It's surprising to see how far from Matt Easton's view on the Dane axe (presented in an excellent video) they are.

You are most welcome. Thanks for your appreciation.

Thanks for your appreciation.

I would like that too, and I have advised documentaries occasionally. However, final decisions are with the director and producers, which is why so often we see top researchers in a documentary, and then there are scenes with lousy props and filthy actors with long fuzzy hair in ahistorical crap costume. But: Hope springs eternal!

Thank you.

Thanks for your appreciation. Being invited to academic conferences already is some great recognition of my work.

You are welcome.

😆On day 2, we had to move to a different conference room, as the previous one was double-booked. When the guys of that other meeting learned about the nature of our conference, they said they would much rather join us and watch the demos!

@@swordandshield 😂

Thanks for your appreciation of my work and your ideas.

Remains of combat knives from Birka sport respective fittings which make a lanyard or a sword knot likely. Respective items are mentioned in the Icelandic sagas repeatedly, even though these were only written down in the 13th and 14th centuries, and thus have to be treated with care. Here is a video on testing a hypothesis regarding swort knots/lanyards for spatha type swords: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jMyXe5R3mLWyp6c.htmlsi=p0yHYj50WF-Yi9Ru

@@swordandshield thanks

In which context?

@@swordandshield . What I meant to say was that recreationist should be included in these talks, instead of just reenactors who don't necessarily tend to be historically accurate. To me reenactors sounds to much like LAARPing and not having the seriousness for this project.

Of course spears were discussed in various contexts, plus we looked at originals too. Yet any such format can only cover so much.

@@swordandshield Wasn't a reproach. Swords always get the glory...

@@HrothgarTheSaxon True. And I am a sword geek too, although that's no news I guess.

@@swordandshield can you answer me why reenactors dont usae fencing masks? like year its not historycal, but so is the fencistyle that has to be guild around it to keep everyone save. Greek hoplite reenactors show how it can be done, and they also show why people didnt fight in shoving matches (b c everyone would die, tho for some reason they dont seem to change thier mind.

@@giftzwerg7345 I notice you also asked this question in a separate thread. I have replied to it there.

I did re-enactment fighting for many years myself, and had some great wild fun. So I for one understand why one would enjoy it. Of course it is ahistorical and far from what is suggested by historical accounts and archaeology, e.g. in terms of technique, weapon length etc. However, putting on masks and using other blunted weapon simulators is just a different form of distorsion, if we are honest. You may argue that it is closer to actual combat because there is no limitation regarding hit areas etc. And I am inclined to say that this is true, in particular considering range and measure. However, in my experience, people wearing masks tend to take risks that they would not take without protection. Plus, even more importantly, sharp weapon interaction is a major factor in historical combat. Blunt weapons are distorting this. For instance, sharp spears get stuck in shields, sharp swords can move shields and control spear shafts in a meaningful way. Sharp edges get dull in combat so that they can still kill but no longer bite and bind with precision without resharpening. All these options and correlations are gone when weapons are blunt. Really makes you wonder what training looked like in the day.

Reenactors are just that, actors who are reenacting. Instead we should concentrate more on recreationists who are the ones more interested in historical facts and accurate information!

@@tatumergo3931I agree that actual research and archaeological experimentation is not a focus of the general sports fighting re-enactment community. However, this does not mean that research is not appreciated by that community. In fact, I'd say the opposite is true, even when there is little noticable impact. Plus, there are always exceptions: I originally come from that scene too, and so does Tom, Jersø. I think there is a great overlap, and in regard to craftspeople, we should be happy that re-enactment/living history exists. With a clear focus, it is possible to takle the best from both worlds, and like you I hope there will be more people interested in history per se in the future.