Enkelli's Rules for Writing Fantasy

So, this is more of a list than an article. But I've noticed in various forms of media some (probably nitpicky things) that pull me out of a show, movie, or book. Because of this, I have developed a list of things to avoid while writing a medieval styled fantasy story.

• People do not sing, they chant. Swords sing. (If you want to be poetic)
• A sword has a blade length of ~25-30". A long sword could have a blade length of ~33"-43". A great sword would have a blade length of ~48"+
• Swords are dangerous and inflict terrible injuries. There are plenty of videos of sword tests on line. Example
• A warrior "lays upon the enemy" (If you want to be poetic)
• Arrows are not "fired", they are "loosed"
• Haybales do not exist; hay stacks do. Hay bales are a product of the Industrial Revolution
• Axes and spears are more common than swords. They are cheap to make and easy to learn to use. Also, everyone has an axe to cut wood.
• If you must have a non-knight/non-noble have a sword, have them carry a "Messer" (So this isn't completely true. But swords are very expensive.)
• Armour is not as encumbering as you'd think. Here are some videos: Can you move in Medieval Armour, Mobility in Medieval Armour
• Studded Leather armour is bullshit, and should never be worn
• If someone doesn't have chainmail, give them a padded gambeson
• Bracers are only worn by archers
• Arrowheads are "glued" on with beeswax, it is impossible to pull one out of a person.
• Arrows are unable to be fired back, because previously stated reason. (Though there are some rare exceptions)
• If a group of people are fighting another group, don't have them break up into single combats unless they are sieging a castle, where fighting in formation is very difficult
• Armour is made to be protective.
• People don't die as fast as you think.
• Warhammers are not as large as most pop culture makes one believe.

I will probably add more as I research more.

Cheers, Enkelli Arn Robertson