Garb/Weapon suggestions

[gamekeeper]

Greetings all. I am hoping to get some thoughts from some more knowledgable Fayre goers regarding my persona/garb/weapons.
I didn't see a better place to ask these questions so forgive me if I go horribly off topic. That being said, here goes............

I am trying to develop my persona as His Majesty's Gamekeeper. I would be responsible for proper land and wild life management, enforcing hunting and fishing laws on royal lands, and guiding the King and his guests on hunting and/or fishing outings.

Presently I have some basic clothing: Minnitonka moccasin boots (black), Knee breeches (black), A "pirate" shirt that laces up the front that my ex-wife got from Fredric's of Hollywood (you guessed it...black), and a knee length wool "travel cloak" from Half Moon that is black with a maroon or oxblood hood and trim down the front.  A rather longish maroon belt with a lack leather pouch.

I know I should have a hat of some sort but not sure what style or material. I know I DON'T want a cheesy "Robin Hood" hat with a feather in it. I would love to get a long bow, arrows, and quiver and I would think (but I am nor certain)  that I should have a sword of some sort and probably a dagger. 

I am not looking to be 100% H/A but I would like to be close. About a B- or C+ on accuracy unless it is unbelievably cheap to be more accurate. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, comments, jokes, riddles, and tom foolery is greatly appreciated.

[groomporter]

I would lean towards a slightly shorter sword, especially if you plan to get a long bow in the long run. It might make more sense in the woods since a short sword would be less in the way when stalking game (or poachers) through the underbrush. For the purpose of dealing with people like poachers in close combat I would think at least a short sword would be important and since you have a royal commission you should have the income to support it.

If the Minnetonka moccasins have fringe on them they would look a bit more Renaissance if you trim the fringe off.

[Toki Bloodaxe]

hey, Gamekeeper.  I agree that a short sword might be more practical for your character. In the thick brush of European forests, a long sword might be cumbersom and impractical. The sad truth of the matter might be that a gamekeeper's sword probably saw more use clearing brush and thickets than hacking at antagonists. An ideal weapon for dealing with poachers and interlopers would be a medium-sized crossbow. Queen Elizabeth I had a specially-made crossbow that she used for dispatching stags from horseback. It's my idea that the men who travelled with her as her servants of the hunt had short swords or long knives for butchering game and clearing brush, axes for removing deadfalls in the way of the trail and short lances or spears for dispatching wild boars once they were cornered. The crossbow was also coming into its own as a brutally effective short-range weapon that took little skill to master, and would bridge the gap between the wonderful longbow of the past and the gunpwder weapons of the future.
    As for gear...consider a good-sized leather bag for carrying fresh-killed rabbits or other tasties, a brass signalling horn or a horn made from a large ox horn. Also consider a capelet or hood/cape combo...very useful for keeping out the rain and wind. It sounds like you already have the boots or shoes angle covered with your moccosins. I think that the rougher and more homemade your clothes look the better. And that goes for your hat, too. Something with a brim to keep the rain and sun off of your head, but also something totally unique and "YOU" would probably work best. Try making the hat yourself somehow...maybe out of wool or leather with some fur and feathers for good measure. Try to avoid any sort of modern or machine-made looking hat...it won't look right no matter what.
     One more thing...and this might help or not. The more laced together your clothes look, the better.  Needles and thread were very expensive back then and a lot of simple clothing was laced and thonged together using an awl and leather laces. Just a suggestion.

[jcbanner]

something to keep in mind, a games keeper was much more then just a woodsmen.  he would have to be of noble birth. So while his garb would have to be more functional then form, it would also be well made, and look nice. 

[dragongirl]

I would also sugest a short whip, flogger, or cat o' 9 tails.  These would have been the more normal form of corpral punishment.  Especially since most poachers/renagades could not afford a sword as they were very expensive considering the work it took to make a simple one.

[analise]

As opposed to a dagger, you'd probably want a knife like one of these.



At least, that's what all of the hunters seem interested in when they stop by the booth. They'd be more useful for "woodsmanly" like activities, I think, than your typical dagger.

[Hoowil]

I've seen a couple pictures of hunting swords, sometimes refered to as hangers. Very similar to a cutlas, or a falchion, with a heavy, single edged blade, that could be used for clearing brush or even small tree limbs. Often the had matching knives tha road along with it on the scabbard for skinning and gutting work. Sets like that might be a little costly though.

And crossbows were very popular for hunting. They do take less skill to aim, and are easier to carry 'loaded' for when you find game. Pellet bows were used for smaller game (shooting stones or lead balls). Might save some $$ if you can find a replica of one of those, and you wouldn't need/want to carry ammo, just a pouch.

Also, remember, they still used spears for hunting heavy game (bears, noars, etc).

Are you going more for a master of the hunt type character, or a woodsman?

[gamekeeper]

Many thanks for all the great ideas. I was initially thinking a Hand and a Half sword but I agree that a shorter, one handed sword makes more sense out in the woods. I will halve to check out the "Hunting Sword". Sounds like it might be the way to go. As for a bow, I would much rather have a traditional recurve or long bow (both are H/A) than a crossbow. I was quite proficient with a recurve in my younger days and I think I could pick it back up with little effort. Besides.....the MiRF has an archery competition that I would love to enter when I get a bow.

This is all good stuff. Please keep the thoughts coming

[Friar Rohn the Chronicler]

     Finding a crossbow for us has been more of a chore than expected. There are very few listed on the web, most seem to be along the lines of "orders may take 6 months". Only one had a actual answering machine. Most others were either miniature decorative crossbows, or several companies had a Italian "heavy crossbow" that is nice looking but around 47" inches long. Here are some links to save you some time trying to search for a traditional medieval crossbow:

www.bowsports.com/acatalog/Traditional_Bows.html

www.a2armory.com/medcroscar.html

crossbows.biz/products.html

www.freegatearmory.com/

http://hightowercrossbows.com/boltLauncher.htm

www.wyverncreations.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65

www.crossbows.net/options.html

www.fantasy-armor.com/cat.php?cat=9

www.swordsofhonor.com/encr.html

     Most of these links above....well, I personally rejected because most emails have been unanswered, some are mostly decorative or calling the companies with simple requests or "length" or "weight" are usually dismissed (except for the last one which is solid wood, their staff was excellent at Swords of Honor.....very helpfull and professional...it's 36"x26" and weighs 4 lbs.).

     These two companies below so far may end up as the only one's that truly have traditional working replicas that even have the crank devices used back then to dim bulb the weapons.

www.aurorahistoryboutique.com/ahb_crossbows.htm

www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Crossbows.html

       Some of Alexei's "noble" accessories have been purchased and shipped from Europe and we have been also going through some of the antiquities auctions too for a actual museum piece. It would probably end up mounted in a shadow box on one of the walls in his room.

        Hope this is helpful. If anyone knows a local craftman from one of the Faire's that can create a Italian style crossbow with the possibility of some nice decorative inlays.....please let me know a contact number or email. Price will not be an issue.

Friar Rohn

[Var Greyshadow]

This is a neat set that's intended for a huntsman: http://www.museumreplicas.com/museumreplicas/detail.aspx?ID=448

It has a large knife for finishing off the kill and a small knife and fork for dining.

A noble's huntsman was in charge of the hounds, so you'd porbably have a horn.  He was also often a falconer, so you might want a heavy leather glove and jesses to hang on your belt.