"The Normans - Their history, arms and tactics " Topic

"I have always been fascinated by those energetic people from northern France, known to history as the Normans. In the space of two centuries the duchy of Normandy stood as a prime mover in European affairs, not only completing the conquest of England but also stretching its arms out to southern Italy and Sicily. Even after the duchy lost its autonomy and was absorbed into the Kingdom of France-proper it still exerted great power and influence within that realm. Many of these men were larger than life figures who led lives even Hollywood could not imagine. Not only have I had a life-long interest in the Normans themselves but I have also had a particular fascination with their arms and equipment.

Who were these people and what made them such a significant force upon the European stage? What equipment and techniques made them so effective on the battlefield? Can their lethality really be a result of superior technology or was it something more intangible like national pride? Perhaps it was simple greed and ambition that fueled the fires of conquest?

Here we will discuss the Normans and their history and I will outline my own personal attempt to recreate the arms and equipment of a Norman warrior of the 11th century. Perhaps in that last respect this is just as much my story as it is theirs…"
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Amicalement
Armand

That was a heck (long) of a read. Should have settled into a more comfortable device and chair. Thanks.

~$2300 for a Norman hauberk and kit. Sounds like several fancy miniature armies.

A votre service mon ami!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

I recognize two of those horsemen. :)
Jesse Bailey and Andy Lang.
Here they are from 2005

Those names doesn't sound very Norman!
But they look good for being about 1000 years old.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Those names doesn't sound very Norman!

But very French, Jean Baile and André Langue

(although Lang is more likely Germanic)