Greetings and Well Met!

[Ian]

Greetings unto the Lords and Ladies!

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself.  My name is Ian LaSpina, and some of you may recognize me from MyArmoury or the ArmourArchive.  As I'm sure most of you can relate, I've been interested in the Middle Ages since I was a small child.  I grew up in the Tampa area of Florida, but lived in New York when I was a young kid and will never forget the wonder of that first trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art when I caught my first real glimpse of the medieval period.  Ever since then I've held a special place in my heart for all things related to the Middle Ages, from my first Medieval Lego set to the Albion Crecy I'm eagerly awaiting...

Some background on myself, I'm currently serving on a tour as a Navy helicopter instructor pilot in the Pensacola area of Florida.  I like to build computers, and use said computers to play games (currently finishing up a playthrough of The Witcher 2 and eagerly awaiting the release of Skyrim and hoping for a chance at a Diablo 3 beta key!).  Oh, and if anyone is interested in the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic, perhaps the formation of a guild could be in order?  I'm very much in to all things sci-fi and fantasy.  And while I have a love for all things historical and can be annoyed by blatant inaccuracies in movies and film, I still have a huge appreciation for fantasy and would never turn my nose up at such things.  To give you an idea, the middle tier of my wedding cake was emblazoned with 'The One Ring' inscription.  I also love to play guitar, and have been playing since middle school.

As far as my specific period of interest, I'm a late 14th century man.  I'm currently awaiting the completion of a new harness that will represent an English Knight ca. 1360-1380ish.  I have some minimal exposure to WMA.  I've attended a few ARMA classes but it's about a 1.5 hr drive there and back so a little impractical, but I do practice on my own when I can. 

Thank you for your time my lords, I look forward to being a part of the Modern Chivalry forums!
-Ian

[Sir James A]

Welcome to the forums, Ian. I do indeed recognize you from both MyArmoury and ArmourArchive, though I've seen much more of your posts on MyArmoury.

There are quite a few sci-fi guys on here, though I'm not one of them, I am also waiting on Diablo 3 (and have been since spending 4 days straight beating Diablo II as a teen many years ago). I do appreciate the fantasy end of "medieval-inspired" things, and I almost consider it a separate interest; I can also watch movies with clear inaccuracies and still enjoy that it's something for us to watch that isn't the usual dredge that usually fills TV and movies. I'll take 15th centuries templars on crusades during the black plague over Jersey Shore any day.

Sir Edward is the resident Albion guru. I *think* he may have a Crecy; I had a brief experience with one at Longpoint 2011 earlier this year during a cutting class, and it's a very potent cutter. Is it going to be your first Albion?

Any pictures or prototypes of what your new harness is based off of? I look forward to seeing some completed pics of it.

[Ian]

Yes James, the Crecy will be my first Albion.  I just put the order in about a week ago.  I'm currently shopping around for a potential scabbard maker.  I'm looking for someone who will do work with metal locket suspension for something appropriate for later 14th century.

I have some 'in progress' photos of the new harness that Jeff Wasson sent, along with a shot I took of me getting the lower leg casts done for the greaves.  Here's a link to those photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/117978413768973456403/14thCenturyHarness?authuser=0&feat=directlink

It's not based off a specific harness, but more of a conglomeration of effigies of the time.  If you have a copy of Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight and look on page 83, you can a set of Churburg cuisses.  The wings on both the knees and elbows of my harness will be done in that style.  Other than that I elected to go with the integrated arm/shoulder harness as can be seen on many late 14th c English effigies.  At the time I met with Mr. Wasson I still wasn't sure what direction I wanted to go for torso protection, and have since commissioned Jeffrey Hedgecock's late 14th c Italian breastplate.

[Leganoth]

Im waiting for skyrim so bad

[Sir Patrick]

Hail and well met!  I recognize you from My Armory as well, and look forward to your contributions here.  I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I have.

[Sir Rodney]

Well Met Ian!

-Rodney (known as Scott H. on other forums)

[Sir Brian]

Well met Ian and welcome to the forums! Excellent choice for a sword! I’ve always been partial to the Crecy and hope to be a proud owner of one myself someday. Your armor plans are great! I can’t wait to see the pictures of the completed kit! 

Have you ever played Mount & Blade or its successor Warband? It’s an open sandbox game that is more of a medieval combat simulator offering mounted combat. 

[Sir Edward]

Welcome to the forum!

The Albion Crecy is a fantastic sword. I had them make mine with a blue grip (they charge about $30 extra for non-standard colors). I think of it as a "gateway Albion", so to speak, in that it's a great first-Albion. If you only own one of their swords, this is an excellent one to choose, since it's affordable, and a well-rounded "jack of all trades".

[Ian]

Well met Ian and welcome to the forums! Excellent choice for a sword! I’ve always been partial to the Crecy and hope to be a proud owner of one myself someday. Your armor plans are great! I can’t wait to see the pictures of the completed kit! 

Have you ever played Mount & Blade or its successor Warband? It’s an open sandbox game that is more of a medieval combat simulator offering mounted combat. 

Sir Brian, I'm supposed to be getting some newer progress photos on the armor any day now, so hopefully I will be able to whet some appetites here shortly.  I do play Warband now and then as well.  I generally fool around with the Hundred Years War mod and occasionally play online so I can ride around lancing people til my heart's content 

The Albion Crecy is a fantastic sword. I had them make mine with a blue grip (they charge about $30 extra for non-standard colors). I think of it as a "gateway Albion", so to speak, in that it's a great first-Albion. If you only own one of their swords, this is an excellent one to choose, since it's affordable, and a well-rounded "jack of all trades".

Sir Edward, I hear nothing but good things about the Crecy.  I'm hoping it will be the first of many.  I went with oxblood grip and antiqued fittings.  I think the antiquing will give it a nice touch.

[Sir Wolf]

welcome!

[Frater de Beaumanoir]

Thank you for your service Brother, and welcome! Pax vobiscum.

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

Good day Ian and welcome 
G.

[Sir William]

Welcome to the forums, Ian...I'm new at AA so I'm not sure if I recognize you from there or not, but well met nonetheless.

Skyrim will be awesome.

[Ian]

Gentlemen,  Jeff Wasson has just sent me some new progress photos of my harness.  I'm really starting to get excited about it!  Here's the thread on myArmoury in which I've posted them
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=24124

They can also be viewed directly on my picassa web album:
https://picasaweb.google.com/117978413768973456403/14thCenturyHarness?authuser=0&feat=directlink

[Sir Wolf]

nice! i have always liked Watsons stuff