Category Archives: medieval technology

Handgun Control in Medieval Japan

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a nice exhibit of Japanese arms and armor. Toward the end of the exhibit hung two very elegant matchlock guns dating to the Edo period (the 17th century). A small accompanying sign stated … Continue reading →

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Review: Songs for a Machine Age

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

Songs for a Machine Age by Heather McDougal My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is a delightful journey through an unusual fantasy world where machines and magic co-exist. While I didn’t find the heroine initially engaging, her talent … Continue reading →

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Deleted Scenes and Settings: St. Catherine’s Oratory, Chale, Isle of Wight

Posted on December 26, 2012 by

Every so often in my research I come upon a place or an idea so compelling that I must learn more.  Some of these places eventually become scenes, and some of those scenes, alas, end up on the cutting room floor.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Deleted scenes and settings, history, medieval, medieval technology, research, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bilbo Baggins’ Bathrobe: an example of poor world-building

Posted on December 14, 2012 by

Like many of you, I am excited to see the new film(s) based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.  I’ve been following its production from a distance, and was interested to read the Wall Street Journal review of the … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, history, medieval, medieval technology, movies, research, worldbuilding | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

A Brief History of Gunpowder Weapons in 14th Century England

Posted on October 10, 2012 by

There are a number of timelines of handguns on-line, but most have only a single date for the 14th century (and not even the dates listed by the others).  Then I found this one, by the Medieval Combat Society.  Good … Continue reading →

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Street View: Historical Style

Posted on May 30, 2012 by

I am fortunate to have been able to take a research jaunt to Germany and Avignon last year about this time, and to have brought home a couple thousand photos (I remember when that would have taken my entire carry-on full … Continue reading →

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The Medieval Fantasy Author’s Must-see

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

Okay, if you’re a fantasy writer, doing anything remotely inspired by medieval history, you should be getting on a plane to Kalamazoo, Michigan–right now!   At the very least, you should know *why* I would urge you to Kalamazoo.  Sadly, the flights … Continue reading →

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Smarten up, Museums–don’t Dumb it Down!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by

One thing that pisses me off about museums and historical sites is when they don’t have any documentation of the truly unique aspects of their collection.  No catalogs, monographs, research or historical books in a gift store filled with stuff for … Continue reading →

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Thanks for Sharing your Obsessions!

Posted on December 7, 2011 by

A couple of the titles I’ve recently added to my shelf are chapbooks produced by the Society for Creative Anachronism, as part of their Compleat Anachronist series. The latest one I acquired is “Handgonnes in the Middle Ages” by Don … Continue reading →

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Review: the Major Surgery Of Guy De Chauliac, a 14th century Surgeon’s Guide

Posted on November 15, 2011 by

the Major Surgery Of Guy De Chauliac by Leonard D. Rosenman My rating: 4 of 5 stars It is a terrible defect in my education that I do not read Latin–especially now that I am involved with research for my … Continue reading →

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