International Arms and Armoury Conference 2005

Where it would be better...

Chris Dobson invited for the second time to the IAAC; the call was heard and followed.

This time, Chris decided for the best possible location for such a conference; Austria in general, and Vienna in particular. While Vienna owns with the “Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer“ the amplest collection of noble armour and weapons, and in the “Museum der Stadt Wien” at the Karlsplatz the largest collection of paveses worldwide, numbering 68 pieces, Graz has the largest armoury of this planet. It was time for superior watching and touching, and collectors, curators and restorers did not let pass this opportunity.

However, this time, also “users” were present, namely members of the HEMAC, among them Matt Easton (Scholar Gladiatoria), Fabrice Cognot (D’Estoc et de Taille), and of course we ourselves. Furthermore, Toby Capwell has to be mentioned, who, searching for plate armour in the english style, generated the meanwhile largest compilation of pictures of english plates worldwide (1500) and who had complete armour done by one of the worlds best armourers, of course tempered and blued. And because even this was to dull for him, he jousts since 13 years. We went green with envy. ?

While the speakers from the curators´ and restorers´ side talked amply about their respective fields of expertise, Matt Easton lectured on the appearance of the “Langes Schwert” and Fabrice Cognot once again on the poleaxe as burgundian national weapon used by the elite forces of the duke of Burgundy. Christoph evoked attention by presenting the completely new theory that the “Freydal” of Maximilan I does not show the actual course of battle in tournaments but copies of fencing manuals, putting the combatants in other armour. The deeds of Maximilian I are of course undisputed, he actually was the warhorse he´s known to have been. We corroborated this with adequate graphical material from the “Freydal” and from fencing manuals.

The other presentations on Thursday and Friday were:

1. Chris Dobson: Plans to restore the armour of Willhelm von Roggendorf (This is a magnificent costume armour, a centrepiece of the “Rüstkammer”)
2. Tobias Capwell: The rediscovery of the English plate armour and its reconstruction
3. Dr. Matthias Pfaffenbichler: The Helmschmied-family, with tour of the „Rüstkammer“
4. Dr. Christian Beaufort-Spontin: The „Rosenblatt-Garnitur“. (At this place special thanks to Dr. Ortwin Gamber, Dr. Beaufort-Spontins predecessor, for his translation)
5. Suzanne Kitto: Restoration of Japanese armour
6. Jan Piet Puype: The „Klewang“ (Dutch military stabbing knive of Indonesian origin)
7. Chris Dobson: Restauration of a gaudy italian helmet.

The sessions were chaired by John Scrimgeour (which, by the way, means “fencer”), a Scottish collector, who wanted my poleaxe. I had to promise to get him one.

While the talks were climaxes by themselves, the visits in the museums were the extras. It started in the “Rüstkammer”, where Dr. Pfaffenbichler, Dr. Beaufort-Spontin and. Dr. Ackermann (head of restoration) had prepared numerous armours and weapons.

The next day, we were allowed in the depot of the “Museum der Stadt Wien”, where we were shown and explained all paveses.

On Saturday, we went to the armoury of Graz, the “Zeughaus”. The guides and restores knew their artefacts well, and so the three-hour tour seemed short. Of course we were allowed to touch each artefact here as well, and so Harry coud be seen with brilliant childrens´ eyes holding a two-meter-morningstar ?.

In the evening, we held the conference dinner at Smutny´s , and than sadly it was time to part.

Finally, we wish to thank the organizing committee and all speakers once again for their superior work and we look foreward to the next time.

Harry

(Translation by Dorian Winter, Thx to him)