IMC 2020: Sessions

Session 1035: Martial Culture through the Middle Ages, I: Arms, Armour, and Fighting across Borders

Wednesday 8 July 2020, 09.00-10.30

Sponsor:	Society for Historical European Martial Arts Studies
Organiser:	Jacob H. Deacon, Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds
Moderator/Chair:	Alan V. Murray, Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds
Paper 1035-a	It's Only A Sword: Challenging the Mysticism of High Medieval Swords (Language: English) Robert W. Jones, Advanced Studies in England, Franklin & Marshall College, Pennsylvania Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Literacy and Orality, Military History
Paper 1035-b	Art and Technology, Flesh and Steel, Artefact and Symbol: Armours as Boundary Objects (Language: English) Chassica Kirchhoff, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Military History
Paper 1035-c	The (Mis)Translation of Giacomo di Grassi's His True Arte of Defence (Language: English) Jacob H. Deacon, Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds Index terms: Art History - General, Language and Literature - Comparative, Military History
Abstract	This chronologically and geographically wide-ranging panel will explore three separate interpretations of martial culture relating to the theme of borders. Rob Jones will reconsider the significance of high medieval swords, arguing that perceptions of them as magical weapons of power and potency is a modern construct. Chassica Kirchhoff will explore armours as boundary objects, displaying the ways in which histories and meanings of specific armours prompt reconsideration of current models of periodisation and disciplinary divisions. Finally, Jacob Deacon will discuss the English translation of Giacomo di Grassi's Italian fight book, and how the 'mistranslation' of the images changes understandings of the text and associated combat techniques.