![]() Most fighters buy their gear from professional armorers. The kits have to meet authenticity standards for competition, set by the sport’s governing bodies. Shanna Lewis/KRCC News Ian Webb helps Ben Splitter with his helmet during a Colorado Wardens medieval armored combat training in Black Forest north of Colorado Springs on April 15, 2023 “It's wonderful.” Shanna Lewis/KRCC News Ben Splitter adjusts his armor as he gets ready for a Colorado Wardens medieval armored combat training session in Black Forest on April 15, 2023. “When you start getting into it, you feel more (like) it's part of you,” he said about his kit. He just finished putting together his mid-14th century kit a few months ago, including a gorget, which is basically a wide chainmail guard designed to protect his neck and shoulders. He loves this sport so much he drives nearly three hours from his home on the Eastern Plains to get to the Wardens’ weekly practice sessions. Like Benjamin Splitter of Sheridan Lake, who stands a whole head above Shellens. In the international competitions in Europe this week she expects to duel in women's sword and shield events.īut during practices she fights men, including ones who are a lot taller and bigger than her. “This keeps the armor from abusing me when the armor is hit against me,” Shellens said. The brigandine chest armor she uses is made with titanium, a modern lightweight metal and there’s modern gel padding that goes under everything. There are some 21st-century features hidden beneath that historic exterior though. Her helmet is a German clap visor that weighs about 8 pounds. She also has metal gauntlets for her hands and wrists and foot armor. “Everything fits into the bag a bit like Tetris,” she said as she unpacked plated leg protection called greaves and cuisses. ![]() Shanna Lewis, KRCC News National champion sword and shield dueler Shoshana Shellens puts on her armor for a Colorado Wardens medieval armored combat training session in Black Forest on April 15, 2023 Her black and steel gray kit weighs about 45 pounds, which she said allows for better mobility and visibility. There are also one-on-one duels, a specialty for national champion Shoshana Shellens of Black Forest. That's the historical root of this, to replicate combat,” Lexa said. “We're doing this for sport, as they did back then. That’s when as many as 300 armored combatants take the field to battle it out. He uses it when he competes in team melees. Lexa said his armor, called a kit, is based on a style from the early 16th century and weighs close to 100 pounds. He will fight with other competitors from across the country in various melees. Lexa is one of several Wardens who traveled to Europe this week for an international competition. ![]() I couldn't wipe a smile off my face no matter what happened to me." "I just got beat into the ground and threw some people around," he said. ![]() Shanna Lewis/KRCC News Benjamin Splitter at left and Shoshana Shellens duel during a Colorado Wardens medieval armored combat practice in Black Forest on April 15, 2023. ![]()
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