Newbie to being Historically Correct

[Lord Proxximo]

Hello all,

Up to now all of my armor making/wearing has been very "fantasy" based. I had a few questions that may seem very vague to people who are very learned in this area, so if you need clarification let me know.

I am looking for websites/books/advice/etc. on what century wore Sugarloaf helms, I have always loved that design and would very much like to learn about the rest of the arms and armour of that era so i can make a suit that is historically correct.

Again I hope I havent been too vague, so try not to point and laugh

[chef de chambre]

Late 13th (say, 1280's), up to the first 3rd of the 14th century (say, 1340). Once in a whole you spot an odd one in art past that date, but they realy seem to dissapear past mid century.

[Lord Proxximo]

Thanks chef,

any ideas on books or sites to help me research the styles of arms or armor?

Proxx

[Cet]

As general surveys "European Armour" by Claude Blair and "Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight" by David Edge and Miles Paddok are very usefull and fairly easy to find on useed book sites.

[Endre Fodstad]

One mistake many "newbies" and more experienced people commit when researching is one that has been commented on countless times here, but let's do it again!

This only really works if you have limited your interest to a certain time period.

When researching for things you want to make, do broad research. If you love sugarloaf helms, by all means, use chef's suggestion for the time period. However, when you want to extend your kit for that period, and want to research, look for general trends, not a spesific piece. Thus, don't pore over a thousand illuminations looking for a certain piece of armour from that period, pore over a thousand illuminations and get an idea for what was commony used together during that period.

Same goes for civilian kit - if you want to do a late 13th century/early 14th century impression (and I sat GO! to that ) and want a surcotte to wear outside your tunic, don't pick out a certain style you want and try to document it - instead, look over the sources and see what appears. If you like a certain type of surcotte and find it in 4 of 550 illuminations, all late in the period, chances are it's not too representative.

[brewer]

The same advice I give newcomers! The rule can be written thus:

Don't make the rare common and the common rare.

Happens all the time, and should be avoided.

[Lord Proxximo]

Great, thank you all very much for the advice!