Medieval and Renaissance Costumes for Modern People

Medieval and Renaissance Costumes for Modern People

Medieval and renaissance costumes bring to life the fashion sense of the men and women of early fifteenth to late sixteen century Italy, and of the rest of Europe up to half a century later.

Although the term ‘fashion sense’ might appear to be a facetious term for that era, in fact the Italians were no less fashion conscious five hundred years ago as they are now. Then, Renaissance was the time of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and the Tudors such as King Henry VIII. It was a time of rebirth, which is what the word literally means. So was the clothing worn in that era up to the standard of the art and science that it is better known for?

What was medieval in Middle Ages England was Renaissance in Italy and France. What is commonly described as Renaissance clothing can range from a country maid’s costume, available from some online websites, to the full kit of a Lady in Waiting to the Italian throne. In fact if you are interested in this period of history you can purchase clothing designed to the exact styles worn by people of all classes in that era.

If you are interested in learning more about life in medieval times go to Historical Weapons Store to read insightful articles, purchase fantasty costumes and find out key festival dates near you.

Robin of Locksley Costumes and History

Robin Hood is an outlaw of old English folk tales, which may or may not have a basis in actual events. Many accounts of Robin Hood, though not the very earliest, bear a striking similarity to accounts of the life of a Norman noble who was disinherited and became an outlaw and an enemy of the King of England.

In older legends the outlaw's enemy is the local sheriff, but in later versions the sheriff is despotic and gravely abuses his position, appropriating land, levying excessive taxation, and persecuting the poor. In some tales the antagonist is Prince John, based on the image of John of England, who is seen as the unjust opposite character of his pious brother Richard the Lionheart. In the older version of the story, Robin Hood is described as a nobleman, the earl of Locksley, who was unjustly deprived of his lands. In other stories, he has served in the crusades, returning to England to find his lands pillaged by the dastardly sheriff.

In some tales he is the champion of the people, fighting against corrupt officials and the oppressive order that protects them, while in others he is an arrogant and headstrong rebel, who delights in bloodshed, cruelly slaughtering and beheading his victims. This tale changes a bit for more modern audiences.

If you are interested in learning more about life in medieval times go to Historical Weapons Store to read insightful articles, purchase fantasty costumes and find out key festival dates near you.

Blunderbuss Pistols - More Nimble than Flintlocks

The Blunderbuss was commonly used as a defensive weapon on British, French, and American warships to repel would-be boarders. Most of these weapons are mid-sized, being smaller than most shoulder-fired arms, but larger than a pistol. Although fitted with a butt, the dimensions suggest that most were not really intended to be fired from the shoulder and were instead fired from the hip.


The compact dimensions of a blunderbuss would facilitate use in small spaces (e.g. on a ship, or in a house) and would also make storage easier. For those requiring an even smaller weapon, blunderbuss pistols were also produced, though these are now less common.
The blunderbuss was in use in the 17th century, and is the weapon most commonly pictured in the arms of the Pilgrims. Flintlock blunderbusses were also used by Catherine the Great's forces during foreign wars to expand Russia's territory.

The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.

Captain Morgan is more than just a guy on a bottle of rum

The 17th-century Caribbean privateer from Wales, Sir Henry Morgan was among England's most notorious and successful privateers. Known affectionately by bar-goers and Rum connoisseurs everywhere as Captain Morgan. It could be argued that Captain Morgan was a pirate, although most history references would list him as a privateer.

A privateer was a private warship authorized by a country's government by letters of marquee to attack foreign shipping. Strictly, a privateer was only entitled to attack enemy vessels during wartime. However, states often encouraged attacks on opposing powers while at peace, or on neutral vessels during time of war, blurring the line between privateering and piracy. Assuming Captain Morgan blurred those lines often, he was no stranger to The Blunderbuss.

The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.

Flintlocks and a Pirate Cutlass

Flintlock pistols were so called because the lock uses a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger is pulled. Flintlocks may be any type of small arm: long gun or pistol, smoothbore or rifle, muzzleloader or breechloader.
Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. However, one of the more popular types is the French or India Flintlock pistol, with an engraved handle, long thing barrel and steel highlights. Very often pirates of the 18th century carried French flintlock pistols in their raiding exploits. During the pirates glory days, from approximately 1640s until the 1680s, you would be able to find a pirate carrying on his person a flintlock pistol and a cutlass or sometimes a combination of both.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.

Pirates and Flintlock Pistols

Pirates and flintlocks go together like sharks and water. No self respecting swashbuckler would have been caught without a proper pistol by his side. Flintlocks can come in a variety of sizes and shapes, engraved with ivory, double barreled, antique brass or silver. What they all have in common is the classic look of a long, lean pistol with flint trigger action and effective targeting. This classic pirate weapon would be an excellent addition to anyone’s pirate collection.

Today’s replica pirate flintlock reproduction is similar to ones found in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Pirate Flintlock Pistol features wood stock detailed with skull & cross bones and a steel finish barrel. This practical 18th century French pirate flintlock does not boast much decoration, except for the skull and crossbones embossed into the handle. In contrast to the lean look of a classic flintlock, there is also the blunderbuss. This huge, intimidating weapon were particularly adapted to ship-based combat, where loading a pistol in the middle of an attract was as easy and conducting surgery on a moving bicycle.

The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.

The History and Evolution of World War I & II Helmets: Part IV

(continued)

In the Second World War, a Stahlhelm variant without the visor and rim was issued to paratrooper units.

The Stahlhelm with its distinctive "coal scuttle" shape was an excellent symbol for military imagery. It was a common element of military propaganda on both sides, just like the Pickelhaube before. After WWII, West Germany abandoned the distinctive Stahlhelm, which had become a symbol of German military aggression, using a variant of the more harmless-looking US Army "GI Pot" helmet instead. After the war, the West German police units kept the Stahlhelm in their inventories, though it was seldom worn, and the German Paratroopers variant was used for some time by the German Federal Police. German firefighters today still use Stahlhelm-shaped helmets in a fluorescent color. The Chilean Army still uses the Stahlhelm design for ceremonial purposes.



This is the final post of a 4 part series. I hope that you enjoyed the read.



Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.