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

[Douglas Sunlin]

Actually I got my nose bloodied once when I was with Markland many snows 
agone... It was at Cloisters and not I had no nasal. So I guess this begins 
to answer my question...

On manræden,
Osweald of Baldurstrand
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/California_Viking_Age
http://www.geocities.com/baldurstrand/





>From: "Martin Field" <marfield66 at sympatico.ca>
>Reply-To: list-Regia-NA <list-regia-na at lig.net>
>To: "list-Regia-NA" <list-regia-na at lig.net>
>Subject: Re: [Regia-NA] The Nasal: What's it for?
>Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 22:24:38 -0400
>
>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/