Articles, Comments & Rants

This is a set of written materials that has been pulled from all over the place - mostly presented here without any kind of real organization at all! Over the years I have done a fair amount of writing, everything from short articles on craft topics through academic papers to full length training manuals. What I have done here is set up a number of these materials as a separate sheet, with this page providing a short description of what each contains. The Internet provides an excellent format for what used to be called 'vanity press' - without the cost. Expect there to be additions as time goes on - with newer materials added to the top of the list. Note that additions here only revised on an infrequent, and random, basis... I get a LOT of requests for information related to blacksmithing, practical information on various crafts techniques and information related to the Viking Age: HAMMERED OUT BITS since January 2206 The blog is a collection of shorter articles and commentaries, primarily focused on Experimental Iron Smelting, Blacksmithing, and topics related to the Viking Age. (Note - this takes you off the main Wareham Forge site.) In the early days of the web, I started a separate 'Geocities' site that will gather a number of short articles, sources, and such together in a simple text format. Go on to ROUGH FORGED (Note - this takes you off the main Wareham Forge site.)

	Bloomery Iron Smelting experimental research from 2006 Starting in 2001, I have been actively involved in re-discovering the lost techniques of bloomery iron smelting. The primary documentation for all this effort has been recorded in a sub section of this web site. This includes experiment descriptions, technique information and copies of formal academic papers - all massively illustrated. Experimental Iron Smelting
	I have also added a number of sections that provide specialized resources for Blacksmiths : Check On Blacksmithing
	the Norse Encampment 'unofficial' documentation from 1995 Beginning in 1994, I created a series of living history programs, illustrating 'daily life in the Viking Age', with a special focus on 'Vinland - circa 1000 AD'. This work would result in the development of the current presentation at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC for Parks Canada. There is a considerable volume of material presented in its own section of this web site : the Norse Encampment and the Viking Age

Norstead - a physical description of the site.

Added 7/20/2000

This short article consists of a physical description of the ground of the 'Norstead' site. This is the location of the major re-enactor's activities planned for this summer. This information was compiled this spring (April / June 2000). (At this point more of 'historical' interest)

go to 'Norstead Description'

If you are planning a trip out to 'the Rock' to visit the L'Anse aux Meadows NHS, or to take part in any of the special events planned to mark the Viking Millennium - take a look at this guide. Covers travel to and within Newfoundland and provides some information sources. As well there is some personal advise on what the situation in the area is like, and some 'best of' recommendations.

This was an older article written for a re-enactor's newsletter. It was the first time I put to paper some particular lessons on evaluating artifacts suggested by years of working at living history museums. I would latter formalize these ideas as part of an academic paper.

This article was also written for a re-enactor's newsletter a few years back. I have visited the historic site at Jamestown, Virginia, several times. Overall I have been impressed with the work done there.

In 1994 there was a long drawn out discussion that spilled into several internet groups I was member of. The nature of it all was "Just how effective WAS medieval armour at stopping bullets?". There were a lot of claims made and stories given that were plain unbelievable. I had a chance to put some real metal plate in front of real firearms. This article tables the results.

This academic paper was written in early 1998 about various aspects of the Interpretive program developed for L'Anse aux Meadows NHS. Two versions of the same basic paper were created, suited to different audiences. The first version was presented at the 33rd International Medieval Congress at Western Michigan University. The second paper, (the one available here) was given at the 27th Annual Association for Living Historical Farms & Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) Conference at University of Waterloo. This version deals with more of the practical aspects of the creation and operation of the Viking Encampment program.

This is a short piece I wrote on Remembrance Day - 1997. It was generated out of the media coverage of events, and general lack of understanding, I felt I was seeing in so many people at the time. Although I was just shy of being old enough to have been caught up personally in the War in Viet Nam, it cast a huge shadow over all us. And some of us will "Never Forget".