The Armour Archive

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I'll give him a call for you. Which helm was it? The blued bascinet that is getting a new bargrill, I think? That was the most recent one I saw him working on. Regardless, I'll send word on that you'd like to speak with him.

Wilhelm

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I did suggest this, but he is also 400 years after the Romans proper which presents it own problems.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

It should also be noted that Bachrach's concern was not with the armour at all, but rather the method of mounting a horse (ie - without a stirrup). I simply noticed this as I read and thought it interesting.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

All of this taken into consideration, some things are still worth noting. The use of any armoured hand covering, be it mail or otherwise, (as far as I know) is still an unheard of thnig in this period. Not to say mittens of mail are not plausible, but I am not aware of their usage before the period ...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I'm assuming the translation was done by Bachrach himself, but I'm not certain. But this is what he cites: "Tunc visus est ipse ferreus Karolus ferrea galea cristatus, ferreis manicis armillatus, ferrea torace ferreum pectus humerosque Platonicos tutatus; hasta ferrea in altum subrecta sinistram imp...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Reading an article by Bernard S. Bachrach, I came upon an interesting quote. It is from Notker, a monk of St. Gallen of the Carolingian era. He writes of Charlemagne: "Then the iron Charles could be seen, crested with an iron helmet, wearing iron gauntlets, his iron chest and broad shoulders protect...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

They had the sheet metal gauge at the shop there (arms and armor). It is an extraordinary piece, to be sure, especially the shape itself. Not a single frakkin flat spot on them. And the articulation, oh lord!

Yes, this is me jabbing you in the ribs.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I think I need that belt. Go ahead and shoot me a PM with the necessary info, if you please

The pouch is sweet too, but will have to wait I'm afraid.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Well I must say that it seems that my decision has been made for me. And lucky me, I have already made a period liner for my first bascinet, so I know what to do. Thanks for the advice dudes.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

As I finish work on my new combat bascinet, I am debating what kind of liner to go with. I would prefer a period liner, as they look much better than the foam crap people duct tape into their hats. However, if modern padding is more effective, I may find a way to make it work and look decent. But wh...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

My best advice is to try and locate an armourer nearby that is willing to have you come over to learn. I also do not currently have the resources to make anything at home, so I drive to my teacher's house to use his shop and to learn armouring techniques.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I've had the distinct pleasure of hearing the horror stories first hand. With my 6 months of experience making armour, I tell you now I could do a hell of a better job than the crap they try to sell.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Thanks Dweezle! With your description I was able to make a quick one with little trouble! Only took about an hour to make one out of scrap for practice. Thanks a bunch!

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I second this. I've wanted an instructional tutorial on how to do this for some time.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Let me talk to my girlfriend about the car. I may PM you to ask for a phone number to ask some questions.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I believe it is often courteous to ask the father of the bride-to-be for permission to be engaged. Another rule dictates the presentation of a ring to the bride-to-be in some ceremonious manner.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Thanks a million guys! Really appreciate it!

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Getting prickly? If you'll notice my first post, the first one in response to the OP:"Mail was worn with almost everything in some manner, from a full shirt to voiders, coif to aventail; the way it was used evolved, but you can expect to see it used in almost any harness. Especially when CoP's were ...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Google scholar does not have it and neither does any of the research sites I've checked through my school's library. Ebscohost, Jstor etc etc. They don't have it. I'm sad. I got a bunch of his other articles but not this one. Kinda makes me wonder why no one has it...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Well, I assume you read my previous post in your other thread. I'll not beat the dead horse (too badly), but when you ask if it is possible, I would say "yes, why not?" Keep in mind our woefully inadequate supply of information on the topic. I don't think you'd be out of bounds to make this suggesti...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I think your best solution may be what I suggested before: Make a pair of pants that merely looks period; i.e. sew the hose directly to the bries so that they wear like a single piece. Then devise some method (pull string, belt loops, suspenders, whatever) to ensure they don't fall down. I think you...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Oh yes, I am aware. That is why HE stopped selling them. But for me personally, as I've stated before, its about interpretation. It isn't an unrealistic thing to use, despite lack of evidence. It is a plausible garment and a realistic solution to a period problem. I could understand not wanting to u...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Pourpoint - tight fitting vest worn just on top of the under shirt, has many, various holes through which things may be pointed (to the preference of the wearer). It the discontinued HE one. Gambeson - heavy quilted jack, high collar, large arm openings and bent elbow for optimum arm motion, worn en...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I have that book actually, but what I'm really after is not so much the stirrup, but Bachrach's refutation of the entire theory of feudalism. I want to hear his alternative ideas. I recall being very intrigued in class but I cannot remember well what he said. If feudalism is a bunch of crap, as he s...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

"To an educated person, viewing 14th century armour worn without the appropriate mail, looks as foolish as wearing a modern football helmet in place of a Medieval one with a harness." That's just a bit harsh, I think. Maybe it looks that foolish to you, sir, but given that our sport is not and canno...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Mail was worn with almost everything in some manner, from a full shirt to voiders, coif to aventail; the way it was used evolved, but you can expect to see it used in almost any harness. Especially when CoP's were prevalent, a full hauberk underneath was pretty standard. However, I really doubt anyo...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

This is how I've been doing mine: Hose pointed to bries. Padded cuisses pointed to pourpoint and plate legs pointed to the pourpoint. Padded cuisses pointed through a set of holes in the pourpoint and the leg harness pointed to another set of holes just above them. The pourpoint is a heavier materia...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Already did, since he was my prof a couple years back. His exact words were "Regarding my articles, I do not have digital copies. I am afraid that I am not part of the modern technical revolution." Haha, he's a funny guy. Oh well, my search resumes. But doesn't anyone here actually study the academi...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Yeah, but I was hoping to avoid all that stuff. I've found a large number of his articles hanging out online so I was hoping this one would be too. I don't wanna have to deal with libraries, mostly because I want a copy of the article to keep. I may actually have to go to the U of MN, seeing as how ...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Bachrach, Bernard S. "Charles Martel, Mounted Shock Combat, the Stirrup, and Feudal Origins."

Anyone know where I can get a digital copy? Can't seem to dig it up from anywhere. Thanks.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I'll save you a wall of text: for armour you want cold rolled.

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Hey, welcome to the board! By the looks of it, you'll fit right in! Not a bad start at armouring, not by a longshot! Keep that up!

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

I think its probably up to you on that one. You could use a simple suspension system if you had a coif and padded arming cap underneath it I think. Seems like you'd have to have a pretty big helm to accommodate your head, padded cap, mail, and another layer of padding. However, if you decided to for...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Most illuminating, thank you much. For some reason I was envisioning a strap akin to the one on my bascinet that resembles a modern helmet chin strap, as opposed to a thin one that secures by the throat rather than the chin proper. I could see a thinner strap being less irritating. I wasn't planning...

Wilhelm zu Eltz-Kempenich

Would it be appropriate to wear and Egyptian-made kaftan as part of a crusader kit? If so, would it be appropriate to wear bries and chausses with it, or would it be better to go with a middle-eastern pant as well?

Charlemagne's armour?

Period vs. modern helm padding

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