Medieval Revival through Lies: How Tomiichi Anyway Recreates the Middle Ages
Clash Imbued with Ancient Echoes: The Tomsk Sword Club "Hydra"
In the heart of Siberia, the Tomsk club "Hydra" takes history off the pages and casts it onto the battlefield. They meticulously recreate combat techniques, armor, weapons, and clothing from ancient epochs, spanning from the Roman Empire to the Late Middle Ages. Whether it's mastering swordplay, launching arrows, or crafting medieval artifacts, "Hydra" members train tirelessly. Here's a glimpse into their world—a world woven from history, skill, and adventure.
From Shields to Swords
Kirill, the club’s leader, recalls his beginnings: "I started back in 2007. At first, it wasn't exactly historical reenactment, but rather an unconventional form of fencing. We gathered at the 'BuREnvoyage' site, clashing with wooden staffs, and it was fun and invigorating."
In 2015, Kirill brought his passion to life by establishing "Hydra." The club soon crafted its first costume line from early medieval styles. In 2016, they ventured to Moscow for the "Battle of a Thousand Swords," a massive festival orchestrated by a group of reenactors. "There were nearly a thousand combatants, as well as women and children. And this was just early medieval history, covering the Viking Age, the 9th to 11th centuries," Kirill shares.
Fast forward to today, "Hydra" members are preparing for "Rusborg," an event set to take place in Lipetsk Oblast in May. The Tomsk contingent plans to present a 'grand encampment' — a field habitat for a six to seven-person medieval army.
Events and Epochs
"Rusborg" showcases various historical regions, including Sweden, Rus (eastern and western), Hungary, Denmark, and Normandy. Kirill explains, "Rusborg is one of the largest festivals devoted to early medieval history, bringing together clubs from Russia and other countries. To participate, you must prove that your garments are based on archaeological sources, presenting burials that match each outfit's detail."
A Battle Among Fabrics
In addition to combat training, an essential aspect of "Hydra"'s activities is craftsmanship. Members hone their skills using historical swordsmanship books and online sources to study weaponry and armor, learn to craft arrows, or master the art of embroidery—a skill vital for creating stunning, historically accurate outfits.
"If you can't fight, sew; if you can't sew, make arrows; if making arrows isn't your forte, embroider... Properly applying natural colors—we only use tempera—is crucial, too," Kirill elucidates. Every item crafted in "Hydra" is handmade using traditional stitches.
As for metalwork, it's still a work in progress. "Molding requires a muffle furnace, understanding the process, and at least minimal jewelry-making skills," Kirill notes. For intricate projects such as these, they rely on specialized artisans.
"One of the most fascinating projects we completed was the Roman era. We started making belt buckles and shields—the Klipeus Romanus. The most challenging part was reproducing thin bronze elements, just 0.4 millimeters thick. Gradually, we recreated the designs from visual sources," Kirill says.
Threads of Truth
As part of their commitment to historical authenticity, "Hydra" members rely on accurate, academic sources when creating their projects. "For my latest research, I found a small bag. It's a mid-medieval pouch. I reconstructed it entirely," Kirill shares.
One important mission for "Hydra" is to combat misinformation and pseudoarchaeology. "In general, there's not enough understanding of material culture from specific historical periods: How they dressed, what tools they used, what their weapons looked like. There are still misconceptions, like stories about 16-pound swords or fantastical tales spun by some conspiracy theorists," Kirill says.
He adds, "In early medieval times, swords weighed around a kilogram, and they could easily split a person in half. In the later period, they could weigh up to two kilograms."
With profound respect for history and a passion for adventure, the Tomsk Sword Club "Hydra" stands on the precipice of a blade-forged past, ready to embrace the challenges and excitement that lie ahead.
- In the realm of home-and-garden projects, the치мера, or Hydra, began as an unconventional form of fencing, later evolving into historical reenactment.
- Each costume line created by the section of Hydra specializing in early medieval style clothing is strong enough to withstand the rigors of their time-traveling lifestyle, as demonstrated in the battle of 16 teams at Rusborg, spanning regions from Sweden to Normandy.
- While the Tomsk club's members are adept at mastering swordplay and crafting medieval artifacts, they also strive for historical accuracy in their creations, ensuring that each detail in their outfits holds the weight of authenticity, as seen in Kirill's meticulous reconstruction of a mid-medieval pouch.
