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The "REAL" purpose of spurs?

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Sir Brian:
I was speaking to a vendor at a renaissance faire recently, both the location of the fair and the name
of the vendor is deliberately withheld.

I was wearing my harness and he had mentioned that he liked my belt buckle, which I readily endorsed
Raymond’s quiet press from whence it came. I also pointed out to the person that my spurs had also
come from the same place. The person replied that they were nice but he wasn’t impressed with the
way spurs in general are made because they were made wrong. Curious, I asked why and he in all
seriousness informed me that they are suppose to be bent outwards more because most people
incorrectly thought that spurs were meant to be used on the horse when they were actually meant to
be used as a weapon by the knight to kick out and backwards to attacking footmen if they were to
press in on the knight! – WHAT?  :o

I was hard-pressed to keep a straight face as I politely pointed out that Raymond’s Quiet Press basis
for his designs were off of actual archaeological samples. The person removed any doubts to him
making those preposterous assumptions out of fun when he continued with the debate by further
stating that was the reason for them becoming longer in the later middle ages and also the reason why they started adding exaggerated and pointy toes on the sabatons…to be used as a weapon…well sure they could be utilized that way…but…but...at the point I politely withdrew from the debate.  ;)

Anyways, I have heard some pretty absurd assumptions before, but that has to be one of the more
ridiculous ones.  ;D

Sir Edward:

That's an.. uhm... interesting theory! If they were even bigger, I suppose the knight could use them to fly, and really walk on air! :)

Of course, there's nothing to stop you from kicking someone with your spurs, but I've never heard of them being angled outward for the sole purpose of doing so.

Sir Wolf:
thats bull. and i bet the same person thinks that all of Xena Warrior Princess's clothes were period. sabs were longer cause it was the fashion. the shoes under neath them were called pullains(sp?) and were worn to show wealth and status. you can't kick with spurs! you don't even sit in a saddle during the "high medieval age" you more or less stand up. (its kinda awkward) (smacks forehead) this is why I hate people who speak out of their butts hehehe

Sir Edward:

Yep, the spurs require the legs pressed in close to the horse, and allow for subtle motions that the horse can feel. Kicking with them would be quite awkward.

Sir Brian:
I remember last season at MDRF when I was in my harness wearing what are now your prick spurs
Sir Wolf and I was answering some patrons questions when one man commented about the spurs and
said they could be used as a weapon if I kicked backwards. At the time I assumed he meant me
personally while at the faire in these modern times, but since that more recent discussion with that
vendor I now have to wonder if that patron was under the misconception that was their intended
purpose for a knight to wear them.  ???

Typically when I get questions concerning spurs I try to relay the distinction between the metals of
the spurs. ~ i.e. Gold for knights, Silver for Squires and Iron for Men-at-Arms.
I suppose I now should also mention that they were meant exclusively for the horse and not as a last
resort weapon! ;)

Personally I get a chuckle visualizing two dismounted knights locked in mortal combat while all their weapons
are either broken or lost, circling each other warily like two bipedal game cocks looking for an opening to get
a good strike in with their deadly sharpened spurs all while the music from that original Star Trek episode
battle scene when Spock and Kirk were locked in mortal combat plays in the background...


 :D
 

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