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Posts:
2
Registered:
3/6/03
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(1 of 16)
Mar 6, 2003 9:17 AM
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I know my 17 yr. old son watches the history channel often and has become fascinated with the show "Conquest". Last eve. I discovered an expandable pole in my garage with black tape wrapped around one end. He also engages in the online computer game "Everquest". I was wondering if anyone out there can discuss anything they know about this. He has also mentioned that he and a few of his friends like to engage in gladiator-type combats. Is this a new trend, or should I be concerned? Thanks for any feedback at all...
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Posts:
344
Registered:
3/21/03
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(2 of 16)
Mar 21, 2003 8:26 AM
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conquest is a ok show. Basically Peter Woodard takes a group of college kids,and or himself for two or more days of training. Then demostrate what they learn on the show.
The show has covered the following
Medieval tourneys,
Odd medieval weapons
the bow
bull riding for rodeo him only
demolition derby him only
air combat
gladitors.
Now I have caught some mistakes in the facts. Also most of gear the kids wear are not fitted for them.
It sounds like he and his friends have seen the fighting and want to play.
Ask him if know any SCA people or check the web for the Society for Creative Anarchonism. We allow people to get in armour and hit eat other. BUT with rules. Depending on your home, the kingdom may have different rules for under 18 people. My group is in the south and IF I remember the combat youth rules, he would wear armour up to adult players and need a mouth piece.
Conquest is good on a middle school level but some of the shows make me want to scream.
If he does want to play sword and shield, have buy some pvc pipe, duct tape, pipe foam and helm.
There are other western martial art groups too, Haca is one. I think the sca website is www.sca.org.
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Posts:
2
Registered:
3/6/03
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(3 of 16)
Mar 22, 2003 3:26 PM
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Thanks for your feedback. I guess I just over-reacted. I have watched the show since I sent my e-mail and I can see why my now 18 yr. old is interested. In honors English they are studying medieval times as well. I just wanted to educate myself. Thanks so much once again!
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Posts:
344
Registered:
3/21/03
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(4 of 16)
Mar 25, 2003 2:01 PM
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Also you may want him to search for the following web sites
armour archive
chainmaille board
oakshotte institute
Further have check the library for Francis and Joseph Gies Life in ...
Medieval village, castle etc
Stone glossary on weapons is ok but outdated
Any of Oakshotte books
Any of David Nicolle books
Women in Shakespearean Times
Women in Medieval Times thumbnail factoid about women
The Medieval Knight by Edge something
Any book on armour but if has more pics that verbage be wary.
Also there is a web site for roman reenactors I don't remember it.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
4/25/03
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(5 of 16)
Apr 25, 2003 10:00 PM
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Dear jasperrdm,
Before you and other SCA members judge this guy on how he does things. If you can do better do it or be quiet. If he's wrong in how he did it. Go to the History Channel and do it right or be quiet.
Its easy to judge others when you don't or can't do better. There's an old saying.... If we could sell for what you think you are worth we would be millionaires. If we sold you for what youre really worth we would be bankrupt. Either put your money or talent where your mouth is or be quiet.
Sincerely,
Raven_77
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Posts:
1,499
Registered:
6/12/00
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(6 of 16)
Apr 26, 2003 1:41 AM
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"I have found you an argument; I am not obliged to find you an understanding." Dr. Samuel Johnson
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Posts:
344
Registered:
3/21/03
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(7 of 16)
May 6, 2003 8:00 AM
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um raven. Would you post that the show got wrong if said Nixon was never President of U.S.A.?
Would be okay if during a WWII episode Peter was shown driving a M1 tank while shooting down the Red Baron?
If someone produces, or acts, in a T.V. show which is suppose to be about facts and has it wrong, I should keep quiet. Um. No.
I wish they would pay me Peter's salary for one episode.
Some Sca members love the show. And hate it when I produce Oakshotte book showing dear Peter wrong. Just like when I like a show's costume and think it right. And they show books which proves Queen Elizabeth 1 never wore a 50's poodle skirt.
So Peter gets the blame for read a script and having a (or some) researcher(s) getting it wrong.
Remember the typo on the rapier show saying the rapier was 30 pounds. It was on a side bar. Someone forgot the period. Rapier 3.0.
Yea the history channel is going to have regular joe Jasper with his Southern accent when the can hire a Shakespearean Actor and Fight Director.
I also realize that Peter and cast only have limited time to train and do a show.
Hey in the bull riding episode he states he took only a 2 day course.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
5/27/03
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(8 of 16)
May 27, 2003 7:20 PM
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The show tries to cover what it can in the time alotted,true there have been mistakes in accuracy,and for the history channel accuracy should be a primary concern.But you have to take into account budget and the time alotted he has to present a representation.
Ive taken part in real duels(not to the death but of skill and once a first blood duel,though in some countries death matches do still occur though not regurlarly lol.) overseas,and in competitions,he peter gives a fair representation with what he has,albeit with some errors.
But his basic presentation of techniques used such as for the gladiator episode and the musketeer episode were fair as far as some of the techniques that were used,his source material was accurate in the areas of technique that he covered,theres no way he could have covered every method or technique or style of usage in the time alloted.
He presented some simple but effective tecniques that people could get into and find interest in.The SCA isnt the last word on all things medieval or involving swordplay or accuracy,ive met more than a few of your members that were quite misinformed,and had no true ability and ive met some in the SCA who were knowledgeable and did have some actual ability,but ive found that for accuracy and real skill as far as bladed combat goes the HACA/ARMA is the true repository of such knowledge.
So dont cast stones.your house is not perfect.The guy does a good job and presents a reasonable approximation(with a few small liberties(its entertainment dont forget.lol).He even said at the end of the musketeer episode that the techniques were classroom (from rapier technique texts of that period)and he wouldnt want to find out how they fared in real combat.So theres some humility and truth there for you.
Like one earlier post said if you can do better by all means buy some air time and give what you consider to be a accurate representation,im sure there will be those who will find fault with yours as well.
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Posts:
344
Registered:
3/21/03
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(9 of 16)
May 29, 2003 9:36 AM
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hmm why should not I point out factual errors.
Yes haca does some things better.
The sca does some things better but has to fight the low standards.
But when Mr. Woodward speaks or does something which just my library says differen, it means his research or writer needs to do more work.
It is one thing to watch an old WW2 movie and see the Japan tank approaching John Wayne is a sherman.
Than have Peter dress up as a Japanese office and drive a sherman tank.
In other words. Conquest is ok but just because it is on the history channel does not mean their facts are toldly correct or that they are not hamming it up for the cameras.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
7/27/03
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(10 of 16)
Jul 27, 2003 12:32 PM
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You have little reason for concern. There are numerous groups all over the world who participate in recreational combat. It's really no different than any modern sport, except that in my personal opinion it's a lot more fun. The people on Conquest are trained professionals and they do train with dangerous weapons that should not be handled by a novice. There are many training weapons that are availiable for the novice such as shinai and boken, and even groups that hold tournaments with such weapons and have rigorous safety precautions to keep their members safe. I would advise allowing him to pursue his interest by joining a group- at least that way he'd be having fun while still being protected. Check out www.adrianempire.org or www.sca.org, or search the web for other groups that meet your own individual needs.
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Posts:
7
Registered:
7/28/03
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(11 of 16)
Jul 28, 2003 10:38 AM
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Your son obviously has an interest in medieval/fantasy subjects, you should nurture and educate your son's interest. Share with him, it will be a great opportunity for you and your son to share and learn together.
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Posts:
2
Registered:
8/11/03
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(12 of 16)
Aug 11, 2003 6:05 PM
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The conquest segment using the flintlock rifles and muskets was dangerous and stupid. The host/expert
was negligent,and could have resulted in someone losing sight in his eye. Realistic, yes, but the demonstration should have been done with a small amount of concern for the health of the rookies firing the guns. Never stand near the touch hole while a flintlock is being fired, for the very reason combustion debris and pieces of the flint can be blown into someone's eyes. Also, it is not safe for anyone, especially for newbies, to prime the pan before loading the musket. Historically accurate, yes, but most dangerous.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
9/7/03
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(13 of 16)
Sep 7, 2003 9:19 AM
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Just finished watching Trench Warfare episode. As a newbie in WW1 re-enactment, I watched with great interest. At the beginning while speaking of the different rifles used by the Americans I found a point that I must disagree with. Stated that the M1903 Springfield was the most used rifle by the doughboy would be incorrect. The first units there received the Springfield (to the tune of about 379,000 Springfields), while the other units received the M1917 American Enfield (to the tune of about 2.2 Million). [Information gathered from WorldWar1.com] As an owner of an original M1917 American Enfield, I can say without a doubt that it is a very sturdy, highly accurate, and very HEAVY rifle. Mr. Woodward was very correct in pointing out that the weapon was quite often left on the parapet. In all, I found the show very interesting; validating the information I have read, and learned from veteran re-enactors. For those interested in re-enactment in this time period, check out http://www.great-war-assoc.org/ for more information.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
3/4/04
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(14 of 16)
Mar 4, 2004 7:33 PM
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is this show still on? I can't seem to find it on anymore.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
6/24/05
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(15 of 16)
Jun 24, 2005 11:08 AM
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Hmm, Everquest is really popular. So yes, all of that is common. I went through the same. But Everquest can get addicting, so limit that, make him pay for it instead of through you. And those "gladiator" things... I joined a sports team. Namely wrestling in Highschool.
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