| The Men Behind The Weapons |
| Friday, 18 February 2011 17:14 |
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In medieval history, one of the most important types of people was the blacksmith or “smithy.” The smithy was responsible for the weapons replicas of today. His job was to make, repair, and maintain the village weapons as well as those used in the medieval military. Virtually all of the replicas in our catalog originated with a medieval blacksmith. In addition to weapons, he made tools for the village and is also due credit for the armor replicas that are also available wherever medieval weapons replicas are sold.
Every medieval blacksmith shop had a furnace. The metals of future weapons were melted in the furnace so that they were soft enough to form the desired shape. After each initial design, the smithy continued to forge new replicas. While the modern world has a good many medieval blacksmiths to thank for the weapons that led to today’s beautiful replicas, without a blacksmith the medieval world would have been very different. Not only would none of the weapons replicas on today’s market have ever been made, but it is also true that the medieval people would have gone without a lot more than tools, weapons, and armor. Replicas of jewelry, ornaments, keys, knives, and other household items were also made by village blacksmiths, as were chains and torture instruments. The medieval period could certainly have done without its many instruments of torture. But without everyday items like tools, keys, hinges, and weapons, and an ongoing supply of new replicas, survival would have been impossible. A blacksmith’s job was very hard work, not to mention dirty and filled with soot. While the high walls of a medieval castle protected the blacksmith who lived and worked for the castle lord, he was not often given the respect his weapons and replicas should have won him. Yes, those stuffy ancient lords had the run of the castle. But it’s the medieval blacksmiths whose skills and talents continue to shine in the weapons replicas they’re still giving us today! |