The Armour Archive

Black Swan Designs

The Order of the Crescent enters the tiltyard, led by Captain Toby Capwell. [img]http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs003.snc1/2787_72428333951_739868951_1688670_6153703_n.jpg[/img] One of the Armouries riders vs. Will West in the black armour [img]http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll...

Black Swan Designs

They're called trunk hose, and the points tie to the doublet to hold them up. They don't serve any more of an armouring function than do the points in the doublet of Charles of Blois.

Black Swan Designs

Oh, and in case word hasn't gotten out yet, the lineup for the tournament of the Phoenix on October 23, 24 and 25 will be The Order of the Crescent Jeff Hedgecock, Captain Toby Capwell Dominic Sewell vs The Order of the Star Luke Binks, Captain Petter Ellingsen Graham Nixon This event marks Toby's f...

Black Swan Designs

Some more images from Matt and Kindra Toby sporting some new armour made by Jeff Wasson [img]http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs028.snc1/3162_1136989258212_1031784964_401934_5028361_n.jpg[/img] In case there was any doubt about their sense of humour- [img]http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hph...

Black Swan Designs

Certainly looks like it could be buff leather, doesn't it? Then there's this one http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v885/120/110/593316207/n593316207_2172950_6163.jpg which also looks like it could be leather. In this one the arm harness clearly points to the foundation, but it is a good bi...

Black Swan Designs

My opinion is only to second your observation that by this period at least some of the armour hangs on itself, not on the doublet. I don't see a single 'arming point' on the gentleman in the Moroni painting. I'd say ultimately the doublet should do what the armour needs it to do. If the armour needs...

Black Swan Designs

The Crescent rides in front of the crowd after being presented with the Sword of Honour. Toby is holding it aloft and according to Matt, 'grinning like a madman'. http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2711/114/72/517958166/n517958166_1626263_2284666.jpg The Order of the Crescent http://photos...

Black Swan Designs

Before the session in the stable area. Jeff shakes hands with Andrew Balmforth while Thomas Hayman (Crescent livery) and Toby Capwell look on [img]http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs028.snc1/3167_71996951085_554676085_2176747_3841146_n.jpg[/img] Toby mounting up and getting sorted. That'...

Black Swan Designs

They won!!

This is a hat trick for the Crescent, making them the only team to take the Sword of Honour 3 times.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Yup. Just google "The Padded Armour Company" and you'll find it.

Black Swan Designs

They're correct- our braies and chausses are civilian wear and as such have no padding. I don't know that there is such a thing as padded braies. You might try the Padded Armour Company in Yorkshire- they may offer something padded to use under mail leggings. Gwen Black Swan Designs reproduction clo...

Black Swan Designs

[img]http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs015.snc1/2967_86137576207_593316207_2878564_2053494_n.jpg[/img] The Order of the Crescent at the Royal Armouries Joust for the Sword of Honour, April 9-13, 2009 Friday Dom and Jeff vs Destrier - 31- 31 (Jeff won Skill at Arms) Toby & Steve vs. ...

Black Swan Designs

'zactly. But what works on a static display may not work dynamically. Dunno, give it a try and see how it goes for you. I'm sure others would love to know, as this garment comes up frequently here.

Black Swan Designs

No, just something cobbled together to display armour on a stand. The mail may be 16th C, may be earlier, I couldn't say, but I don't think the garment itself is anything real.

Black Swan Designs

That garment is in the Philadephis Museum of Art, and is a real bodge job. Even the people there don't think it's real, although it was published as such. I'd bet it's nowhere near medieval, and was probably made to display on a mannequin under armour 19-20th C. This may be of interest for 16th C. a...

Black Swan Designs

The cuirass had its first outing this weekend- http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2632/120/110/593316207/n593316207_2842412_380067.jpg http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2632/120/110/593316207/n593316207_2842472_249802.jpg Arms are on order, so at this rate, the client and his ha...

Black Swan Designs

No worries Gordon, I'm quite sure Rod will find a way to kill himself without my help....

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Many of them will trade squire work for riding, jousting, and skill at arms lessons. Just be ready to work your ass off. Being a squire (ground crew) is hard, physical and thankless work. You can also volunteer to pick stalls and do other work around a local stables in exchange for riding lessons a...

Black Swan Designs

So what did you base the 'rochet' on? Did you have a written description, or a picture? It sounds like an interesting evolutionary step, maybe the first true purpose built piece of joust equipment. By the time of St. Englevert it seems the use of coronels had even engendered techniques for showboati...

Black Swan Designs

Ah, OK. And you have evidence for coronels being used that early? I've seen them for sure in the jousting scenes from the Manessa Codex, but that's a bit later than what you're doing (1315ish). I wouldn't have thought that coronels were being used as early as 1260-- I would have thought blunt spears...

Black Swan Designs

I'm a little confused- are you doing 13th C (1200's) or early 14th C. (1300's)? Is there a specific window you're shooting for period-wise?

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

It's a great bascinet.

Reference the title of this thread- the cuirass is the part on the body, the helmet is a great bascinet.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Further to btmcrae's comments above, please note that our next Knight School session will be held on Saturday, April 4th.

Check out the Knight School Website for more info.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

No, the only event we do in the US is Pennsic. We will be in the UK at The Original Reenator's Market near Coventry March 13, 14 and 15. Oh, and just got word- the new hooks are Regia approved. We have a new woman's overgown and AS cloak that I'll be showing and hoping to get approval for as well. G...

Black Swan Designs

OK, we just updated the website- You now have the option of either the round hook or the new triangular hook with the winingas set. We have also added an assembly option to sew the tags to your winingas so they arrive ready to wear. You can order any of the winingas as a set with the silver hooks fo...

Black Swan Designs

Absolutely! I'm just busy getting ready for the UK market and have not put that particular combo up yet. And I remember Roberta sewing hooks on winingas for someone last week, so we must do that as a 'secret' option. I'll ask Francena what she knows about that. Don't mind me- I may sign the paycheck...

Black Swan Designs

We offer them with the hooks sewn on?

How did I miss that?

Ummmm, let me check and get back to you.

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Late Anglo-Saxon hooked fastener in copper alloy Original: http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2640/120/110/593316207/n593316207_2685768_7232165.jpg Our version: http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2640/120/110/593316207/n593316207_2685769_1721689.jpg The triangular plate is decor...

Black Swan Designs

Vikes can be a bit dodgy, but RA is pretty highly regarded. From their website:

Now in our twenty-first year of historical re-creation, Regia Anglorum is probably the best re-enactment society in the world in our period.

Black Swan Designs

Both Regia Anglorum and the Vikings UK accept linen as outer garments.

Black Swan Designs

Right, I am taking stick for not being specific enough. We're looking for pre-1600 European/ HRE groups, regardless of whether they had gunpowder or not. This includes but is not specifically restricted to England and the British Isles, France, Germany, Burgundy, the Lowlands, Italy, Spain, etc. The...

Black Swan Designs

Hi John-

I sent you an email detailing the basics. If you'd like more info, just let me know.

Thanks-

Gwen

Black Swan Designs

Is that a french seam?

Black Swan Designs

Let me rephrase that for the pedants in the audience- we're looking for pre-1600 groups, regardless of whether they had gunpowder or not.... At this point even the 'pre-1600' is negotiable, as all I've really found in addition to the Romans and Regia group up north is some early 1500 Germans and 150...

Black Swan Designs

I have already exchanged correspondence with both Jack and Doug, thanks!!

Is there no other living history in the southwest????

Other than Legio Hispania IX that is, they're already on board to participate.

Gwen

The Joust for the Sword of Honour 2009 - update

New winingas hook finally here!!