Renaissance/Medieval Swordplay and Martial Arts

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

The period where the plot for LotR takes place may be a totally different era from that of Medieval times. However, the style of clothes and weapons do bear some resemblance to those of Medieval times. Hence, I believe the fighting styles might bear some resemblance in some way or other.

The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (http://www.thehaca.com/essays.htm#On%20Medieval%20Swordsmanship%20&%20Fighting) does seem to be a pretty informative site about the various methods of swordplay, weaponry etc.

[Melain]

I think slightly less medieval and more of the reniasance period. I too have noticed the similarities, but when Tolkien wrote them he said he wanted to creat a legend for England.

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Yup, so Middle Earth was sort of an entire different thing altogether. But I'm sure he got his inspiration from the medieval and renaissance periods.

[TrueSwordsman]

Tolkien gathered a great deal of insperation from Norse and Celtic Mythology. Beowulf was one of his favorite books. Many of the things that seem to fit into the story, like Narsil breaking when it is need most, is from Norse Mythology! :thumbs:

[Melain]

I believe that he used a good deal of hobbit culture and language based on english history, but other races such as elven on norse and celtic, and dwarves on scottish history.

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

In conclusion, I think he gathered lots of inspiration from the ancient eras of England, especially eras that involved wars, battles and sword-fighting. The Celts and the Norse did lots of fighting too.

By the way, aren't the Norse from ancient medieval Norway?

[Melain]

I thought the Norse were more the wanderers of the northern region.

[TrueSwordsman]

The Norse are people from the Northern Countries such as Sweden, Norway, Finland, etc. Most people only have pictures of invading Vikings in their dragon ships when they think of them. Actually they had farms and were fisherman as well. They were also great explorers, settling Iceland, Greenland, and sailing to America in 1000 AD or even earlier.

[Catz]

ummm the Dwarves werent taken from Scottish history at all............Dwarves are a common motif in Scandanavian legends as are trolls.........the Elves were in the main based around the Irish fair folk(fairies) the Tuatha de Daanan or Children of Dana who were tall and fair and great warriors.......they like Tolkiens Elves, used a great deal of silver
the sword legends were common in many of the Northern tales, often being the metaphor for greatness..........ie: the land is troubled and a sword is broken and must be reforged
Tolkien was no swordsman tho, and the styles of weapon he describes arent attributable to any particular era, or rather arent attributable to any ONE era in history
:catz:

[Melain]

I agree Catz