Medieval Living

We held our first chainmail class yesterday . . . we have a second one scheduled for this afternoon. How did yesterday’s class go? Well . . . one of the things I’ve learned as a teacher is that MY expectations for a class are often different then my students’ expectations. Learning to be flexible with the outcomes is important. Because of the age differences throughout the class – we had around 18 students, ranging in ages from 8 to 18 – we were presented with a lot of different skill levels. It was quickly apparent that many of them lacked either the experience of using simple hand tools or the dexterity to manipulate them. Like any of us, not having the skills to do something can lead to frustration and a loss of interest. Also, the class was much larger then I wanted . . . given the age spread and skill differences, 10 to 12 is about the limit – we had 18.

However . . . we had also brought with us a variety of armor pieces, including a chainmail coif and vest, a couple of leather breastplates (solid leather and lamellar) and “legs”, a plate helm, “arms”, and gorget, and a lorica segmentata breastplate. The students enjoyed trying on the armor (even when it weighed more then they did) and posing for pictures. The dress-up time served as an excellent opportunity to answer questions about the development of armor and its history. We also had some samples of the different chainmail patterns, which led to other discussions about the history of armor.

So . . . even though the class didn’t go quite as expected (from my point of view), I do think that the students and their parents had an enjoyable time and learned more then just how to weave a piece of chainmail. I do have some changes in mind for this afternoon’s class – things that will help to reduce the early onset of frustration and loss of attention. I’ll let you know how they go! I will also post some photos on the webpage by the weekend.

Thanks to the Cherry Hills Library for the use of their large meeting room . . . I hope we weren’t too disruptive to the rest of their activities.

The chainmail class scheduled for April 21 at the Cherry Hills Library is full! I intended on stopping it at 12 . . . but it grew to 17 before I had any idea!!! That’s ok – we have enough materials for that size of class, but the room at the library will be bursting at the rafters if we add anymore!!! I will schedule another class very soon – I have a new class space in Rio Rancho, so I will make that an option as well. If you are still interested in the chainmail class, send me an email and I will put you on the next list.

scott@medieval-living.com

Thanks for all your interest.

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I don’t even have the inkle loom weaving out of the starting block yet and someone starts asking about chainmail classes! Geesh! The date is set for the 21st of April from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Cherry Hills Library. I will post that to the homeschool forums – please, feel free to cross-post this information!

So what would I teach these homeschool kiddos? Well I don’t think I will force them into a full hour of cutting rings . . . maybe it would give them a true sense of how much work is involved in getting ready to “weave” mail . . . but I have a hunch that most of them would revolt long before the hour was up. Maybe five minutes at cutting rings will be sufficient. Of course, that means that I will be cutting rings for hours so that I have enough to teach the little darlings. That’s ok . . . I’m a glutton for punishment and I’ve been told that I have more patience then some saints. I probably will start them out with some nice, soft aluminum rings . . . easy to manipulate so as to avoid early frustration. We can move on to some good ol’ galvanized steel 16 guage rings . . . and I’ll have some 14 guage around just in case some of them are feeling like a challenge.

Every young lady should have a European 4-in-1 vest in her wardrobe!!!

As 14th century England is our Medieval focus, I would think European 4-in-1 would be the primary pattern for us to work on. Of course, having a few samples of European 6-in-1 and king’s mail will help to show some of the basic variations, along with a few of the “Japanese” patterns.

So . . . I don’t consider myself a sexist by any means, but I try to be aware of the sensitivities of the young ladies who might be in the class . . . and bending big rings of wire to make some silly armor pieces may not be of much interest. For them, I will offer a few chainmail-inspired jewelry projects to work on. While not Medieval in any shape or form, the projects would still teach the basics of chainmail weaving . . . and they might be alot more fun! Anyone who knows me also knows that I’ve probably produced a few hundered chainmail jewelry items over the years . . . so a few more won’t hurt! Actually, there’s a little gothic shop down the street – I’m hoping to convince them that chainmail jewelry might be something worth having in their display cases – Raven Blackwood. Once I get the first inkle loom class out of the way, I will spend a little more energy making some jewelry and cutting rings for the class. If you’re not doing anything, drop me a line . . . I’ll give you a ring-cutting assignment!!! I’m serious . . . if you’ve ever cut rings, you know what I’m facing . . . any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

One of the features of Medieval times was the use of chainmail armor. Its one of those curious developments, created during a time when military battles were almost exclusively hand-to-hand, and so the need for good armor was essential. I started playing around making chainmail back oh . . . ten years or more. Made quite a few different items, from simple coifs to the more complicated hauberk and even a pair of gloves or two. I even played with some less-than-Medieval chainmail jewelry. Probably one of the best know sources for information and materials related to Medieval chainmail would be The Ring Lord out of Saskatoon, Canada. He has been providing chainmail enthusiasts with supplies and tutorials since the mid 90′s. If you have any interest in how to build chainmail armor or anything else, he’s a wonderful resource.
In January this year, I will be offering some classes (primarily for homeschool kiddos, but don’t mind teaching others) on basic chainmail techniques and materials. If you’re interesed, and if you’re in the general Albuquerque area, let me know! The picture is a chainmail coif, made of 12 gauge galvanized steel wire formed into 3/8″ rings. The pattern is the traditional European 4 in 1. The dashing young model is #1 son.