Message Book
If you have any comments or memories of Martin you’d like to share with others please click on ‘Post a Message’, fill in the form and then click ‘Submit Message’. Once moderated they will appear on this page for others to read.
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Whenever I use my medieval surgical kit I think of Martin and the time we spent leaning on the bench in the forge disscussing which saw or probe did what to whom and how. He seemed to have a knack of seeing illustrations in 3D and I think we were both genuinely suprised when an instrument that looked almost Pythonesque in a line drawing actually turned out to be servicable and perfectly designed in reality. Mind you, that owed a lot to the smith that made it ! Of course I’ll also remember getting fried with Allison and Martin at the Gold Mine (t’was hot) and frozen and wet at Abergavenny castle. But, strangely, it was good fun when you had company such as theirs. He was a great blacksmith, a good man and he’ll be missed.
I remember pulling my order out of it’s delivery box and looking at the gauntlets. Suddenly the workshop went quiet and six toolmakers crowded around, then six cnc setters crowded around and they all looked at them. No one had ever seen anything like it. Time served craftsmen admiring another craftsmans work. It was a great feeling and the gauntlets will protect me for the rest of my days.
Martin shocked me. That was my first impression. I’d been to a few armourers and asked for something seemingly easy to do. Plain gauntlets, nothing fancy just plain protective mittens. After hearing many an excuse about how armourers spend their time and it’d not be cost effective to do or it wouldn’t advertise their skill in a good light. Martin was different. I asked for what I wanted and got exactly that. He was more interested in doing what the customer wanted than how other people would look at the end product.
I’m happy to say I’ve all my fingers, purely down to Martin’s fine work. They’ve been enthusiastically hacked, smashed and stabbed at. I think they’ll last longer than i will.
I’ll remember most off all, his words of apology. As I picked up said Gaunts at Tewkesbury, he actually said sorry for polishing them, as I’d asked him not to. He’d given me a quote with this in mind. Apparently he’d done one before remembering not to and thought it’d look bad to have one polished and one not. So he finished the other without mention of any extra charge.
I was a long time admirer of Martins work and though I never bought anything made by his hands I did purchase some of the swords he sold.
Fine things and the one I had problems with was replaced without question.
A helpful and Lovely bloke sorely missed by us all.
Rest Easy Martin
I never bought anything from Martin, and I am not qualified to speak to the quality of his work, although to the ignorant and untrained eye it certainly looked good. However, I will remember him as a really nice man, very pleasant to talk to, who was prepared to support a new venture. I am sorry I did not have the chance to get to know him better, and I hope that in time the only memories that Alison and her family will have of Martin are of the good times and the laughter they shared.
There aren’t many events that we stage that don’t use something made by Martin – not just weaponry but fiddly things like a Roman razor or a bronze circlet.
I first met Martin when he was making something for Abergavenny Castle. I was so impressed that I immediately placed and order but there was much more to Martin than being a skilled craftsman – he was also one of the most genuinelly nice people you could ever wish to meet. He and Alison came out to demonstrate at some of our events and they were a pleasure to be with. He was endlessly patient with the public, however demanding, and very pleasant company. He is and always will be much missed.
I cant recall ever meeting Martin in person, thats my loss for I believe we would have got on greatly. I have met many craftsmen over the years with many varied and exceptional skills and admired them all, they too reciprocated theirs I’m proud to say.
One thing we all seem to have in common is the dedication to our skills as Martin truly was, given that thought I feel we should never allow his memory to fade and this website has assured that.
What better way to remember him?.
I first met Martin at coity castle and bought my first bit of gear from him. Always a helpfull
guy. Always a dirty face and black hands.
All my gear was made by him and it is great stuff. I will always wear it in memory of him.
He took a pride in his job and he will be sadly missed.
I never heard Martin say a bad word about anyone and I never heard anyone say a bad word about Martin. I dont think that there are many of us that this could be said about. This was one of the many things that made Martin such a special person.
His skills with metal were an example of the commitment and dedication that showed what a true professional he was. I have a variety of medieval armour and the most beautiful Greek sword made by Martin and they all arrived exactly when he said they would be ready and to a superb standard. That was another thing that made Martin stand out – he never messed you about.
When I sat there in the chapel at Martins funeral, i could not help wishing that I had known him better. But then I thought how lucky I was to have known him at all.
Martin is one of those few genuinely good people that once met, you never forget. His warmth and generous nature shone through making him one of the most valued friends I have ever made. His skill with metal, attention to accuracy and authenticity is greatly missed, I still find myself thinking ‘Martin could sort that for me’. Whenever I use any of the armour, helm, Swords or domestic items Martin made, they will always trigger fond and warm memories of a young man sadly missed in this world. Thank you Martin for your greatly valued friendship, God grant you His peace in paradise.
I knew Martin when we were growing up in our home town of Abergavenny, spent holidays with him and other friends in the Isle of Man watching the racing.
I also had the pleasure of being in the same Air Cadet Squadron as him and we spent many weekends out on exercise and sitting around camp fires talking about all sorts of ‘rubbish’.
He was such a genuinely nice person and had a great sense of humour. I am very proud to have known him.
I am so glad that this website has allowed me to share my memories of him with other people. He was a lovely person and I know that me, my family and friends will never forget.
Martin was one of the most genuine, friendly and helpful chaps i have ever had the privilage to meet, I never heard him complain or moan about anything, never saw him get angry, even when using the hammer on his thumb instead of the metal! He was a magnificent craftsman and at the top of his trade, his armour was second to none, it was funtional as well as superbly made. I have far less broken bones due to the sturdyness of his work. You’ll be much missed by everyone who had the good fortune to meet you my friend.
martin, suzie and daisy
I first met Martin in 2003 when he turned up at Abergavenny castle to put out a fire some local kids had started (when he wasn’t making armour he was a fireman)
He came back the next night with some of his armour. I thought about it and commissioned a breast plate – nothing fancy just munition armour.
I got it on time and to spec, my group christened it the ‘Tirpitz’ and it’s still going strong, keeping me safe and making others wish they had found out about Martin too.
He was a joy to deal with a true gent.
Met Martin at my first ever visit to a reenactment event, I was a complete newbie and visiting as a member of the public, and in awe of all the weapons and armour! Martin had the misfortune of being the first armourer i ever met, and no matter how many endless questions I asked and how many things i needed explaining, he was kind and patient and more than happy to offer help and advice! It’s lovely people like him who convert members of the public into reenactment addicts
A little bit of the Middle Ages lived again with Martin.
He was a rare thing – a skilled craftsman who also had the feel for the function of armour. He adjusted my breastplate so that – magically – I could fight in it without hinderence. He pimped up my gauntlets. And best of all he made my indestructable armet. He was also unbelievably fast.
We met martin by chance when, after buying a bevor, we picked up a catalogue – which lead to ordering more armour. When this was stolen Martin was the man who stepped into the gap and made me and emma full back and breast, custom designed gauntlets, helmets, bevors – the works, everything personalised and made to measure. Even in his last months he supplied emma with a beautiful dagger and scabbard, the christmas before, after my neighbours decided they wanted to get their son a proper sword instead of the usual cheap tack he supplied one to them on our reccomendation, apparently one very happy boy. We were lucky to meet him and his work has protected us over many a battle, as well as eliciting a lot of queries on where we got it from. We will miss seeing him and stopping to chat.
I have several small pieces made by Martin; a couple of bucklers, some knives and various other bits and pieces. That their craftsmanship is of the first order is axiomatic. What I treasure is the memory of a straightforward and honest man always willing to enter into a good discussion and offer sound opinion and advice. The world is a smaller and darker place for his passing
I had the privilege of knowing Martin whilst he was a member of Longtown Mountain Rescue Team. I know that he left the team in order to commit further to his duties as a retained fireman. In the short time that I knew Martin I feel that if there had been enough hours in the day to do both he probably would have. I remember when he brought some photo’s of a suit of armour he made to show us, what a real craftsman. I’m glad to have known him and am deeply sorry to hear of his passing.
I remember a friend of mine had a helmet made by Martin and it was so stunning that i knew i had to get a piece commisioned. I got an absolutely beautiful bascinet made which still attracts comments today.
Even when a couple of alterations were needed,it was no problem.
He was courteous and very helpful-a true gentleman.
I have two excellent breastplates and helmet and bevoir from Martin, along with my favourite two handed sword, which I use regularly. These have been admired by many over the last couple of years and I was very concerned when I learned of Martin’s illness when I called to get more armour made. It was with great sadness I heard of his passing away recently and he will be sorely missed. My condolences go to his family and I am sure his work will live for a long time on as a tribute to his undoubted talent.
I first met Martin at Caerphilly Castle when I was still a member of the Vikings. I remember being really impressed at the quality of his work and I ordered a helm from him there and then.
Martin took time to take my measurements and to establish exactly what I wanted. As he worked, we chatted about re-enactment and the items he made. He was knowledgeable, friendly and just a thoroughly nice, pleasant guy.
We arranged to meet at the Living History Fair a few months later so I could pick up my new helm. When we met up, Martin hadn’t fitted the lining I’d asked for. He apologised profusely, took the helm back home with him and a week later it arrived at my place by post. The lining was in place and the fit was perfect. I still have the helm, it has protected me in many a battle and I remember Martin every time I wear it.
Andy.
Although i never met Martin personaly and we only spoken over the telephone when i ordered my helmet which was an archers salet and i must say that it fitted me perfectly and of good quality a truely excellent craftsman. I am deeply sorry that he is no longer with us
Terry Castleman /Archer
I had the pleasure of being in the Air Training Corps with Martin and he really was someone to look up to. Its odd what memories you retain but, as a young cadet, he taught me how to fold shirts correctly and I still think of him every time I do. He was a really interesting guy and had a great sense of humour. He was a good friend of my brother and, as he lived around the corner, we’d see him regulalry on his scooter! I’ve been away from Mardy for a long time now and had no idea how much of a skilled craftsman he’d become. I’m sure he’ll be missed by all, but I for one have some great memories. Rest in Peace
Even after the funeral I still find it difficult to believe that Martin isn’t around anymore. I went to college with Martin, he (like me) had a passion for making things and could often be found in the workshops working on weird and wonderful projects …and this is where I saw Martin making his very first suit of armour!
I last saw Martin on his stall in Kettering, where he was demonstrating pewter spoon making, amongst other fascinating crafts.
Although I had only seen Martin only a few times since college we kept in touch and I considered him a good friend. Although I had heard of his illness through a mutual friend I really wasn’t aware just how serious his condition was, so I was shocked to hear of his death. As I was just engaged I felt particularly sad that I couldn’t invite him and his wife to our wedding.
A jolly good chap… missing you Martin
I wanted to celebrate not only Martin but also to celebrate his wonderful wife Ally. They were such a good team brought together for a time to serve the community, the church and each other in a way that, to me, revealed there is a transcendent God working through the lives of ordinary people.
I so enjoyed their company as a peaceable couple, untainted by the consumerism around them. They were uncommonly ready to invest time in others, even though they also managed to get away from it all- Martin would withdraw to his forge and Ally to her graphic design work.
Both revealed very useful and creative talents and each had a consistent sense of humour and grace. Both took their cares, worries, fears, pain or guilt to the God who sacrificed His life so they would not be burdened by such things. Both cared a great deal that others too should enjoy lives free of these burdens and they chose to share the Gospel message of God’s strength, creativity, wrath, sacrifice and love whenever they could. This reassurance of faith hallmarked Ally’s emails to people throughout Martin’s experience of cancer and has continued through her loss and the rebuilding of her life.
Neither of them presumed upon God throughout Martin’s illness even though they knew God could heal Martin in a moment if it was right. They loved God and through the tough times now I still witness how Ally draws near through prayer to the God who brings her comfort and will one day reward her obedient affection.
I miss Martin’s experiments- I’ll never forget the time when he led Ally and I up a mountain (actually a big hill that felt like a mountain because of his enthusiastic climb). He wanted to test the Roman slingshot method he’d been researching and so he moulded some shots and ‘created’ what he thought was the contemporary sling.
We were all pretty clueless how to use them and each of us attempted to get the best angle and trajectory of throw, as well as the best grip on the sling.
Any small land mammal in the vicinity surely perished that day- there was no chance of the birds being affected. In fact, on a number of occasions the shots seemed to land at our feet despite the herculean efforts to send the shots soaring!
I truly can’t wait for us all to have even more fun in heaven than we have had here and I count it such a privilege to have known Martin and to continue to enjoy Ally’s friendship. Thanks so much for your care and love.
i met martin a number of years ago and was bowled over by the quality of his stuff,then i built up a strong friendship. i used to spend hours over his workshop talking to him about just about everything. i know its been a while but its hard to put some things into words, to say i miss him is an understatement, miss you mate. god bless
I’m a longbowman and shoot a warbow. I met Martin at Caldicot Castle and was impressed with not only the quality of his work but also by what nice people Martin and his wife were. I asked him to make some arrowheads for me from a pattern and he did a beautiful job too. I remember he rang my house to talk about the spec and my wife answered and, apparently, he sounded just like her brother. She then had conversation with Martin thinking it was him and they both laughed when the penny dropped for her.
I didn’t know martin very well but I find it very touching and sad when I use the arrows. He struck me as a real gent.
I didn’t know Martin very well but met him a few times, mainly at his forge where I would be collecting medieval style arrowheads. I also spent an entertaining afternoon with him at Raglan Castle where he was exhibiting. He had a great way with the public, knowledgeable but very patient and a gentle humour.
He also made fine metalwork. I will miss him
Just found out.
Martin came to my engagement party and i believe he was at my Wedding.
We used to call him Martin “the nicest man in the world”. and he was.
what a shame.
I own the beautiful reproduction of a European Iron Age Helmet It is 8th in the gallery. Martin blued the metal for me and it is truly a work of art
I have added a horsehair tail
While I never met Martin, I think of him EVERY time I look at the helmet, which is proudly displayed in the living room when not on my head. I am going to inscribe his name and some details inside to ensure he remains permanently linked with this most beautiful object.
With greatest sympathy for your loss
Clare
Every time we lose a member of the re-enactment fraternity it’s like losing a brother or sister. The Hartley Companie wish you well on your journey, Martin. Sub Hoc Signo Vinces.