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2026-03-13 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

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Posted by Besoeker 2026-03-13 03:12|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [1837 views ] Top
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“…to hear the lamentations of their women” - A Tale of the Sword

Jun 19, 2024

Hopefully, people will recognize the quote: “To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.”

It is from the “Conan the Barbarian” film starring a very young Arnold Schwarzenegger. When asked, “Conan, what is best in life?” that was the reply. It was not exactly politically correct, but hey, it was the 1980s.

It also happened to me once.

As many know, I love swordplay and am an active HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) swordsman and a SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) member. The SCA, in particular, encourages historical-looking armor and behavior. For example, most of our tourneys don’t use a point system, standard in HEMA and modern fencing, but instead, have you fight until a “killing” blow occurs (or enough “minor” blows to incapacitate you from blood loss). When you die from such a wound, you are often encouraged to fall to the ground spectacularly. Ham it up! Usually, there are awards for the “Best Death” of the day.

One day, I was bitten by this bit of “schtick.”

My opponent, who will remain nameless, crossed rapier blades with me on the field. Apparently, he had planned this ahead of time but had yet to decide who to pull it on. Lucky me. My friend had a good day, so he had very few losses. When he battled me, he met his match, and I killed him with a solid thrust to the body.

He toppled to the dirt to the cheers of the crowd. I bowed to the royalties watching the match and started to turn around to help my friend up.

That was when I heard the “lamentations of their women.”

His wife, dragging their two young children, was sprinting onto the tourney field. She cried out things like “My lord is dead!” and “I am destitute; how will I raise our children?”. This good lady fell to her knees next to the body of her lord, wailing more and making me feel foolish as hell. What was I supposed to do? Apologise for “killing” her husband? Said dead body was wiggling on the ground due to him quietly giggling at me from his position face down.

So I stood there like an idiot as the performance continued. Thankfully, it was short. With a last, “I will raise my children to avenge his death!” my opponent’s wife stood up and exited the field to a roar of applause. My future killers, those two kids, were grinning their heads off. Earlier, my friend had tutored them on what would happen and how to behave. Watching Daddy die and Mommy act strange was great fun.

Finally, I helped him stand and gave him a sarcastic “Thanks a lot.”

I never got to pay him back for this bit of “schtick,” but I was glad to be part of it, even if my role was “the fool.”

The story does not end there. Years later, I sparred with a young swordsman at practice. I did not recognize the fighter, though he was grinning about something. Realizing I was not in on the joke, he asked if I remembered his armor. Suddenly, I did; it was my friend’s son, years later, using his dad’s gear. We laughed about the old memory and continued our practice.

A parable/allegory of generational war.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-03-13 15:37|| 2026-03-13 15:37|| Front Page Top

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