12. Men at Arms

The term man-at-arms primarily denoted a military function, rather than a social rank. The military function that a man-at-arms performed was serving as a fully armoured heavy cavalryman; though he could, and in English armies often did, also fight on foot. The man-at-arms could be a wealthy mercenary of any social origins, but more often had some level of social rank based on income, usually from land.
The terms knight and man-at-arms are often used interchangeably, but while all knights certainly were men-at-arms, not all men-at-arms were knights.

Ancestors Range
Click to seefull range

Pewter Medieval Knight (on Horseback 13C) Suit of Armour # 7658

Pewter Medieval C15th. Knight with Pennant 4.25ins. Ancestors # 7706
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Pewter Medieval C16th. Mounted Knight 4.25ins Ancestors # 7689
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11. The White Queen

Of late the BBC has churned out some fascinating historically based programs.

The White Queen has been one such series not to be missed.  I must admit I watch the actual program when in the bath, the joy of having an iPad, provided one does not drop in. I have often had to find time to look up some of the protagonists or events in WikapediA and enjoyed the quest to delve deeper. What I can't believe is the distances covered and speed of troop movements.



English Medieval Ship ''Thomas''
Click on the Image for more detail

 

For the enthusiastic modeller we can offer this model as seen on a number of occasions during the series. The Mayflower would also be a slightly later example of vessels used.

10. Is History being repeated?

Today’s headlines makes one wonder if we are reliving history. ” Police are examining new information which alleges that Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed were murdered by a member of the British military.”

Travel back to our civil war “The war of the Roses” and we see this sort of thing happening with impunity as the main protagonists work their way to the throne and off again usually by being killed by a would be successor.

Edward IV was the first king to marry for love and to marry a commoner, Elizabeth Woodville, in a secret marriage much against his cousin’s wishes Lord Warwick - known as the “King Maker”

This was a particularly bloody period in British History with Royals and nobles losing their head over personal ambition or being on the wrong side at the wrong time.

 

One of many Pewter Knights in stock

Click on the image to see more

 

Suits of armour were part of every nobleman’s attire. as can be seen in these figurines.

 

       

 

9. One’s Own History Can Surprise One.

Even your own history can turnaround and surprise you when you least expect it. We were off it investigate the history of Henry VII at Ludlow Castle when we saw signs for the 125^th. Shrewsbury Flower Festival and took a detour.

 Weather was warm and cloudy, just right for strolling around the hundreds of exhibiters. I will not spend time telling what a great show it turned out to be as you can follow it on this link by clicking on the Photo One tiny segment of the show with ample seating to rest and listen



The photos are of one tiny segment of the show

A tiny part of a Massive Show click to see official site

One of the many food spots. Thousands of people and never crowded.

 

https://en-gb.facebook.com/ShrewsburyFlowerShow 

 

For us a memorable a show and something totally unexpected. We entered the grounds and getting our bearings when a six foot++ character barred our way and said “I bet you don’t remember me!” Believe me, one’s past flashes through one’s mind. “Who did I cut-up on the way in? Now, what have I said? – A life time tendency to say inappropriate things at times. All checked, all OK.

“I’ll give you ten questions”. Totally, totally no idea, Who? How? When?. Then slowly from the murky, dim and happy distant past the mist clears. Rob! Rob M------k, a customer of ours from 20+ years ago. Then a youngster with a flair, a passion and a mission. A sort of Welsh accented Alan Sugar. What surprised us was he recognized a geriatric within seconds of us entering the grounds.

 

His story always was an interesting one but since we last met, besides getting married and having children, He and his Brother-in-Law when in Poland bought two WWII Army catering kitchens. Adapted them and can cater for hundreds of people or 250 at a sitting.

 

We have been to many outdoor themed events such as concerts, festivals, county shows etc etc. but very rarely find vegetarians catered for, other than chips. The Rustic Cooks served a polish goulash that was real value for money and added to the atmosphere created by the country folk group, Bellowhead.
 

Tens of thousands at the show but it never felt crowded as it was a large Show Ground.
Spectacular fireworks display to end the evening.  

Field Kitchen, Plastic Kit

 

8."Washed up" Skeleton in Tunnelling Project

Archaeologists working on London's tunnelling transport project have unearthed some very rich pickings, from a golden discovery to an apparent tool-making factory dating back to 7,000 BC.

The ancient tool kit includes 150 pieces of flint, among them blades, and forms rare evidence that humans lived on the Thames some 9,000 year ago.

 

 

 

 

The diggers also uncovered a fair few treasures from the Roman era, including an "exceptionally well made" road, a horse shoe and a "washed up" skeleton

Roman Chariot (Large) Resin Bronze Figurine,

 

 

 Each piece is uniquely hand made and dated.Medium sized figurine ( 64 x 28 x 42cm.) Boxed and carefully protected in polystyrene inner packaging. Each piece is inspected before shipping in customised boxing for extra protection

 

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Roman Chariot, Studio Collection, Large Resin Bronze, Myths and Legends

 

 

 

7. Humans are capable of working magic

 …and they did from the moment we learnt to walk up-right. We soon learned how to make shelters from mud, sticks and place one stone on top of another, and how to defend our territories.  The rest is history   There was one invention that probably the most significant and least appreciated.

"It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." quote “Carl Sagan”

http://youtu.be/LkQEnRDhPUU



Click on Image to see more details

HMS Surprise British Frigate 1796 1:48 Scale Complete Wooden kit




Click on image to see range

We can see example every day, none more so when you follow the plans used for these models often achieving stunning results, a replica of the real thing in miniature.

6. The Eight Main Modelling Eras

For the purposes of model making British history can be categorised into a number of periods :-

• Pre-History           
• Ancient                   55BC – 1100 
• Medieval                 1100 - 1520+
• Napoleonic              1700 – 1815+
• World War I            1914 – 1918+
• World War II           1939 – 1945+
• Modern                   1945 – 20--



Click on the Image to some of the Ranges.


Ancient                   55BC – 1100 

Pre-History  

 Within each era there are a number of precise periods, for example our Ancient period


Medieval                 1100 - 1520+

Napoleonic              1700 – 1815+

would include, The Romans, The Anglo-Saxons, The Vikings, and The Normans etc. etc.


World War I            1914 – 1918+

World War II            1939      – 1945+



Modern                   1945 – 20--

"As you like it"

Each Period brought its own cultural and civilising influence. For instance The Industrial Revolution occurred during the Napoleonic period as raw materials were converted into products needed for the war effort. It was at about this time that we and the economy changes from an agrarian based civilisation to an industrial base, with mass migration from the land to the cities.

 

The next big jump was the onslaught of the First World War, and then WWII. As education and wealth spread to the masses, communications improves and a determination that "the few" will not control our destiny. We have had a steadier development of products spread over a longer period. One could say the next leap will be the leap into space. But until then we will improve longevity of life and the corporation of nations.

 

On reflection it seems that strife concentrates the mind and pushes progress.

5. Bringing History to life takes many forms

Bringing History to life takes many forms; from Table Top Battles to re-enactment and within each there are many categories.

Examples can be seen all over the country in many countries every week end.

 

One of the more spectacular this weekend has to be at The EAA AirVenture show at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin featured a number of spectacular events.

 

 

Second World War plane in re-enactment of Pearl Harbour attack

 

 

 

P-40 Kittyhawk 1/72 Scale, Airfix ,#50078

 

 

The Second World War has a large number re-enactment groups in this country and a much larger group of enthusiastic Modellers. The range of American Aircraft in 1:72 scale being a category that is well catered for.

Click Here to see some of the range available.

and

Here for a choice of other Nationalities' Aircraft

4.Wroxeter Roman City, Shropshire

By sheer coincidence, whilst we were visiting these Roman ruins our youngsters happened to be visiting similar ruins in Pompeii in the Bay of Naples in southern Italy which was buried by a catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The surprise was so many of the architectural features found in Pompeii can be found at this site in Shropshire.

When you wander around listening to the commentary you realize how far more advanced the Roman architects really were and when considering they did not have the materials and tools we have at our disposal they achieved and understood a lot more than we credit them for.

 Remember the Coliseum in Rome dates back to this time

Everything seems to have evolved around the “Bath House” It was the focal point of any small town with Gyms and recreational facilities usually in the same building. All kept comfortably warm with under floor centrally heated by complicated system of air ducts.

The stone floors were build tiles through which hot air passed. The floors could be decorated with mosaics  

Wroxeter also had a Shopping Mall (55 B.C.) the only difference was one did not enter the shop but bought from the counter that looked out into the thoroughfare. The roads were paved with tracks to guide carts between the stepping stones that enabled the pedestrians to cross without getting their feet wet

 

Wroxeter may well have been a civilized town; a trading post with aqueducts, and all the trappings but it must be remembered it was a garrison post with fortifications that marked a westerly boundary of the Roman empire.

 

 

The legion was the basic unit of the Roman army. Each maniple was commanded by a centurion, who could be recognized by his leg guards, the vine-stick and the helmet with a transverse crest. The Legion's equipment after the Marian reform was standardized and issued by the State. Legionnaires of this period wore a lorica hamata, reinforced on the shoulders, and were equipped with semi-rectangular shields. Two throwing pila, the gladius and the pugio (a short dagger) completed their equipment.

 

 

Without stirrups, it has been argued, the horseman could not have had the control necessary to be effective in battle.  There is much debate over how big a part cavalry played in Roman armies of this period. The now famous Roman four-pommel saddle resolves that problem

 

 

Click to see a range of Roman related models