Recently I visited the United Kingdom and was the guest of Ron and Sandy Evans. Ron had told me before my visit that the stay would include a visit to the Royal Armouries in Leeds and that was our first port of call between my duties.
I have always been interested in European military armour, weaponry and armed and unarmed skills so this stop was a special one for me. I could not possibly do justice to the Royal Armouries in a single article and if you get the opportunity to visit you really should.
With a background in European CQB and having a knight’s helmet as my symbol for my group you could say I am more than just a casual observer of such things.
I have written articles through my operation education programme on how the ancient European formalized close combat and gladiator close combat has a history second to none and in fact how the Eastern Martial arts can trace their beginnings back to ancient Europe and not vice versa as many a martial artist did think until such material was placed in front of them.
I have read material such as the ancient Romans practiced karate and that makes me laugh as the dates couldn’t be further apart and karate was not an ancient term let a lone practice. A visit to the Royal Armouries will soon enlighten all to the unprecedented history of the ancient European methods and inventions of ancient warfare.
The centre from the outside with its signage and huge cannons, to the centre stairwell walls that is forty to fifty feet high and are lined with all kinds of swords, halberds, pikes, spears, lances, etc. making a spectacular surround.
Looking up the main stairwell of the armouries – photo courtesy of Wikipedia
You need to spend at least one day or more to take in the displays and demonstrations including sword battles. There are year-round live demonstrations within the galleries by teams of trained interpreters and from spring to autumn of jousting and falconry which take place in the tiltyard. Inside, interpretations of history are performed, such as demonstrations of various sword fighting techniques.
There are spectacular suits of armour and just about every type of medieval weapon imaginable as well as a section on police weapons and equipment and hunting rifles and shotguns. Knives, pistols, and military weapons form the past to recent times are all there and knives, bayonets and all types of swords.
There are some terrific displays featuring full size lifelike elephants as part of a tiger hunt complete with hunters armed with hunting rifles and native guides.
There are indoor demonstrations and outdoors entertainment of falconry and horsemanship and mounted combat from times gone by as well as workshops that make replica armour and weapons.
This is definitely a great place to visit when in the UK and will make you think and think again about just how detailed the craftsmanship was from ancient times and how intricate and labour intensive these master tradesmen’s work was.
The staff are very helpful indeed and love their work and telling others the reasons and stories behind the exhibits. You can also visit the royal armouries library and look through their collection of military and medieval literature.
9th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers Trench Knife, circa 1917. Design based on Bronze Age sword. Inscription on this example is "DROS URDDAS CYMRU" ("For the honour of Wales"). Few examples of the scabbard now survive.
I very much enjoyed wandering about with Ron and checking out swords and knives that may well have influenced much later designs by military close combat pioneers. This was a great way to not only spend my down time but also do some real time research that will help with current and future projects.
History didn’t always get it right but more than often at least for their times they did and some items have not only stood the test of time but have not been replaced with any better basic design. For me the Royal Armouries is a place to check on such lines of history and gain valuable information.
