Roland Warzecha runs a Youtube channel where he delves into the world of medieval weapons and combat. If you want to learn something about Viking shields and swords, medieval spears and combat techniques, spend some time there.
Above, Roland departs from his regularly scheduled programming and explores another facet of medieval life. Walking. That’s right, walking. It turns out that, as Boing Boing summarizes it, “before structured shoes became prevalent in the 16th century … people walked with a different gait, pushing onto the balls of our feet instead of rocking forward on our heels.” And that’s your lesson on medieval body mechanics for today…
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Roland is a brilliant illustrator, too —> http://www.gutgezeich.net
He’s one of the most sought after professionals in his line of work –nearly exclusively in advertising–, so most of his stuff is not about medieval times.
Besides that he occasionally illustrates (and sometimes writes, illustrates and even publishes his own) history books and DVDs.
This is an interesting idea, and I like Warzecha’s presentation. Especially the part about having to pay attention as you walk.
But I think he’s got off on the wrong foot. If you watch people who grew up walking barefoot, they don’t walk like that:
http://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/video/bare-feet-walking-over-sandy-ground-bandhavgarh-stock-video-footage/147742624
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkVB6ImBYKA
(caution, nude Jains)
They made some tests when a runner used modern sport shoes, and he was barefoot, and when he was barefoot the impact felt by the knee was lower two times as when he used modern running shoes.
Ballet dancers also walk like this. It’s the best way to move in those thin, leather dancing shoes.
Watch YouTube: the Tarahumara in Mexico. They can run ‘marathons’ of up to 435 miles because they run on the balls of their feet. Apparently that’s the natural way of running.
Love it, im an reanactment, midevil reanactment i got shoes like that! The door that squiks in the recording is funny too
I teach this way of walking in Tai Chi. It help to stop people tripping and falling.
In some medieval parkings one can see persons holding a foto in this walking position. Just for the info my name is derived form the latin “leseu” meaning “shoe sewer” ie Sjors were sewed iso nailed and glued in Europe