Skip to main content

IMC 2018: Sessions

Session 149: Re-Enactment and Medieval Studies, I: Martial Arts

Monday 2 July 2018, 11.15-12.45

Organiser:Melissa Venables, School of English, University of Nottingham
Moderator/Chair:Melissa Venables, School of English, University of Nottingham
Paper 149-aUnderstanding the Mechanics of Armour and Weapon Use, Or, How We Know What We Think We Know
(Language: English)
Dean Davidson, Society for Combat Archaeology, Leeds
Stuart Ivinson, Society for Combat Archaeology / Royal Armouries, Leeds
Index terms: Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Military History
Abstract

What is the relationship between medieval studies and re-enactment? There are many kinds of re-enactors with many different agendas, and the same re-enactment group may have different purposes at different times. Likewise, there are many academic approaches to the Middle Ages, to the point where defining 'medieval studies' itself is up for debate. But ultimately the core goal of re-enactment is the same as that of the most traditional academic researcher: to achieve some greater understanding of the past. The first of two sessions on this theme, this session will focus on combat and medieval martial arts.