western and central european armours of the 14th century ... · weapons 22 6. shields 23 7....

Andrej Woltschanskiy

Western and Central European armours of the 14th century –

Beginner’s kit guide

Western and Central European armours of the 14th century – Beginner’s guide(V02/16) Andrej Woltschanskiy

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Table of Contents

I. Introduction 2

II. Equipment 3

1. Body armour 3

1.1. Coats of plates 3

1.2. Early brigandines 5

1.3. Cuirasses 6

2. Helmets 8

2.1. Great helm 8

2.2. Sugerloaf helm with visor 9

2.3. Bascinet with klappvisor 10

2.4. Bascinet with temple hinged visor 11

2.5. Hounskull bascinet 12

2.6. Bascinet with peak 12

2.7. Bascinet with “wolf’s ribs” 13

2.8. Bascinet with bretache/nasal 13

2.9. Early grand bascinets 15

2.10. Kettle hat 16

3. Arm protection 16

3.1. Arms 16

3.2. Shoulders 17

3.3. Gauntlets 18

4. Leg protection 20

4.1. Legs 20

4.2. Feet 21

5. Weapons 22

6. Shields 23

7. Clothing 24

III. Conclusion 24


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Important 1: This guide was written in order to give beginners an overview over the current state of research of Western and Central European armour in the late 14th century. Above all it is aimed at sportsmen and deals especially with aspects of full contact armour fights. It is not a scientific treatise,

Modern full contact fighting and a scientifically sound and historically accurate as currently possible living history portrayal is a very difficult task. And be it solely because nobody wears maille underneath the plate armour. Of course I recommend everybody who wants to deal with this topic to do one’s own research. This guide is aimed mainly at giving people without previous knowledge access to the topic. Just so you can at least tell the smith the name of the armour part you mean when you place an order.

I. Introduction

European armours from the second half of the 14th century are currently undisputed favorites among the fighters of the modern armored full contact fighting. This is of due course the "Knight" myth surrounding them but also due to their relatively simple and inexpensive manufacture. In addition, this field of medieval history is very well researched and offers a huge selection. Despite an exceptional artifact and source base, there are, not only among beginners, a lot of kits that cannot withstand even a superficial historical examination. This guide is meant to be an attempt to give beginners the ability to avoid mistakes before buying a suit of armor.

Important 2: I use the term “European“ solely to distinguish the armours from those of other regions The armours of the Rus principalities are without question also geographically European. In the full contact fighting scene the term “European” “Russian” and “Mongolian” have already established themselves and are being understood by most fighters. Thus I will call the armours in this guide “European” for simplicity’s sake.

The shown parts of armour and weapons are classified chronologically and regionally. I am not going to give all detailed sources though, mostly because it is not a scientific treatise. But anyone who plans to do serious research will have more than enough source material. I will also mostly forgo mentioning the sources of the modern reconstructions, because in most cases I simply don’t know the source anymore and because this is a noncommercial project. Should anyone recognize his work, feel free to notify me. The manufacturer will then of course be mentioned.


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II. Equipment

1. Body Armour

1.1. Coat of plates

The coat of plates is probably the most popular and most widespread torso armor among the fighters who prefer this period of history. Thanks to the groundbreaking discoveries of the mass graves in Visby on Gotland and some later finds (as Castle Küssnacht) we have a very precise idea of how coats of plate were built. They are constructed by mounting metal plates and / or strips on a leather or fabric base by rivets. In most cases the plates were on the inside, so you could only see the rivets on the fabric. However, there are few cases in which the plates were mounted externally on the fabric.

Left: Some of the coat of plates finds at Visby. Many different models were in use

simultaneously, as can be seen. One can see clearly that some were fastened on the back and

some on the sides. Right: The coat of plates from Küssnacht.

Left: Coat of plates

fastening on the back,

England, Romance of

Alexander, 1340ies.

Right: Coat of plates,

France, 1370ies.


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Advantages: Cheap, light, mobile, easy to repair, can be easily self-made. Disadvantages: The carrier-rivets construction is prone to wear and tear, smaller plates don’t distribute the impact force well.

Medieval depiction of warriors in

coats of plates made in the style of

the Küssnacht find. Ca. 1370.

Modern reconstruction of the Küssnacht coat of plates.

Inside view of a coat of plates. The

plates riveted to the inside of the

fabric cab be clearly seen . Because

of this construction the plates retain

a high movability.


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1.2. Early brigandines

The development of the rather barrel-shaped coat of plates was an early form of brigandine, the main difference between a brigandine and a COP being the smaller size of the plates. Also known in German as “Lentner” or (among modern days fighters) “Corrazina”. Because it is better fitted and sits tighter on the hips, the weight distribution is much better. In addition the plates over the chest and back became bigger in later versions and the force of the blows is better distributed. The transition to fabric covered cuirasses is fluent.

Modern reconstruction of a

lentner


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A special case are the brigandines of the Bamberg type. These are characterized by a large metal plate was on the outside of the fabric carrier over the chest, while all the other plates were inside. Thus they form a transition between coast of plates and a cuirasses.

Advantages: better fitting, better weight distribution, better mobility.

Disadvantages: heavier and more expensive than coats of plates.

1.3. Cuirasses

The best protection you could get in the 14th century. Large, stable plates covering the chest and back, with optional fabric coating or bright metal and metal hoops or scales to protect the abdomen and the hips.

Medieval depiction,

Wenzel Bible, 1389.


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From left to right:

Italian silver altar,

1370ies, english

effigy, 1402, fabric

covered cuirass,

Munich, Germany

1380-1400.


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Advantages: Best protection, really shiny, relatively light

Disadvantages: restricted mobility, needs to fit really well (never buy cheap!), needs maintenance (rust)

2. Helmets

2.1. Great Helm

This helmet was already in use in the 13th century. Actually it was initially worn over a coif and later over a cervelliere or even a bascinet, but for our sport that's just unnecessary weight. Its expansive form can accommodate a great lot of padding.

Modern Reconstructions

Left: Great helm from Nuremberg,

Germany.

Right: Great helm from Bolzano


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In addition you can decorate the helm with stylish helm covers:

Advantages: Simple, thus cheap, lots of padding, can be decorated, your head is in a bunker.

Disadvantages: not openable, heavy, bad field of view, your head is in a bunker.

2.2. Sugarloaf helm with visor

An evolution of the pot helm. The top is rounded and it has a hinged visor.

Italy, 1370. Although the helm

gradually became a pure tournament

part of equipment towards the end of

the 14th century , it was used up until

the 1370s in battles.

.

From left to right: 1340 Italy, 1325 France, 1370 Italy (Great helm and sugarloaf helm

next to each other)


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Advantages: All of the advantages of a great helm plus movable visor.

Disadvantages: All of the disadvantages of the great helm plus higher cost.

2.3. Bascinet with klappvisor

Bascinets in all their many variants were one of the most popular helmet forms of the 14th century. The term “Klappvisor” refers to a design of the helmet, when the visor is moved via a single hinge above the forehead. This form was very popular especially in the Holy Roman Empire and in Italy.

Left: Modern

reconstruction.

Right: England,

ca 1340.

Bascinets with klappvisors, ca. 1370.

Modern reconstruction of the bascinet from Sitten (left and

middle), and from Nuremberg (right).


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Advantages: very good compromise between protection, weight and sight, openable, very classy

Disadvantages: the forehead hinge is a weak spot if the visor is only hooked in, as was historically done, and not firmly riveted; the visor strap is unhistorical and another weak spot.

Pro tip: Pay attention that the visor has a sufficient curvature and enough distance to the nose.

2.4. Bascinet with temple hinged visor

These bascinets had a visor that was attached to the temples with two hinges. There were visor variants made of one piece and also held by pins (and thus removable).

Advantages: Like the klappvisor, in addition a better hold for the visor.

Disadvantages: almost none, maybe the additional weight of the aventail.

Examples from

England and

France, ca

1350.

Modern

reconstrucions.


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2.5. Hounskull bascinet

The hounskull is Bascinet with a pointed visor which could be attached both by a front hinge and by temple hinges.

Advantages: The pointed visor is very good at deflecting hits, lots of air.

Disadvantages: restricted view downwards, a little bit frontloaded. A blow to the visor point levers on the neck.

2.6. Bascinet with peak

This currently very popular helmet is completely unhistorical and pure cheating in today’s use (chainmail to the eyes covering a metal grill). All sources indicate it as purely an infantry helmet with an open face. People who continue to use these helmets are either unaware of this or not interested in a historically accurate depiction or value advantage maximization much higher than anything else. These helmets might anyway soon be forbidden, so save your money and buy helmets that can withstand a historical examination.

1390 1370

Left: Modern

reconstruction.

Right: Hounskull

from Leeds.


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Advantages: Very good view and air circulation.

Disadvantages: Completely unhistorical, big eye slits pose a danger.

2.7. Bascinet with “wolf’s ribs“

Another helmet, which is very popular due to its advantages, the source material is however very questionable.

Advantages: Very good view and air circulation, light.

Disadvantages: very questionable source material, gaps in the visor a danger to the face.

2.8. Bascinets with bretache/nasal

While the two last "cheater helmets" are very controversial, there is ample evidence of usage of bascinets with a nasal guard called “bretache”. They have the same advantages and are completely historical

l.: modern version, m.: Grill, r.: Italy, second

half of the 14th century.

Right: The only known depiction from the 14th century (Bohmia), left:

modern version.


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Advantages: Very good view and air circulation, historical.

Disadvantages: You have to be careful so that the eye openings won’t be too big.

Important 3: It is a common misconception that the bascinet always had an aventail. It is true that in most cases an aventail was worn. In fact almost all depictions show on. But only almost. There is definitely evidence that only a padded aventail was worn or that the mail was covered with fabric.

Depictions from Germany and Switzerland, 1370-1390

Moderne

versions, left one

without aventail

to show the

hidden grill for

face protection

A depiction from Italy, 1370. Bascinets with mail aventails but also without can be seen.


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2.9. Early grand bascinets

A further development of the bascinet. A rigid metal plate at the bottom of the face cutout protects chin and throat. Initially, the platform was relatively small, but it evolved towards the end of the 14th century to a full neck and shoulder protection.

Advantages: additional protection.

Disadvantages: Heavier and more movement restriction than a normal bascinet.

France, end of

the 14th, start

of the 15th

century.

Modern reconstruction.


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2.10. Kettle hat

There is some evidence that kettle hats were used in combination with an aventail to the eyes. A

protective metal grill beneath the chainmail is mandatory in any case

Advantages: Good view and air circulation.

Disadvantages: Very few sources, unknightly helmet.

3. Arm protection

3.1. Arms

For arm protection we have two basic variants. The arms were either protected with metal plates (from the second half of the 14th century on) or metal strips (splints)that were riveted to a fabric or leather carrier.

Splints

Advantage: Cheap, easy maintenance, adjustable.

Disadvantages: Not the most optimal protection.

France, ca. 1390 Italy, 1326

Left: Guenther

von

Schwarzberg,

1349, Germany.

Right: modern

reconstruction.


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Plate

Advantages: light (when done correctly), optimal protection

Disadvantages: Expensive, must be protected from rust, must fit well, because not really adjustable.

3.1. Shoulders

Simple shoulder plates

Protect the shoulder from above, the cheapest option, the shoulder remains vulnerable to blows

from the side.

Left: France 1380. Middle: Modern

reconstruction. Left: Modern

reconstruction, Elbow connected

with upper and lower arm.

Left: Find from the mass grave of

Visby, 1361.

Right: Modern reconstruction.


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Simple spaulders

Better protection, but some gaps may remain.

Spaulders with lames

Very good protection for shoulder and upper arm albeit with higher weight and higher price.

3.2. Gauntlets

Mail mittens

Padded mittens with chain mail. It is strongly recommended to use hidden metal plates under the chainmail. Very archaic and actually represented only up to the 1330s. But if one goes with the rest of the equipment maximally up to the 1380s, it is acceptable because of the 50 years’ time frame of the rules (albeit grudgingly).

Left and middle:

France 1350.

Right: Modern

reconstruction.

Left: Sir Andrew Lutrell, 1390. Middle: Sie Henry English 1393. right: Modern

reconstruction.

Left: Codex Manesse,

first third of the 14th

century. Right: Modern

version, reinforced with

hidden metal plates.


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Brigandine gauntlets

The hand is protected by metal plates that are mounted on a leather carrier. This type of gloves has been displaced from the second half of the 14th century on by hourglass gauntlets. The leather carrier is prone to damage.

Hourglass gauntlets

The archetypical gauntlets for the second half of the 14th century. Light, comfortable, chic. There are also variants with an overhang on the fingers for extra protection, but at expense of mobility. There is also evidence of mittens in the form of hourglasses with even more protection, but even less mobility (for example, at the fountain of Nuremberg).

Left: France ca

1330 -1350 Right:

France 1357

Below: modern

reconstruction.


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With all these gloves (with the exception of the hourglass mittens) you should protect the fingers with additional finger shields. Although these are without historical evidence, they are accepted within the scene since fingers are rather sensitive and break easily.

4. Leg Protection

4.1. Legs

For the legs, we have basically the same options as in the arms: Either metal strips on a fabric or leather carrier or metal plates. While the older variant has the advantage that it is adjustable, the protection compared to large metal plates is lower, because of the smaller plate size. For the full plate version the shins can both be protected by fully enclosed greaves or by simpler demi greaves which protect only the front.

Left: France 1362 Middle: Germany 1360 Right: Italy 1380

Modern reconstructions.

Left: Sir Miley Stapleton 1364 Middlee: Sir Thomas Cheyne 1368 Right: France 1390

Below: Leg armour of Charles IV.


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4.2. Feet

The feet can be protected by sabatons. These are available both as a simple version that only covers the top of the foot as well as a complete metal shoe.

Modern

reconstructions

Left: France 1376 Right: Modern reconstruction


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5. Weapons

For the 14th century we have an overwhelming abundance of great finds and weapons in almost every conceivable variation. Therefore only a few examples are mentioned here. One should of course not only have the effectiveness and personal preferences in mind, but also pay attention to the rules and the allowed weapons section.

One handed weapons

Important: The popular baidana falchions with hook and spike are not suitable as a weapon for beginners. There are no sources for them.

Two handed weapons

Italy and France

1350ies.

Left: France1380.

Right: Italy 1360.

Below: Italy 1380.


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6. Shields

For the shields there are also tons of sources. Just a selection of examples shall be shown here.

Above: Heater and oval

shields, 1360 Italy. Middle:

Metal buckler, 1380 Italy.

Below: Round, square and

teardrop shields, Italy

1365. (All of these forms

were in use in many

European regions, the

heater type being the

most popular during our

period.)


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7. Clothing (aka soft kit)

Meanwhile there is a huge amount of literature on 14th century dress. Many patterns for many garments were also reconstructed and can be easily found. The rapid change of fashion in the 14th century also means that the huge amount of known garments simply cannot be shown in this short guide. Therefore just a simple starter set shall be shown.

The simple combination of knee-length wool cotte, breeches and undershirt made of linen and woolen hose combined with a pair of simple shoes allows a fast and cost-effective introduction into living history and was worn that way during the whole 14th century in Europe.

With such a set you can buy an inexpensive and simple soft kit. Sure, you won’t represent a rich noble, but anyone with such high demands should also be able to research one’s own sources.

III. Conclusion

This introduction is in no way intended as a complete collection of knowledge, but should stimulate you to conduct your own research. For a completely authentic historical portrayal these couple of pages with nice pictures are simply not enough. Neither do I claim to know everything on this topic. I am open to discussion and suggestions. If you are interested in Medieval European armour and weapons you should at any rate contact more experienced fighters and (hobby) researchers after reading this guide.

Left: Austria 1340. Middle: Germany 1360. Right: Italy 1390.

western and central european armours of the 14th century ... · weapons 22 6. shields 23 7....

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