Recent posts

#31

Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Centenarian centurion

Last post by stevenneate - Jun 18, 2026, 01:39 AM

I'm sure you're right Duncan. Think of all the Later Roman officers drawing pay for a full complement.

#32

Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Centenarian centurion

Last post by Imperial Dave - Jun 17, 2026, 08:56 PM

 

#33

Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Centenarian centurion

Last post by Mick Hession - Jun 17, 2026, 08:02 PM

When the old age pension was introduced in Ireland claimants, in the absence of documentation proving their eligibility, were asked if they remembered "the Big Wind", a catastrophic storm in 1839. I'm sure that a truthful answer was universally given...

#34

Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Centenarian centurion

Last post by Imperial Dave - Jun 17, 2026, 04:26 PM

Wouldn't be the first 

#35

Ancient and Medieval History / Centenarian centurion

Last post by Duncan Head - Jun 17, 2026, 04:03 PM

So the Guardian today has a book review about ageing (bear with me, the relevance will come clear...) noting among other things that there are far fewer centenarians around than popularly thought, due to inadequate records and various forms of fraud. Then Ancient Warfare 107 pops through the letterbox, containing an article about a Roman centurion whose tombstone, in Wales, claims he died at the age of 100.

Hmmm. I reckon he was long dead and the family faked it to keep drawing his pension 

#36

Ancient and Medieval History / Antiquity paper - Melsonby Iro...

Last post by DBS - Jun 16, 2026, 10:36 AM

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/vehicles-of-change-two-exceptional-deposits-of-destroyed-chariots-or-wagons-from-late-iron-age-britain/729BB6B21858170704D32CBDBF68C5DA

An awful lot of iron tyres, 28 at least.

EDIT - sorry, just realised that Dave posted a link to a previous article on the same hoards a couple of months ago:
https://forum.soa.org.uk/index.php?topic=10658.0

#37

Weapons and Tactics / Re: Scots shields at Bannockbu...

Last post by kodiakblair - Jun 15, 2026, 05:50 PM

Does this sound sensible to everyone, or have I missed anything obvious?

Sounds sensible to me Duncan.

There is a Scots version of the 1285 Statute of Winchester. It has much the same requirements as Bruce's 1318 statute, some form of body armour, an iron cap, sword and dagger; no mention of shields.

Earliest I could find shields being called for was by James I in 1424, repeated again in 1429.

#38

Shows & Events / Re: Test of Resolve at Phalanx...

Last post by Dave Knight - Jun 15, 2026, 08:07 AM

A reminder that we will be at the show next Saturday.   We run short participation games of both Wars of the Roses and 100 Years War to give people a flavour of the rules.  It would be great if people could stop by for a chat as well.

#39

Shows & Events / Re: Carronade at Falkirk; June...

Last post by Dave Knight - Jun 15, 2026, 08:04 AM

I did find time to raid the flea market

Were you a pearl fisherman or did you come with breathing apparatus ?


I took 2 steps through the door, sensed the fetid air then about-turned, a man with emphysema chooses his battles carefully 

Seriously though the flea market was in a terrible location, up a few stairs and backstage behind the curtains. I know it was the first at FHS so teething troubles are expected.  Lads running the Cannae game told me it'll be moved for next year, school dodn't want folk behind the stage.

The flea market will be relocated next year

#40

Weapons and Tactics / Re: Scots shields at Bannockbu...

Last post by Jim Webster - Jun 14, 2026, 07:27 PM

I've not got round to the contemporary sources yet. It depends on how far down the Bannockburn rabbit hole I decide to venture