Hey All,

Blumineck here, and I'm raising money for a set of historically accurate fitted armour to make a video series testing and demonstrating historical and fantasy armoured movement including running, combat, archery, parkour, and even acrobatics and dance.

For those of you who don't know me, I make videos on the internet about historical and fantasy combat, movement, and tropes. During a recent collaboration with the Royal Armouries, I attempted to recreate some of my signature skills in armour, and found it extremely challenging. But it wasn't a fair test! The armour wasn't fitted to me, and was designed for jousting, which greatly reduced the range of motion compared with the fitted armour of a historical knight.

Since then, I've had a LOT of requests and comments pointing this out, and telling me to repeat the tests after training in some properly fitted armour. I want to do this, and do it properly, but that means I need something better than I can borrow!

This might be a crazy idea, but I've reached out to Lancaster Armouries, who specialise in high quality historical reproductions, and received a quote for a fitted armour set. It's much more than I can afford on my own, but after reaching out to elements of my fan base, it looks like there is some support to see the results of this project.

If I'm able to raise enough then the project can go ahead, securing a gap in the armoury's waiting list, which would allow me to get going much quicker than normal. The creation and fitting process will be filmed and made available on YouTube, as would all tests once the armour is made. I'd begin training with weighted vests in the meantime, and train in the armour regularly to work up to the most acrobatic (or at least agile) movements I can, which will not only lead to a wealth of fun YouTube content, but also performing armoured movement and even fantasy pole dance shows at fantasy and historical events so more people will have the chance to see this in person!

This will take a lot of money, and while I'm going to be sinking a chunk of my own savings into it, I can't afford the full suit alone. Fitted armour takes a lot of time and skill to make, and the better the fit and quality, the higher the cost. To be able to do this test justice, I'm trying to work up to a set that will be both hisorically accurate but also properly fitted, to allow the best possible balance of movement and accuracy. It's a big ask, but if there is enough interest and it gets funded, it will mean I get to add to our collective knowledge in a meaningful way.

So, if you'd like to see what a modern acrobat, archer and dancer can do in armour that is designed for movement; if you'd like to see tests of tropes from film, fantasy, and TTRPG relating to armoured movement; if you want more art references of armoured knights doing things both serious and silly, videos of the creation and fitting process, and potential fantasy armour displays at events, please consider chipping in! The more people contribute just a few quid, the better the end result can be, and the more we will all learn together!

The Bluminarmour Project

Comments (0)