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Britain Celtic 1st Century AD Shield + Sword Belt
#1
Hi All......I'm having trouble finding info on what type of shield and sword belt Southern Celts used in First Century AD Britain, specifically the Durotriges. I'm going to be carrying a Hod Hill spatha with a Isleham scabbard.

Any help on what they may have looked like or who may even supply these items for purchase would be appreciated. Thanks, Antoninus
Michael T. Boyd
Victoria, Texas
Cohort V
Legio Hispana IX
Cornuti Seniores

Roman Soldier Impressions are focused on 1st Through 4th Century AD
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#2
Really could use some help and guidance here, Thank you, Mike
Michael T. Boyd
Victoria, Texas
Cohort V
Legio Hispana IX
Cornuti Seniores

Roman Soldier Impressions are focused on 1st Through 4th Century AD
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#3
Hello,
I don't know if I can be helpful, but for the swords and suspension methods in 1stC AD Britannia I would look:
- I.M.Stead, British Iron Age swords and scabbards, London, BMP, 2006
- I.M.Stead, Iron Age Cemeteries in East Yorkshire,London, BMP, 1991


For what I have been able to inform me, I have seen that many swords are not found with any evidence of a suspension method (maybe an entirely organic belt).
I have also read:
When a sword is found in situ, and a suspension method is still present then the most common find with it are two rings and one toggle. The rings are usually positioned either side of the scabbard "runner" (the loop that is fastened to the scabbard)and some graves may have the sword in situ on the back”.

There are figurines from Yorkshire representing warriors carrying the sword on their backs.

[attachment=3185]figurineeng.jpg[/attachment]


Here the Asby Scar Sword with same ring elements and the link to the British Museum database:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/se...=Places%2F

Asby Scar Sword (1stC AD), Cumbria,Great Asby,Asby Scar (England) An iron sword which is corroded into its bronze scabbard. When buried, the top of the blade projected from the scabbard.

[attachment=3183]TheAsbyScarSword1stC.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=3184]asbyscar.jpg[/attachment]

Best
S.Marchiaro


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SM.

ὁπλῖται δὲ ἀγαθοὶ καὶ ἀκροβολισταί (Strabo,IV, 6, 2)
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#4
Wow, that is great info, thank you, Mike
Michael T. Boyd
Victoria, Texas
Cohort V
Legio Hispana IX
Cornuti Seniores

Roman Soldier Impressions are focused on 1st Through 4th Century AD
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#5
In addition, on the the Isleham scabbard there are two cast loops on the back of the scabbard for belts- perhaps implying both a baldric and belt worn around the waist?
[Image: wip2_r1_c1-1-1.jpg] [Image: Comitatuslogo3.jpg]


aka Paul B, moderator
http://www.romanarmy.net/auxilia.htm
Moderation in all things
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#6
Would Celts have worn a baldric? If so, that is a great concept, Mike
Michael T. Boyd
Victoria, Texas
Cohort V
Legio Hispana IX
Cornuti Seniores

Roman Soldier Impressions are focused on 1st Through 4th Century AD
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#7
Here are some diagrams from the Kelticos website. They mainly relate to French finds , but may be interesting.

This paper (sorry, in French) has some good ideas and theories http://www.archeoart.org/images/Mathieu_2005.pdf

Some other diagrams

[Image: sword_belts.png]

[Image: celticswordbelts.gif]

[Image: progression_diagram.jpg]

Unfortunately, there was no source given for these pictures, but the thread is here http://www.kelticos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1127

The metal belt ( like this http://www.bridgemanart.com/image/Gaulis...15&page=11 )
may just be a Gaulish find though. (French fashion.... :wink: )

Re baldrics, I don't know of any sculpture showing a baldric on a Celt. Options for the two suspension loops on the Isleham that I can think of.

a/ Baldric and waist belts

b/ One leather belt looped round the body of the scabbard to hold it firmly in place

c/ Two waist belts.

The other source could be the Vacheres warrior, who may be a Romanised Gaul.

[Image: Guerrier_de_Vach%C3%A8res_(face).png]

Here is the belt detail
[Image: Guerrier_de_Vach%C3%A8res_(d%C3%A9tails_...3%A9e).png]

Anyway, hope this is helpful. As so often, the more I read, the less I am sure about.....
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aka Paul B, moderator
http://www.romanarmy.net/auxilia.htm
Moderation in all things
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#8
And some very good reconstructions:
http://www.archeoart.org/reconstit.html
For swords choose number 2, the iron hooked belt is under #3.
________________________________________
Jvrjenivs Peregrinvs Magnvs / FEBRVARIVS
A.K.A. Jurjen Draaisma
CORBVLO and Fectio
ALA I BATAVORUM
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#9
Good mourning,
For the shield, a good iconographic source are the reliefs of military themes, in particular the spoils of war, of the Arc de triomphe d'Orange, located in the town of Orange (southeast France), built at the beginning of 1stC AD.
The shields represented are Gaulish (and maybe a couple of exemplary from Germania) but I think that can be used also for reconstructing models from the other side of the English Channel.

[attachment=3187]1_2012-02-26.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=3188]2_2012-02-26.jpg[/attachment]

And here a boss from the centre of an auxiliary shield found in Britain at Kirkham, Lancashire date 2nd century AD:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/hig..._boss.aspx


Very best.
S.Marchiaro


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SM.

ὁπλῖται δὲ ἀγαθοὶ καὶ ἀκροβολισταί (Strabo,IV, 6, 2)
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#10
I particularly like the tunic detail on the same picture as the suspension system of the sword. There is some debate asto whether or not these details represent gloves, but this sculpture clearly indicates that the hands show the anatomical details of being glove free. It looks like a tunic with side seams and turned back cuffs. More turned back cuffs and side seamed arms it is then on gallic tunics Smile
Claire Marshall

General Layabout

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.plateau-imprints.co.uk">www.plateau-imprints.co.uk
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#11
And some of the Yorkshire figurines above have been cited as evidence of a scabbard worn at the back, Conan the Barbarian Hollywood style. And though, it may even be a practical solution given the length of some of the Celtic swords, I haven't yet seen a re enactor daring enough to try it!

(Edit- just noticed that the original post mentioned a back scabbard.Must learn to read...)
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aka Paul B, moderator
http://www.romanarmy.net/auxilia.htm
Moderation in all things
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#12
Caballo,
if i recall correctly there is someone using a back scabbard and an article on how to make it on the Vicus website.
Richard Craig AKA Aulus Maximus
Cohors I Tungrorum
Cohors I Batavorum
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#13
HAHA thats cool .however thnks for the information Cool Cool Cool
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