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O meandrach polskiego bronioznawstwa słów kilka

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Kajzer L.
Acta Archaeologica Lodziensia
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2013
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vol. 59
13-21
EN
This paper deals with the past, the present and the future of Polish studies of arms and armour. As one of students of Professor Andrzej Nadolski, I perfectly remember the birth of the research centre in Łódź in the 1960s. It specialised in studies of weaponry, armament and military costume and in this field it was the most interesting research centre in Poland at that time. In those days, our research mainly focused on the Middle Ages. At the same time, in our activities we referred to the term of “arms and uniforms,” which was used by historians of army and military affairs in the interwar period. Present-day Polish studies of arms and armour, done by historians, archaeologists and art historians, are a significant element of the totality of processes of learning about the peculiarity of our history. Studies of arms and armour are now carried out not only in main academic centres, but also in several museums and in local environments. This field of research requires considerable knowledge and firm specialisation; on the other hand, sometimes it goes into areas with poor cognitive perspectives. In this paper I discuss two such cases. In the first one, the failure resulted from a simple lack of knowledge and historical reflection. In the other one, the fiasco of research results was determined by a preponderance of an idée fixe over calm reflection and over a need for source criticism with its necessary skills. Today, the group of researchers who define themselves as students of arms and armour are aware that the origin of this field as academic study is related to Professor Andrzej Nadolski, who died twenty years ago. The knowledge of this, however, must be continuously maintained.
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Wczesnośredniowieczna broń obuchowa z terenu Polski w dorobku Andrzeja Nadolskiego z perspektywy kolejnych lat badań

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Kotowicz P., Michalak A.
Acta Archaeologica Lodziensia
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2013
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vol. 59
47-62
EN
Andrzej Nadolski is regarded as one of the most distinguished arms and armor specialist in Europe. Studies over Polish weaponry taken just after World War II provided in 1954 a first in our continent monograph in this subject. Much contribution in this work was done in the field of knowing early medieval blunt weapon – hammer axes, battle axes and maces. Studies of early medieval arms and armor, taken by A. Nadolski, were a huge challenge, also because he included sparse information from the written, iconographic as well ethnological and linguistic sources. The main contribution of this research was however typo-chronological classification of collection of 172 hammer- and battle axes from the territory of Piast state. This system, used by Author in all of his further works, was widely accepted by many Polish archeologists, and is being employed, sometimes uncritically, until today. Due to the fact that the total number of known artefacts increase a lot (Fig. 1), and this classification cannot be developed, it seems that it is not possible to use this typology to all known materials from the territory of Poland. In the consequence of only 5 known artefacts, Author did not propose any classification for maces. From that time, known number of this kind of objects increased almost 10 times (Fig. 2), but most of them are chance finds, without any proper archeological context. Besides typo-chronological aspects, Author discussed also many other problems concerning this kind of weapon, including the presence of small holes in the axe and hammer-axe heads, their decoration, length of the shafts, distribution of particular forms. Nadolski demystify also claims of German researchers, who treated many forms of axes as so-called „Viking”, but having in fact their roots in the territory of Central Europe, and could have been produced by local blacksmiths, what was proven by metallographic examinations. Last years caused increase of interest also in the field of mace manufacturing, especially in technological context. This survey showed enormous meaning of Nadolski’s monograph for Polish arms and armour studies, and some ideas were developed also in further papers – eg. in the article concerned of symbolic destination of clubs. However, state of research caused that many aspects of blunt weapon was, for scholar from Łódź, unavailable. In case of all categories of blunt weapon a major step forward was made recently, thanks to the increase of number of known artefacts, as well as development of research in the neighboring countries. During the archaeological excavations conducted in the last 60-years, large collections of this kind of weapon were obtained, sometimes, like in the case of water finds, preserved in whole. This fact encouraged scholars for detailed specialist analysis. Due to discovering of wooden and leather cases, as well as relicts of textiles on the axe heads, some studies concerning the problem of preserving blunt weapon have been also recently taken. From today point of view crucial issue, caused by analogy of forms of some of the specimens regarded as heads of war flails and maces, is appropriate identification of artefacts. Increase of data caused also that it was possible to specify some aspects or make new hypothesis about origin and chronology of some of types of hammer axes, battle axes and maces, as well as decoration and symbolic meaning of these artefacts. It was also noted that maces were used not only in a hand to hand combat, but also as a throwing weapon. The only category of early medieval blunt weapon which was not included in any of A. Nadolski’s works, are war flails (kistens). Significant progress in case of these artefacts was made just at the beginning of 21st c. (Fig. 3). As most of the war flails were discovered in south-eastern territories of Poland, they were regarded as a result of contact with Rus mielieu, where they were most popular in the 12th-13th c. Specimens from the Piast’s state were found in important centers of ducal power and there are no proves whether they came there thanks to a trade or presence of duke’s mercenaries. The presented above review of early medieval blunt weapon clearly shows A. Nadolski’s significant contribution in specify of many of its problems. The monograph of early Polish weaponry, published in 1954, was a breakthrough work, which became, for many years, a „manual” for archeologists interested in arms and armour in Poland. However, the enlargement of number of known artefacts and increase of our knowledge about early medieval weaponry, caused that indiscriminate use of conclusions from this book is luckily impossible today. After almost 60 years since the „Studies...” was published, it is probably time for another attempt to recapitulate our knowledge in this subject.
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Znaczenie rzeźby w badaniu uzbrojenia ochronnego na terenie księstwa pomorskiego czasów nowożytnych w świetle wybranych przykładów

63%
Puławski A.
Materiały Zachodniopomorskie
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2021
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vol. 17
541-568
EN
The article presents results of the analysis of the sculptures from the territory of the former Duchy of Pomerania with special attention to their usefulness in the study of weaponology. The author has attempted to examine how the armour was depicted on the objects from the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century. Pomeranian elite used several types of plate armour in the early modern period. It was presented differently, making it sometimes impossible to identify. In the analysed material, there are simplifications and antiquating, which reduce the level of authenticity of the source. On some Pomeranian sculptures from the beginning of the early modern period plate armour is depicted with great attention to detail. In the case of epitaph from c. 1550 of Bogislaw X of Pomerania, presented details allow for identifying the real armour.
PL
Tekst prezentuje wyniki analizy rzeźb z obszaru dawnego księstwa pomorskiego pod kątem przydatności w badaniach bronioznawczych. Autor podjął się oceny stopnia odwzorowania uzbrojenia ochronnego na obiektach z XVI i 1. połowy XVII wieku. W czasach nowożytnych pomorska elita używała kilku typów zbroi płytowych. Sposób ich odwzorowania był różny, nie zawsze pozwalający na ustalenie klasyfikacji. W analizowanym materiale źródłowym występują uproszczenia i antykizowanie, przez co spada poziom autentyczności przekazu. Wśród pomorskich rzeźb z początku czasów nowożytnych znajdują się takie, które przedstawiają zbroje płytowe z dużą dbałością o szczegóły. W przypadku epitafium Bogusława X z ok. 1550 roku detale zawarte na uzbrojeniu pozwalają na identyfikację autentycznej zbroi.
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Symbolism of medieval swords from the territory of Latvia during the 11th–13th centuries

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Tomsons A., Artūrs Tomsons P. L. U. V. u. f. f.
Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Archaeologica
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2013
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vol. 29
PL
Miecze zajmują ważne miejsce pośród wczesnośredniowiecznych znalezisk na Łotwie. Są one również widoczną częścią kultury materialnej mieszkańców terenów dzisiejszej Łotwy w okresie od IX do XIII w. Użycie pierwszych mieczy jest poświadczone już w późnej epoce brązu, jednak ich znaleziska do czasu epoki najazdów wikingów są niezwykle rzadkie. Największy przyrost znalezisk mieczy na Łotwie notuje się od 2. poł. XI w., kiedy to rozpoczynają się krucjaty przeciw pogańskim mieszkańcom dzisiejszych terenów Łotwy i Estonii. W okresie od końca epoki najazdów wikingów aż do początków XIII w. społeczności Bałtów i Finów zamieszkujące wschodnie wybrzeża Morza Bałtyckiego stworzyły nadzwyczajną kulturę wojowników. Jednym z bardziej znaczących elementów tej kultury były miecze. Spośród nich najbardziej interesującym i zarazem licznym typem mieczy na terenie Łotwy we wczesnym średniowieczu był tzw. miecz kuroński. Broń ta była charakterystyczna dla całego obszaru wschodniobałtyckiego. Typ ten uosabia najbardziej symboliczne aspekty wszystkich mieczy dla rozważanego czasu i regionu. Tej broni jest też poświęcona zasadnicza cześć niniejszego artykułu. Elementy rękojeści mieczy kurońskich były zazwyczaj bardzo bogato zdobione różnego rodzaju motywami. Chociaż przebadane pod kątem występujących napisów głownie tych mieczy wskazują na ich import z terenów zachodnioeuropejskich, to jednak części oprawy były najprawdopodobniej wytwarzane na miejscu. Motywy zdobiące rękojeści mieczy kurońskich można podzielić na dwie grupy: ponadregionalną (międzynarodowy) i lokalną. Elementami zaadoptowanymi z XII-wiecznej sztuki romańskiej były prawdopodobnie motywy roślinne i faliste. Z rodzimym wytwórstwem należy powiązać pojawiający się także na miejscowej biżuterii ornament w postaci koncentrycznych kręgów oraz szewronu. Sztuka zdobnicza na różnych wyrobach późnej epoki żelaza może wskazywać na sakralizację i większe znaczenie zdobionych w ten sposób artefaktów. Miecze oraz elementy garnituru mieczowego rozpowszechnione wzdłuż wschodnich wybrzeży Morza Bałtyckiego były dekorowane zarówno motywem geometrycznym jak i zwierzęcym. Na marginesie warto dodać, że tradycja niszczenia inwentarza grobowego może sugerować, że broń ta stała się pewnym symbolem, odbiciem idei wojownika, manifestacją przynależności do konkretnej części społeczeństwa i grupową tożsamością odzwierciedloną w kulturze materialnej. Rozprzestrzenienie wschodnio-bałtyckich typów mieczy (zwłaszcza typu kurońskiego) w XI–XIII w. może być rozważane jako ponadetniczny dowód istnienia szczególnych grup społecznych w obrębie całego regionu wschodniobałtyckiego.
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Jeszcze włócznia, czy już kopia? Rozważania w kontekście dzieł sztuki europejskiej

63%
Sierosławski A., Państwowe Muzeum Archeologiczne w Warszawie
Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Archaeologica
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2013
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vol. 29
EN
The lance is an instantly recognizable medieval weapon. It’s the primary weapon of a medieval knights, the primary he uses in battle. But it’s still not clear when the lance appeared. In most publications its appearance is dated to the 12th c. There are no preserved artifacts and the written sources are not clear on this subject. New informations can be drawn from works of medieval art, especially illustrated manuscripts and architectural decorations. For this deliberation I used iconography dated between the 8th and 14th c. There are three characteristics with which we can distinguish the spear and the lance. The first is the construction of the shaft end. The difference between spear shaft and lance shaft is that the lance shaft had a vamplate, a small circular plate. In many publications it can be read, that this plate was made for protecting the hand. This is of course a misunderstanding. It allowed a firmer grip of the shaft upon impact. There was no need to protect the hand during the duel, because knights were trying to hit the head or the torso of their opponents, not the hand. The second way to recognize the kind of weapon is to analyse how the horsemen uses them. The spears were manipulated with one hand. Horsemen were very often attacking by rising the spear over the head and then striking their opponents from above. Lances were used in a quite different way. Horsemen during the attack had the lances under their arms and struck their enemies facing them. These two polearm techniques can be found on medieval representations. The third characteristic is the shape of the spearhead. In many illustrations it is shown very schematically, therefore very often we can’t identify the type of weapon basing on the presentation of the tip. The only exception is the spearhead of type VI (by Nadolski). The characteristic crosspiece attached to (or slightly below) the bush is quite often marked on the illustrations. In these situations we can be sure, that this weapon is a spear. During the 8th–10th c. mounted units undoubtedly utilized spears, there is no argue about that. On every illustration made at that time which shows a mounted warrior armed with a pole weapon, this weapon is a spear. Around the middle of the 11th c. a very important change in the use of polearms occurred. The Bayeux Tapestry which was made around 1068 depicts horsemen using spears in a manner typical for the lance. One of knights represented in the battle scene holds his spear under his arm and hits his opponent in the face. This is an unquestionable evidence that the evolution of the lance started in the 11th, not the 12th c. Of course I don’t suggest, that the army of William the Conqueror was armed with lances, but that the mentioned work of early medieval art is the oldest evidence of the first step in the evolution of polearms. In this context we should look closer at some types of early medieval spearheads, especially of Nadolski’s type IX, which is relatively short, but massive. Could it be a type of an early lance head? In the 12th and 13th c. the shaft of the lance was developed, the weapon became longer and heavier. Knights represented in art from that time always use their polearms by holding them under their arms. Hunting scenes are the only exceptions. In these cases the horsemen uses their weapons holding them I one hand, above their heads. That proves that they’re using spears. Another important source for this discussion is the Manesse Codex, which was written in the first half of the 14th c. A few illustrations depict duel scenes and “portraits” of knights, who were the main characters of poems contented in the Codex. Some of those illustrations are very accurate, with important details clearly visible. Some of the lances represented here have an additional constructional element, a vamplate. As it was written in the beginning, its presence is one of the essential differences separating the lance from the spear. Is it possible to point the exact time when the lance appeared? Medieval iconography can bring us closer to the truth, but it only allows to identify the ante quem dating. Surely, the first step of the evolution of medieval polearms took place before 1066, before the battle of Hastings that is. But to say exactly how long before the battle took place mounted warriors had already been accustomed to the use of spears in a way specific for the lance – this cannot be determined.
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Kulturowe aspekty broni średniowiecznej w refleksji Andrzeja Nadolskiego

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Iwańczak W.
Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Archaeologica
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2013
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vol. 29
EN
This article aims at highlighting a broader context of research interests on arms and armour conducted by Andrzej Nadolski. From the beginning of his scientific career, he believed that studies in arms were a part of the history of society and its culture. In terms of methodology he always supported the farreaching comparative studies, but he also recommended great caution in drawing general conclusions. To build a complete picture of place of weapons in past societies he called for detailed studies of iconography on par with research on material culture. Temperance in the formulation of decisive conclusions accompanied by kindness towards polemics, he believed that these qualities were necessary for practicing the scientific approach towards humanities in general, towards studies in weaponry as well. He saw this discipline as a rather narrow field of research, nevertheless he always emphasized its great significance. If war was one of the most important events in history, one should never underestimate the role of weapons. He also suggested that arms should always be viewed in a broader context, as a component of literature, culture and art. Andrzej Nadolski had high demands of other researchers, but also extended same criteria towards himself. He was very critical of his own accomplishments, a trait not shared by the majority of scientists. His ambition was not to restrict himself to a narrow field of specialization in one discipline, which was the reason for his participation in popularization of humanities in mass media, with significant results. Andrzej Nadolski never treated weapons out of a broader context, always seeing them as an important part of widely undestood human activities, which comprise the depth of humanistic character of his work.
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Szable w kontekście badań nad bronią dawną – przyczynek do dziejów bronioznawstwa polskiego

51%
Chramiec M.
Opuscula Musealia
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2019
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vol. 26
59-81
EN
This article is an attempt to provide a comprehensive view on the history of hoplology in relation to the most popular type of weapon used in the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the sabre. The research history addresses the issue of modern weapons, which is motivated by the emergence of various types of sabre at that time. Research on old weapons, inspired primarily by collectors, museologists and members of academia, traditionally uses a range of methods developed by history, art history, archaeology and art restoration. Such research can also enter the field of sociology and cultural studies, provided that we take into account the fact that weapons, sabres in particular, symbolized social standing. The variety of issues, which are generally confined to the above mentioned concepts, also translates into the historiographic sphere. Because of that, it may be surprising that Polish literature on historical weapons only dates back to the second half of the 19th century. However, collectors had shown interest in military items much earlier. The first part of the article presents the most important private collections of weapons from the end of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, with particular focus on the almost entirely preserved collection of Izabela Czartoryska, who founded the first museum in Poland. This layout is the starting point for presenting academic interest in military items, divided into the pre- and post-war periods.
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