The Armour Archive

chef de chambre

Hi Rhys and all, Of course the problem we run into again is one of definition. The definitions of reenactment and living history are clearly defined, accepted, and understood outside of the Society, which members seem to be the only ones with trouble understanding the differences between these thing...

chef de chambre

Hi Bascot, Blue and White were the livery colours of the Valois Dukes long before a bunch of people of 'alternative lifestyles' belonging to an odd club decided to appropriate a coloured object as their symbol. Or are you trolling for a date? My wife wouldn't like that (neither would Patty). http://...

chef de chambre

Hi Brent,

I don't know for a fact. Funny you should ask, as I believe you are the fellow who found them for me, and mailed them to me. I'll try to find out when I gat back to the house.

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Bob R.

chef de chambre

Hey Cap'n,

Where did you get your tube?

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Bob R.

chef de chambre

HACA was founded by JC. They changed the name recently to ARMA, but it is the same group. AEMMA is a different group entirely. John isn't without respect in the community, but he "does not play well with others" - as a result, there is often furor between groups. I won't say anything bad, but go to ...

chef de chambre

What progress Norman?

chef de chambre

Hi Gypsy,

What decade in what century? They wore barbutes for over 100 years, and it makes a significan difference in style if you pick a decade.

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Bob R.

chef de chambre

Hi Murdock, The easiest book to locate it in is Osprey's "Armies of Medieval Burgundy". It's also listed in Vaughans "Charles the Bold (Longmans 1974?), and in a book covering French history listing every ordinance Charles ever wrote in the original French that someone was kind enough to photocopy f...

chef de chambre

Hi Alcyoneus, Yes, from Mac's translation of the article in the Berne Burgunderbeute exhibition catalog of 1967, both the ropeing and the piercework boarder are applique. The Helmschmidt brass and fleur piercework boarders of 10 years later date are applied as well, so perhaps it shouldn't be as sur...

chef de chambre

Hi Halberds,

We all start somewhere - Mac has been at it for more than 20 years. You ought be proud of your work, it is very nice, and more importantlyu, constantly improving.

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Bob R.

chef de chambre

Hi Ideval,

Robert MacPherson made this hat, but Jeff did mke all my other new harness.

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Bob R.

chef de chambre

Hi All, I ought to add that an especial thanks to Mac, Jeff, And Tom Justus (Tom provided a side-view of the original hat to Mac from one of his sources that clarified the shape of the hat at the rear) for their craftsmanship, expertise, and guidance on putting this whole project together. Of all th...

chef de chambre

Hi All, I thought I'd post a couple of pictures of my new hat from Mac. After the Ugo helm topic, I thought it would be interesting to show a documentable helmet style. For those of you who have been following the progress on my kit, I had decided a while ago to change my more generic Milanese harne...

chef de chambre

For documentation other than a picture (always strengthens the case). They are mentioned as an item of necessary equipment for certain members of a lance in the 1473 ordinance of St. Maximin de Treves of Charles the Bold.

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Bob R.

chef de chambre

Hi Cet, They are usually smaller diameter rings, although in the 4-1 weave. Often the mail is hung on the vertical for the standing collar, to add ridgidity. Check out Erik Schmidt's website for primary documentation regarding the practise in England in the 14th & 15th centuries. ------------------ ...

chef de chambre

To answer the original question, Depending on group - acceptable? As a temporary solution for a first or second event - usually. As a permanent solution - no. To Echo, Historic Enterprises is really the one stop shopping for off the shelf or custom Late Medieval kit - soon to be High Medieval as wel...

chef de chambre

Hi Rhys, See my point? Your cause has about as much chance as Grants attack on Cold Harbour. It doesn't mean it isn't a noble cause, and it doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do. Were I in your 'regiment' (the SCA), I'd carry the damn colours in the charge. I'd still think I'd be pinning my na...

chef de chambre

Hi All, If it's a LARP, then stop being a bunch of hypocrites and calling it a 're-creationist' group, or try to usurp the apparently more respectable terms of reenactment or living history, and worse yet, trying to redefine the terms to give yourself a new mantle to cover the shabby bankruptcy of a...

chef de chambre

Hi All, None of the helms posted in defence of the "authenticity" of Ugo's helm is even close to it. It really doesn't take that trained an eye to see that there is no historical precedent for that helmet bowl in Europe. Posting a Negroli parade helmet that was never intended to be worn in combat, b...

chef de chambre

Hi Norman, Ames does have a web-presence. I don't have it bookmarked, but I assure you they do, as I have been to it several times. Ask on Swordforum (a better place for this question anyhow), and yould get a link in a jiff. Since they make the blades to the same standards as the government contract...

chef de chambre

The univertsal footware for Western Europe during the time in question was the turnshoe. End of story. There is nothing resenmleing modern footware, nothing resembeling the ever popular East German officers boots. Since a knight would be wearing a close fitting paie of cased greaves (even in the 14t...

chef de chambre

Hi Norman, You could also try Ames Manufacturing company - they are one of the principle Northern contractors. Curently, they are offering any of their sabres made during the course of the war, or prior - all you have to do is ask. They are made on the original machinery. You can probably get them u...

chef de chambre

Hi Bran, Of course we can all get along. One of the principle reasons I do not participate in the Society is that I would be unhappy with the level of authenticity I would see, and I don't feel that I would have the right to try to spoil someone elses fun who is participating at their own level, try...

chef de chambre

Hi mrks, its not worth my effort to prove something like it existed but why dont prove it is not possible to have "not" existed in period. Because that is not the standard of documentation accepted by any group - Academics, amature, professional scholar,...

chef de chambre

Hi Nicolai, Wolfe Argent uses them as a supplier of munition and middle grade armour. According to my conversations and orders with Petr, that are only interested in making what the SCA would consider costume armour. Although they are willing to make a helmet thicker than they normally do, that are ...

chef de chambre

Hi Jacob, He could easily make a precise duplicate of the original. In fact, Mac could make a fake convincing enough to fool an expert if he wished to pass such off as an original. I would assure you any deviations from the original are most likely the result of being tailored to the game being play...

chef de chambre

Hi Zygmunt, The Order of the Golen Fleece preformed such a ceremony at least thrice during it's first century of existance. In one case I believe the person being tossed out was present, so the full ceremony was preformed - including having his spurs struck off his feet publicly, his arms defaced an...

chef de chambre

Supurb work as usual on Mac's part. That said Hal, this sort of hat is hardly a challenge for him. I'd say he is a master because he can raise any helmet from a sheet you can think of, Make articulations as tight as a drum, and flow like drawn butter, make a documentable working 15th century clock t...

chef de chambre

Hi Morgan, I can't answer your question because I don't play your game. I will tell you this much - if he showed up at a 15th century event with that stuff, I would tell him he couldn't wear it - end of story. I would then offer him acceptable spare gear of my own - most companies like ours tend to ...

chef de chambre

Hi mrks and all, <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Europe was a big place and who can be sure that somewhere somebody did not make a helm like that. it didnt work very well so got remelted and made into a sword or a pot?</fo...

chef de chambre

Rev. George, It is not the face plate that is objectionable - there can be found examples of historical armour with such preforated plates. What can not be found in a European context historicaly is any such bowl of a helmet resembling that one. Not even the aforementoined japanese kabutos closely r...

chef de chambre

Hi Jean Paul, The groups actually doing reenactment are "so small" because they are organized on a company basis - they are not a society. They are also small because people who actually reenact other eras of time, who might be inclined to give it a shot, tend only to see the SCA as it is the monoli...

chef de chambre

Hi All, No doubt what I write here will be taken amiss, but nonetheless I feel I need to add my two groats. Obviously the fellow who made the helmet in question has quite a bit of tallent. That said, if the purpose of the SCA is replicating history in some form, then it has no place there whatsoever...

chef de chambre

Hi Captain Jamie, OUr confusion stems from modern reconstructions versus the actual article. My commentary on a straight sided sack is based on *every* modern reconstruction I have seen thus far based on a "generic pattern". People do not take into account the differing sizes of plate (it is much ea...

chef de chambre

Way Cool! Put up some pics.

My chapel de fer and bevor for my 'snotty Burgundian officer' impression arrive tomorrow. Eager anticipation - next on list from Mac is a chamfron & crinnet for Mr. N.

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Bob R.

My new hat from Mac