels, harpers and jongleurs, who would sing and played lutes and harps. The games the nobles played were:
chess, checkers, cards and backgammon.
They also went to the fairs and were entertained by:
tightrope walkers, jugglers, musicians, singers, tame bears, trained monkeys. There was merchandise from local sources, Europe, the Middle East and Asia for them to buy.
Some wind instruments:
recorder (flute), cornet, trumpet, bugle, bagpipe, shawm (oboe).
Some stringed instruments:
fiddle, lute, gittern (guitar), vielle (viol), lyre, dulcimer, psaltery, and harp.
They also had portable church-organs and tabor (small drum).
Singing:
Singers went under different names:
troubadors (lyric poets and musicians 11th-13th c. France and Italy), goliards (same as minstrel), and the previously mentioned jongleurs and minstrels.
Singing Styles:
Gregorian chants — liturgical, one-voice plain songs.
Monophonic — single melodic, no accompaniment.
Polyphonic — two or more independent voices.
Descant — counterpoint or melody above main melody.
Several types of music and songs:
motet (sacred vocal composition), madrigal (secular lyrical composition), ballade (song intended for dance accompaniment), rondeaux (instrumental), hocket (a contrapuntal vocal composition — counterpoint or various melodies).
The history of the harpsichord:
The harpsichord is a very important instrument because it led to the invention of the piano. The clavichord was also invented during medieval times, a keyboard instrument with a softer sound than the harpsichord.
The invention of the harpsichord came from the psaltery, an ancient instrument played with a plectrum. In about the year 1350, a keyboard was added to the psaltery, and the portable harpsichord was invented. The harpsichord was improved in the 1400's in Flanders, and again in the 1500's in Italy.
History of the organ:
The organ was invented by the Greeks, circa 100 BC.
After the fall of Rome, the organ was used only in the Eastern Empire. It was re-introduced to Europe circa 750.
There were three types of organs in use by the 12th century:
The portative, which could be carried about.
The positive organ, heavier with more keys.
The church organs, played in cathedrals, in use by the 10th century.
History of the violin:
9th century — stringed instruments played with a bow were in use.
10th and 11th centuries: The vielle and rote (aka rotta) were in use.
11th century — a pear-shaped resonance box was in use and there were also oval and elliptical stringed instruments which were flat-bodied. Also, the rebec was introduced to southern Europe by Arab merchants and artists.
11th century: The vielle and rote were replaced by the vielle. It soon had ribs added, the guitar-like shape and had 4 or 5 strings.
The three major stringed instruments by the 15th century:
The viola da gamba, held between the knees.
The lira da braccio, played with a bow.
The viola a braccia, held against the shoulder. This instrument was also known as the violin.
Some medieval composers:
Adam de la Halle (1238-1287)
Guillaume de Machaut (1340-1377)
John Dunstable (1369-1453)
Johannes Ockeghem (1420-1496)
Josquin des Pres (1450-1521)
Conrad Paumann (1453-1473)
Alexander Agricola (1446-1506)
Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)
Giovanni da Palestrina (1525-1594)
Giovanni Gabrielli (1557-1612)
William Byrd (1543-1623)
Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652)
To hear what some Medieval instruments sounded like go to:
www.s-hamilton.k12.ia.us/antiqua/instrumt.html
Some medieval tales:
The legends of King Arthur had been circulating for centuries before Geoffrey on Monmouth (c. 1100-1154) wrote his History of the British Kings. The Welsh (Celtic peoples) legends were retold and embellished during the 12th, 13th and 15th centuries.
Along with Arthur in these tales were Lady Guinevere, Merlin the Magician, the Lady of the Lake, the city and fortress of Camelot, Arthur's sword Excalibur, the Round Table and Arthur's knights, of which were Lancelot, Galahad, Percival, Gawain and Tristan. The search for the Holy Grail was also a part of the legend, being that Joseph of Arimathea was said to have journeyed to Britain with the cherished item.
The legends of Robin Hood began to circulate in the year 1375. Robin Hood was supposed to have been alive during King John's reign.
Piers Plowman. A satirical poem written during King Edward III's reign by William Langland (1332-1400). Written circa 1362, it was a factor in the peasant's rebellion in 1381.
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340-1400) was a poet. He wrote the Canterbury Tales, which was about a group of story-telling pilgrims.
Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) an author who wrote the Decameron, a story which described the Black Plague.
The Ballad of William Tell began in 1467.
Some other forms of entertainment were:
falconry, hunting, bear baiting, dice, chess, bowling, skating, bandy ball (field hockey), golf tennis and the battledore and shuttlecock (badminton).
Some of the toys were: the hoop and stick, windmill, clay animals, wooden horses and weapons, dolls and carved wooden soldiers. |
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Herr Doktor
Seeker
52 Posts |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 07:57:34
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Very good, Herr Doktor. I like some of that information -- it's the sort of thing I always copy down myself, should I ever come across it.
Oh, and I'm sure you'll be amused to know that you usurped some of my own information with a few pieces up there. Ah, well. So long as it gets out! |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 08:45:13
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Sage, I have to take note of one of your posts on the previous page, namely the one about the Banshee. You assumed that the Irish and the Scotish versions were the same. They actually aren't. A lot of legends among the two are very similar, though, including this one, because the people used to be one and the same.
(Mix up the two areas nowadays and you'll get your head bitten off by a Scotsman or an Irishman who hears you; however, "Scot" actually refers to the people of Eire, or Ireland. Then when a bunch of Scots moved to the other side of the waters, they sort of absorbed the Picts and that area became the land of the Scots. Sic transit historia, if I may mix my Latin.)
The version you were describing was the Scotish version -- the Bean Nighe (pronounced "ben-nee-yah"), or the Washer of the Fords. (Other names are ban nighechain, "little washerwoman," and nigheag na h-ath "little washer at the ford." Please don't ask me to pronounce those, though!)
This creature is supposed to be wandering around deserted streams, often trying to wash away the blood from the grave-clothes of the soon to be dead. They're supposed to be the spirits of those women who died in childbirth; supposedly they have to do this job of theirs until the day they would have died, had they lived to die of old age.
Your description is right -- one eye, one (very large) tooth, and webbed feet. She's supposed to also have large, sagging breasts, and if a man sneaks up to her, grabs one, and suckles it, he's officially a wean-child and can gain one wish.
The Irish version is the most famous one; the term banshee is a corrupted version of Bean Sidhe, and it means either woman of the hills or woman of the faeries, depending on the translation. You can also find ones that say "woman of the faery hills," so that they can hedge their bets.
The mix-up is not so much a question of words as it is meaning -- faeries (meaning all supernatural folk, such as the pookha, the leprechaun, etc.) were supposed to live in hollow hills. This was probably due to historical fact. See, in legend, the Celts weren't the first ones there. They drove out the previous tenants, the Formorians, or the Firbolgs. (Recognize that last?) These, in turn, had driven away the Sidhe: the elves, faeries, and the like.
Now, the early inhabitants of Ireland used tombs for their dead that they piled earth over -- in effect, a hollow hill. They also used natural caverns for worship. There's one that you have to sort of slide on your back for a long distance to get inside; the hole is practically invisible. Personally, I think the legends are true, to an extent. Newcomers drive away the old, who retreat into their tombs and caves for a while, until they die or are absorbed into the new poulation. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot we know, and it's never a good idea to base things on legend. Most legends are made well after the fact, and are distorted to be more entertaining.
Sorry about the tangent. Anyway, the Bean Sidhe doesn't spend any special time near water; though Richard the Clare, a Norman invader, was supposed to have met one washing his own armor and robes in the manner of the Bean Nighe. (That couldn't have been pleasant!) Typically, though, they instead go to the household of the dead-to-be. Usually they can't be seen, but sometimes they linger in the light. They usually appear as a young to middle-aged women, with long streaming hair and tear-streaked faces, their eyes red and puffy from crying. They usually wear grey cloaks over green dresses
If you can catch them, you can bargain the name of the doomed for her freedom. If it's more than one Bean Sidhe, though, then it's someone powerful, great, or holy. Occording to some, the spirit or spirits don't really care about evil men; they only wail for those who will be missed.
Long-standing, large families in Ireland are said to have their own Bean Sidhe, who will follow them even if they move. It's said that one man (I can't remember his name, I used to have it) moved to Australia in the 19th century, and his family Bean Sidhe appeared there. He died a week later.
You can actually look up the names of the particular Bean Sidhe spirits; Aiobhill is the banshee of the Dalcassians of North Munster, and Cliodna is the banshee of the MacCarthys and other families of South Munster. Those are the only two I have written down, though. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 09:48:26
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At last, another scribe has joined our noble ranks. Great stuff Herr Doktor, I hope you try to make some regular contributions here .
Anyway, I must thank you Bookwyrm. After I read your post, I returned to my notebook where the entry was to re-read it. There was an error in my notes. I consulted the book from were I summarised the information and I found that indeed, the entry dealing with the creature made the distinction you just mentioned. What I don't understand is, I already knew this information, so why did my notes say different  . Anyway let this be a lesson to everyone, to recheck your notes regularly. 
May all your learning be free and unfettered
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 09:58:15
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I forgot to mention something in my last post. Herr Doktor, there is a fascinating 1000 page treatise on the history and development of the violin located at Project Gutenburg. Bookwyrm, you may want to look at this amazing resource too. It publishes a vast selection of books on various topics in electronic format. The good thing about it is, it is all legal and official. It is an amazing resource, make sure you check it out.
Anyway, here's my first update. I have modelled a lot of my Paladin and Knight Orders in my campaigns around the principles and methods of the Teutonics Knights of Middle Ages Europe. Presented here are a collection of small portions of information I have used -
As the Middle Ages progressed, the elite mounted warriors of western Europe became known as knights. A code of behavior evolved, called chivalry, which detailed how they should conduct themselves. They were obsessed with honor, both at war and at peace, although mainly when dealing with their peers, not the commoners and peasants who constituted the bulk of the population. Knights became the ruling class, controlling the land from which all wealth derived. The aristocrats were noble originally because of their status and prestige as the supreme warriors in a violent world. Later their status and prestige were based mainly on heredity, and the importance of being a warrior declined.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 09:59:29
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This is a little snippet on the Knightly Code of Chivalry -
During the twelfth and thirteenth century, chivalry had come to mean an entire way of life for many nobles and mustered soldiery. The basic rules of the chivalric code were based on these underlying and fundamental principles:
* Protect women and the weak
* Champion justice against injustice and evil
* Love the homeland
* Defend the Church, even at the risk of death
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:00:33
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To categorise and distinguish the collection of knights on the battlefield, a system of symbolic badges called heraldry was created. Special badges were crafted for each nobleman. The badges were to be displayed on their shields, their surcoats (a loose robe worn over armor), flags, and seal. A surcoat which was decorated with a knight's badge came to be called a 'coat-of-arms' and this term itself came to describe the badges themselves. The independent organization known as the College of Heralds had developed the individual badges and had to ensure that each badge was unique. The heralds made records of all the Badges in special tomes that were normally under their care.
'Coats-of-arms' were handed down from one generation to the next and were usually changed by marriage. There were specific designs however that were reserved for the royalty of many different countries. As the Middle Ages progressed towns, guilds, and even prominent and important non-noble townsfolk received coats-of-arms.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:01:50
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In battle or combat, the combatants would utilise the coats-of-arms to distinguish friends and foes and for choosing a worthy opponent in a general melee. Heralds regularly made lists of knightsm who were soon to fight based on their badges. Heralds were considered neutral and could act as intermediaries between two opposing sides or armies. They could perform certain tasks for each side, such as the passing messages between the defenders of a castle or town and its besiegers. Usually after the battle, heralds were instructed to identify the dead by their individual coats-of-arms.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:03:10
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During the Middle Ages, rulers would reguarly supplement their military forces with 'green' troops, which were usually commoners, and laborers. A strong attraction for these commoners to become a soldier was the prospect of loot obtained during battle from one's enemys.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:04:13
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Cavalry was typically divided into three main groups, or divisions, to be sent into battle one after another, each unit succeeding the one previously sent forward. The first wave was expected to either break through or disrupt the enemy so that the second or third wave could break through. Once the enemy was running, or disorganised, the real killing and capturing could take place.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:04:30
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Thank you for that link, Sage. I've added it to my bookmarks, and I will definately be going back there when I have more time. Unfortunately, I've got an exam on Monday that's looking to be difficult, so I'm just sort of sitting over here in the corner, and checking back once in a while to see if anything good's popping up. Which there is -- pray continue, I want more trivia!
You know, I'm surprised at how only Herr Doktor has joined us here -- with all the page views this topic is getting, I wonder why no one else is chiming in yet? |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:05:27
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Killing enemy troops with arrows at a distance is a dishonorable tactic to knights, so the ruling classes did very little to develop this weapon and use it effectively.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:08:57
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I have been thinking that also. I mean it is good that a lot of people are viewing the scroll, but it is also a shame that there are so few people contributing to it.
Oh, and Bookwyrm, just out of curiosity, what is your exam coming up?.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 20 Jun 2003 10:09:46 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:11:14
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The difficulty in using archers was protecting them while they shot. To be effective they had to be fairly close to the enemy. English longbowmen carried stakes onto the battlefield that they pounded into the ground with mallets in front of the spot from which they wished to shoot. These stakes gave them some protection from enemy cavalry. They relied on their firepower to fight off enemy archers. They were at a disadvantage if attacked by enemy foot soldiers. Crossbowmen carried a large pavise shield into battle. This came with supports and could be set up in walls, from behind which the men could shoot.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:12:25
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A tactic of foot soldiers in the Dark Ages was simply to close with the enemy and start chopping. The Franks threw their axes just before closing to disrupt the enemy. Warriors relied on strength and ferocity to win.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:13:34
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During the early Middle Ages most battles were set-piece affairs where the two sides arranged themselves before the fighting began. Campaigns of maneuver and meeting engagements were rare.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2003 : 10:18:15
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| It's a philosophy exam. Specifically, for this one, the philosophy of religion. I know that the professor is going to ask some very tough questions. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Realistic Role-Playing
