Leather armour

Stefan ap Llewelyn · Post by **Stefan ap Llewelyn** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:39 am

Hello all,

I have been looking around for any provenance for a full leather harness in 1450 - 1471 in Eastern Europe.

The only references I have found seem to point to it being used in tournaments when fighting with bone/wood swords but I am trying to find a reference to it being used on the battle field.

Does anyone have any ideas?

InsaneIrish · Post by **InsaneIrish** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:36 am

I don't think it happened. If it DID happen it was definately the exception to the rule and not the rule itself.

earnest carruthers · Post by **earnest carruthers** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:50 am

Eynar, which part of Eastern Europe? ie Bohemia or further?

Are you thinking of buying some? I recall a long debate somewhere that leather armour references were scant to non-existent for the period, can't say hand on heart the region.

There is a case for leather covered brigandines, but that is not the same thing of course.

Stefan ap Llewelyn · Post by **Stefan ap Llewelyn** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:10 am

Bohemia ideally, further West if necessary. His persona is from Bohemia but has travelled West.

I agree about the leather covered brigs but as you say that is not quite the same thing.

The leather harness\breastplate in question has been bought by a friend and he got some flak about its authenticity. I had a look around and cannot find a direct source for it so I was wondering whether any of the far more knowledgable people on here had any gems tucked away.

earnest carruthers · Post by **earnest carruthers** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:48 am

Ah I thought so (hence the leading Bohemia question) and I saw him in it at Tewkesbury. IIRC the 'flak' was a lot of comment and questioning, some constructive, some less so I agree, but that must have been over a year ago, thought it had all been forgotten now.

This is a good place to start, there are other armour fora.

Stefan ap Llewelyn · Post by **Stefan ap Llewelyn** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:28 am

Ah hello,

Yes you are thinking of exactly the thing. As far as I am aware it has all pretty much died down and I do not think that he took any real offense ;-)

I was hoping that I could ask on an impartial forum (where things would not get aggressive) about any sources partially because I am genuinely interested and partially so I could pass him a bit of historical backup if he was ever heavily questioned.

earnest carruthers · Post by **earnest carruthers** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:02 am

Hello Eynar,

" (where things would not get aggressive)"

Don't be too sure on that one, there are fewer punches pulled here than LH forum, seriously. But many more posters, best bet though would be one of the specialist armour forums, can't remember for the life of me which ones, but Thomas Hayman amongst others will be able to point you there.

Stefan ap Llewelyn · Post by **Stefan ap Llewelyn** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:01 am

Okay, thanks.

Gerhard von Liebau · Post by **Gerhard von Liebau** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:20 am

The Firestryker forum would be a good place, I'd say. Replies are slow, though!

http://www.wolfeargent.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

I'd suggest the Armour Research Society, but it'd cost you at least $50 to get onto their forum!

As far as I know, since I'm quite interested in leather armor, I don't think I've heard of any examples of a suit of combat armor from the era in question (or much of the 15th century at all) made from pure leather.

-Gregory-

RandallMoffett · Post by **RandallMoffett** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:35 am

There are only two references I know in late medeival history. One is the leather rerebrace in the British Museum, Second is a treatise on the tourney for king Rene. Sorry not much else I know of. there may be some leather used in jacks as well but no full suits I know of,

Randall