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Esfenn’s Shieldwall, Armour, 1983
Maureen W. Clifton
In this drawing from AS XVIII (1983 CE), the Man-at-Arms to the left, holding the ‘S’ shield is saying, “Sinister – Sinister – Sinister Dexter Sinister!” – to keep the troops in step! Sinister = Left & Dexter = Right – so think of a Drill Sergeant saying, “Left – Left – Left Right Left!” I have always loved to draw helms & am attracted to more central European, Norse & Celtic styles. My idea was a challenge to myself to create a variety of helm tops with some as rather wild styles. This represented the SCA’s conglomerate of many country’s helm styles, covering a several thousand years, since each SCA fighter decides what time era their persona is, though some Armour seen is mix of eras on one person. I drew the helms with beady eyes peering over the top of each shield & thus, the Knights & Men-at-Arms are marching along to meet their foe! From medieval paintings & tapestries we know that SHIELDWALLS were used. SHIELDWALLS are still used in ground combat situations in the current era, as modern Peace Officers use them to control large groups of unruly people. In my SHIELDWALL drawing, clouds of doom are seen in on the Sinister & the Sun & its rays are seen on the Dexter. In my mind, what I remember is I did that to represent ‘the good, bad & ugly – oh – I mean both sides of any medieval conflict or war! I was looking though my art folders & found my original sketches of helm tops & had a good laugh. Some made it to my final drawing & others did not make the final cut! Some are indeed quite wild & imaginary & not helms I have ever seen medieval paintings. So, let me just note that this is the ‘Creative’ in the SCA’s name & provided me with credence to draw some silly helms. Indeed, I had the idea of military men marching with one sorry sap unable to keep in step – so he is forever ‘out of step’ & appears to be falling off the end & the page. That was part of the humor in my design. In real life, there are seemingly those who are ‘out of step’ with the rest of the populace. And, until I drew my SHIELDWALL, I had never drawn Armoured Legs, though I knew what they looked like. I had never drawn boots from the front with one leg behind & the other on the ground. I studied SCA men while they walked or were in Sword & Shield Combat to see what the boots looked like. My initial sketches did not look right showing the boots marching. When I began drawing all the Armoured legs that showed part of the Cuisses (upper leg plate), Poleyns (knee plate) & Chausses (lower leg plate), though did not know how to draw marching Sabatons or Solerets (Armoured foot plate), either. My final decision was to draw the tops of boots & not show much of the Chausses. Instead as the SHIELDWALL rumbled along, I drew the fighters kicking up dust! I really only vaguely remember drawing this & it amused me! Everyone loved my cover idea & it was a great hit! I never received my original back from the Chronicler, so have had to take bad copies & adjust them to show. I hope it amuses those who see it herein! “Sinister – Sinister – Sinister Dexter Sinister!”
Thank you for visiting my Medieval Art Gallery. © All Photos, Artwork & Costume Designs Created by Maureen & Posted on this SCA Medieval Art & Costume Gallery on Yessy. No image posted may be used without permission of Maureen W. Clifton, aka: Countess Dierdriana of the Misty Isles, Member of The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA: www.SCA.org ). Nothing within Maureen’s/Dierdriana’s Medieval Art Gallery represents any SCA policies, regulations &/or laws in any way. Please See Maureen’s Bio & Other Yessy Art Gallery.
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