07-16-2011, 01:17 AM
Garrlet makes a good point, leather does offer more protection than we give it credit for, especially if it is hardened (some sort of boiling does that I believe). Surely Vambraces were used somewhere and just became overused, thats all.
Really when you think about it. If you are wearing segmentata and do not have access to manica, a vambrace would offer a decent amount of protection on your sword arm if it protected your forearm from possible slashes other barbarians might attempt as you extended your arm out to stab a buddy of theirs.
I believe there are accounts from the Battle of Watling Street that Boudicca's men would come running back with stubs where their arms used to be, indicating that arm chopping took place in battle moderately.
Because a vambrace would only cover some or part of the forearm only, it would not hamper ones mobility or flexibility of the arm(s)
Really when you think about it. If you are wearing segmentata and do not have access to manica, a vambrace would offer a decent amount of protection on your sword arm if it protected your forearm from possible slashes other barbarians might attempt as you extended your arm out to stab a buddy of theirs.
I believe there are accounts from the Battle of Watling Street that Boudicca's men would come running back with stubs where their arms used to be, indicating that arm chopping took place in battle moderately.
Because a vambrace would only cover some or part of the forearm only, it would not hamper ones mobility or flexibility of the arm(s)
Quintus Furius Collatinus
-Matt
-Matt
