h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In the mid-80's when I started this hobby, gambesons were comstructed out of whatever came to hand. Usually synthetics. It turns out that I am a heat stroke victim in the making, so no, no gambeson.
I went to Hastings 2006 last year in Battle, and it was great fun to run around in a linen and wool tunic, without all the SCA armor.
Since the 80's gambesons have gotten better, usually made of linen, so I may get one now. Since the 80's, the SCA has gotten a lot more people with tatoos.
I wonder if there is a relationship between the two?

No, there is no 'may'... get a gambeson! Your body will thank you.

Then you can move on to proper sword fighting.

Oh yes... forgot the on-topic part of my post.

Tattoos were discussed at the weekend at my place, and I've been thinking about the possible Medieval back piece... I think what I'd likely do is get a slightly modernised (i.e. general Medieval art style, but better proportioned) version of one of the Spada Longa (longsword) plates from the Flos Duellatorum.

Bugger, I'm becoming a sword geek, aren't I?

Can you find us a picture, Mr D., so we can see?

Pictures are here:
http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/liberi/wildRose/section5.html

And here:
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=1706

As I said I'll likely modernise the stuff slightly, mostly for reasons of perspective and proportion and may add extra detail around the outside so it's not just two blokes with swords. If I get any of the text it will be in the original Italian.

It's actually been a tough call choosing which would be my main source, the art in Hans Talhoffer's Fechtbuchen is better and prettier but it's also harder to find decent facsimilies of it and as I'm mainly studying the Italian system it seemed more appropiate to base the tattoo around that.