P.O. Box 5
Afton, NY 13730
607.639.8200

Niccole Scott checks out Sir William's patrol helmet.

"Sir" William McManus of Afton explains to 6th graders how chain mail is made.


James VanDerHeide, Michael MacDonald, and Keith Lockwood find out how heavy a chain mail shirt is!

David Beismer tries on a gauntlet as Derek Prindle looks on.


Kate Sanford hold up the chain mail shirt that weighs about 35 pounds.

Lindsday Latham tries on "Sir" William's battle helmet as Brittany Cole awaits her turn.


"Squire" Scott Sickler helps Sir William with the leather laces and buckles that secure his armor.

The knight and his squire in full attire!

Mr McManus poses in his complete set of armor which weighs in at about 115 pounds. Each piece was crafted by a modern-day armorer to his specifications. He researched pieces of his armor on trips to Germany and at medieval festivals in the U.S.

Center - Philip Sanford tries on a piece of armor that protects the forearm.


Bottom - Each piece of armor was passed along to all the sixth grade students so that they could appreciate the craftsmanship and develop questions from that experience.


Many thanks to Mr. McManus for sharing this "museum- quality" experience with us.


(Captions contributed by Alyssa Prezorski.)