Matt Easton of Scholagladitoria is an expert on melee weapons. Mostly he focuses on medieval themes, for obvious reasons. Penetration of plate armor and suchlike. But here we have a deep dive into period sources on the combat application of the tomahawk.
Matt is a tad puzzled at the reference to a colonial hunter and an Indian who immediately “treed” upon encountering each other. “Treeing” simply means taking cover behind a tree.
*
The gent in the illustration below is wielding a backsword and a ’hawk against some terrifying supernatural critters. Famed horror director Neil Marshall is bringing forth a horror/adventure yarn set in the 18th Century. It’s called Nightshade.
…The world of Nightshade is set in a bustling 18th century English port city visited by a diverse manner of international traders, rogues, and vagabonds.
I’m a sucker for bustling 18th Century ports filled with international traders, rogues, and vagabonds. See Black Sails.
We meet our heroine – the half English and half Indian outcast Lizzie Monroe who transforms herself into a defiant masked outlaw avenger – Nightshade – to rescue her brother James from the treacherous underworld realm of The Veil, where werewolves, demons, warlocks, and evil creatures beyond our imagination reside, after he is slain by a monstrous satanic cult run by powerfully sinister men in politics, religion, and industry. During their treacherous journey back to one another, the Monroes will discover that the supernatural forces arrayed against them represent merely the vanguard of a far greater threat and that they are caught in the opening salvos of a war between humanity and the forces of darkness.
Alrighty then…
*
Speaking of rogues and vagabonds…. The Almighty Algorithm scouted up some pleasing music from The Groggy Dogs, who describe themselves as:
“Grog-fuelled, rum-thievin’ Pirate Punk Band with a drop o’ Celtic on top.”
I’m all for that.
Here’s their origin story:
An unknown plague was sweepin’ the whole world when The Cap’n, marooned, realizin’ that his supplies were diminishin’, decided t’ embark on a new adventure in search o’ ports t’ plunder. He knew that his guitar ’n his grog-worn voice wouldna be enough t’ navigate through the roarin’ seas ‘n winds so he united the crew: The Voodoo Witch ’n its magical violin melodies, The Cook who wit’ his secret recipes cooks charmin’ bass lines, The Buccaneer who wit’ the strength o’ his accordion makes the lootin’ t’ be remembered, ’n The Deadman who wit’ the rhythm o’ his drums maintains the morale o’ the crew ’n makes ye vibrate t’ the bone.
Their latest effort — Still Groggin’ .
Matthew says
There were a number of DC Comics characters called Tomahawk.
https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Tomahawk
The original was a frontiersman but the modern character is an Indian. I guess it is considered cultural appropriation for a non-Indian to be called Tomahawk, even though both settlers and Indians used tomahawks. (Just as both used guns.) I know I read the Indian stories, but I don’t remember much about them.
There are a number of pirate theme bands and songs, which is surprising but cool.
Quixotic Mainer says
In my young and foolish days I had a great affinity for Alestorm.
lane batot says
I read of an Indian named “Bad Axe” once, somewhere. That’s just a bad ass name no matter who has it!
Matthew says
Just saw the first video. It’s interesting.
The other day I was looking up obscure martial arts (I have too much free time) and found to interesting ones. Dambe from Africa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35NzG0k9PdU
An, from Australia, Coreeda which may be not only the oldest martial art, but also the oldest sport
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXquEqXu1LM
Both apparently were in the last Batman movie.
Ugly Hombre says
Great post! That’s just flat out amazing that some North American Gringo and some Indians went out to England and taught the the use of the Tomahawk !
And the Gringo gave a Tomahawk demo. to Mad King George! To bad… well never mind lol
And there’s more-Wat! A Froggie volunteered to be a target for the British bowmen!! Dang! That’s the first written record of Tomahawk training I ever saw probably the only one extent!
Fantastic!
Wish we had a free press like that today. Oh well.
But good Sir, please.!
Get off the yammering and apologetics bout the actions of men of yore- we know, we know you have too its understood . And sure, the Indian warriors back in those days were gentle souls and most likely vegetarians.
If they were bad hunters…
lol
JimC says
Yeah, that put my teeth on edge a bit, too.
Ugly Hombre says
Its to bad really its a disgusting road to take.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzPlPBaEVMU
Other than that the Tomahawk vids are first rate.! My only Tomahawk is a mass produced SOG version fun and useful thing to have chop roots in the yard etc.
Reasonable price and sturdy need to get another one to keep in the jalopy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScRL58QiFAY
Modern Tomahawk came back in Vietnam with the “American Tomahawk” company I think you posted about that here before?
Good stuff!
Thanks