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Link Compendium                                                    (Back to Main Page)
These are pages I've visited and I found worth bookmarking. I've started this page in large part to make the more accessible to myself and friends. They are by no means an exhaustive list

A note about organization. I'm trying to make it simpler to look up topics. One step is to reduce the use of sub-categories. For example, shoes used to be under CRAFTS-CLOTHING-SHOES. Now they are under Shoes.

The second thing is to combine related links into one entry. So for example under SHOES-VIKING there is one listing with a dozen links.

Finally, on some entries you will see the first word gives a basic description. Some examples are
Portal - for links like the Viking shoes described above. A Portal listing can lead you to many sites on the same topic.
Vendor - As the name implies it is a vendor site to go shopping at.
Research - Links related to doing research. These are usually links to Musuems or books, not simply other websites like mine.
Last Update 05/23/2010
Armour-How To-Chain Mail
Portal: Chain mail and Armour
A collection of links related to making armour and chain mail. From the Fourth Armory. Many articles related to making Chain mail. Some good research. Be sure to click their "How To" link.
Research Articles.

A research paper on weapon types and chain mail.
A Study of Weapons Effects on Chain Mail

Armour-How To-General
Portal: Sources for learning how to make armour

These are various sites that have large amounts of information. From these you can get "how to" instructions as well as ideas for armour you might want to make.
Great resource
The Arador Armour Library!
Since 1995 Arador has served as a hub for education, information and camaraderie to those in the Internet community with an interest in armour and armour-related subjects.

Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild.
Some good How to's on making armour for the SCA. The Mission of the MMCG is to revive the combat skills of the European Middle Ages (circa 800-1500 A.D.), to further research and accurately depict all aspects of medieval culture, and to create an enjoyable experience for its members.

Armour Projects by Craig Nadler
Armour Projects by Craig Nadler shows over 20 projects. Clicking the photos takes you to a page with patterns for those who want to make them.

MyArmoury.com
A resource center for historic arms and armour collectors.

The Armour Archive
This site has a pattern archive as well as various articles and a forum.
Armour-How To-Helmets
Portal: Instructions and ideas for making your own helmet.

Wynchwood Warriors - Helmet making
Wynchwood Warriors. - Check out their WIKI. Lots of research on period helmets and at the bottom are basic instructions on making a helmet.

Paper Helmet Model
Make a Five Dollar Spangenhelm. Well, not quite because this is a paper helmet. However, it would be a good exercice before cutting metal

How to Build a 5 panel Spangen Helm.
Well illustrated guide to making a helmet.

The Ravens Warband Homepage - Helmet plans
An Anglo-Saxon re-enactor group, see their Guide to Equipment.

Arador Armour Library

Helmet Projects by Craig Nadler

Armour-How To-Shield
Learn to Dish by building a Buckler
Though the object of the lesson is to learn to "dish" metal, the result is that your produce a boss for your shield.
Books-Artifacts
BOOKS ON METAL DETECTOR FINDS
Numerous books on English artifacts from Roman to Tudor time periods.
Books-History-Byzantine
Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire
From a review in the Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0212/p15s01-bogn.html) It is spoken of in fiction and histories as an enigma, a shrouded maze of privileged deception and perfumed deceit... But that image, as cinematically enticing as it may be, is one of the most effective examples of disinformation the world has ever seen, as Judith Herrin reveals
Books-History-Saxon England
The Year 1000: What Life Was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium : An Englishman's World
Offering a delightful, often astonishing portrait of everyday life in Anglo-Saxon England in the year 1000, this wonderfully earthy chronicle, while timed for the end of this millennium, distinguishes itself from the sea of millennial titles by focusing on the end of the last one. Lacey (Sotheby's Bidding for Class), a popular British historian, and London-based journalist Danziger (The Orchestra) focus on aspects of daily living. The Anglo-Saxons, a practical, self-contained, fervently superstitious people, were 99% illiterate, yet their language would become their most widespread legacy. Bristol was a slave- trading port, and the use of "bondservants" was a basic underpinning of the rural economy (the Norman invasion of 1066 would replace servitude with feudalism). There was no sugar, but honey was so valued that it became a form of currency. Personal hygiene was almost nonexistent, and most adults died in their 40s. England, as the country was called, endured the best and the worst of times, enjoying unmatched prosperity but also falling prey to Viking raids, a menace that King Ethelred (the Unready) exacerbated by paying protection money. The narrative is organized in 12 chapters one for each month plus a closing chapter assessing the Anglo-Saxon legacy. Prefacing each chapter is a nimble, remarkably modern-looking, secular drawing of laborers' activities reproduced from the Julius Work Calendar, probably created by a cleric working in Canterbury Cathedral around 1020. This is a superb time capsule, and the authors distill a wealth of historical information into brightly entertaining reading. Agent, Curtis Brown. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Books-History-Saxon England- Alfred
Call from Athelney :: Life of Alfred the Great
An online biography, hagiography, of King Alfred. "THE LIFE OF THE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS KING OF THE ENGLISH ALFRED THE GREAT "
Books-Lists-Roman
The Roman History Reading Group
roman history books and more . . . discussing fiction, nonfiction, ancient historians, and mysteries internet links, travelogues
Clothes-Anglo-Saxon
Portal: Anglo-Saxon garb
Also check out Re-enactors-Saxon England for ideas about, pictures of and places to buy period.

Wychwood Warriers Kit site
A re-enactment society focusing on the Saxon period. Their site offers guidelines and advice on making kit.
Re-enactors- Saxon England
Clothes-Medieval
Portal: Medieval Clothing
Some good primers on medieval dress.

Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild.
The Mission of the MMCG is to revive the combat skills of the European Middle Ages (circa 800-1500 A.D.), to further research and accurately depict all aspects of medieval culture, and to create an enjoyable experience for its members.

A Re-enactors Household
This covers the Medieval period with a emphasis on the Viking period.
Clothes-Roman
Vendors: Several sites for buying roman clothes and military gear
Lots of Military gear.
Caligae, tunics, fibulas, wool goods.

LEGIO VI vendor list
Tons of links
Their headquarters on Hadrian's wall. Doesn't get more real. Just boots on the site right now.
rigorevali.co.uk

Clothes-Viking
Portal: Viking Clothes
Sites with patterns or advice on how to make viking style clothing. Basic patterns for Tunic, Breeches, Apron and cloak.
Patterns for sewing Viking era clothes

A Re-enactors Household
This covers the Medieval period with a emphasis on the Viking period.
Coin Making- SCA-Guilds
Portal: SCA Moneyer's Guilds
Here are links to websites or information about SCA Moneyer's Guilds

West Kingdom Moneyers Guild
Good photos of the guild making money and having fun.

Meridian
Several good links and descriptions of gear.

Interkingdom Moneyers Guild
Yahoo Group

Northshield Moneyers Guild
Yahoo Group
Coin Making- SCA-Samples
Society for Creative Anachronism ARCHIVE
More coins. Some have titles that if clicked can to read more details including notes by Ian Cnulle, the moneyer.
The University of St. Hildegard - Past Lane Productions
This has several pages of coins designed for SCA kingdoms and principalities. Many by Ian Cnulle.
Coin Making-Aluminum-Annealing
Annealing Aluminum
Aluminum sheets that are .025" thick can be readily purchased. These make great "silver" coin planchets if you have an arch punch or regular punch. The problem is that aluminum will age harden. At a recent demo copper coins struck easily while the aluminum was much harder to strike. One reason might have been because Aluminum will age harden. This led me to doing some research on how to anneal it. Much of the advice online talks about coating the aluminun with soot and then burning it off with a torch. However, a few references talk about temperatures that could be found by using your oven's highest settings.The best of the links I found are below but here is the short version:

Low Temp ideas:
Heat the blanks to 450 F and hold at that temperature for 2 hours. "There are two ways that you can anneal aluminum, according to Neal. 'The first way is if the aluminum part reaches 600° F or more for at least one minute. The second way aluminum becomes annealed is if the temperature is 450° F for two hours or more. This point needs to be understood better by the industry,' Neal stresses. " From 'Getting Aluminum Clean: There’s More Than One Way ( Link Broken)' by Babcox automative parts.

And this article talks about 450F being the tipping point.
Cast Nonferrous: Annealing of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys

This mentions 650F as the tipping point.
Aluminum stress relief anneal

'From Small Model Airplane Lovers League'

If you have a kiln...
Aluminum 6061

And here are some more links:

How to Soften Aluminum Plate

'Article for the body shop business'
'Bottom of page of FAQ's from Ron Fournier'
'Toughness, Density, and Tenacity of Aluminum. Part 2'
'An article on Mold making'
Coin Making-Ancient-How To
Experiments in Ancient Roman Coin Making
Excellent site by Di Hu who created dies and experimented with the striking of simulated Roman Denari. Of good interest to anyone who wants to make coins.
Coin Making-Dies-Anglo-Saxon
Research: Coin dies found at York
Three pages with a good photo of the dies.
Coin Die

A brief overview of the coin dies found in Viking era York.
This PDF is made from a bad copy of a report on the dies. Still, some good information.
More on the dies

Coin Making-Examples-Celtic
THE CELTIC COIN INDEX
This has an index of over 37,000 coin images. In addition, it has pages on how coins were made.
Coin Making-Examples-Islam
Coins of Medieval Islam
This is a noncommerical site dealing with the coins of early Islam, dating from about 690 to 1500 AD. The concentration here is exclusively on the silver and copper coins struck in Europe and northern Africa and in western and central Asia, excluding the Indian subcontinent.
Coin Making-Historic Information- Anglo-Saxon
Research: Anglo Saxon coinage. Dies; examples; History
Links related to Anglo-Saxon coinage and economic information. Three pages with a good photo of the dies found in York.
Coin Die

A brief overview of the coin dies found in Viking era York.
This PDF is made from a bad copy of a report on the dies. Still, some good information.
More on the dies

Overview of coinage from c.973-1066.
A good overview of the late coinage listing types and years minted. It starts about 1/3 down the page. Search for c.973-1066. Late Anglo-Saxon coinage.

Roman coins used as Saxon weights
A Saxon era pan balance used with roman coins which acted as the standard weights.

Economics of English Coinage Denominations
The first part discusses Saxon coinage

Coinage and the Economy in Anglo-Saxon England
More of class handout worksheet than article, none the less if covers the basics. Would be useful for a class.

Anglo Saxon coins in the Money Museum
Clicking a coin's title gives you background on the coin and it's times.
Coin Making-Historic Information- Baltic Region
Portal: Research sites related to Northern Europe/Baltic region

The evolution of the money standard in medieval Frisia

The evolution of the money standard in medieval Frisia : a treatise on the history of the systems of money of account in the former Frisia (c.600-c.1500)
Livonian
Overview of their coinage history.
Coin Making-Historic Information- Carolingian
Portal: Charlemagne's Coinage
The coinage reforms carried out by the Carolingians, especially Charlemagne, set the standard of Western European coinage for the next four centuries. It was his coinage that set the standard of 240 pennies to the silver pound that was in use until the mid 1200'.

The Carolingian Reform
A good but brief overview.

The Denarius in the Middle Ages the Basis for Everyday Money as well
From the Money Museum an illustrated guide starting with Charlemagne

Charlemagne's Coinage: Ideology and Economy
Background on the coinage that set the pattern for coinage for the next 400 years throughout western Europe. NOTE: This is a preview so pages are missing. However it still can serve as a starting point and let you know if you want to buy the whole book for 17 pounds.

Islam and the Carolingian penny
Short overview of the interaction of the coinages.
Coin Making-Historic Information- General
Portal: Research sites
These are links that have generalized information about coinage. On some you can do specialized research on a particular coinage but they are included here because of the wide range of topics covered.
Money Museum
This is a wonderful site with lots of photos and articles.

Medieval European Coinage - Overview
This is a good general overview of Medieval coinage lettering, legends and symbols.
Coin Making-How To's
Grunal Moneta
We produce authentic-style hammered coins, starting with Greek through to Celtic (650BC), all the way to the English Civil War (1660AD) and everything in between. We also produce commemorative coins and wedding tokens (made to our clients own design). All coins can be struck in Pewter, Copper, Silver or Gold. Dave also takes his travelling mint around Britain and abroad, adding colour to events and bringing to life the manufacture of coins and jewelry from your chosen era. We even make coin dies for people who want to strike their own coins. To take a look at the things we make and sell, why not visit our online catalogue? How about that special memento for your wedding or event, our custom coin making service might be just what you are looking for. Our Brief History of Coins and Coin production section gives a summary of how and why coins were made throughout history.
Coin Making-How To's-Engraving
Portal: Engraving coin Dies and related techniques
Sites that cover techniques that would be useful in die making.
Hobo nickel and coin carving
Hobo nickel and general coin carving forum. This is for people interested in carving coins or making Hobo Nickels. However, the tips here work for anyone who is interested in engraving metal dies.

GRS Engraving Tool and Techniques
Website with tools and teaching videos
Coin Making-Pewter Blanks
Heat Treating of Tin-Rich Alloys
Pewter blanks don't have the correct "tinkle" that other metals make. This gives some ideas on how to harden your pewter coins to make them tinkle.

The short version: The hardness values of spun pewter ware, or of other articles that have been manufactured by mechanically working the metal, can be restored by heat treatment at temperatures from 110 to 150°C. A tin alloy containing 6% Sb and 2% Cu hardens to 90% of the hardness of the as-cast material after annealing for 1 h at 200 °C. Longer annealing times at lower temperatures have smaller but similar effects on the recovery from work softening.
Coin Making-Punches
Heat Treating Music Wire
3/8" Music wire is good for making punches. This article gives a good overview of how to anneal it to make it soft and the how to harden it again.
Coin Making-Roman-Dies
Portal: Pictures and depictions of ancient coin dies
The Coinage of Julius Caesar. This is hosted by Macquarie University in Australia. The page "Introduction to the Office of Moneyer in the Roman Republic" has a coin at the bottom right that shows coin dies, tongs and hammers.
Coin showing die

Though not a great photo, it gives a glimpse of what Roman dies looked like. Towards the bottom.
Photo of coin dies from Trier

Coin Making-Samples-Medieval
Symbolic Messengers
Website with numerous examples of medieval coinage and explanations of the nature of the symbols.
Coin Making-Samples-Viking
Swedish National Museum - Viking gold
Not really coins, but lots of coin like objects to check out.
Coin Making-Scandinavian
Rsearch: Scandinavian coinage
A short paper that gives an overview of Scandinavian coinage from Viking times through the 16th century.
Coins-History-Development
The cradle of cash
The origin of money, a concept which developed before coins.
Coins-History-Encyclopedia
Online books and articles
This has a couple dozen online articles and books covering numerous countries. It includes books on English coins and images of Crusader state coins. While the online books are old, they work as an image source and basic information.
Coins-History-England
Portal: English coin Information online and in books
An overview of English coinage.
Coinage of Great Britain. Celtic to Decimalisation, by Ken Elks.

Englands Striking History: A good overview of hammered coinage from Alfred through Charles I
Englands Striking History

Coins-History-Roman
Introduction to Roman Coins
From the University of Saskatchewan, a beginners overview of Roman coinage and meanings.
Coins-Online Collections
Scottish Coinage - Artistry, History and Culture in Numismatics
A study of the Scottish coinage is a study of the history of Scotland in itself, as much of the history of Scotland is reflected in it's coinage. Indeed the triumphs of the rise of Robert the Bruce out of the ashes of the English occupation late in the 13th and early 14th centuries and subsequent victories at Bannockburn, and the recognition of Scottish independence from England are noted with the issuance of coinage bearing the portrait of King Robert I.
The Money Museum
The website has a text in English or German explaining numismatic history as well as the background history of the period when the coins were minted.
Coins-Online Collections-American- Colonial
University y of Notre Dame Collection of American colonial coins
The website pictures its coins with informative texts about the various forms of money and foreign coins used in colonial America.
Coins-Online Collections-Ancient
Bearers of Meaning - The Ottilia Buerger Collection at Lawrence University
Essays on "The Production of Ancient Coins", "Greek Coinage and the Polis", "Hellenistic Coin Portraits", "Roman Coins and Roman History" and "The Development of the Byzantine Solidus". The online catalog is divided into "The Greek City-States, Their Colonies, and Neighbors", "The Hellenistic Age", "The Roman World" and "The Byzantine Empire".
Old Money Greek and Roman Coins
Old Money is an exhibition of Greek and Roman coins held in the Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College. Includes exhibits of coins by themes and student articles
Coins-Online Collections-Ancient- Greek
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Greek Coins in the Museum of Ancient Art at the University of Aarhus, Denmark
The Museum of Ancient at the University of Aarhus is proud to present this data base of Greek coins in the museum collection. The data base includes information and colour images of all the coins published in the two volumes Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum on the Aarhus University Collection (vol. I) and the Fabricius Collection (vol. II). The data base is made public on the internet on the occasion of the loan exhibition The Aegean of the Coins, an exhibition by the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Numismatic Museum in Athens, visiting Aarhus 3.-26. May 2003. It is our hope that we will also be able to present the Roman coins within the year 2003
Coins-Online Collections-Ancient- Macedon
John Lavendar's collection of Macedonian coins

Coins-Online Collections-Ancient- Roman
The Fitzwilliam Museum of Cambridge
Exhibits for Roman and medieval coins along with a searchable catalog of sales catalogs.
Coins-Online Collections-Date Coinage
Early Dated European coinage
AN ONLINE EXPANSION OF THE FREY CATALOGUE OF DATED EUROPEAN COINAGE BEFORE 150. With additional coins not included by Frey from numerous catalogues through 1530 as are found and identified.
Coins-Online Collections-Islamic
The Maskukat Collection
Collection of Medieval & Islamic Mediterranean Coins
Coins-Online Collections-Medieval
The Fitzwilliam Museum of Cambridge
Exhibits for Roman and medieval coins along with a searchable catalog of sales catalogs.
French and English Royal and Medieval Coins
Nice selection of coins from France dating back to Charlemagne, England, the Germanies, Venice. Also links to historical articles.
Coins-Online Collections- Medieval- English Hammered
English Hammered Coins in the collection of Timothy Cook
This covers coins from Saxon times through the end of the 17th century.
Medieval English & Irish Hammered Farthings
This online guide is designed to help: **Metal Detector enthusiasts ; **Museum Curators; **Coin Dealers & Collectors; accurately identify and classify their English Hammered Farthings.
Dave's Rare Coins
This site offers students of rare early Medieval hammered coins the chance to view and study my ever-growing collection, researches and articles. As a numismatist I specialize in and collect pennies of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, although my researches extend to the Viking era, Northumberland and the Norman period. My Cabinet contains some of the rarest coins in existence and consists primarily of fragments, partial and broken coins, as I can generally afford to collect these rather than whole coins in better grades. But having said that, I admire each one as a work of often crude but skilled craftsmanship and primitive beauty. These coins are my pride and joy. All are authentic. I may be willing to sell or trade under certain conditions [see page [1] above], please CONTACT ME if interested. I scan all coins myself and all coins are, or were, from my personal Cabinet unless otherwise stated. Acknowledgements are given wherever possible. Research sources are submitted in red below each post
Coins-Online Collections-Medieval- German
Numismatische Bilddatenbank Eichstätt
A German site with a searchable database of coins. For those who don't read German the pictures seem to say a lot. For example somehow I wandered into a page that pictorially explained how the various catalogues (RIC, BMCRR etc) are laid out and work; from there it was a short trip to Babelfish to translate.
Coins-Research-Arabic- Egypt
Copper Money in Late Mamluk Cairo: Chaos or Control?
JSTOR This paper investigates the copper money system of the Late Mamluk period (1468-1517) using numismatic and textual evidence from Cairo. Numismatic evidence is associated with contemporary chronicle reports of recoinages and devaluations of the copper currency, which serves to explain how the various issues of copper money (fulūs) were issued and how they related to each other. This investigation provides evidence for the dating of one undated coin type, explains the function of the variety of types in the copper coinage, and establishes the basis for determining the monetary policy of the period and the public responses to that policy.
Coins-Research-England
Coinage from a 'Civitas': A Survey of the Roman Coins Found in Norfolk and Their Contribution to the Archaeology of the 'Civitas Icenorum'
JSTOR
Coins-Research-England- Medieval
The Volume of the English Currency, 1158-1470
JSTOR The volume of the currency is an important factor underlying economic change in medieval England. The author estimates the size of the currency at fourteen dates from 1158 to 1470, using recorded mint outputs, estimated outputs of dies, and coin hoards. The English silver currency, which was supplemented by foreign gold, increased from less than £0.1 million in 1158 to nearly £0.5 million in 1247 and at least £1 million in 1290. It rose to a peak of about £1.5-£2.0 million in 1310-31, falling to less than £1 million in 1351 and a fraction of that in the fifteenth century. The English gold coinage, introduced in 1344, increased from about £0.1-0.2 million in 1351 to approximately £0.8 million in 1422, declining to about £0.4-0.5 million in 1470.
Coins-Research-England- Roman
A Roman Coin Manufacturing Hoard from 'Magiovinium', Fenny Stratford, Bucks
JSTOR Site showing evidence of the making of imitation Roman coins with a discussion of the die and coin blank composition.
Coins-Research-Saxon England- Saxon
Anglo-Saxon Art in the Round
An Exhibition of Anglo-Saxon Coins and Artefacts to Celebrate the Acquisition by The Fitzwilliam Museum of the De Wit Collection of Early Anglo-Saxon Pennies. Anglo-Saxon Art in the Round explores the rich inventiveness of Early Medieval Art through the medium of coins and ornamental metalwork.
How Large was the Anglo-Saxon Currency?
JSTOR
Transaction Costs, Institutional Change, and the Emergence of a Market Economy in Later Anglo-Saxon England
JSTOR The allocative systems of Anglo-Saxon England underwent a profound transformation in the two centuries prior to the Norman conquest as traditional methods of exchange were increasingly replaced by exchange in price-making markets. The transformation was hastened by the arrival of Viking invaders whose presence forced the population repeatedly into the market-place so that they might mobilize the resources needed to buy off or fight off their enemies. The emergency conversion or marketing of goods and services in this way resulted in broad-based institutional change that led to progressively lower transaction costs and to a greater willingness among Anglo-Saxons to engage in production for the market
Coins-Research-Viking
Example of Viking Hack Silver cut to standard weights
An interesting study group of Viking hack silver that shows evidence of the pieces being cut to a standard weight system.
Crafts-Beads-Encyclopedia
Medieval Bead work
This site is run by an SCA member who doesn't just do beadwork but also the research to show how it was done in period.
Crafts-Bone and Horn
Portal: Working with Horn and Bone
Using and Working With Horn

Full Chisel Blog
Full Chisel Blog - Working with Bone and Ivory

Making Horn Spoons- Stefan's Florilegium
"Making Horn Spoons" by Mistress Gunnora Hallakarva. Directions for making spoons out of cow horn. How to process the horn.
Crafts-Books-Period Techniques
Portal: Books for those recreating ancient crafts
These are links to places that sell books that have a focus on period techniques.

Caber Press
These booklets are sold by Thompson Conservation Laboratory which has done much work in the restoration/conservation of period items.
Crafts-Ceramics-Suppliers
Clay World
Online supplier for all ceramic related material
Crafts-Clothing-Celtic- Britain
The Vicus - Romans and Britons
The Vicus is an Iron age and early Roman re-enactment society that interprets history through the media of experimental archaeology, reconstruction and living history.
Their resource page has some basic guides to create Roman and Briton equipment.
Crafts-Clothing-European
Lady Jehanne de Wodeford - Portal
This is the home page of Lisa Joseph, known in the Society for Creative Anachronism as Lady Jehanne de Wodeford and Saionji no Hanae.
Several links and articles regarding period European clothing including how to make a side less surcote.
Crafts-Clothing-Fighting
Patterns of Time - Helmet Coifs
Several patterns for medieval military clothing, specifically for coifs to wear under helmets or mail. For what it is worth, according to the source that pointed me to this site the coif patterns were designed by an SCA Laurel so the garments are definitely designed with SCA fighting in mind, by an experienced SCA fighter.
Crafts-Clothing-Garb Patterns
Portal: Various sites with patterns and advice on making garb

Seam: Historical costumes
A French language page with many links to historical clothing.

Garb Workshops
The Canton of Gleann nam Feòrag Dhuibhe (Barony of Bhakail) Garb Workshops

Costuming Through The Centuries
Probably a couple dozen patterns with lots of production details.
Crafts-Clothing-Japanese
Lady Jehanne de Wodeford - Portal
This is the home page of Lisa Joseph, known in the Society for Creative Anachronism as Lady Jehanne de Wodeford and Saionji no Hanae.
Numerous links and articles regarding period Japanese clothing.
Crafts-Clothing-Leg Wrappings
Winingas
Winingas - Overview of what they are and how to make
'Wickelbander' - leg bands
Great overview of the leg wrappings used in northern Europe during the early middle ages.
Crafts-Clothing-Roman- Civilian
Roman Costume Guide
Female costume patterns, male costume patterns and footwear
Crafts-Clothing-Roman- Military
The Vicus - Romans and Britons
The Vicus is an Iron age and early Roman re-enactment society that interprets history through the media of experimental archaeology, reconstruction and living history.
Their resource page has some basic guides to create Roman and Briton equipment.
Roman clothing and gear recreations
Not so much plans as a pictorial "how I did it" for creating such items as a leather Cuirass Lorica Musculata, cavalry boots, an Attic helmet and several other items of Roman military gear.
Crafts-Clothing-Store
Historic Enterprises
Good site for many SCA needs.
Crafts-Clothing-Whole Body
Patterns of Time
Specialized in Historical, Ethnic, and Fantasy Costuming. We offer an extensive line of patterns, cloak clasps, kilt pins, penannulars, buttons and accessories for the period accurate re-enactor and costume enthusiast. A search on Medieval brought over ten pages of patterns.
Crafts-Fonts
Portal: Various "Medieval" style fonts
These are various font download pages. Many of the fonts are fanciful, but can still be useful. Of course there is some overlap on the offerings.

Medieval Fonts
Has several Medieval fonts along with various Celtic and decorative fonts.

Dan Smith's Fantasy Fonts:
These are Runic fonts based on Lord of the Rings

Joelle Font Collection
Celtic and old-style fonts

Free fonts by Lord Kyl MacKay
20 fonts
Crafts-Gear-Satchels
Cumdachs and Polaires - Medieval Irish Book Shrines and Book Satchels
Most countries of the world that have produced the codex-form book have had a few highly valued, special examples, often holy books of saints or royal books of kings. These prized volumes have received protective coverings created by skilled craftsmen and decorated with elaborate artwork. Almost all countries apply this attention to the book itself, the paper and the binding; all save one. Ireland seems to be the only country to have used book shrines extensively; This paper is a brief overview of what the Irish did do with their books.
Crafts-Glass
The Composition and Production of Anglo-Saxon Glass
A good starting point for someone wanting to recreate the glass.
Crafts-Idea Farm
Norse Related Crafts
This site is intended to showcase Norse-related work by local SCA folks, and is maintained by Dirk.
Portal: Various sites that have lots of pictures to generate ideas.

Joan & Crispin's Website
Crispin Sexi and Joan Sutton (formerly known as Aelflaed of the Weald) are in the SCA in the Barony of Politarchopolis and like to write the odd article on diverse medieval topics.

A and S project page for Clefork of Calontir
Many various projects to get ideas from. Note the page is slow in loading so it looks at first as if the picture links are broken.

Wills Medieval Woodworking - Links
These are sites on Medieval Woodworking or related topics

HaandKraft Blog
This is a blog about crafts in general, and historical (mainly medieval) crafts in particular. We experiment with a number of different crafts and techniques and show you the results.

Anna's Craft Link Pages
Pages with multiple links to various sites based on these topics:
Costume Making     Protective Equipment    Food and Drink
Scribal Arts     Leather and Footwear    Shelter and Daily Comforts
Metal Working     Textile Techniques and Tools    Misc Crafts and Wood
Weapons, Make and Use    Misc SFX    Various Interesting Sites
Music and Dance

The Minister of Arts and Science for the Kingdom of Atenveldt
An issue of a regular SCA newsletter with numerous craft oriented articles. This focuses on clothing and has articles on 11th Century male Saxon dress, simple shoes and beginning ideas for garb.
Crafts-Idea Farm-Middle East
Professor Michael J. Fuller, PhD Professor of Anthropology
Professor Fuller's page has links to a virtual museum of excavation finds sorted by cultures. His SCA pages have links to various living history events and museums. Very photo intensive but lots here for people who are looking for ideas as well as documentation.
Crafts-Idea Farm-Viking- Rus
Novgorod Archaeology
The City of Novgorod was a Viking/Rus settlement in Northwest Russia. The page has pictures of artifacts sorted by the type of material - metal, pottery, textiles, bone, leather and wood.
Crafts-Leather
Leatherworker Forum
Not an SCA site but has information that can be used to recreate period items.
Crafts-Leather-Medieval
Leather and leather working in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York
Synopsis of the book of the same name. From the website:
The original proposal for the research and publication of the large assemblage of leather artefacts and leatherworking evidence from four sites in Anglo- Scandinavian and medieval York specified that the work be undertaken in two distinct stages:
Stage 1: completion of the archive and preparation of a detailed publication synopsis.
Stage 2: analysis, research and publication.

Several related books found on Amazon are:
Leather and Leatherworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York: Craft, Industry and Everyday Life (The archaeology of York) (Paperback) by Quita Mould (Author), Ian Carlisle (Author), Esther Cameron (Author) Leather and Leatherworking

Crafts-Medieval Illumination-How To
Portal: Medieval Illumination
These are sites that talk about "how" illumination was done or can be done now.
An introduction to the history of medieval writing, including the origins of our written culture, paleography and the history of scripts, and the nature of literacy and the written word in the middle ages. Manuscript books and documents, and the very process of writing itself, are part of the cultural heritage of the western world
Medieval Writing History, Heritage and Data Source

This is a collection of articles and documentation on some of my SCA projects, many of which were put together for the Artemisia Arts and Science Competition AS 36 & AS 37 (2001 & 2002). You will notice that there a number of articles here dealing with Medieval paint pigments - so now I must make the usual sort of disclaimer, that regardless of what I write and post on the web, what you do at home with your own choice of pigments and poisons is your own responsibility. Unless you have sufficient means to prevent skin absorption, fume inhalation and dust ingestion, and have had the training to keep yourself safe, please don't play with medieval chemicals at home.
Lady Therasia's SCA Stuff - Mainly Painting

The Middle Kingdom Scribes' Handbook
The Scribes' Handbook is more than a resource for SCA scribes. It has a lot of information and practical advice about selecting and using various materials and tools, advice on gilding, examples of interesting calligraphic exemplars, layout & design advice, and much more. This is the book to get the beginner going and to advance the advanced scribe.
The Middle Kingdom Scribes' Handbook

Some of the personal work of Randy Asplund's who hosts the Middle Kingdom handbook
Medieval Illuminated Manuscript

Website describing a project to create two illuminated manuscript. Some recipes for inks and paints as well as other "How To" information.
The Painted Word

From the exhibit "Leaves of Gold". A collaborative exhibition organized by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries. The page has links to the exhibit as well as suppliers.
How Illuminated Manuscripts were Made

Crafts-Medieval Illumination-Paints
Pigments: Historical and Chemical and artistic Importance
Part of a larger site, this gives a nice overview of pigments used in Period.
Crafts-Metal-Viking- Nalbinding
Viking Knit Silver Bracelet - Naalbinding or Chain Knitting
This is a technique for knitting wire. Used during the Viking period.
Nalbinding Nutters
Nalbinding is a style of knitting that predates the modern versions. This group is starting point for those wanting to learn.
Knit Wire Chain How to
A how to guide on getting started with Naalbinding
Crafts-Needle work-Information
Historic Needlework
The purpose of this list is the discussion of historical needlework techniques. This includes, but is not limited to, embroidery, knitting, crochet, tatting, netting, lace making. Excluded are spinning, weaving, quilting, and machined techniques (such as machine knitting). The list includes all time periods. Although sponsored and maintained by SCA members, this list not an SCA-only list.
Crafts-Textiles-Portal
On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics
The On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics contains material on weaving, basketry, lace, and related subjects.
Documents can be accessed by document type:
articles (4720) books (452) ephemera (319) illustrations (271)
manuscripts (7) monographs (347) patents (398) periodicals (1322)
webdocs (198) other (116)
Self-Reliance: Dyes; textitles; leatherwork
A website sponsored by Survival & Self Reliance Studies Institute. This has pages full of links to for 'do it yourself'. Many areas, like dyes under textiles, would have information to help an SCAdian create period style materials.
Encyclopedia-Kitchen Sink
Portal: Sites with multiple cultures and resources
These are sites with links to multiple cultures and multiple sites. They include everything, even the kitchen sink

Living History UK
Dozens and dozens of sites from Ancient times to World War II

Ravensgard
A site developed by a couple in Oregon, it covers Roman, Norse, Saxon among another six or seven cultures
Encyclopedia-Persia-Seleucid
Seleukids.org
An Online Sourcebook for the History, Numismatics, Epigraphy, Art and Archaeology of the Seleucid Empire
Encyclopedia-Viking-Varangians
Sven skildbiter's Index Page
Quite a collection of links with the focus being on the Varangians guard of the Byzantine empire.
Food and Drink-Ale
Gruit Ale and Unhopped Beers
The following recipes are meant as a starting point for anyone interested in brewing herbal beers. These recipes are not perfect in and of themselves, and I welcome any feedback, questions or suggestions. Most of these are modern interpretations and experimentations on gruit, which means mostly standard brewing equipment and methods are necessary. Gruit ales are relatively uncharted territory, don't hesitate to send in and share your own recipes to be posted here.
Food and Drink-Food
Gode Cookery
Gode Cookery is an award-winning medieval history website dedicated to the food & feasts of the Middle Ages & Renaissance. Here you will find information on medieval cooking, instructions for preparing authentic feasts, hundreds of recipes, image collections, a medieval cooking discussion group, graphics, photographs, and history resources.
Food and Drink-Grains-Querns
Portal: Grain grinding querns
I got interested in making a quern and here is the result of my searches for background material.

Dark Age Village

Regia Anglorum
Mills and quernsStonework

Edcott Saxon Village

Replica Makers LOTS of interesting stuff

Processing Cereal into grain

York - Picture of viking age stone querns

Hurstwic Page on food. Has a picture of a query

Gristmill page, but talks about hand querns

Bread Blog

You Tube on how to make a quern
and on flour

The SaxonHouse

Fun
Do it yourself Bayeux Tapestry
Create your own version of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Gear-Drinking-Horns
Vendor: Wassail Drinking and Blowing Horns
Various horns for sale.
Gear-Encyclopedia
Past Times
Numerous links for gear (tents, furniture, etc) items.
Early Period
Articles aimed at pre-1066 history.
Material culture from the Middle Ages and Renaissance,
Links to material culture (stuff!) from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including representations in period artwork. Some of these focus on garments, or surveys of occupational dress, or even animals. For a complete list of the linkspages and articles on this site, see the sitemap
Medieval Pavilion Resources
Welcome! Perhaps I should have titled this Medieval Camping Resources, because it includes plans, links and articles on tents, furniture, food, costuming, The Society for Creative Anachronism, and other period interests.
Gear-Furniture Plans-Beds
Ideas for 6-7th Century beds
Dozens of plans and ideas for periond beds
'Rope Bed Resources'
'FURNITURE/CAMPING ACCESSORIES'
This webpage links to beds & bedding accessories from artwork and from extant examples. Some related articles: Embroidered Dreams, and the links on beds, household linens, and quilts.

'Links'

'Portable Camp Bed'

A reproduction of the Osberg slat bed and original documentation

A suggestion on wood:
I've made a few slat beds, so I'll throw a few thoughts.
I've made beds from cedar and pine. You should not be concerned with wood strength. The cheapest wood will have more than adequate strength for a slat bed. I actually came to appreciate the advantages a lighter wood provides when it comes to packing and unpacking. The last bed I made, I altered the plans to make it with smaller, thinner pieces of pine with no strength issues. If I were to make another one, I'd consider going even smaller yet.
It also depends on what you intend to accomplish with the bed. If this is meant to be a great showpiece of period style and woodworking skills, then the more expensive woods will look better and may be easier to work with. If this is more of a utility piece, once again, I'd opt for the cheaper woods.
Alberic
Gear-How To
THE KNOWN WORLD ARCHITECTURAL GUILD
Table of Contents--SACRED SPACES NEWSLETTERS This has a list of articles that would help someone wanting to make period furniture and tents.
Gear-Merchants
SCA Juried Merchants List
Welcome to the SCA Juried Merchants List! This page is intended to present a list of merchants carrying products for SCAdians who make a little more effort than average to make sure that their wares have something to do with the game that we play. So far we have 112 merchants on this list; please encourage any missing merchants to apply for a listing.
Gear-Suppliers
Billy and Charlies Finest Quality Pewter Goods
Decorative Brooches, Pilgrim badges and household goods. Mainly 13th - 15th century.
Gear-Suppliers-Portal
The International Living History Fair Trader Websites
Several dozen links to merchants and vendors who specialize in Living History.
Gear-Tents
Panther Primitives
We bring the past to life by supplying historical reproduction tents and supplies for historical re-enactors and collectors. Our dedication to quality and customer service has made Panther the world's largest manufacturer of historical tentage.
Tentsmiths Authentic Period Tentage
THE makers of historical period tents. Compare our tents to any tent out there and you’ll see a TENTSMITHS tent stands alone in quality research and construction. As you look around this website you will discover that our lines of canvas tents are not for everyone. We carefully construct well researched tents for museums, movies, reenactors, and hunting camps. We have performed this service for twenty-five years and are known for our historical accuracy and uncompromising attention to detail.
Our catalog of tents is used throughout the industry as a research document. Our background is in engineering, our passion is in research and our personalities obsessed with perfectionism. We have built tents for such prestigious establishments as Yorktown, the Smithsonial, Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Valley Forage and Fortress Louisbourg. The movie industry has used our tents for Last of the Mohicans, A&E’s The Crossing, The Patriot and John Adams.
The Crow's Nest
Specializes in Pavilion tents. It is worth going just for the PDF on late medieval tent decoration.
I can personally say that his craft is top notch and will certainly handle any type of weather or other calamity thrown at it. He has been doing this for several years now and I think he is well worth a look into if you are looking at your first period tent, or replacing an older one.
www.welldressedtent.com
Charismos of Lacedaemon
The Dragonwing Home Page
Tents for sale but also lots of information and research for authentic tents and tenting. A MUST see.
House Greydragon
My intent is to provide educational and reference information on those aspects of 14th century medieval life that I try to recreate within my hobby of living history in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). I hope you find links of interest, and useful information in helping to recreate various aspects of the 14th century, including: These include:
Plans and information on medieval furniture, particularly chests, but including benches, tables, coolers, tapestries, beds, etc
One style of medieval tents, their design and construction, including a calculator for determining dimensions and canvas required.
Late 14th Century costumes, in particular cotehardies.
History-Ancient-Philosophy
HISTORY OF ETHICS - Volume 2: 30 BC To 1453 Age of Belief
As the name implies, this is a wide ranging history of the world. A good overview of the ancient world with an emphasis on religious and philosophical movements. Good general overview.
History-Anglo-Saxon
Research Portal: Anglo Saxon
Vortigern Studies
Named after the Briton leader who invited the Saxons to England in the 5th Century this concentrates on the period between the Roman occupation of Britain and the Early Middle Ages. This period, which is sometimes called the Dark Ages, stretch roughly from AD 400 to 600. Vortigern Studies is mainly concerned with the events that brought about the changes from Roman Britain to Saxon England

Anglo-Saxons.net
Anglo- Saxons.net: England c.450-1066 in a Nutshell
Anglo-Saxon history traditionally starts with Hengest and Horsa and their three ships invading Britain in the mid-fifth century, and ends with King Harold falling with an arrow in his eye in 1066. These pages fill in some gaps.
What's here:
Questions (starting with the basics, like "Who were the Anglo-Saxons?"); Timeline (also searchable by year (450) or range (871-902) from the box at top right); Anniversaries (October 14 was the Battle of Hastings, but what else?); People (who really was Erik Bloodaxe, or Æthelred the Unready?); Maps (various scales, and from 700 to 1000); Literature (texts and translations of The Wanderer, The Seafarer, Deor, and Hávamál); Charters (from the land grants of kings to the wills of women, a major historical source)

Anglo-Saxon Webring
Approximately 21 Anglo-Saxon related websites. Ranges from research, to re-enactors to vendors.

Anglo-Saxon Links for the Heroic Age
Heroic Age: A journal of Early Medieval Northwestern Europe. On their links page they have links both to outside sites AND their own articles. To get to their Anglo Saxon page go to Links and then click on Anglo- Saxon in the link list on the far right of the page.
History-Anglo-Saxon-Blogs
Research Portal: Anglo Saxon blogs
Here, the topics up for discussion are early medieval northern Britain, church history and spirituality, and the continuing commemoration of the early medieval saints and their spirituality today.
Journey to Heavenfield

The Anglo-Saxon Archaeology Blog is concerned with news reports featuring Anglo-Saxon period archaeology.
Anglo-Saxon Archaeology Blog

History-Anglo-Saxon-Rune
Tolkien and Runes
Despite the name, it is more a primer on Runes than Tolkein.
History-Byzantine-Wages
Wages in Instanbul 1100-2000
Overview of wages during the 900 year peroid.
History-Carolingian
Charlemagne Empire and Society
Google book. NOTE: This is a preview so pages are missing. However it still can serve as a starting point and let you know if you want to buy the whole book for 17 pounds.
History-Catalonia/Spain
Jonathan Jarrett: academic homepage
I've been a student of early medieval history (that is, before c. 1100) since the first year of my undergraduate degree. It's now a number of years later, I have that, a Masters, a doctorate and I still haven't had enough. Currently I'm working in Cambridge (England), a city that I've found it very hard to escape for very long (all reasonable offers considered of course). Although my personal interests are in early medieval history, particularly as found in charters or in Spain (especially Catalonia) and ideally both, I've taught and can teach a far wider spread and actually have made a lot more money out of being able to work databases, a hint that I persist in not taking.
History-Encyclopedia
History Links
This is truly an encyclopedia of links covering ages from prehistory to the Vietnam war. As close to a one-stop shop as I've found.
Internet Medieval Source Book
This contains translations of original documents, making them accessible to the lay person. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook is organized as three main index pages, with a number of supplementary documents. Each individual section is still large - an organizational goal here is to avoid incessant "clicking" to get between pages and to information.
Humanities Web
Welcome to Humanities Web. The mission of Humanities Web is to build a humanities site that will show the interconnections, the web, the links, between history, the arts, and culture - and how each plays off and influences the others. The internet provides a unique and new forum for advancing new ideas and sharing learned ones - I think we need to take advantage of that
The Online Reference Book for Medieval Studies
The ORB is an academic site, written and maintained by medieval scholars for the benefit of their fellow instructors and serious students. All articles have been judged by at least two peer reviewers. Authors are held to high standards of accuracy, currency, and relevance to the field of medieval studies.
History-Encyclopedia-Byzantine
Theban Tribunal Sourcebook
Set up as the back story for a game, here are a host of pages with overviews on history, Byzantine bureaucracy, daily life, Byzantine libraries, warfare, the economy and even a page on reckoning time and season just to name a few of the several dozen pages at this site.
Byzantium The Byzantine Studies Page
Appears to be a type of portal. Self described as 'Byzantine studies online.'
History-Encyclopedia-Medieval
Medieval Arts and Sciences database
This is a compendium of links related to Medieval cultures in Europe and contemporary cultures around the world. It is sponsored by an SCA chapter and is useful for research in a number of topics. From the page, "This site contains 3563 links in 33 categories."
History-Encyclopedia-Roman
Lacus Curtius A gateway to the Roman World
Lacus Curtius: a major site on Roman antiquity, including a photo gazetteer of Roman and Etruscan cities and monuments (with a very large site on the city of Rome of course); a site for teaching yourself to read Latin inscriptions; the complete Latin texts of Pliny the Elder's Natural History, Quintus Curtius' Histories of Alexander the Great, ... Platner and Ashby's Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome (nearly complete) and most of Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities; a fair amount of Plutarch and Ptolemy's Geography; some maps of the Roman Empire, and lots more.
[ 2/22/08: 2836 pages, 690 photos, 675 drawings & engravings, 118 plans, 66 maps]
History-England-16th century
Elizabethan Mafia: Dressing Well and Calling In Favors Since 1558
It's not really an in-depth study of organized crime in Elizabethan England, but more a personal projects and research page. Near and dear to my heart, of course, are her papers on George Silver's system of combat, and the applications for SCA Unarmored Combat and to the Historical Combat A&S.
History-England-Celtic
Butser Ancient Farm
A working demonstration farm that recreates crops and conditions of a Celtic era farm.
THE MEARE LAKE VILLAGE
A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCAVATIONS AND THE RELICS FROM THE EASTERN HALF OF THE WEST VILLAGE, 1910-1933. BY ARTHUR BULLEID, L.R.C.P., F.S.A., Past President of the Glastonbury Antiquarian Society;
This was a Celtic village in the vicinity of Glastonbury, Southwest England.
World of the Ancient Britons
World of the Ancient Britons a historical and archaeological look at our ancestors. Geared toward school age children.
History-England-Portal
The Historical Re-Enactment Web Site
Though somewhat hard to navigate, this has links to numerous websites devoted to different periods of re-enactment of English history from Roman to modern times.
Research: Online book library
Several dozen online books related to English history.
History-England-Wages
Portal: Information on wages paid in England during the SCA period
Covers the 1200's through the 1800's. Published in 1884.
Six Centuries of Work and Wages: The History of English Labour

This is a Longbow re-enactment group. This page talks about the monetary system of the 14th century England alongs with wages paid.
Companions of the Longbow

History-Germany-Blog
The Lost Fort
Miscellaneous musings of a Historical Fiction and Fantasy author: Roman and Mediaeval history, travels, writing, some book reviews and opera posts. And lots and lots of photos of castles.
History-Israel
Israeli West Bank Communities and their Biblical and Modern History
A historical overview of some 50 cities.
History-Maps-Franks
Regnum Francorum Online interactive maps of early medieval Europe 614-840
This is a website about interactive mapping of early medieval Europe. Here you will find maps of the Frankish kingdom and the activities of Merovingian and Carolingian kings, donations of the nobility and development of the property of monasteries and other institutions. The cities on the map are clickable and connected to quotes from, and references to primary sources.
History-Medieval
A Corner of Tenth-Century Europe
A blog of an Early medievalist’s thoughts and ponderings. Good links from a professor at Cambridge.
Portal: Medieval History Resources on the web
Great number of links to various Medieval websites. From the site:
This web site is being constantly updated, as even though we are no longer directly involved in teaching courses, we like to keep up to date ourselves. URL changes seem to have slowed a little of late, but it still keeps happening. There is an increasing quantity of material on the web for medieval studies, particularly in the area of supplying text resources. This is a great boon as things get tight in the library. You can find primary sources and a great deal of secondary reading on the web. There are some great visual sites in the areas of manuscript studies and architecture, less in archaeology and other art areas. New truly blockbuster epic sites appear only slowly, but there are some very fine examples out there now. Major institutions like libraries and museums are steadily increasing the quantity and quality of their web resources. There is a trend towards putting significant database resources on the web for research use, which is a great boon. Alternatively, increasing numbers of pioneering sites are disappearing or just gradually becoming less than useful as their owners retire or give up the unequal struggle.
History-Renaissance-Research
Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies
The Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies is a research facility of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Center supports the research, teaching, and dissemination of all aspects of literature and culture in the Early Modern Period (ca. 1400-ca. 1700).
The Center welcomes all qualified scholars and students to do specialized research with our unique collection of manuscripts, rare books, and secondary monographs. The Center also provides a vibrant calendar of events during the academic year, offering graduate classes, community classes, lectures, concerts, play readings, and more to our community member
History-Renaissance-Research- Military
Raymond J. Lord Collection of Combat Treatises and Fencing Manuals
Twenty-five digital treatises and growing covering a variety of topics including 'Honor, Military and Civil' and 'The Arte of shooting in great Ordnance' (cannons) and Fencing
The Raymond J. Lord Collection is a digital archive of historical combat treatises dating primarily from the Renaissance. These resources are provided free of charge to the public in order to aid both scholars and practitioners in their research.
Within the Collection you will find a list of currently available items. These are arranged chronologically with author, title and date. Each entry is a link to a PDF document which you may download or view in your browser (depending on your browser configuration). Many items are large (10MB or more) so they may take some time to download.
You may redistribute items from the Collection as long as they remain unaltered and you do not profit from their redistribution.
History-Research
MEMDB MEMDB Medieval and Early Modern Data Bank
What is MEMDB? The Medieval and Early Modern Data Bank is a project established at Rutgers University and originally cosponsored by the Research Libraries Group (RLG), Inc. Its aim is to provide scholars with an expanding library of information in electronic format on the medieval and early modern periods of European history, circa 800-1815 C.E.
MEMDB contains five large data sets, three pertaining to currency exchanges and two pertaining to prices:
History-Roman-Military
Roman Army.COM
Welcome to Romanarmy.com, the online community of students and enthusiasts of the ancient Roman Army. We aim to provide an encyclopedia about the Roman military, a translation of Ritterling's classical article 'Legio', a travelogue section and a database of images of Roman military tombstones with the picture of the soldier on it.
The Roman Military Museum
Many links to photos of artifacts and information about the Legions
History-Roman-Military- Forts
A ROMAN FRONTIER POST AND ITS PEOPLE
This is an on-line book that details the excavations of a Roman fort in 1904 in Scotland. From a news article about it:
IT REMAINS one of the most remarkable Scottish archaeological excavations of all time, carried out by a self-taught amateur, and without the benefit of the aerial photographs and geophysical surveys that are considered essential today.
A hundred years ago a Melrose solicitor, James Curle, was hatching plans to unlock the secrets of the largest Roman settlement in Scotland, where Agricola’s army of 2,000 soldiers and 1,000 camp followers developed a sprawling fort and annexes on 340 acres in the lee of the Eildon Hills from 80AD.
His attention to detail in the project for the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and the 420-page report he produced after the work at Trimontium was completed, survive as classic examples for modern Roman scholars and would-be archaeologists.
History-Roman-Republic
CLASS 366 Late Roman Republic

History-Viking-Picture Stones
Gotland Museum - Picture Stones
For well over a millennium and a half, the Gotlanders erected skillfully carved stones that were decorated with symbols of renown, death and resurrection, dramatic scenes and entwined dragons filled with runes.
The site documents over 15 stones. Good for primary research for design elements.
History-Viking-Treasure
Gotland Museum - Treasures
Gotland has aptly been called the world’s largest treasury. From the Viking Age alone, over 700 hoards have been discovered. In proportion to its area, the island has the greatest abundance of treasure hoards in the world.
How To: SCA-Books
Raymond's Quiet Press
Several books/pamphlets covering various aspects of SCA life.

The need for Raymond's Quiet Press grew out of my early experience with the SCA. Many years ago there was little information easily available about the SCA, how to participate, how to start a group and the way the SCA operated. The Press published several How-To books and manuals.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing
Steel Temperature/Color Guide
This is a pdf chart from Swedish steel maker Uddeholm that shows steel colors are various temperatures. A good visual guide to temperature.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Books
Portal: Blacksmithing books
The Blacksmith's Craft
Downloadable book: This book, first published in 1952, aimed to meet the needs of craftsmen, technical schools and apprentices training at the time. The skill of the smith has been faithfully recorded in sequences of still photographs married to brief descriptive captions. The sequences are arranged in lessons which should not be difficult to follow if text, drawings and photographs are carefully studied.

More books available here

Piehl Tools Book List
Books sold by Horseshoes.com/Piehl Tools

Blacksmithing Book Recommendations
From the Northshield Blacksmith list. Mostly knife making books.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing- Encyclopedia
Anvil Fire
Great portal for learning about blacksmithing
Metal Crafts- Blacksmithing-Experimental/Period- Educational
Portal: Period techniques
Wareham Forge
One of the best sites for period iron work. This site belongs to a black smith who is very much into living history. Worth taking the time to look over if you are interested in Viking age iron work. For those near his home in south-central Ontario he offers classes in blacksmithing and related areas.
Wareham forge

Good blog related to the Wareham forge. Articles on iron smelting and forging.
Hammered Out Bits Blog

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing- Experimental/Period- Smelting
Portal:
Wareham Forge
One of the best sites for period iron work he chronicles his work on reproduction period smelts.
Wareham forge

The Smelter's Art - Experimental Iron Production at The Rockbridge Bloomery
An excellent site, here is it's description:
In January of 1998, inspired by accounts of traditional iron smelting in Africa, I decided to see if I could make some iron myself. Now in 2006, we’ve smelted almost a ton of our own iron using the ancient techniques of bloomery smelting. This website is where we try to share a little bit of what we’ve learned about how and why.
The Smelter's Art

From the same site, here is a functioning 1/6 size bloomery for demos
Teeny Tiny Bloomery

Smelt 2010 - A smelt held in Ireland using bog iron.
Smelt 2010

Links - Many of these will take you to some indepth sources for research.
Links from Smelt 2010

Experimental Iron Smelting at Rievaulx Abbey
Experimental Smelt

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing- Forums/Information pages
Portal: Blacksmith associations
These are various Blacksmith groups. You can often find how tos and project ideas.

Alex Bealer Blacksmith Association
The Alex Bealer Blacksmithing Association exists to teach blacksmithing arts and techniques, further the art of blacksmithing, and increase public awareness and appreciation of the blacksmithing craft. The association is in the North Georgia area and welcomes hobbyists, amateurs, and professionals.

Florida Artist Blacksmith
They have their newsletters and project files online.

ArtMetal
ArtMetal is a social networking web site where artisans, academics, art lovers, and the general public can experience, share and collaborate within the metal arts. This creates an exciting environment for innovative self-expression and discovery for you, the individual.

http://www.knifemaker.tv/
A site devoted to videos. Not all of them in depth, but great for getting started.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Heat Treating
Portal: Heat treating steel
Though 1018 does not heat treat well, it can be treated.
Heat treating 1018

Heat treating Basics

Heat treating discussion from Knives by Kevin
Heat Treating 1084

From Knife network
Heat Treating

Though it deals with modern steels, it gives a good overview of the heat treating process.
Edwards Heat Treating

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- Axe
Portal: Tomahawks and Axes

Paleoplanet - Forging an axe from a high carbon RR spike

Name
iForge - Railroad Spike Tomahawk

Making a tomahawk/hatchet/Axe drift
Describes how to make a Tomahawk Drift from a Pipe wrench handle using a welder and grinder to shape to the teardrop.

Throwing the Tomahawk
Brief tutorial.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- Basic
Portal: Basic Blacksmithing
These are sites that will help the novice get started.

Basic Blacksmithing
A 130 page online tutorial with an emphasis of using stuff on hand as opposed to buying gear. Sections on how to make tools such as a cold chisel from a car spring.

Tim Lively ~ Handmade Knives Basic bladesmith set up
A page outlining a minimum, low cost set up for knife forging. He is part of the Neo-Tribal bladesmith/blacksmith group. There is lots how to make stuff from scrap kind of ideas. Great for someone who has a low budget or high scrounging skills.

Very simple and cheap anvils
A discussion about cheap anvils, and why to avoid them, and some cheap alternatives.

Basics of Blacksmithing
There are four articles here that cover squaring, rounding, drawing, bending and slitting. Designed for someone who has little or no prior experience.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing- How To- Bodkins - arrow heads
Forged Bodkin -Arrow Heads Tutorial
These are the type of heads found on the long bow arrows that defeated the French in the 100 years war.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- Charcoal
Portal: Making Charcoal
Various sites that talk about how to make charcoal. NOTE: Making charcoal produces flammable, possibly explosive gases. In addition Carbon Monoxide is produced. Use all due diligence.

From Regia Anglorum's website a narrative about making charcoal with period techniques.
Saxon Charcoal Burning

A short narrative of charcoal production in the Saxon period.
Ælfric ðe Colwyrhta - The Charcoal maker

Making a Charcoal retort. Not period but looks to be good for making charcoal.
Twin oaks Forge making charcoal

Making Charcoal" by Viscount Sir Corin Anderson (KSCA, OP) from Stefan's Florilegium
One person's adventure in making charcoal.

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- Fire Starter
Forging a simple flint and steel striker

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- How to use Clinch
Portal: Clinch Nails
These are a collection articles that talk about how to use clinch nails. Clinch (or Clench) nails refers to the practice of bending the tip of the nail over so it clenches the wood. For example, you might drive an 1 1/2" nail through a 1" of board, then bend over the remaining 1/2" to make a tight hold. It is a very period technique.

How to Clinch a Finishing Nail
A simple demonstration on how to clinch a regular nail.

Clinching Nails (Sometimes Teeth)
Nice overview with tips on how to turn the nail over.

Square Nails
From the Appalachian Blacksmith Association. This is more a history of nails but towards the bottom is a good picture of how a clinch nail works.

Clinching Nails
A forum discussion of how to use clinch nails in Trunk, it will give you a good practical overview.

Clinch Nailing
From a boat building site, it has a great discussion on how to use a clinch nail, sizing it to the dimensions of your wood.

Forest Service report on the effectiveness of clinching nails.

Places to buy reproduction nails.

Horton Brass

Van Dykes

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- Nail Making
Portal: Nail Making
Various articles, videos and snippets that talk about nail making.

Making Nails
From the Appalachia Blacksmiths website. Good solid material.

Video of Nail Making
In Dutch: This is a movie of forging at the forge "Smidse 't Veloke" at Belgium in Tienen-Hakendover. The video has been made to show people how made a nail in the past.

Nail Headers
From the Rural Blacksmith, Cooperstown, New York

Nail making period artifacts
This has links to several medieval period nail making artifacts including the Mästermyr nail header.

Making Nails by Hand
Nice chatty overview of nail making.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- Roman Hobnails
Forging Roman Hobnails
A discussion on ways to make Roman Hobnails.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-How To- Tongs
Portal: Making Tongs

Step by step to make tongs

AnvilFire - First Tong project

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Individual- SCA
Irontree Works, Inc
Master Danr's website: At Irontree Works, Inc., we practice traditional and modern blacksmithing. Located in the East Bethel, Minnesota, we strive to forge useful and beautiful works in iron, bringing this durable and historic art into today’s homes. Our goal is keep traditional techniques alive while making pieces that are both unique and pleasing to the eye.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Knives
Portal: Knife making, bladesmithing. Educational and simple How To
Don Fogg Custom Knives
< Excellent site full of tips and ideas:
This site is about Handmade knives and the Craft of Bladesmithing. I have included tutorials under The Craft as well as writing about being a craftsman under The Way. I have also compiled an extensive link library for reference

Tim Lively ~ Handmade Knives
Lots of how tos and good basics.

Engnath - Knife making
Good overview of the steels to use in making knives.

How to forge a knife
A quick knife with few tools and some prep work. Lots of photos

Forging a knife

Making a Crooked Knife

Making a hook knife

Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Seax
LONDON THAMES SCRAMASAX - Rune explanation
The page talks about runes on an object but includes information about the London Thames Scramasaex (Seax)
Seax Project - Trying to recreate the Beagnoth Seax
Outline for a project to recreate a Seax from raw ore.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_mla/s/seax_of_beagnoth.aspx
Anglo-Saxon, 9th-10th century AD From the River Thames at Battersea, London The only inscription of the complete Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet
My Armoury . Com
Article on the Seax with pictures of the Thames Seax
Regia Anglorum
Page on the Seax
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Seax- Reproductions
Wholesale Knives - Seax
Pictures of one they have for sale. However, it does not have the distinctive "broken back"
Fyrdman's Scramasaex
Historically; The preferred blade of the Saxon man of the Fyrd (Militia). Vikings adopted this short sword as a secondary blade to be worn across the lower abdomen. The Vikings took this weapon as far west as Vineland (North America) and east to Persia. 40cm/15.5" long Made of wood it has the "broke back" style.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Supplies- Handles
Hand B Forge Company
They sell unfinished tomahawk handles as well as a variety of forged items.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Supplies- Metal
Analysis of common junk yard metals
Getting good metal from a junk yard - An analysis of some common metals and links to determine their usage.
Metal Crafts-Blacksmithing-Viking- Mastermyr
Portal: Mästermyr Chest
The chest was discovered in 1936 when Hugo Kraft was ploughing what was a, in the Viking age, a lake, the chest was encircled by an iron chain. It contained the largest collection of tools of this date so far found: iron working and carpenter's tools, raw materials, un-finished products. Over 200 objects in total. These links will help a blacksmith who wants to duplicate the chest or some of its contents.

Book: The Mastermyr Find A Viking Age Tool Chest from Gotland
Describes this archaeological find in detail with clear photographs and drawings.

Photos of the original.

A Replica Viking Chest, based on the Mästermyr Find
This is not another "How to" article, it's more a "How it was done" article.

Norse Chest in the style of Mastermyr
Besides the photos there are several links for those who want to know more. The links are the most valuable part.

The Mästermyr Project
A project of members of the The Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA) to recreate the find. At this page the Images and Catlog links are the real meat.
Metal Crafts-Books
Anvil Fire - Books, Plans, CD and Video Reviews
List of books and videos with reviews
The Complete Metalsmith
..It contains everything you need to know about materials (metallurgy to plastics), surfaces (polishing, reticulations, mokumé), shaping (drawing, die forming), connecting (soldering, rivets, adhesives, tabs), casting, stones (lore and setting), mechanics (pins, chains, closures), tools (store-bought, or homemade), health and safety, photography, conversion charts and more!
Metal Crafts-Books-Enameling
Oppi Untracht ENAMELING ON METAL
Review: This is his first in his trilogy of metal arts technique books. 9 chapters plus a comprehensive appendix * What is Enamel; * Material and Tools; * Making a Sampler; * Preparations for enameling; * Traditional Techniques; * Techniques to Produce the unique; * Techniques for Production Designs; * Causes and Corrections of Defects; * Enameling Projects; * Appendix: that covers a wide range of materials and info This was my first book on enameling and it opened a wondrous world of possibilities in the arena of metal arts. It cover everything from A to Z the only draw back today is that it was based on lead based colors used in the glass. Other than that and some minor things that have become better understood. Along with modern ways of doing things and supplies. The kilns and temperature control are much improved. I feel it is still as good now as it was then. I have the latest and have used some of the new materials. Other than the colors changing due to the lack of the hazardous chemicals that are no longer in the enamel. Little did that Jr. high shop teacher think what he had wrought! I may not be a noted artist or for that matter more than a passable enamellist. But its has been a delightful ride along with a bunch of fun.
Metal Crafts-Brass-Information
A primer for working with brass
This is specifically for modelers building with brass plate but there is general information for those just starting. Hosted by the Victoria Model Shipbuilding Society
Metal Crafts-Brass-Information- Annealing
Annealing Bullet Cases
While this talks specifically about annealing cartridge brass (70% copper; 30% zinc) there seems to be some good tips here.
Metal Crafts-Bronze-_Best Resouce- How To
Excellent - Viking Bronze
Anders Söderberg of Sweden has put together an excellecent primer on how Vikings did bronze. I believe his site provide much of the information to get Medievalocity.com started. Pictures to accompany the text of his casting overview from Casting Workshop, Conference 2001.
Workshop photos

Medievalocity.com
Medievalocity.com is dedicated to exploring the lesser-known arts and sciences of the medieval time period, with special emphasis on bright metalwork and the casting of bronze and silver objects using period methods.
An amazing site for those who want to learn how to cast bronze.
Metal Crafts-Bronze-Idea Farm- Roman
The Roman Era in Britain Dress And The Toilet
A page with good illustrations of Roman work.
Metal Crafts-Bronze-Idea Farm- Scandinavian
Portal: Historical artifacts and re-enactments
Fröjel Gotlandica Viking Re-enactment Society
Check out the Gallery. There are hundreds of photos of artifacts found at the digs in Gotland. Great for ideas and documentation.
Also, DVD's of finds can be ordered.
Artifacts

Bronze age living history in the Netherlands
This site has photos of bronze age equipment and methods. From the opening paragraph of the page:
Welcome! This site is dedicated to my experiences in Bronze Age living history. So here's my contribution to bringing this period under attention, and hopefully awaken an appreciation for our ancestors from this time period.
No words but many photos of hearths and equipment. Great for finding ideas of period gear. Taken at the Archeon Living History park outside of Amsterdam.
Archeon

Metal Crafts-Bronze-Idea Farm- Viking Jewelry
Portal: Borre Style Viking art
Borre Style was mainly employed to decorate jewelry, belt-fittings and woodwork: for example, on the metalwork from Borre and the Gokstad ship, buried around 900-905. It is probably the earliest known Viking style in the British Isles.
British Musuem

Borre Style Metalwork in the Material Culture of the Birka Warriors
The use of the Borre style in the dress and equipment of the Viking Period warriors at Birka is presented and discussed. The absence of Borre style metalwork on blade weapons evokes thoughts on the symbolic meaning of the style within a martial society. An apostrophic symbolic role for the style is suggested.
Research Paper

Metal Crafts-Bronze-Information- Foundry Plans
A Home Bronze casting Foundry
A no frills site with some simple instructions. Pretty clear in their steps but for someone with NO experience might be too basic.
Metal Crafts-Bronze-Information- Shrinkage
Shrinkage rates for bronze
From an email thread:
I'm sure it's been talked over before, but can anyone direct me to a good roll-up of the shrinkage rates for various bronzes?

brass and bronze is 3/16" per foot or 1.5%. If you multiply all your drawing dimensions by 1.015, that will give you the actual dimension of the pattern.
I've got a shrink rule, but a table would be handy if someone has access to one :-) The best place to look would be 'http://www.copper.org/'

I don't think I have seen one specific to an alloy. There is a general one on Ray's web site, 'http://www.foundry.ray-vin.com/'
If you need more detailed info, I'd look to the supplier of the alloy.
Metal Crafts-Bronze-Information- Tin
TIN SMELTING AT THE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE
This article covers several experimental smelting procedures to recover tin from ores found at sites in Turkey.
Metal Crafts-Bronze-Period crafting
Umha Aois - Irish for Bronze Age
"Umha Aois" (Irish for "Bronze Age") is an ongoing experimental project organised on a volunteer basis by a committee formed of artists & archaeologists.
Metal Crafts-Casting-General
Pewter and Bronze Casting for the Home Craftsman
A good overview of casting including mold making and creating a furnace for melting bronze.
Micro Furnace
This is a true micro furnace. No text but it looks to be set in a 1lb coffee can or smaller.
Metal Crafts-Casting-General- Foundry Plans
BackyardMetalcasting.com ...Melting and casting metal yourself.
A site devoted to small scale furnaces for melting iron.
Ray & Ruby's Foundry Pages
Good overview of many foundry issues. Nice starting point.
Metal Crafts-Casting-Molds- Investment Material
K-Bond - Oil Bonded Casting Sand
K-Bond is named for Kent State where it was developed by one of Tom Cobett's Students. It is an almost smokeless oil bonded foundry sand for casting zinc, aluminum, brass, bronze and iron. On this page you will find the recipe along with some dos and don'ts.
Metal Crafts-Casting-Molds - Lost Wax- Beeswax
The Effects of Temperature and Time on Beeswax and Honey.
Some pointers on working with Beeswax
Physical characteristics of beeswax
Details on the physical properties of Beeswax.
Metal Crafts-Enameling
Stefan's Florilegium - enameling-msg
Enameling techniques. Medieval and Renaissance enameling. Includes a discussion of "cold enameling".
Metal Crafts-Encyclopedia
Finishing Dot Com
This can be searched for numerous forum discussions about casting and finishing metal products.
CNCzone.com
CNCzone.com is dedicated to the growing number of home DIY CNC machinist and machinist alike. At CNCzone you can join for FREE and discuss CAD/CAM software, professional machinery, Electronics, mill conversions, lathe conversions and much more ! Plus we have a FREE classifieds for buying, selling and even placing you're EBay ads. So please join and enjoy yourself and the best forum and most friendly forum CNC and Machining!
Mat Web - Materials Property Data
Data sheets for over 66,000 metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites. This link opens to the form to select and drill down to specific materials. Find the melting and annealing points of various copper alloys for example.
Home Metal Shop Club - Articles
This is a large collection of articles about various aspects of metal working.
Ganoksin Jewelry Community
The Ganoksin project provides a variety of quality services for the gem and jewelry community. We work hard to maintain the high standards of our services for the benefit of our visitors. Our services are provided free of charge and to the benefit to all.

Ganoksin is dedicated to serve the information needs of the world's jewelers. It is our mission to educate, improve working conditions and facilitate sharing between goldsmiths globally. Ganoksin continues improving access to information for productivity, safety, skills and education of all jewelers, professionals and hobbyists.

Ganoksin maintains a substantial library of articles, publications, reports, and technical data on gem and jewelry related topics; many of which were authored by some of the most esteemed writers within their respective fields. In addition, this site contains a sizable collection of art and jewelry galleries, for both the casual visitor and the professional.

Ganoksin also provide various platforms and forums for the exchange of information and opinion; with contributors from all over the world speaking from a wide range of technical and aesthetic experiences, covering a full range of topics of interest to the jeweler and the gemologist.
Metal Crafts-Encyclopedia-Books online
Henley's Twentieth Century Formulas Recipes Processes Vol1
This book is containing ten thousand selected household and workshop formulas, recipes, processes and money-saving methods for the practical use of manufacturers, mechanics, housekeepers and home workers.
Metal Crafts-General-Forge- Bellows
Portal: Making forge bellows
These are almost all blacksmith oriented, but can work for any type forge.
From Medievalocity.com, this is designed for a simple bronze casting forge with a good medieval "look".
Making Period looking bellows

Good overview and photos
Making a bellows

These are from notes developed for VOLUNTEERS IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Bellows plans

Plans for a very large fixed bellows. (Sometimes the photos load, sometimes not. Try again.)
A big bellows

Japaneses Box bellows
For a more ethnic set up.

Books - Besides the pamphlet "How to Make a Blacksmith's Bellows" this page has several other books that mention making bellows.
Books sold by Horseshoe.com/Piehl Tools

Metal Crafts-General Information- Alloys
Composition and Physical Properties of Alloys
This is great listing of various alloy compositions.
Metal Crafts-How To's
Bill Dawson Metalsmith - Instruction in Metalsmithing
This man makes both contemporary and re-enactor jewelry. He also does workshops in various methods.
Metal Crafts-Idea Farm-Jewelry
Jewelry by Master Jurgen
Here is some serious jewelry made by an SCA member in Shire of Korsvag (Fargo, ND). I almost hate to use the term crafts to describe his work. Surf around his site to see his coronets.
Metal Crafts-Information-Beginner
WORKING IN METALS - Overview of metal characteristics
Great single page reference to different metals and their characteristics.
PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS
Reprint of a 1914 book but good stuff for those who want less modern techniques.
This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of practical shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure and handling of shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized to perform the work, and the manner in which all dimensional work is carried out. Every subject is illustrated, and model building explained. It contains a glossary which comprises a new system of cross references, a feature that will prove a welcome departure in explaining subjects. Fully illustrated.
Metal Crafts-Jewelry-Encyclopedia
TECHNIQUES OF JEWELRY
United Artworks is proud to present on this page some selected remarks by Peter W. Rowe, a master goldsmith and gemologist who has for some time now been enlightening the readers of the usenet group rec.crafts.jewelry on the finer points of technique. He has graciously consented to my editing and archiving his comments here, with the questions that occasioned them summarized.
Metal Crafts-Jewelry-How To- Books
Metal Techniques for Craftsmen - Oppi Untracht
When I was a student of Metalsmithing in the late 1960’s, this was the definitive textbook for silver- and goldsmiths. Prior to Untracht’s book, most metalsmithing books were either basic primers or pretty picture books but few, if any, delved into many of the more esoteric techniques available to the modern metalsmith. Oppi Untracht remedied that problem many times over in this fine text.
Metal Crafts-Jewelry-How To- DVDs
Victoria Landsford
A website for the artist, she offers classes, in North Georgia, and has two instructional DVD's
Metal Crafts-Jewelry-SCA
Fineartisanry - the handiwork of Alison Fine
Cloisonné Enameling Creative Metalworking Custom Sewing and Design
As an artist and designer, my joy is to help ideas become reality. Here you find pictures of my current work and past commissions, as well as drawings and writings from my sketchbooks

An SCAdian from An Tir with some great work go buy or gain inspiration form.
Travis Conn
Another fine site to bring inspiration.
Metal Crafts-Jewelry-Tools
Jewelry supplies
Jewelry supplies
Jewelry saws
Various saws for jewelry cut work
Metal Crafts-Medieval-Books
The Project Gutenberg eBook, Arts and Crafts in the Middle Ages, by Julia De Wolf Addison
Title: Arts and Crafts in the Middle Ages A Description of Mediaeval Workmanship in Several of the Departments of Applied Art, Together with Some Account of Special Artisans in the Early Renaissance Author: Julia De Wolf Addison Release Date: April 19, 2006 [eBook #18212] Language: English
Metal Crafts-Medieval-Britain- Books
Gold and Gilt, Pots and Pins: Possessions and People in Medieval Britain
In this highly illustrated book, David Hinton looks at what possessions meant to people at every level of society in Britain in the middle ages, from elaborate gold jewelry to clay pots, and provides a fascinating window into the society of the middle ages. Gold and Gilt, Pots and Pins is about things worn and used in Britain throughout the Middle Ages, from the great treasure hoards that mark the end of the Roman Empire to the new expressions of ideas promoted by the Renaissance and Reformation.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Beginners
Peweters guild introduction to basic pewter casting
Created by the Peweters guild of the Kingdom of An Tir. Designed to get to the point where they can make a basic two part soapstone mold. BEST SINGLE RESOURCE
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Beginners- Classes
Pewter mold carving and casting class:
Photos from a class. Here is the description. Learn how to easily and cheaply produce small tokens, jewelry and dress accessories the way it was done in the Middle Ages. Students will learn about the use of pewter tokens, badges and trinkets in the 14th and 15th centuries, and will have the opportunity to produce a small piece of their own, carving a soapstone mold and casting it themselves. Instructors will provide soapstone for a mold, metal for casting, all tools, dust masks and a handout of period examples."
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Enameling
Decorating pewter with enamel

From the Ganoksin site, a tremendous jewlery resource.
This is short thread on how to give pewter an enamel like finish. Since true enamel is created at temperatures hotter than the melting point of pewter epoxy resin alternatives have to be used.
Note, to see the next message in the thread click "Thread Next".
For more information search Ganoksin for either Durenamel or Cold Enameling. Be sure to choose "The Orchid Archives - Entire" when searching.
Also, try Googling "Cold Enamel"
Ganoksin

Provided by Rio Grande suppliers, this gives a simple overview of the process of using Durenamel.
NOTE: Rio Grande sells Durenamel but you have to register with them to see their online catalog.
Using Durenamel Successfully

Metal Crafts-Pewter-Information
Welcome to Guillaume and Christiana's Pewtering Wonderland!
To all who see these presents, we send greetings to our humble collection of information on pewter casting (pewtering). My lady wife and I have created this site to post the pewter casting information we have researched and taught.
Downloadable Metalsmithing videos
A couple of downloadable videos for learning pewter craft.
Finishing Dot Com - Create patina on pewter
This is an article for creating patina's on pewter.
Pewter Melting point information.
Various Pewter alloy mixes and their melting temperatures.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Molds- 3-Part
Portal: Making a button in a 3 part mold
A discussion on the Northshield list produced several samples of how to make a 3 part mold for buttons. The original question involved the best way to make the shank. While some talked about gluing on a shank, the consensus was that the shank can be cast. Here are several examples as well as a great overview from Lord Dahrien.
From T(Wa)HL Dahrien Cordell You asked how to make a button with a loop for thread on the back. The replies I've seen so far fall into two categories: 1) adding a pre-made ring to the cast button, and 2) casting a button with an integral loop.
Adding a pre-made ring is more work in the long run, whether you add it afterward with epoxy or with a bent-over tab cast with your button or some other way -- more work with every button you make. Carving your mold to include a loop is a bit more carving work up-front, once; after that, you have no extra work when you cast. Just pour, pop, and remove the sprue, as you have to anyway.
I'm referring you to two bitmaps, one that I just made to show you 3-piece mold design for buttons & pins, and one I already had to show a gasket to use as part of a mold for a shape like french cuff links. I think you'll readily see how to further adapt them for other sorts of protrusions off of a cast piece.
(Here are the illustrations he refers to)
Click here to find the article and pictures.

Some nice photos including 3 piece mold. You can see how the person cast the loops as part of the button.
Photos of mold

Here is an article about molds made from cuttlefish bone with some elaborate examples of multi-piece molds
Advanced Mold

A toy knight cast from a 3 piece mold
Toy Knight

Metal Crafts-Pewter-Molds- Beginners
Casting Example
A simple page with a complete walk through of the process of making a mold and casting a button.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Molds- Examples
Making small, inexpensive cast fittings from Pewter
A step by step guide to creating a mold and casting. Uses modern materials but still a good overview of the process.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Molds- Period Examples
Portal: Examples of period molds
These are links to photos of various molds both from and before the SCA period.
Herbert museum in Coventry
From Robert of Canterbury, A few random observations,
the most common Mould thickness seems to be around 20mm. Some up to 28-30, one as thin as 12mm.
Keys/locking pins. most bored with a conical bit.
Male backplates. ony a couple, but they exist, and are quite complex.
air escape lines. Few & far between, far fewer than on most recreation moulds.
Stone. a few types represented, but no soapstone. Mostly some form of limestone/mudstone/ironstone.

Not period, but two more examples:
Bronze Fibula mold

Bronze axe mold
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Molds- Plaster
Making a two part plaster mold of a head
This is a step by step for making a more complex plaster mold. In this case a bust of the evil King Ash from the "Evil Dead" trilogy movies. Not really appropriate for small metal castings, but a great movie.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Molds- Soapstone
Portal: Soapstone Molds
Plaque belt construction using soapstone pewter castings. Very detailed page on how the whole process was done.
Heraldic Plaque Belt 14th-15th Century

This has a good overview of the process of making and using a stone mold. Lots of historical information.
Viking Soapstone

Some folks describe how they did their first molds. Good simple overview.
Pewter Casting in soapstone molds.

Stone Shaper: Tthis is geared towards 3-D sculpture, but has some beginner tips.
How to Sculpt stone

Mister Art: A place to buy a starter kit and basic tools.
Stone Carving Tools

Stoneman Distributors: A source that received several recommendations from others. They offer starter kits as well as stone and tools.
Stoneman Distributors

Metal Crafts-Pewter-Molds- Supplies
Hobby Cast
Hobby Cast: Casting Resins, Silicone Rubber, and Mold making Materials.
The material here is mostly for casting epoxy, wax or clay. But can be used for pewter casting or making molds to create wax models for lost wax casting.
Hobby Cast

MINIATURE MOLDS: Their main products are molds for miniature figures. They have information on how to make your own molds as well as materials. Check the link for "Make Your Own Molds".
MINIATURE MOLDS

Metal Crafts-Pewter-Pilgrim Badges- Examples
Online collection of Pilgrim Badges (Click the English flag icon)
The University of Nijmegen Centre for Art History has a fabulous online collection of Pewter badges.
The native language is Dutch but there is an English Language version. When you go to the site click on the tiny English flag at the top center of the page.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Pilgrim Badges- Information
Introduction to Pilgrim Badges
This is an RTF document that gives an overview of pilgrimage souvenirs.
Medieval Badges - Wearable Art
Medieval badges were small cast metal pieces with an integral pin designed to be worn, frequently on a hat or an exposed collar.
I'm interested in figuring out the words used to name them in the Middle Ages - how those words may help us understand how badges functioned in the contexts in which they were worn and exchanged. A small pin worn on clothing is often but not always visible; though some badges were worn publically, there were other pieces which may have been worn inside or under layered cloth, and that possibility exists for any of them.
Late medieval pilgrim badges
This series of web pages is intended to serve as a general introduction to the material objects that can be generally grouped together as "late medieval pilgrim badges." At the heart of this group of objects are small badges intended to be worn upon the hat or clothes, often depicting a particular saint or pilgrimage destination, and (apparently) serving as a souvenir or certification of the pilgrimage undertaken. But a number of badges of similar manufacture are clearly secular in nature, and the generic term "pilgrim badge" is applied to both sacred and secular badges.
Stefan's Florilegium - pilgrim-badges- msg - 12/25/04
Typical florilegium guide with lots of links and miscellaneous info.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Pilgrim Badges- Shop
Billy and Charlies Finest Quality Pewter Goods
Decorative Brooches, Pilgrim badges and household goods. Mainly 13th - 15th century.
Gaukler Medieval Wares
Gaukler Medieval Wares makes jewelry and metalwork in ancient and medieval styles, using the methods and materials of the past. I do custom work, as long as the design is medieval or earlier. We also sell authentic ancient and medieval antiquities.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Suppliers- Finished Products
Treasure Cast
At TreasureCast.com we produce jewelry, cloak clasps, pins, pendants, buttons and buckles. Our pieces use Celtic, Renaissance, Viking and Pirate designs. Some of the items we produce include:
Lion Heart Replicas
Though a replica company, they also have a good little history of pewter in England along with some period drawings of pewter making.
Metal Crafts-Pewter-Suppliers- Metal
Recommendations for Suppliers

Rotometals
Highly respected. I personally have purchased from them. Recommend. Good source for buying pewter mixes in one pound lots or larger.

Recommendations for Suppliers from Lord Stefan of Stefans Florilegium from his pewter class handout:
My pewter now comes from: Hallmark Metal Co (hallmark.metal@juno.com) 1-888-467-8000 http://www.hallmarkmetalscorp.com/ 'http://www.hallmarkmetalscorp.com/'
MPK is a Tin/Copper/Bismuth/Silver alloy melts 5-600 degrees F., $7.75 lb. 928 is a Tin/Antimony/Copper alloy melts 550-650 degrees F., $7.25 lb.
Call before ordering as this material is a commodity and varies from day to day. The price of some of the materials has one up drastically in the last year or two. This price is almost double what I paid as recently as 2005.
The pewter comes in 7 pound bars, which are notched for cutting into three pieces. If you ask, they will cut them at the factory.
There are also a number of pewter sources given in this file in the CRAFTS section of the Florilegium: pewter-msg (22K) 2/ 8/08 Pewter in period. References. Sources.
If you need to buy it locally, as someone else mentioned, lead-free plumbers solder is probably your best bet. It also has the advantage that being available in 1 pound spools, you can simply roll off how much you need and not have to melt 2 pound ingots in a 1 pound pot. It will be more expensive.
Stefan -------- THLord Stefan li Rous Barony of Bryn Gwlad Kingdom of Ansteorra
Mark S. Harris Austin, Texas
StefanliRous@austin.rr.com
Here are some other references from the online community:
Purity Casting Alloys LTD 604-888-0181
They sell "Lead Free Pewter" (92% Tin, 7% Antimony, 1% Copper).
Their price typically includes shipping from Vancouver. They sell by the pound, ship in small (under 1# bars), and they don't seem to have a minimum order. Their prices have tended to be pretty good on smaller quantities, but since they don't (or did not last I checked) offer volume discounts, they are not competitive on larger amounts where prices are reduced, and shipping is less of an issue. Note: as of 12/07 they had a 25# minimum order.

Rio Grande Jewelry Supply 800-545-6566
They sell catalog number 750031 (92% Tin, 7.5% Antimony, .5% Copper)
They sell nominal 5.5# bars, and you can order as little as 1 bar. Their prices are typically high, but they don't change them very often. So if tin prices skyrocket, their (old un-raised) prices seem more reasonable for a while. But, if they raise their price before the price drops. then their prices can seem astronomical in comparison to others. They offer price breaks at 10 bars (55#) and at 20 bars (110#.).
Ney Metals 718-389-4900
They sell Alloy B-7 (92% Tin, 7.5% Antimony, 5% Copper)
Ney is up in New York State. They sell bars that they call 5#. But typically they come in under that in weight (a 12 bar box typically weighs about 55- 56#). But you will be charged by the actual weight sent. I've never had them ship less than 12 bars, so I'm not sure what their minimum order may be, or how their pricing might look at under 55 pounds. They do give additional discounts at 100#. I spent a number of years where they were my primary supplier before Hallmark started being regularly cheaper.

Oster Pewter
Metal Crafts-Projects-Advanced
Historical Reenactment, Living History and Experimental Archaeology
From The Deva Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilization the page doesn't have a lot of working links but has several under Armor that would be of interest to those wanting to make Roman armor.
Metal Crafts-Projects-Basic
Build a basic Roman style buckle
This tutorial should provide the know how to build a basic Roman style buckle. It is good beginners metal work project for several reasons: it is simple, easy, and you always need buckles. You could adapt it to much fancier buckles, as well as hinges. The basic material is brass, in strips and several thickness of wire. Of course you can cut your own strips and change the material thickness based on the size and use of the buckle. This particular project uses 20 thou. brass strip from K&S, along with 5/32 and 1/8 in brass wire rod.
Metal Crafts-Research-Bronze- Celtic
Celtic Metalwork. London, British Museum
A short article with photos of several pieces acquired by the British Museum
Metal Crafts-Silver-Niello
A TECHNICAL NOTE ON NIELLO - JAIC Online
ABSTRACT - Niello, a lustrous blue-black material, consists of one or more metallic sulfides (silver, copper, and lead). It is used to decorate silver, bronze, and gold objects. The history of the use of niello is reviewed, as well as the properties of the various types.
Strickland Brooch - Saxon Niello
Good article of what is a classic example of mid 9th century Saxon work.
Article on Niello
Good encyclopedia overview with some photos.
The Fuller Brooch
A beautiful example of Saxon silver and niello work.
Metal Crafts-Silver-Smelting- How To
Lady Therasia's SCA Stuff - Smelting Silver ore
A PDF report on smelting and refining silver from ore.
Metal Crafts-Spinning
Blacksmith's Gazette What is Metal Spinning?
Metal spinning is the process by which a piece of flat sheet metal is formed over a pre-turned, three-dimensional pattern while it is spinning on a lathe.
Terry Tynan - Metal Spinning
Another overview with some good photos.
Video: Introduction To Pewter Smithing - Metal Spinning
In this video, you will learn how to spin metal in pewtersmithing. And 'here is a review of the video.'
Metal Crafts-Wire-Wire Knitting- Viking
Knit Wire Chain How to
A how to guide on getting started with Naalbinding
Viking Knit Silver Bracelet - Naalbinding or Chain Knitting
This is a technique for knitting wire. Used during the Viking period.
Music
Lady Jehanne de Wodeford - Portal
This is the home page of Lisa Joseph, known in the Society for Creative Anachronism as Lady Jehanne de Wodeford and Saionji no Hanae.
Her links page has numerous links to period music sites.
Re-enactors-American-Suppliers
Fugawee Corporation
Company that focuses on American Revolutionary and US Civil war clothes, shoes and accessories.
Re-enactors-Celtic
Portal: Celtic re-enactment groups and Information
Ancient Celtic Clans is a re-enactment group dedicated to studying the life and times of the Celts from 500BC to 1100AD. The majority of our research is hands-on, known as 'experimental archaeology'. This means we actively employ the clothes, tools, and technology of the ancient Celts after rigorously researching them.
Ancient Celtic Clans

The Vicus is an Iron age and early Roman re-enactment society that interprets history through the media of experimental archaeology, reconstruction and living history.
The Vicus

A forum of Iron Age studies. While the focus is on the Celts it includes other prehistoric European cultures.
Kelticos

Re-enactors-Hussites
The Hussites: Men of Tabor
The Men of Tabor is a Medieval Living History group which portrays members of the Hussite Army circa 1420 -1434. The Hussites were followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia, an early reformer of the Catholic Church. The Hussites rebelled against the Catholic Church in 1420 after the execution of Jan Hus and continued their rebellion until 1434.

Also, check out their links to late medieval sites.
Re-enactors-Roman-Crafts
Home page of Quintus Florentius Agrippa
Welcome to the Home page of Quintus Florentius Agrippa, Legionnaire in the Imperial Legion VI Victrix. This page details my experiences in constructing various pieces of Roman Military Equipment. I claim no museum quality reconstruction expertise, though I'm working to make everything as accurately as I can. I feel in general it is better to have a piece of equipment that at least looks right regardless of how it's built, than to have nothing at all.
Re-enactors-Roman-Military
Portal: Roman re-enacting groups. Genearlly they all are military based.
Twenty centuries ago, the original Legio VI Victrix distinguished itself as a fighting and civilizing force, bringing the enemies of Rome to heel and teaching them the benefits of civilization. Today's Legio VI Victrix recreates a garrison camp near the Roman city of Eburacum (modern York) in the province of Britannia. Our members portray the foot soldiers and officers of the legion, Imperial officials, and the civilian denizens of a Roman province. Our basic time frame is AD 122-138, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian, although sub-units portray Legio VI during the Republic and Late Empire as well.
Home Page of Legion Six Victorious

LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA Legion II - Augusta 1st - 2nd Century AD ~ Roman Living History Society. A cool site based on a group of re-enactors
LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA

The Vicus is an Iron age and early Roman re-enactment society that interprets history through the media of experimental archaeology, reconstruction and living history. It is based in Britain and includes the Celtic half of the population in their society.
The Vicus - Romans and Britons

The recreated Legio XXII portrays soldiers from Germany in the mid-first century AD. We have based our clothing and equipment on contemporary illustrations and descriptions as well as on archeological evidence. While the group is based in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, we have members from a broader area.
Note, they have a good reading list online.
THE IMPERIAL ROMAN TWENTY SECOND LEGION

Re-enactors-Saxon England
Portal: Saxon England
Regia Anglorum
Regia Anglorum is one of the best known and respected Saxon Re-enactment/living history groups.
Their self-description is "From the time of Alfred the Great to the reign of Richard the Lionheart, we do our best to present a living image of the Anglo-Saxon, Viking, Welsh and Norman people in our period of interest. We are anglers, aristocrats and archers; riders, sailors, and tanners; warriors, weavers and woodcarvers. You can live like a Lord or Peasant, fight in the shield wall with your shoulder companion - you can do all of these things and so much more beside."

Wychwood Warriors
Deep in the Forest of Wychwood, there remains one small band of warriors, forgotten by time, who still defend their hidden lair against the invaders. Officially known as the Oxford University Historical Re-enactment Society, the Wychwood Warriors are dedicated to recreating aspects of Anglo-Saxon and Viking life in early mediæval England.

Link page
Part of the website of the Gwerin Y Gywr re-enactment group. A branch of Regia Anglorum. Many links to other Regia groups an other UK re-enactors. THIS IS A GOOD SITE TO POKE AROUND IN!

The Ravens Warband Homepage
The Ravens Warband is a group of re-enacters of the early Anglo-Saxon period (circa 500AD). As well as engaging in re- enactment of Anglo-Saxon warfare and crafts we conduct research into the period and make reproduction equipment. The group is committed to maintaining the highest standard of historical accuracy in the equipment made and used.

Anglo-Saxon Webring.
Approximately 21 Anglo-Saxon related websites. Ranges from research, to re-enactors to vendors.
Re-enactors-Suppliers
The International Living History Fair Trader Websites
Several dozen links to merchants and vendors who specialize in Living History.
Re-enactors-Viking
Fröjel Gotlandica Viking Re-enactment Society
The member's aims are to re-create the clothing, weapons, tools, jewelry, games, foods and furniture of the Viking period, to enjoy an escape to a simpler more relaxed time while putting on displays for the public and getting together with like minded people.
The Vikings
From their website: Founded in 1971, The Vikings are the oldest and largest Dark Age re-enactment society in the UK, and probably the world. While the Society concentrates mainly on the 10th Century, some events are set in the wider period from 790 to 1066, with the appropriate modifications to dress and equipment used. Our aim is to provide an accurate and educational portrayal of the Viking period, with an equal emphasis on the daily life of the period, and on the more warlike aspects of life in what was a formative period in European history.

Related Links:
USA group

"Kit" or gear guide. Good checklists for those wanting to look authentic. Kit Checklist

Guide to period colors

Dark Ages Re-creation Company
DARK seeks to create an environment that stresses historic re-creation of the Viking Age through the use of strict interpretation at a 'role playing' level and authenticity guidelines regulated by peer review. The primary activity of our events is centered on the 'camp', and as such we stress reproducing lifestyle and artifact use. The Company intends to provide a resource of skilled and experienced historic interpreters and physical demonstrators to museums and educational programs.
The Jomsvikings
Another "leading viking group". Actually, they do look to be highly organized and well versed in period gear and personas. Some good resources and excellent pictures.
Re-enactors-Viking-Varangians
New Varangian Guard, Miklagard Garrison
The Varangian Guard were the most respected, best paid, and the most widely traveled group of warriors of the early Middle Ages. Their valiant traditions and the fascinating and intricate culture of the world in which they lived are kept alive using the latest research, and a sense of dedication to recreate things as they were, by members of the New Varangian Guard.

Includes Byzantine related information as well.
SCA-Idea Farm
The Pennsic Exhibition
From a group of Calontir Artisans:
So, just what is this Pennsic Exhibition anyway?
In short, it’s a chance to work on period arts and sciences, in a period fashion, out where people can see it.
We invited a number of artisans to join us and to bring their tools and projects out with them. In this way, people can see the craft in progress and can ask questions of the artisans.
What is the purpose of this?
Of course we’ve joked about “Inflicting Art upon the masses” and we’ve even been accused of “A&S Terrorism,” but the real reason for this is that we each of our company of artisans think our crafts are cool, and we each want others to have a chance to share in them.
Over the years we’ve often discussed the cool arts that people do in the solitude of their studios, basements, and garages. Unfortunately in too many cases all the rest of us get to see are the finished products. We thought that allowing people to see the process involved in some of these crafts was a great way to educate and to encourage others to say Hey! Maybe I can actually do that!
SCA-Information-Badges
SCA Badges
This is an unofficial site that is designed to help folk find information about the armory and "colors" for each Kingdom in the SCA, Inc. In addition, other useful information can be found here -- such as the badges for various offices, both SCA-Wide and Kingdom specific (including variations for some Kingdoms); and badges registered for awards in the 17 Kingdoms of the SCA.
SCA-Information-Beginner
Wills Medieval Woodworking - Links
A nice set of articles for those new to SCA.
Shoes-Medieval
Research: Shoe books
Some books for deeper research:
Shoes and Pattens (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (Paperback)

Stepping Through Time: Archaeological Footwear from Prehistoric Times Until 1800

Name

Portal: Shoe making
Here are various links to non-Viking shoes. Non-Viking being very loosely defined.

From the Forth Armory. Some pictures of good generic shoes.
Turn Shoes

AAA - Footwear of the Middle Ages
This is one of the leading sites for footwear. From the site intro:
The purpose of this web site is to provide a general guide to footwear in the European Middle Ages, with some examinations of footwear before that period, as well as some that came after. Hopefully this will be an overview of footwear technology up to 1600. Since we don't have the materials or knowledge to make this an exhaustive view of all footwear up to 1600, because much of the knowledge has been long lost, not yet published, or simply not available to me at this time, this site should always be considered a work in process. Further, I don't wish to present this material as thought I am an expert, much less THE expert in this field
Shoes-Medieval-Vendor
Vendors: Boots by Bohemond! Handmade leather boots & shoes
Thank you once again for taking an interest in my craft. As of 6/22/07, I have completed well over 3200 pairs of boots and shoes even providing boots for Walt Disney MGM studios, Stan Winston Studios, several Shakespearean festivals, and a two opera companies. I very much enjoy my job. Since 1999 boot making and medieval leather working has been my primary means of earning an income. I take great pride in, and extract much joy from, making boots for people.
Shoes-Roman
Portal: Many sites for making Roman military sandals
The first three sites give enough details that you should be able to create a pair of Caligae or Roman Military sandals Florentivs: Great overview on making caligae. Especially read the section on hobnails
How to make

Another excellent site with lots of photos.Making Authentic Caligae

A good overview of making them. Making Roman Sandals Other sites to help
Gear page from LEGIO VI re- enactors.

ROMAN COSTUME GUIDE Sandal page

Make a basic Sandal

Children's Sandals

Good photo

Ready made to buy:
Buy a kit with the leather already cut and make your own

Roman military gear

Several Caligae ready to buy.

A USA based seller of Caligae

Another place to buy a pair
Sources for Hobnails.
Sells a hobnail more similar to what the Roman's used. Reference from Florentivs
Hobnails

Not as good but still can be used.
Tremont Nail

Another place to buy.
Missouri Boot and Shoe

Shoes-Vikings
Portal: Patterns and guides for making viking shoes
Various links related to making Viking style shoes. Usually based on finds from York. Appropriate for late Saxons as well. Simple shoe pattern from York

Viking Shoe Patterns

German Viking site. Schuhe = shoes
If like me you don't read German, you can pasted the individual links into Babelfish
. The pages are:
Page 1: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/schuhwerk/schuhwerk01.html
Page 2: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/schuhwerk/schuhwerk02.html
Page 3: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/schuhwerk/schuhwerk03.html

There are also pages that talk about recreated shoes found in various sites around Europe AND discusses the experiences of shoemaker Gjalt de Wabbere who has experience in building shoes.
Replication of different shoe finds: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/replikate/replikat_frame.html
Shoe models Haithabu: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/replikate/schuh_haitha/schuh_haithabu.html
Shoe model Elisenhof: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/replikate/schuh_elisenhof/schuh_elisenhof.html
Shoe models from the Netherlands: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/replikate/schuh_niederlande/schuh_nl.html
Shoe models from York: http://www.wikingerkleidung.de/replikate/schuh_york/schuh_york.html
Technology-Research
The Medieval Technology Pages
The Medieval Technology Pages are an attempt to provide accurate, referenced information on technological innovation and related subjects in western Europe during the Middle Ages. There are several ways to access this information.
Weapons-Early Gunpowder
Handgonnes
A site with information on the first guns (gonnes). Including a short pictorial on forging a recreated gun.

From the website, 'When writing about these very early firearms, I'm using the rather unusual word 'Handgonnes', since it appears to me, there is no appropriate word in modern English to describe this kind of weapon. 'Gonne' is the Middle English word for 'gun' and was actually used in the 14th and 15th century to describe these contemporary types of guns.'
Wood Crafts-Chests-Viking- Mastermyr
Portal: Mästermyr Chest
The chest was discovered in 1936 when Hugo Kraft was ploughing what was a, in the Viking age, a lake, the chest was encircled by an iron chain. It contained the largest collection of tools of this date so far found: iron working and carpenter's tools, raw materials, un-finished products. Over 200 objects in total.

Book: The Mastermyr Find A Viking Age Tool Chest from Gotland
Describes this archaeological find in detail with clear photographs and drawings.

Photos of the original.

A Replica Viking Chest, based on the Mästermyr Find
This is not another "How to" article, it's more a "How it was done" article.

Norse Chest in the style of Mastermyr
Besides the photos there are several links for those who want to know more. The links are the most valuable part.

The Mästermyr Project
A project of members of the The Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA) to recreate the find. At this page the Images and Catlog links are the real meat.
Wood Crafts-Furniture Plans
Delta Porter Cable companies woodworking plans
A large variety of furniture plans. Mostly modern but some that would be SCA appropriate.
House Greydragon
My intent is to provide educational and reference information on those aspects of 14th century medieval life that I try to recreate within my hobby of living history in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). I hope you find links of interest, and useful information in helping to recreate various aspects of the 14th century, including: These include:
Plans and information on medieval furniture, particularly chests, but including benches, tables, coolers, tapestries, beds, etc
One style of medieval tents, their design and construction, including a calculator for determining dimensions and canvas required.
Late 14th Century costumes, in particular cot hardies.
Page of Projects and Fun Things To Build (SCA)
From Uilliam mac Ailéne mhic Seamuis called the Mariner. Plans for:
A SELF-CONTAINED TRESTLE TABLE - A trestle table which breaks down and packs up inside itself. Set up, it's just over 51/2 feet long by just under 3 feet wide and stands 21/2 feet tall; packed, it's just over 51/2 long by 11/2 wide by 3 inches thick.
CHEST-BENCH - Here's a chest I built for a lady and her lord. The chest converts to a bench to seat two gentles.
CAMP BED - A slat bed that breaks down for easy transportation, but looks right at home in a 12th c. tent. Accommodates a standard double air mattress.
A PAIR OF CHAIRS - Two high-backed arm chairs that fold up flat for travel.
A-FRAME - An alternate frame for a 12th c. double-belled wedge tent. Usually these had centre poles; this is an A-frame arrangement, to avoid having poles in the best part of the tent - the middle
Wood Crafts-Furniture Plans-Beds

Dozens of plans and ideas for periond beds
http://housebarra.com/projects/bed.html http://www.currentmiddleages.org/tents/furniture.htm http://vinhold.org/node/45 http://larsdatter.com/beds.htm
Wood Crafts-Furniture Plans-Viking
Sven skildbiter's Index Page
A few plans and descriptions for making Viking furniture. Under the Craft section.
Wood Crafts-Furniture Plans-Viking- Chests
Eclectic site with some furniture and boxes.
Not so much plans as good photos with descriptions of the process
Wood Crafts-Information-16th and 17th century
Blood and Sawdust
Welcome to Blood and Sawdust, my web site dedicated to the study and recreation of 16th and 17th century English and American colonial history and material culture. For some 25 years I have been active (on and off) in various historical study groups, such as the Society for Creative Anachronism and Gardiner's Company of the London Trayn'd Bandes. My particular area of interest is in the woodworking trades (such as turners, carpenters, and joiners) and the history and culture of the "middling-sort" at the end of the Middle Ages and in the Early Modern period. This was a period of great change, as the medieval gave way to an explosion of new science, religion, art, and philosophy in the European Renaissance. In some ways it mirrors our own times, as we have gone from first human flight to moon landings in a single lifetime. Not to mention religious conflict, extremism, and really questionable taste in fashion.
Wood Crafts-Information-16th century
Wills Medieval Woodworking - Links
Links to various projects for those needing ideas. From the site intro:
Welcome to Will's Medieval Woodworking. I am your host, Will. Or, on more formal occasions, the Master William McNaughton. As you might have guessed, I am active in a medieval re-creation group. My particular escape route is the Society for Creative Anachronism, and I reside in the Barony of Thor's Mountain in the Kingdom of Meridies.
As a medieval artisan, I have been exploring the various forms of woodcraft as they were practiced in Western Europe, from the late Classical era through the Renaissance. For the past few years, my focus has been 16th-century English joinery, but within you will find notes on Italian, Norse, and German work as well.
Wood Crafts-Supplier-Medieval
Monkshood Medieval Furniture
Good place to buy or find ideas
Wood Crafts-Tables
How to Build a Trestle Table: Simple DIY Woodworking Project
Step-by step plans to make a medieval serving table that comes apart when the feast is over, with 3D animation and master-level blueprints. From Popular Mechanics.