The Armour Archive

What books or other resources would you reccomend for an introduction to 14th century Germany (with reenactment purposes in mind)?

Dmitriy Shelomin
still looking for my alternate persona

I'd start with any general history of the Holy Roman Empire during the middle ages and then go from there. One word of warning, if you dont speak/read German, your going to need to find yourself a good translator program, because the vast majority of the detailed info you'll find yourself looking for hasn't ever been translated into English.

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Otto von Aachen
Kingdom of the Outlands, Canton of Hawks Hollow

I would recommend German Knighthood 1050-1300 By Benjamin Arnold ISBN0-19-821960-1

It will give you insights into the development of Knighthood in Germany leading up to the 14th century.

There were knights called ministerialis on the one hand noblemen, but on the other hand, tied to the land they lived on and traded with it like a servant! They were not free, born into the service of their lord and rewarded with fiefs to sustain them. In the 14C, this changed as they married into the upper classes.

Very interesting reading.
-Cad

Exellent! I was just considering buying that book a few weeks ago, a local bookstore has a used copy.

Now that Otto broached the subject of German langauge literature relating to the 14th century, may I ask if anyone happens to know of any concerning armour specifically?
I'm researching Germanic armour of the 14th century and have hit a dead end with the English language literature. I have some in German already, but am always looking for more.

Dimitry, if you are also looking for armour info, there is an article by Mann J.G., Notes on the evolution of plate armour in Germany in the 14th and 15th century, in the journal "Archaeologia", vol 84 (1932 I think) pp69-97.

Erik

Dear list,

Any of you get stuck with German sources, contact us over here in SCA/Drachenwald. We'll do what we can.

Cheers

Adam

I will start to look through my books for you New helm also(you bum ) I know I have seen it in manuel scripts before...

from Knoch

Well, most existing armour from the 14th century is slim to say the least. Just start loooking thrugh illustrations and muscripts for ideas. Also look at funeral effigies.

-Cad