A Medieval career?

It seems that several members of this forum (such as the esteemed scholars Destichado, Kissaki, and Merentha) either make a career in being medieval/Renaissance combat historians (or at least, that's my impression). As a junior/11th grader in high school (that's the 2nd to last year before college in the US), I'm considering a career in such a topic as well.

My question is: what Universities offer excellent education in these fields of combat history? And is a career in that subject very practical? I know that some members are consulted by TV shows as experts, but otherwise I can't think of very many practical applications for such a historical subject.

Well, i dont know much about the subject, but if you wan'ted to do some kind of documentry work/tv stuff ect., you'd need more of a degree in media as well.

Just go with a history degree. Of course you'll come out of college with a degree in biology instead, but that's how college work. You'll at least enjoy yourself for a while. A tip of advice for you: Never believe 1 damn word any career counselor ever says. In fact, never take any advice ever given by a school official. It's all absolute crap that will only ruin your life later on (or in the short term as well if you listen to a military recruiter).

None of us are making a living with this stuff. At best it's some extra cash on the side or along the lines of being a busker (begger/performer). With history in general you'll likely get a job teaching or maybe researching history though and if you like to write you can actually be quite comfortable as a historian.

13 Spider Bloody Chain said:

It seems that several members of this forum (such as the esteemed scholars Destichado, Kissaki, and Merentha) either make a career in being medieval/Renaissance combat historians (or at least, that's my impression). As a junior/11th grader in high school (that's the 2nd to last year before college in the US), I'm considering a career in such a topic as well.

My question is: what Universities offer excellent education in these fields of combat history? And is a career in that subject very practical? I know that some members are consulted by TV shows as experts, but otherwise I can't think of very many practical applications for such a historical subject.

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I'm flattered that you'd include me in that group, but I'm a freshman in college going for a biology/pre-medicine degree.  Medieval studies is just my hobby, has been for the past few years.  I read a lot, actively practice it with two reenactment groups (one not so historically accurate) and otherwise just love historical studies.

Get a degree in history if that's where you want to go.  Some schools offer medieval studies programs, others don't.  Its not hard to find a list of offered courses at universities, but I wouldn't base my decision on college entirely on one or two classes.  I can ask around and see if there are any good colleges people know for that kind of thing.  One of the guys in my ARMA group is a medieval studies graduate student, going to the University of Maryland.  That might be a place to look. 

Oh, another thing: Reenactment is a VERY expensive hobby if you're not careful with it. Depending on what you're reenacting you'll probably go well over $1,000 in gear. Then you have to pay travel expenses and entry fees and such. A shield boss alone costs at least $50. That's not even with a shield attached to it.

Make it yourself,then


Yes I'm shallow today.

That's generally what Tegan and I do but the vast majority just buy their stuff. In large part because they're doing it along with a 40 hour per week job and other things.

A full set of blacksmithing supplies costs a lot more than $50.

Ow.

What do I need?

Soft leather boots,baggy Asian woven pantaloon,Nomad's cap or similar furry hat,bow,arrows,tulwar (got a small one),leather Tunic.

Yay. Gotta be rapingly expensive WHEN the last part is in.

A horse.

But building a horse is cheap.  You just need some specific cells and a petri dish.

Yeah yeah. Can you weave me a cotton saddle while I'm at it?