Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Dorestad
We follow until the river reaches the bluff edging the flood plan. From here the Rhine is laid out on the smooth land splitting into branches as a great tree with many limbs. We ride on to the place where these waters meet the sea.
Here the wild-eyed galleys with their rows of oars and a sail, to boost them, are armed for sea battles. And also, mooring in these waters, are merchant ships, strong in keel–sailing the seas with the depths of their hulls laden with beverages in barrels and chests of treasures from every corner of the wind. The boats that are of most of interest to the spies from Metz have rowers, but hardly a keel for mounting the mast. Gaul has yet to meet the Wends and their cavalry of warriors preparing to arrive at the northern shores in boats with keels for sailing that can also be towed over the land and ice as easily as a currach.
Here, is a vast market place for all the world to gather and trade. Armorers hawk helmets and shields. Heavy metals can be forged to breastplates and all varieties of armor offered here.
As the father of one of these boys my secret wish is that they have full suits of armor—so stout and weighty that once they are fastened in, they will be completely safe and maybe even stifled from moving to fight. I fear they are in danger now from those who watch from the shadows. They only wear the byrnie (suit of mail) and over that, a panel of silk bearing the Frankish mark. Maybe they can resist arrows. But for spies, the piercing would come with the intimacy of the blade.
We stop to watch an artisan of helmets using standard conical form for the structure then reinforcing it with a cross of metal on the outside of the helmet. It seems not to matter if the helmet is metal or leather it is the same construction. There is a circle of metal work around the edge, catching each end of the cross pieces. The front arm of the cross is extended under the bracing circle to be protection for the nose thus sheltering the eyes as well. The use of this metal cross design allows a true artist in helmets an opportunity for adding aesthetic decoration.
“With all this decoration it is not just a utilitarian object of war.” Greg is quick to point that out. If I could see it as art, it might appeal even to an obstinate pacifist.
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 