#larp #halberd #diy In this episode, Hendrik and Carmen show you step by step how to build an impressive LARP halberd yourself! From the first design sketch to choosing the right materials to professional painting – here you'll learn everything you need for perfect weapon crafting. We discuss the historical models of this versatile polearm that was used against armored knights in the late Middle Ages, and show you modern techniques using fiberglass rods and closed-cell foam. Most importantly: Safety aspects and LARP-suitable construction are always the priority. Plus, you'll get pro tips for achieving an authentic metal look through dry-brushing techniques and creative fantasy designs. Whether historically oriented or fantasy style – in the end, you'll be holding a weapon that's not only safe but also makes quite an impression at the con. We'd love to hear your comments! 😍 #medieval #weaponcrafting #foamweapons #reenactment #medievalweapons #larpbuilding #halberd --- Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/larp-halberd-making-step-by-step-instructions TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#middleearth #bree #tolkien In this episode, Hendrik and Carmen show you why the small village of Bree is far more fascinating than it appears in the films! This unassuming little place at the crossroads has a history that predates both Gondor and Arnor – and was the setting for world-changing events. We delve into the history of the Pre-Númenóreans, who settled on Bree-hill as early as the Second Age, and discover how the strategic junction between the East-West and North-South trade routes became a unique melting pot. Men and Hobbits lived here peacefully together for centuries – almost unheard of in Middle-earth! From the famous Prancing Pony to Gandalf's fateful meeting with Thorin, to that dramatic night when Frodo put on the Ring and the Nazgûl spies saw everything. Learn how the Rangers secretly protected Bree for centuries, why Bill Ferny became a traitor, and how the village survived the dark years without protection. A story of courage, community, and the power of small places in great times. We'd love to hear your comments! 😍 #medieval #fantasy #lordoftherings #tolkien #middleearth #lotr #history Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/the-fascinating-history-of-bree-a-look-at-the-unique-village-in-middle-earth/lord-of-the-rings TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#middleages #beauty #history In this episode, Carmen and Hendrik show you how fascinating and surprisingly diverse beauty care in the Middle Ages really was! Forget the cliché of the dirty, unwashed Middle Ages - the reality was quite different. From the famous high forehead as a beauty ideal to sophisticated cosmetic recipes from the Trotula: medieval people were remarkably creative and hygiene-conscious. Learn how women dyed their hair with saffron, why small breasts and wide hips were the ideal, and how knights were depicted with androgynous features. The beauty ideals differed drastically from today, but the human need for care and aesthetics was just as strong as it is now. Join us in discovering medieval hygiene kits, rose water perfumes, brazilwood lip care, and the medical insights of one of Europe's first female physicians. A fascinating journey through time that shows: beauty has always been about more than just vanity! We'd love to hear your comments! 😍 #medievalhistory #cosmetics #hygiene #beautyideals #trotula #livinghistory ___ Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/body-care-and-beauty-ideals-in-the-middle-ages-ideals-and-practice TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#middleages #sword #history In this fascinating episode, Hendrik and Carmen delve deep into the symbolic power of the medieval sword. Why did the sword become the ultimate symbol of chivalry – even though pikes, crossbows, and other weapons had long been more important militarily? We tell the dramatic story of the "Swords of Violence and Pride" from the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410, where the Teutonic Order sent two swords as an insult to their enemies – and sealed their own fate in the process. After the devastating defeat, these swords were kept for centuries as victory trophies in the Polish Crown Treasury. Discover why the sword, as a pure "weapon for killing people," had such a powerful psychological effect, how it functioned as a status symbol, and why its symbolic power still resonates today in fantasy literature, films, and reenactment. From practical warfare to diplomacy to modern pop culture – the sword tells the story of an entire era. Enjoy listening and see you next time! 😍 #chivalry #tannenberg #teutonicorder #medievalhistory #symbolism #reenactment #larp ────────────────────────────────────── Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/the-sword-symbol-of-medieval-chivalry TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#heraldry #coatsofarms #medievalhistory In this fascinating episode, Hendrik and Carmen dive deep into the world of heraldry and show you how a practical problem on medieval battlefields evolved into a complex system of visual identity that has survived to this day. From the first parasema of the Greek city-states to Geoffrey Plantagenet's golden lions to the three lions on modern English football jerseys – the history of coats of arms is a story of innovation, tradition, and visual communication. Discover how knights designed their entire equipment heraldically, from shields to surcoats to horse caparisons, how heralds functioned as history's first "corporate identity managers," and why the rules of blazoning have worked for 800 years. Especially fascinating: The practical aspects of coat of arms production, from expensive dyes to specialized guilds to the sophisticated color theory that guaranteed maximum contrast for optimal visibility. And how military necessity gave rise to a prestige system that told family histories through symbols. We'd love to hear your comments and thoughts on this fascinating topic! 😍 #medievalhistory #knights #heraldry #coatsofarms #history #documentary #reenactment ───────────────────────────────────── Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/the-fascinating-world-of-heraldry-meaning-development-and-application-throughout-history TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#middleages #history #society In this episode, Hendrik and Carmen show you the fascinating world of people on the margins of medieval society. Today we dive into the stories of executioners, beggars, Jewish communities, vagrants, and religious fringe groups. Discover how "dishonorable professions" like executioners and knackers were socially indispensable yet personally shunned. Learn about the medieval beggar's token system as an early "welfare ID" and the dramatic shifts in how poverty was treated. We shed light on the complex history of Jewish communities between protection and persecution, the colorful life of vagrants and traveling folk, and the courageous Beguine communities as an alternative for self-determined women. These forgotten stories vividly show how marginalized groups reflect the values and fears of their time – and reveal surprisingly many parallels to today. We'd love to hear your comments! 😍 #marginalizedgroups #executioner #beggars #vagrants #beguines #foodhistory #medieval Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/lepers-and-the-shunned-in-medieval-europe-dishonest-beggars-vagrants-and-more TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#vikings #longships #shipbuilding In this episode, Hendrik shows you how the Vikings made maritime history with their longships! Today we dive into the fascinating secrets of Nordic shipbuilding and discover what made these floating masterpieces so revolutionary. From the ingenious clinker construction to the perfect choice of wood to the organization of life on board – we illuminate all aspects of these legendary ships. Learn how experimental archaeology is unlocking the secrets of Viking longships today and why these vessels were centuries ahead of their time. Especially exciting: replicas like the Havhingsten, which prove that these ships really could cross the Atlantic! We welcome your comments! 😍 #vikingships #medievalhistory #shipbuildingcraft #experimentalarchaeology #maritimehistory #craftsmanship #norsemen ___ Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/the-secrets-of-the-viking-longships-insights-into-shipbuilding-and-life-on-board TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#medieval #shields #history In this episode, Hendrik and Carmen take you through the exciting evolution of shields from the Vikings to the present day. Discover why the round shield was perfect for the shield wall, how cavalry changed everything, and why modern police riot shields bear a striking resemblance to medieval pavises. From the lightweight linden wood round shield of the Vikings through the revolutionary Norman kite shields to the man-height pavises of crossbowmen – each era brought new challenges and clever solutions. We explore the fascinating details: Why were round shields only 8 millimeters thin? How did the enarmes grip system work? And why did shields fall out of use among knights while common soldiers still needed them? Especially intriguing: the continuity of fundamental principles. Whether Viking shield wall or modern police line – the tactics remain remarkably similar. History doesn't repeat itself, but it definitely rhymes. We'd love to hear your comments! 😍 #shieldwall #vikings #normans #pavises #knightshields #combattactics #reenactment ___ Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/the-secrets-of-medieval-shields-a-fascinating-development TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#medievaltimes #villagelife #history In this episode, Hendrik and Carmen show you the true heart of the Middle Ages: the village! While we often think of castles and towns, over 90% of the population lived in the countryside – between fields, churches, and farmsteads. We explore the various village forms, from cluster villages to street villages to the planned green villages of the eastern colonization. Along the way, we examine the strict social structure between yeoman farmers and landless cottagers, the rhythm of the seasons, and the central role of the commons, the church, and the mill. From hard fieldwork to communal harvest festivals to the first trade relationships – the medieval village was a complex community with its own rules and fascinating traditions. Enjoy, and see you next time! 😍 #clustervillage #greenvillage #commons #medievalfood #agriculture #socialhistory #craftsmanship ───────────────────────── Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/the-medieval-village-structure-everyday-life-and-development TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/

#vikingships #roskilde #maritimearchaeology In this fascinating episode, Hendrik and Carmen take you on a journey to one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the Viking Age: the sunken fleet of Roskilde. Learn how divers in the 1960s stumbled upon an underwater barrier in the Danish fjord that turned out to be a treasure trove of Viking history. From the spectacular recovery using a cofferdam to the revolutionary conservation with polyethylene glycol to radiocarbon dating - this episode shows how modern science unlocks millennia-old secrets. You'll get to know the different ship types: from the 30-meter warship Skuldelev 2 to the robust merchant knarr, and discover the ingenious clinker construction of Viking shipbuilders. Especially exciting: The experimental archaeology at the Viking Ship Museum Roskilde, where accurate replicas are built and sailed. Hendrik and Carmen explain why the Vikings only used axes, how they assessed wood solely by sound and smell, and what life meant on a crowded longship. We welcome your comments! 😍 #shipbuilding #experimentalarchaeology #vikingage #medieval #maritimehistory #denmark #archaeology ___ Battle-Merchant: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/ Battle-Merchant Blog: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/ Blog post for this episode: https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/rediscovery-of-the-sunken-viking-fleet-of-roskilde-an-insight-into-the-maritime-power-of-the-vikings TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@battlemerchant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlemerchant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlemerchant Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/battlemerchant/