General History Questions thread

[Captured Joe]

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-Count Valerian Zubov, Jean-Louis Voille, 1791

Can someone explain what is going on with this hat, or, like, what it is in the first place? It's like someone smashed a bicorne or something against a rifleman's helmet and threw some feathers on top.

It seems to be a helmet of the Potemkin-uniform:

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[Bluehawk]

The thick plumage - more like carpet than feathers - was meant to deflect sword blows and the long flaps at the rear could be wrapped around the neck and cheeks like a scarf, tying to the lapel buttons, in poor weather. It also a visor and chin strap for obvious purposes, which its predecessor (and successor) tricorne did not. Believe it or not, utility was Potemkin's goal.

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[kraggrim]

Hi guys.

Would there have been any trees that looked like this in Britain or Ireland around 636AD?

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The conifery pine/fir/spruce looking ones.

My searching hasn't really turned up anything, the closest being scots pine: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=scots+pine&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9X57VIWCIo3pasuUgfgO&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643.
Yeah. Not very close.

If it's a no then many many scenes will require editing if historical accuracy is to be achieved. Which would suck. A lot.

 

[Kentucky 『 ＨＥＩＧＵＩ 』 James]

There are a few pines like that in modern Britain but they're not as common as in polished landscapes. Anyway, you could just swap out the model for something else. No biggie.

 

[kraggrim]

There are a few pines like that in modern Britain but they're not as common as in polished landscapes. Anyway, you could just swap out the model for something else. No biggie.

Yes, good point .

 

[Leifr Eiríksson]

No.
The forests that covered the British Isles during the 7th.C would almost certainly have been ancient woodland.

 

[Amman d Stazia]

Depending on which part of the isles...
Milder climates would have been deciduous broad canopy woodland.

 

[Skot the Sanguine]

Some of those old growth forests are amazing.  One spot in Perthshire (interestingly near where my ancestors probably lived) looked like something out of Lord of the Rings...the forest of Lothlorien.

 

[Leifr Eiríksson]

Depending on which part of the isles...
Milder climates would have been deciduous broad canopy woodland.

Which is what an ancient woodland is composed of...

 

[FrisianDude]

Depending on which part of the isles...
Milder climates would have been deciduous broad canopy woodland.

Which is what an ancient woodland is composed of...

As much as you ignored Jacobhinds' post, Amman de Stazia ignored yours. A wonderful cycle!

 

[Leifr Eiríksson]

Whoops. 

 

[Kentucky 『 ＨＥＩＧＵＩ 』 James]

Hooray for karma! but only when it works in my favour

 

[PotatoKat]

What's the term for a building on a castle wall? The one that protects archers while they are shooting their arrows; It has a roof and could be made of wood, bricks or stones

 

[Matiss_Veinbergs]

A tower?

 

[Orchid]

What's the term for a building on a castle wall? The one that protects archers while they are shooting their arrows; It has a roof and could be made of wood, bricks or stones

You're probably talking about the hoarding or brattice.

Here's an example of a brattice at Caerphilly castle.

 

[PotatoKat]

What's the term for a building on a castle wall? The one that protects archers while they are shooting their arrows; It has a roof and could be made of wood, bricks or stones

You're probably talking about the hoarding or brattice.

Here's an example of a brattice at Caerphilly castle.

That's what I am looking for, thank you.

 

[Swissky]

What would a soldier in the Napoleonic Era carry in his shako?

 

[Amman d Stazia]

His head.....

Well, some would hide wealth there, or stick a spate Flint, or letter from home, or a half smoked cigar.
So, anything that can be tucked into the lining, really.

 

[Patchouli Knowledge]

In the French army, at least, the tools for maintaining the musket and shoes were stored in the shako. There were even hooks inside for them.

 

[Captured Joe]

In the French army, at least, the tools for maintaining the musket and shoes were stored in the shako. There were even hooks inside for them.

I once read an anecdote about an Old Guard Grenadier on campaign in 1805 who put some hooks inside his bearskin hat, and hung some 'liberated' bottles of wine on them inside his hat; he called it the "Air-cellar".
Not sure it's historical though.