03-09-2006, 01:53 PM
Carlisle and the Leon examples (and probably newstead) all overlap upwards- that is the front plate sits on top of all the following plates. The other bits of manica I have not seen or studied and wouldn't like to comment, but there is one apparently from germany which is fairly complete and does the same?
I too have talked to Mike about this a few years ago when doing some drawings. But like you Caratacus I disagree with the theory of the blow being stopped and absorbed in the crook of the arm for two reasons.
1) it wouldn't just numb but probably break your arm, armour is very rarely designed to stop or absorb blows but deflect them.
2) when you arm is bent to overlap the plates, it is withdrawn and well behind you shield, thus less exposed than almost all the other parts of your body. To be honest if I had got a blow past to the point of hitting the crook of the arm there are better areas I can think of to hit!
I don't personally think Adamklissi is clear enough to contradict 3 definate archaeological discoveries (and probably more) as I think it just shows lames in the same way many gladiatorial mosaics do- as strips. They do seem to overlap downwards, but it could be artistic convention :?
To be honest if you are cosidering deflection overlappin upwards is the only way to go as when your arm is extended any slight to medium blow that would cause severe damage to an unprotected arm would be encouraged to slide off. Any major blow that landed squarely would hack chunks out or break you arm, regardless of how you overlap the plates or padding.
Adam
I too have talked to Mike about this a few years ago when doing some drawings. But like you Caratacus I disagree with the theory of the blow being stopped and absorbed in the crook of the arm for two reasons.
1) it wouldn't just numb but probably break your arm, armour is very rarely designed to stop or absorb blows but deflect them.
2) when you arm is bent to overlap the plates, it is withdrawn and well behind you shield, thus less exposed than almost all the other parts of your body. To be honest if I had got a blow past to the point of hitting the crook of the arm there are better areas I can think of to hit!
I don't personally think Adamklissi is clear enough to contradict 3 definate archaeological discoveries (and probably more) as I think it just shows lames in the same way many gladiatorial mosaics do- as strips. They do seem to overlap downwards, but it could be artistic convention :?
To be honest if you are cosidering deflection overlappin upwards is the only way to go as when your arm is extended any slight to medium blow that would cause severe damage to an unprotected arm would be encouraged to slide off. Any major blow that landed squarely would hack chunks out or break you arm, regardless of how you overlap the plates or padding.
Adam
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin\'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghettoooooo...
(vocalist extrodinaire- Eric Cartman)
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghettoooooo...
(vocalist extrodinaire- Eric Cartman)
