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					Originally Posted by Matchlock
					
				 A bit more on early swords, all from flickr.com.
 The authors of these are credited by giving their flickr. akas together with each picture.
 
 Michael
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interesting picture there, 
in the painting with the   knight with the white plumed helmet at his feet the  made is depicted as being of african origin.... 
this is interesting,   
what is the meaning  being  displayed in the picture?
or is this  from some factuial event showing  a individuial who exsisted in history??
or is it just the artist  using artistic license  to make the picture more interesting??
im sure there were some africans in europe at the time , as the were in the middle east  and ottoman possetions , aspecialy in  istabul.  and although id presume  they were for the most part held as slaves no doubt some would have been free or  would have been able to   get to   non moslem areas where slavery was not common or forbidden.  
brings up another interesting topic,  as to how much interacion there was  medieval between  the middle east and north africa and europe.. 
i have read some place  that there is records dating from the 13th century showing arabs and persians being employed in  the production of crossbows bars in  london......  i wonder..