[Regia-NA] The Nasal: What's it for?

[Martin Field]

Hi Douglas
I agree with your sentiments about there not being many scholarly debates  -
I sometimes wonder what new members think once they have signed on - perhaps
we could get some feedback from them.
Regarding yout helmet question I wonder if somehow you are attempting to
reconcile the existence of nasels with only swordsmanship or spearmanship.
If I was going into battle I would be 'resourceful' - meaning that if there
was a means to disable or compromise the fighting ability of your opponent
then I would take it.
That would include smashing your shield (or fist for that matter) hard into
your opponent's face and preferably the nose as that is particulary
disabling - that would bring tears to his eyes thus reducing visability.
It's a matter of using your shield not only as a means of protection but
knowing when to use it as a weapon (shieldwork).
Cheers
Martin
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Douglas Sunlin" <dsunlin at hotmail.com>
To: <list-regia-na at lig.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 8:52 PM
Subject: [Regia-NA] The Nasal: What's it for?


> We haven't had a good scholarly debate on this list for a while, so I'd
like
> to open up a question that has puzzled me for some time. The helmets of
our
> period seemed to have featured nasals. I am wondering, what purpose did
they
> serve? The obvious answer is "to protect your nose", but notice that few
if
> any blows would be aimed directly for your nose. Sword strokes would
impact
> mostly at the unprotected side of the head, spears thrusts might be
> deflected, but only directly into the eyes, which wouldn't be much better.
>
> Any clues? Why not have "side-burns" guards as in some of the Roman
helmets?
>
> On manræden,
> Osweald of Baldurstrand
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/California_Viking_Age
> http://www.geocities.com/baldurstrand/
>
>
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