The Armour Archive

Jehan de Pelham

A dozen servants on campaign, you say? It seems a bit much, but what positions in an esquire's retinue do you think would be appropriate? I realize that by discussing this we are moving out of the realm of the material culture appropriate for a gen d'arms of the rank of esquire and into the retinue,...

Jehan de Pelham

Very sensible advice. Thank you.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

When I began thinking this through, I had initially said that I would do exactly that: detail the transformation of an SCA-oriented kit to a kit that can be interchangeably used at either living history gatherings/events or SCA events. I will make an essay of it, and detail what I had, and what I en...

Jehan de Pelham

Uryen: Yes, agreed. But it's incumbent upon me, as an esquire, to have certain material goods, to provide some basic support for the group. I believe that the head of a retinue should do certain things, that's all. The other members (most likely archers or men at arms, or camp followers) will have b...

Jehan de Pelham

In February 2004 I undertook to determine what the correct items for a late 14th Century member of the English Gentry were to have on or about him on campaign. The list as determined then was as follows, and this is how it stands now: 1. Arms. a. Sword and Accessories i. Arms and Armor Henry V Sword...

Jehan de Pelham

Bascot, I thank you for your input. By the way, I just want to make this clear: I have no confidence in Museum Replicas sense of historical accuracy--they simply offer the wares and it's completely on the buyer to figure out where they belong, or if they belong. And yeah, it's their clothing line th...

Jehan de Pelham

Thanks for the further information, I am in your debt.

EDIT: I might as well ask, since you probably know: which text details English noble society best in these details?

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

Good Lady Yse,

It is even so. All I needed was the name of this good Sir Knight, to aid me in finding what I required.

http://22.1911encyclopedia.org/C/CO/COLLAR.htm

I thank you much for your aid, and am at thy service.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

Worn when, and by men of what rank? I have here: m , a brass of a Sir Thomas Burton, engraved in 1410 wearing some sort of livery collar, but it is uncertain whether this is the SS collar, or some other collar, and then there is the bothersome reference to 1381. John Peryent, esquire, next to him, w...

Jehan de Pelham

Indeed, what I seek is a one handed version. My mistake, the term bec de corbin is used to mean the "poll axe" weapon, of which there seems to be two main types: those which have a hammer and a beak, and those which have a hammer and an axe, and I suppose also a third type, those which have a hammer...

Jehan de Pelham

Is or is not the Bec de Corbin, that weapon which is sometimes called a "war hammer," a weapon in use in the era from 1380 to 1418?

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

I hear you. We're in agreement, I think. I myself did some pretty dangerous stuff in the backyard with the neighborhood kids when I was a tad, but these were people I had known closely for years and years. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a "Hi, my name is Adam. Let's wrassle." sort of situation, an...

Jehan de Pelham

I see your point of view. I thank you for your time, and probably, your patience. You're probably shaking your head with pity at my ignorance. Which is fine, for are we all not greatly ignorant. I appreciate the further clarification about Lords. My comprehension of the vagaries of English nobility ...

Jehan de Pelham

So long as my maneuver draws out information I will not be insulted. Or in other words, you proceed from a false assumption: my ego is not involved in this information. Or misinformation. But I find that you agree with many of the points I make but then say I do harm. It's confusing but I am forbear...

Jehan de Pelham

"So no bitching when I knock you on your ass and shove something sharp through your eyeslits." Or when I kick you in the nuts and give you a curby. I ain't havin' some large mammal manhandling me. I put meat on the table with this body, unlike some of our folks. Now if a guy falls, and the rules are...

Jehan de Pelham

Hey everyone, a friend of mine is getting interested in getting more into a 14th or 15th century portrayal of an esquire. He wanted some information so I just kinda rattled this off. Any input? Suggestions? Clarifications? The level of mudging it all together to provide the basic overview has undoub...

Jehan de Pelham

Those who leave without striking a blow give greater comfort to their enemies, and perhaps even give cause and reason for those who are in the front of the press to surrender without strking a blow. My reasons for saying thus are like this: Those who leave without striking a blow would be those who ...

Jehan de Pelham

The level of face thrust I accept is lighter than required for other parts of the body. I will, however, "take a gash on the cheek" and continue fighting. If we were standing next to one another, in harness, I could doubtless demonstrate that what is required to convince me is very reasonable. I am ...

Jehan de Pelham

White ash should be fine. Build it beefy. You can't go wrong if you build hell for strong.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

Until such time as someone makes Sunforger flame and water resistant in linen canvas, it's what all my tents are made of, and what they will be made of.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

Totally agreed on the face shots. We have to think about the realities involved. Default SCA combat is about open-faced helmets, so we have to think in terms of what the blow would have done had the grill not been there. We have the grill there because, well, I'm not interested in taking a clubbing ...

Jehan de Pelham

Yeah, it's no joke, that's for sure, when you start adding up the costs. Fo example: Anshelm High point Bascinet with klappvisor and nineteen verveilles: $750 17lbs 16 gauge 5/16" ID Grade 2 Ti Rings: $500 (Haubergeon and Camail) .0625" Ti sheet: $300 Occidental Leather Work Belt: $50 Boots: $150 Ha...

Jehan de Pelham

That's my birthday. I might be persuaded to put in for a couple of days of leave. If I'm going to ride multiple horses, I can think of worse ways to start, and I need to be able to at least play a little with the 15th century folks while I'm playing frontiersman in the 14th. Jehan de pelham, squire ...

Jehan de Pelham

There are worse places on the road to optimal's-ville to stop than these.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

Now THAT is a knightly gift!

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

$100 a month seems a sort of baseline. That is about two days wages at $8 per hour, after taxes, or from a typical work month of 21 work days, about 9.25% of one's wages at that rate of pay. For someone who makes $24,000 a year in salary after taxes ($14.42/hour, appx.), it would be 5% of one's take...

Jehan de Pelham

Hey, nice pouches. Westminster Colorado, eh? I guy I know, Todd Norris, is from there! I would also like to say that these look SUPER WHITE, maybe hard to keep clean--I tend to go for darker colors for my leathers for that reason (maybe my "retainers" need a good beating to motivate them to maintain...

Jehan de Pelham

I have got to try this.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

I have the ugly suspicion that my services will be needed by our good Uncle.

EDIT: I was right. Damn.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

Jehan de Pelham

I am crushed by the effect this little thing has had on people. It is humbling, and I must make it clear that Sir Johannes' great heart and desire to inspire by means of a substantial prize of worth and Sir Vitus' well wrought missive of challenge that was the wellspring of it. And the good spirit a...

Jehan de Pelham

It is as his excellency says. 16 gauge cuisses are asking to be dented, because many people tend to have these killer thigh blows; it seems that a great deal of power can be generated by the mechanics that go into a good blow to the leg. I have a pair of older 16 gauge legs, and they are not the sam...

Jehan de Pelham

In truth, my own heater is in violation of what would have been used by a man at arms in the era I portray. By the 1380s, the shield was a vestigial thing, and about 19" wide x 24" tall in size at its largest (if used at all). Plate defenses were very strong, certes, a man could well nigh ignore a s...

Jehan de Pelham

Right. Erik Schmid's work is an example of what it means to force the last ten percent. It becomes a matter of logarithmic increases in effort. I'm damn glad he's doing it. Why? Because one day I will have a haubergeon he made. Steve, your articles are nice, but I'm glad you have the humility to see...

Jehan de Pelham

To this I agree with every sinew of mine heart! It is my hope that this relic will travel far and wide, and see many fine deeds of arms, and inspire many fine words and much exchange of fame, and give much honor to many deserving ladies. Good Sir Vitus, I hope to see you tonight to speak further of ...

Jehan de Pelham

The metal there looks like the interior of a Nestle Crunch bar. Foamy.

Jehan de Pelham, squire of Sir Vitus

The Material Culture of a Late 14th C. Esquire on Campaign

Lancastrian SS Collar

Bec de Corbin

Some Rambling Thoughts on English Feudal Military Culture