The Armour Archive

Ernst

Russ, Haven't you done some research into the timing and distance of a cavalry charge? I'm wondering how this fits in tactically, if one considers a sheaf of 24 the archer's "battle pack" of ammo. Smythe says 1/3 of the arrows (8 of 24) should be flight arrows. He also gives ranges for flight arrows...

Ernst

If you're looking for the Spanish in North America, a quick Google search for Coronado's expedition should bring some sources. For the Soto expedition through the Southeast, translations are available online. Google for Rodriguo Ranjel (Rangel) --de Soto's secretary, Biedma --Charles V's representat...

Ernst

Come on guys! The re-enactment group for Norway, early 14th century would be here: m For the 1325 images, you should look at the Nedstryn Altar Frontal. m I would beware of the nasaled conicals here; since the frog emblem is associated with wickedness, these could be attempts to show pagan Letts or ...

Ernst

The University of Virginia as them online. I was recently reviewing the 1422 inventory for fur lined blankets. I'm sure a google search will bring it up rather quickly.

Ernst

I did a quick Google search for feather mantles and cloaks. There are some spectacular pieces of work from Peru, Hawaii, and various Pacific cultures, including the Maori. The only example of a peacock cloak is tied to the SCA's West Kingdom, some sort of pursuivant's regalia. I don't know if there ...

Ernst

Almost certainly the mail is a standard or bishop's mantle worn beneath the helm, not attached to it. Even the mid-16th century effigy of Earl Piers Ruadh Butler at St. Canice's shows the mail beneath a more conventional (though severly out-moded) visored bascinet rather than attached as a camail.

Ernst

The Codices Manesse and Weingartner are full of examples of using the tail feather eyes on helmet crests. The practice is also seen in the mid 13th century English manuscript Ee.3.59 in fo.32v. Examples of use on clothing are not as common, but the Manesse does show a few examples on hats. I think t...

Ernst

The Lough Henney helm: m The Butler statue at Jerpoint Abbey: m Another Gallowgass: m The De Burgo Genealogy from which the original image is taken is dated in David McCullough's "Wars of the Irish Kings" to "about 1583". The Jerpoint sculpture is often attributed to the early 15th century. I've see...

Ernst

It's Irish. The arms are of a branch of the De Burgo family in Galway. If you do an Archive Search for De Burgo, you should find two or three threads concerning this style of helmet. IIRC the dating of the MS is late 16th century, though the rowel spurs look a century earlier.

Ernst

A heater should be right if you're an early 14th century Scots knight, squire, or gentleman. A round shield might be more appropriate for sergeants, urban militia, etc.

Ernst

I suppose this begs the question of which Hugh's armor you wish to emulate. Both seem vile individuals.

Ernst

Perhaps the Bodley Alexander?

http://image.ox.ac.uk/images/bodleian/m ... 64/66v.jpg

Ernst

If memory serves, Renee d'Anjou also suggests leather armor covered with wood splints and braided cord for his combat with batons.

Ernst

Now that we've gotten through the detour around Japan, let's consider the options. Mail mittens start showing up on the end of hauberk sleeves in the late 12th century. Seperate mail mittens don't appear until the later 13th century. Early plated gauntlets appear in the early 14th, becoming frequent...

Ernst

The import is that the Canton of Uri's arms sport a big bull's head on them. The horn-blower is heraldically decked out and blowing that big cattle horn. I don't think 'musician' is quite as close as 'herald', or even 'cheerleading team mascot' in describing his function.

Ernst

I've seen a 13th century recipe for "jugged" veal, which in modern parlance would be canned, even though it's in a glass jar rather than a can. Sauerbraten. Yummy! ...with Gingersnap sauce !!! If I recall, the jugged veal was followed with a beef canneline in coffin (mincemeat pie) recipe in the text.

Ernst

I believe you are interpreting the drawings correctly. The mobility issue comes from forward movement of the arms, which pushes the chest plates together. As to the issue of protection, I am reminded of a lesson taught long ago by David Counts: Remember these are the armors worn by the dead guys.

Ernst

The Gothic Eye site reveals this to be the effigy of Sir Ralph Fitzherbert, obit. 1433. It seems to me this decor might be a form of armorial display, especially if the dags were gilt. The arms of Fitzherbert are "Argent a chief vairy Or and gules, over all a bendlet sable". m The arms and legs have...

Ernst

Felix, Perhaps a better understanding would be found in Mr. Schmid's own words? The issue is discussed on another thread after Russ joins the discussion. m Bob, I'm pleased to see you still able to stand this discussion. I hope this one enlightens us rather than devolving as badly as the SFI threads...

Ernst

I would like to refer you to a large number of PDF files on the Mail Research Society website, but Erik has had to remove them and save bandwdth due to a lack of funding. I already had most of these through kind correspondence with Davd Counts, Mark Chapman, and personal research. Dmitry Ryaboy has ...

Ernst

Just the same, Ernst, I'd love to see them, if only to have something interesting to read... Josh, One particular example which has always stayed with me is the account given by Garcilaso de la Vega, el Inca, of the experience of the Hernando de Soto's Maestre de Campo, Luis de Moscoso. Garcilaso i...

Ernst

Lady Thora wrote:
Glen K wrote: However, as many of us are painfully aware academic knowledge of a group or culture does not usually translate very well into an understanding of the material culture of that group

That's for sure.

The Warrior title on the Conquistadors by John Pohl is ample evidence of this.

Ernst

Now that the congratulations are being passed out, I suppose it's worth bringing out that second monkey-wrench argument. Penetration of armor does not guarantee fatality to its wearer. I can offer citations of mail being penetrated by arrows, but the victim surviving the wound.

Ernst

The Order would not participate in tournaments. Likewise, the Cistercian rules would not allow personal ornamentation. Halb-brudern and others associated with the Order who were not themselves monks might have sported helmet crests.

Ernst

That would be the Tyger, fo. 8r. The BonnaÃ§on is 12 recto.

Ernst

There is this incised brass of circa 1270 from Jerpoint. m By this date, one would expect to see plate scynbalds and poleyns over gamboised cuisses. Mail mittens or fingered gloves would be quite common in England or on the continent, and there is some mention of more advanced baleen gauntlets elsew...

Ernst

My old gambeson used fabric covered metal buttons and was worn beneath mail without ever losing one. I wonder if the location of the button hole has any effect on buttons coming loose? (Mine are through the thickest part of the padding, not on the stitching line.)

Ernst

Indeed, it is. We know that the Italians copied Roman armor based on statuary, at least as it pertains to "parade" armors. I wonder if the 14th c. Bohemians were not copying ancient Dacian or Parthian examles, if not downright inheriting some traditional style?

Ernst

I first noticed a few of these in the 1340-ish Romance of Alexander. m m I, of course, presumed these to be fanciful depictions denoting "heathen" troops. Now I find Abraham (one of the "good") wearing a similar helm in the contemporary Velislav Picture Bible. m NK, Prague XXIII.C.124 fo. 15r So doe...

Ernst

Alfonso X's book of games from 1283 likely would contain variants still in use a half century later.

http://games.rengeekcentral.com

Ernst

My vote is for "Aventail". I cast my lot with Jeff. The Tapestry's representations might be interpreted as something else, but viewed in conjunction wih the depictions in the Roda Bible, the Notre Dame du Port capitals... m m (Not the best views, but I have better side views from other publications...

Ernst

For what it may be worth, the Indians reportedly fired six or seven arrows (stone tipped?) at close range to no effect "since he was well armed". In desperation, an Indian then struck him with the bowstave on the helmet, causing Gallegos to bleed profusely over the forehead. I assume by cutting thr...

Ernst

I'm not sure the above quotes by de Born count. How seriously can to take the claim that armoured men can be "cleft thru their trunks down to their girdles...." using a one-handed sword? I was reminded of a feat attributed to the de Soto entradas' Capitain Baltazar de Gallegos. When confronted by t...

Ernst

http://www.xenophongi.org/rushistory/me ... /rings.jpg

Ernst

Dan, I am not familiar with the excavation you mentioned, but since the armor was reconstructed, several possibilities spring to mind. Scale bardings for horses were known in the ancient world. Likewise, a warrior who is riding a chariot, or mounted on a horse is able to wear heavier armor. 45-50 po...

Re: Osprey Book on Templars

"Phrygian" Bascinets?