Conan Stevens, topless, hot and sweaty in the Australian Summer Sun

Oiled up and ready? No that is sweat, no oil needed when it is a stinking hot Australian summers day. You might also have spotted the non-period army boots.

The shield is rather large, some of the younger guys I used to fight with in the SCA complained officially to the elders. But since it was perfectly legitimate period wear for my character then it was OK :)

In reality when archeologists dig up ancient battle fields most of the skeletons had broken shin bones. Because the shields were so effective in covering the body not so many body blows struck, and the head was protected by helm and by blocking with the hand weapon - this left the legs as the most vulnerable point.

This of course explains why many Northern Warrior favoured an axe - to chop the damn shield up.