Greifenstein anno 1320

05/08/2026

((english below))

Dieses Projekt begann vor über fünf Jahren, und ich habe die Holzarbeiten nun endlich abgeschlossen. Jetzt fehlen dieser Schatulle, die einst ein wichtiges Dokument oder ein Liebespfand beherbergen wird, nur noch die Metallbeschläge, um vollendet zu sein.
Hinweis: Es handelt sich hierbei nicht um eine exakte Rekonstruktion, da sie sowohl in den verwendeten Materialien als auch im handwerklichen Ausführungsgrad vom Original abweicht.

This project was started over five years ago, and I have finally completed the woodwork. Now, this box—which will house an important document or serve as a token of love—only needs its metal fittings to be complete.
Disclaimer: This is not an exact reconstruction, as it differs from the original in both the materials used and the level of craftsmanship.

10/06/2026

08/02/2026

Boisserie with motives from antiquity painted by
Jan Hochbruck. Work in progress; I will paint the frieze to look like marble.

02/02/2026

As part of my longterm project of making a gothic keep I started with the battlements.

To this end I used oak from my local forrest.

If you want to support my mission of crafting reconstructions which will be used in high quality music videos and short films, check out https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thatlantean/gospel-drill

21/01/2026

I was made aware of an experimental window construction at Guedelon Castle, where they used linen that was painted to simulate stained glass and treated with beeswax for protection from water.

I wanted to try out this technique, which is attested to in late medieval accounts, for my project of reconstructing a keep that has been going on for a year now.

Check out the pictures for an outline of the process, other elements will follow soon.

My aim is to make a historically accurate set for short films and music videos, combining my background in the entertainment industry with my passion for researching medieval history.

To this end I’ve set up a Kickstarter campaign to go live on Feb. 1, feel free to support!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thatlantean/gospel-drill

26/06/2025

(english below)

Es gibt noch vieles, was ich verbessern möchte, aber dies ist das aktuelle Kit für meine Darstellung eines deutschen Ritters aus dem frühen 14. Jahrhundert. Danke Vivi für das Pferd und Patrick für die Fotos!

There are many things I still want to improve but this is the current kit for my impression of a German knight from the early 14th century. Thanks Vivi for allowing me on your horse and Patrick for taking the pictures!

02/04/2025

Mittelmeerraum um 1320: Während das Byzantinische Reich unter den Palaiologen ein letztes Mal aufblühte, rangen westliche Mächte um Einfluss auf der Peloponnes - und damit um das kulturelle Erbe der Region. Diese Darstellung soll den Austausch beleuchten, der den frühen Humanismus und die Renaissance prägte.

The Mediterranean around 1320: While the Byzantine Empire experienced a final revival under the Palaiologos dynasty, Western powers vied for influence in the Peloponnese-contesting the region's cultural legacy. This portrayal seeks to highlight the exchange that shaped the early Humanist movement and the dawn of the Renaissance.

20/03/2025

In the woods of central germany there is evidence attesting to families of the lesser nobility whose descendants tried their luck as Condottieres in italy. At the turn of the 13th to 14th centuries it became more and more obvious that a new zeitgeist was taking hold. Italian city states backed by political powers and mercenary bands from all over europe were key in pushing for innovation and disseminating knowledge from all over the known world. By 1320 Giotto established himself as a revolutionary painter of the early renaissance and Dante had just finished his “Inferno”. Furthermore technical innovations like gunpowder took hold in the western world and Pertrarch was yet to coin the term to describe the cultural shift that was taking place: Humanism.

28/02/2025

easing back in to living history after a five year hiatus, this is my impression of a woodworker in 1260s germany.
More knightly stuff coming soon!
- The tunic is inspired by surviving fragments from Assisi and depictions in the Mainz Gospels, it has a two-part sleeve construction for a slim fit around the wrists and gores for width.
- The hood based on the Maciejowski Bible is accurate only in a specific context and wasn’t yet worn as a fashion piece, so maybe it’s a reach but I felt like we needed a splash of color here so I took some liberties.
- The pair of hose has leather soles directly attached to the fabric, an interpretation of some visual sources not showing any shoes.