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From Shields to Swords: A Deep Dive into Tomsk's Medieval Reenactment Club, Химера
Stepping Back in Time
Tomsk's club, Химера, dives headfirst into the realms of historical reenactment, spanning from the mighty Roman Empire to the twilight of the Middle Ages. The members of this club hone their skills in swordplay, archery, and even the creation of medieval armor, weapons, and clothing. Let's delve deeper into the world of Химера, uncovering the rich tapestry of their fascinating activities.
From Polearms to Swords
"I started this journey in 2007," says Kiirill Lutsan, the mastermind behind Химера. "Initially, it wasn't about historical reenactment; it was just...something peculiar. We gathered on a ship, the 'Burevestnik', and bashed each other with polearms. It was fun and healthy," he reminisces.
Over eight years, Lutsan switched several reenactment clubs before deciding to create his own in 2015. "In 2015, we started crafting early Medieval costumes. The following year, we ventured to Moscow for 'The Battle of a Thousand Swords.' It was a massive festival organized by a group of reenactors. Nearly a thousand combatants, both men and women, and children took part. This was just the early Medieval era, revealing the reign of the Vikings, the 9th to 11th centuries," Lutsan explains.
Since then, Химера has graced numerous festivals, and in May, they are gearing up for 'Русбог' in the Lipetsk region. On this occasion, they plan to present a "large camp" – a field encampment of a medieval army accommodating six to seven individuals.
Historical Spectrum
Русбог spans various historical regions, including Sweden, Russia (both Western and Eastern), Hungary (Magyars), Denmark, and Normandy. "Русбог is one of the largest early Medieval festivals that gathers clubs from Russia and other countries," Lutsan comments. "To partake in it, you must prove that your costumes are based on archaeological sources, present burial sites that correspond with each costume detail."
Combat Training
A significant aspect of Химера's activities lies in training. Members engage in sparring using shallow-edged, heavy yet flexible swords, and blunt-tipped spears. In historical combat competitions, reenactors wield real steel swords and don heavy armor.
These practices are derived from both medieval combat manuals and open-source internet resources. As Lutsan explains, "If you can't fight, sew, if you can't sew, craft arrows, if you can't craft arrows, embroider clothing... even painting shields requires mastery, as we use natural dyes, mostly tempera."
Craftsmanship Prowess
Every piece of clothing crafted by the club members is sewn by hand, employing historical stitch patterns. "Our only challenge so far has been metal casting. For that, you need a muffle furnace, an understanding of the process, and at least a basic jewelry-making background," Lutsan acknowledges.
Currently, the club creates wax prototypes (Prototypes. - Ed.) and hands them over to metal casters for further work.
A Peek into the Past
"Undoubtedly, one of our most intriguing accomplishments was Rome," Lutsan shares. "We began crafting belt buckles and shields reminiscent of the Roman clipeus. The most challenging part was recreating intricate elements made of thin bronze (0.4 millimeters thick), as this required painstaking effort to restore the designs from visual sources."
Battling Pseudoscience
During their pursuit of historical authenticity, reenactors rely on archaeological, verifiable sources. "There is a lack of understanding of material culture that existed during specific historical periods. Questions like how they dressed, where they went, and what their weapons looked like are often overlooked. Fables about 16-pood swords or other exaggerations from conspiracy theorists still linger," Lutsan laments.
He points out that, in early Medieval times, swords weighed around one kilogram, while in late Medieval times, their weight could reach two. Such a weight is sufficient to cleave a person in half.
Empowering the Past
By recreating history in such a painstaking andauthentic way, Химера hopes to bring Medieval life to life, educate the public, and foster a sense of camaraderie among its members.
"As Химера moves from Rome to the Middle Ages, they've expanded their 'lifestyle' to include home-and-garden activities, such as crafting early Medieval costumes and metal casting for weapons and armor,"
"Participating in 'Русбог,' a massive early Medieval festival held in various regions like Sweden, Russia, Hungary, Denmark, and Normandy, showcases their 'home-and-garden' skills, like sewing clothing based on historical stitch patterns and undertaking metal casting."
