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Main => The Great Hall => Topic started by: Matthew of the Isles on 2017-10-20, 16:55:21

Title: Hello to all!
Post by: Matthew of the Isles on 2017-10-20, 16:55:21
Well, I've never quite known how to begin introductions properly, so I believe that I'll simply start rambling in a hopefully-coherent and informative manner.
Okay?
Okay.

As you can tell, my name is Matthew. I'm "of the Isles," due to hailing from the beautiful and magnificent Hawaiian Islands, though I am currently attending graduate school in Huntsville, Alabama. I'm a graduate student of History, and currently working as a Research Assistant to the University, in exchange for tuition and a (very modest) stipend. Given my job, I have to be at least passingly-familiar with a wide array of historic periods, but I've always held a special place for ancient and medieval studies. My mother was also a historian, a polyglot who speaks English, French, Latin, Hawaiian, and (some) German, though after she suffered a series of debilitating strokes when I was a child, she finds some difficulty keeping her languages straight, and pronouncing certain terms. I'm nowhere near as accomplished a scholar as she is, though. She used to read me Arthurian legends and stories of luminaries from the past. My father was a career soldier in the US Army, Military Police Corps, who served honorably for over twenty years. His career came to an abrupt end with a broken neck during his service. He survived, and is even fortunate enough to have escaped permanent paralysis, but that did leave me with two disabled parents to care for from a (relatively) young age of nineteen.

Years later, I was able to return to college to complete my education, and now I'm in a good place in life. I had been contemplating putting together a kit, mainly for my own self-expression rather than out of any desire to be repeatedly struck in the head with sticks, and as I searched for information about how to build and strap a shield, I happened across this forum. I was extremely impressed by both the level of expertise and the cordial atmosphere found on this forum, and this good impression was only confirmed and compounded when I discovered that the senior members of this forum belonged to a knightly order named in honor of Sir William Marshall. I really must emphasize how rare it is, as a historian, to find a figure whose actions really do live up to his reputation. I was struck by a desire to join this forum and to pursue both the kit, and more importantly, the Code. The expertise, mentoring and fraternity that I've seen on display here makes me believe that I really can achieve knighthood.
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Jon Blair on 2017-10-21, 14:11:52
Welcome to our noble assembly.
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Sir Patrick on 2017-10-21, 19:02:44
Hail and well met!
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: jason77 on 2017-10-23, 15:33:18
Welcome to the community!
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Thorsteinn on 2017-10-25, 19:48:51
Welcome!
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Sir William on 2017-10-30, 19:46:43
Welcome, sir!
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Lord Dane on 2017-11-01, 14:17:17
Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Sir Nate on 2017-11-08, 18:24:53
Welcome! be sure to know that the order and the forum are separate entities. The forum is run by order members, but being a member of the forum and member of the order is different. Don't let that discourage you if your interested though.
What century of knight do you want to recreate?
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Matthew of the Isles on 2017-11-14, 04:59:28
Hello, Nathan! While I would love to put together a grand harness like Sir Ian's, I think it would be better as a learning experience (and far more feasible for my poor wallet) if I were to create a 12th century mailled knight, especially with the discovery of less expensive, tailored maille outlets.

The wry, snarky knight within me suggests donning the classic Templar surcoat; as a broke graduate student with no marriage prospects, I appear to be a natural at poverty and chastity!
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Sir Nate on 2017-11-16, 19:47:42
Most Templar re-enactors buy this surcoat, since it matches the few historical sources we have that tell us what Templar surcoats looked like. What you should do is move the cross to over the left breast area. But the material is wool which is what separates it from other surcoats on the market. You can also make your own surcoat. If your doing 12th century, it would actually be more fitting to have sleeves on your surcoat.
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=GB0215
Title: Re: Hello to all!
Post by: Sir Brian on 2017-12-08, 08:31:33
Welcome  and  well  met !