Rapier Rose - SCA Fencing Armor, Costuming, and Embroidered Trim

25/07/2024

Capes are added to the Pennsic delivery rack.

23/07/2024

All competitions have behind the scenes aspects. Head games, the need for rest days after a hard push. In a game of milliseconds, the wrong socks can mean gold or not on the podium.

Ever wondered why the 200m men's final at the Rio Olympics 2016 felt strangely slow, especially with the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, in the mix? Well, blame Andre De Grasse and his cunning coach, Stuart McMillan.

Reports from Canadian media reveal a tactical masterpiece behind De Grasse's silver medal performance. The night before the final, both Bolt and De Grasse blazed through their semifinals, almost showing off their speed with times that turned heads globally (19.78 for Bolt and 19.80 for De Grasse). Bolt, known for his dominance, seemed perplexed, jokingly asking De Grasse, "What are you doing? This is only the semifinal!"

Little did the world know, De Grasse wasn't just racing; he was executing a well-laid plan by McMillan. The strategy? Force Bolt into a fast race that would exhaust him for the final. The logic was simple yet brilliant: Bolt, at 30 and with years of sprinting glory behind him, might struggle to recover from a high-intensity race within just 24 hours.

McMillan explained, "We had a strategy to try and tire out Usain. I think [Bolt] is used to athletes rolling over for him a little bit." The plan aimed to exploit Bolt's vulnerability in 2016, betting on the possibility that even the legendary Bolt could be beaten.

However, fate had other plans. In a twist of irony, it was De Grasse who couldn't summon his usual explosive finish in the final showdown. Bolt, too, admitted to feeling the effects, ruefully stating, "Thanks to De Grasse, my legs were tired. My legs wouldn’t respond in the final."

Factor in the rain, a slight headwind, and a field not quite at Bolt's caliber, and you get a race that defied expectations with its slowness.

So next time you revisit that race, remember the strategic chess match behind the scenes that made it all unfold the way it did. Sports, after all, are as much about tactics and psychology as they are about raw speed.

23/07/2024

Pennsic delivery rack is growing. Next - capes and doublets.

12/07/2024

I am in full court press mode toward Pennsic War.

The shop closes for manufacturing August 1st. I will be back in the shop August 20th once the laundry is done.

08/07/2024

Poofy pants are in stock and ready to ship today. One size fits all, elastic waist and ankles, poly cotton blend. Breathe very nicely for Pennsic War.

Colors available: black, Hunter green, burgundy, Navy blue, chocolate brown.

https://rapierrose.etsy.com/listing/1468913413

04/07/2024

Love this show

On this episode of Behind The Ears, we explore the rocky history of AIDA, Disney’s third and most adult Broadway Musical!Business Inquiries: BehindTheEars92@...

04/07/2024

Read the story.

When a group of tourists visited a crocodile farm, the owner of the place launched a daring proposal;
-Whoever dares to jump, swim to shore and survive, I will give 1 million dollars.
Nobody dared to move, suddenly a man jumped into the water and desperately swam towards the shore while he was chased by all the crocodiles.
With great luck he arrived, taking the admiration of everyone in the place, then the owner announced;
-We have a brave winner.
After collecting their reward, the couple returned to the hotel, upon arrival, the manager told him; he was very brave to jump, then the man said;
-I didn't jump, someone pushed me!
His wife smiled
Moral: "Behind every successful man, there is a woman who pushes him.

08/06/2024

I enjoy that one of the aspects of my job is to be able to travel to interesting new areas of my state and have gorgeous scenery and amazing weather like we have today. A good day to travel.

04/06/2024

Rare depiction of a buckler fighter armed with a spear. Marginal illustration from Royal MS 10 E IV, 76r, dated 1300 - 1340.

04/06/2024

My dear friends,

My fabric source is now charging a wholesale price of $21/yard for trigger.

I will be moving to twill, which I am not happy about. But it is the only way to keep the price reasonable.

As supplies run out in each color I will switch them. So until it all runs out you may get trigger breeches and a twill doublet or vice versa. Colors are comparable.

Picture for algorithms. Happy customer in his Musketeer cassock!

22/05/2024

Today is the anniversary of what is usually considered to be the first battle of the Wars of the Roses, fought on 22nd May 1455 in St. Albans.

ROYAL BLOOD (gouache, 14”x 18.5” (36cm x 47cm)).

As the earl of Warwick’s troops rain arrows down on them, and the duke of York’s men advance from the opposite direction, King Henry VI is ‘hurte in the necke wythe an arrowe’ as he finds himself exposed in the centre of the Yorkist assault at St. Albans.

Behind him the duke of Buckingham is wounded ‘with an arrowe in the visage [face]’, as were others of the king’s entourage; ‘the Lord of Stafford in the hond, with an arowe; the Lord of Dorsette, sore hurt that he myght not go, but he was caryede hom in a cart; and Wenlok, Knyght, in lyke wyse in a carte sore hurt; and other diverse knyghtes and squyers sore hurt.’ (Paston Letters)

Although famously a most unwarlike king, Gregory’s chronicle records that at St. Albans ‘Kyng Harry was in harnys [full suit of armour] hys owne propyr person’. The same account also says that the Earl of Wiltshire ‘sette the kyngys baner agayne an howse ende and fought manly with the helys [heels]’ – in other words, he ran away, an action he would repeat at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross six years later.

This original painting has sold, but it is available as a high quality, individually printed, artist-signed giclée print in two alternative sizes. Details are on this page of my website - https://www.studio88.co.uk/acatalog/henry_vi_st_albans_1455.html

This painting also features in my book ‘THE WARS OF THE ROSES: The Medieval Art of Graham Turner’, signed copies of which can be ordered through my website - https://www.studio88.co.uk/acatalog/The_Wars_of_the_Roses_the_Medieval_Art_of_Graham_Turner.html

I will be giving a talk about the history and inspiration behind my paintings at St Peter’s church in St Albans this coming Saturday, 25th May 2024. Organised in conjunction with the Battlefields Trust. Full details can be found at www.tickettailor.com/events/thebattlefieldstrust/1189273 where tickets can also be booked.

22/05/2024

If you follow our blog you are aware we love a good sword movie and some of the characters in these films have been inspirational to our love of swords. One of the actors who fleshed out these characters passed away on May 3rd 25 years ago. We wanted to post a few thoughts on this iconic actor. His....

22/05/2024

Poofy pants are available in Brown, Navy, Burgundy, Green, and Black! Ready to ship now.

This Gender-Neutral Adult Costumes item by RapierRose has 30 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Aliquippa, PA. Listed on May 15, 2024

21/05/2024

Rapier Rose will have a booth at the BMDL anniversary event this coming Saturday.

In addition to the clothes I normally carry there will be fabric bundles as well!!

21/05/2024

Rapier Rose will have a booth at the BMDL anniversary event this coming Saturday.

In addition to the clothes I normally carry there will be fabric bundles. As well!!

21/03/2024

My dear friends -

Amazon is now selling a doublet made out of fabulous fabric.

Please bear in mind that while it is beautiful- and I can't even make it for what they are charging, it is a costume piece. Not list legal armor. As a Marshal, if I see you wearing one on the field I will want to know what other torso coverage you have because this *does not pass punch test*. But it is a beautiful and inexpensive costume quality doublet. The shell is a chenille velvet. The lining is a thin polyester.

I bought one. A button fell off the first time I wore it. I have not washed it yet, so the jury is out on durability but it doesn't look promising.

But please - do not expect me or any other marshal to pass this on the field without actually doing a punch test on site.

CosplayDiy Mens Tudor Vest...

CosplayDiy Mens Tudor Vest Victorian Suit Vest Tudor Jerkin Gothic Steampunk Waistcoat

05/03/2024

The shop is closed for sewing until after Gulf Wars. You can still place orders on my Etsy page in the meantime . Shipping will resume after Match 18.

See you on the field. Fight me!!

31/01/2024

Good morning.

Just an FYI - my fabric supplier is discontinuing all colors of Trigger except black and white.

Either I will be switching to a cotton twill or looking for another trigger supplier. Maybe both. This impacts everything I make except shirts and arming caps.

More on that soon.

The only constant in the world is change. We learn to pivot. My goal is to maintain the same quality of merchandise and keep my prices reasonable for my customers.

22/12/2023

The Christmas elves have been hard at work. The last of the orders at Santa requested have been completed and are hitting the mail today. The shop will be closed until Wednesday the 27th. I will still be able to field the emails and messages. Meelo, Zukko and Pabu helped to the very end.

Happy holidays all!!

27/11/2023

Cyber Monday specials all this week on Arming Caps, Fencing hoods, Under Armor shirts, Embroidery Lengths, and Poofy Pants (single color elastic waist and ankles)!!

Use Discount code FREESHIP for free shipping on any of those items today!!

See comments to links to items involved.

25/11/2023

Cyber Monday specials coming!!!

22/08/2023

The silence of daily kitty nap time can be more disconcerting than the eye of a hurricane.

18/08/2023

15/08/2023

Most recent art project. Pourpoint.

26/06/2023

don’t forget to Follow and Like our page 😊

23/06/2023

The only constant in life is change. My trigger fabric supplier is discontinuing Royal blue as a color line.

I am looking for a new source. Until then I am substituting in twill for Royal Blue.

Photo for algorithm. (Navy blue below)

17/05/2023

Rapier Rose will have a booth at Aethelmearc War Practice.

Pants, hoods, under armor shirts, other garb, jewelry and doodads will abound.

See ya there!

25/04/2023

Black poofy pants are on the Etsy site! I have 39 in stock ready to ship.

This Gender-Neutral Adult Costumes item is sold by RapierRose. Ships from Aliquippa, PA. Listed on Apr 25, 2023

20/04/2023

I will be at Blackstone Raids. I have in stock:

black poofy pants (up to 55" waist), ($35)
linen arming caps, ($30)
Fencing hoods sizes s/m and lg/xl ($40)
Under armor tshirts in lg, xl, or 2x ($70)
3 doublets in size lg only. ($120 no trim, $140 w trim)

Rapier Rose will not have a merchant booth there, but if you want any of those pieces, let me know so I pack them. Cash, paypal or cc.

04/04/2023

Proud of Cyrus's accomplishments!

Pics of his elevation garb that I made. :)