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Author Topic: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness  (Read 8228 times)

Mike W.

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Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« on: 2014-02-19, 00:35:23 »
The thought occurred to me... For those of you who have full plate mail, or other 14th century harness, and find yourselves in it for extended periods of time, how difficult is it to take care of business?
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Ian

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #1 on: 2014-02-19, 01:05:14 »
Quote from: wilburnicus on 2014-02-19, 00:35:23
The thought occurred to me... For those of you who have full plate mail, or other 14th century harness, and find yourselves in it for extended periods of time, how difficult is it to take care of business?

I make sure to go to the little knight's room before I armor up.  :)

Peeing is possible in my harness.  I'd have to lift up the haubergeon and arming cotte and I could easily lower the braies... #2 would be very difficult to do in harness.  It's not something I would ever try, haha.

Now in a historical context, you probably had your armor on because you needed to have it on, and if you were in a battle or about to be in one you'd honestly probably just go in your armor without much of a second thought about it.
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Mike W.

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #2 on: 2014-02-19, 02:31:07 »
And I felt sorry for the ladies in hoop skirts at Civil War reenactments. That's nothing compared to armor, I imagine.
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Sir Douglas

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #3 on: 2014-02-19, 04:07:14 »
Quote from: Ian on 2014-02-19, 01:05:14
Quote from: wilburnicus on 2014-02-19, 00:35:23
The thought occurred to me... For those of you who have full plate mail, or other 14th century harness, and find yourselves in it for extended periods of time, how difficult is it to take care of business?

I make sure to go to the little knight's room before I armor up.  :)


Indeed! Fortunately, I'm pretty good at "holding it". I might not wear any plate, but I still wouldn't want to try to maneuver in my harness...especially if Port-a-Johns were involved. ;)
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Sir Patrick

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #4 on: 2014-02-19, 04:25:23 »
That's just what I was wondering:  At home or at the faire? :)
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Aiden of Oreland

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #5 on: 2014-02-19, 04:28:50 »
They make a curtain part for the braies so that it is easier to relieve yourself. I saw them sold some where but I can't quite remember.
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Sir James A

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #6 on: 2014-02-19, 04:54:29 »
Quote from: Sir Aiden on 2014-02-19, 04:28:50
They make a curtain part for the braies so that it is easier to relieve yourself. I saw them sold some where but I can't quite remember.

Later style hosen and pants had a codpiece / fly. I wear this style pants with my armor:

http://casiberia.com/product/15th-century-pants-brown/gb3154

I haven't tried to "use the facilities" for either. I think the best answer is similar to Sir Ian's; I'm going to quote Ironman, because, well I love Ironman....

"How do you go to the bathroom in the suit?"
(pause and facial expression)
"Just like that."
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Aiden of Oreland

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #7 on: 2014-02-19, 05:00:15 »
You could go with using a urine bag. That way thee can just go on the go and dump thy pouch out later.
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Sir Ulrich

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #8 on: 2014-02-19, 05:29:51 »
I don't have this problem at all, because I sweat so much in armor my body doesn't bother trying to expel water cause it's all busy coming out of my skin in the form of sweat. But if it ever does happen I may have to take my hauberk off because it doesn't have a split in the front.
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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #9 on: 2014-02-19, 13:36:04 »

My harnesses make it difficult, but not impossible to pee at the privy. But my experience is that I'm usually sweating so badly that I'm skirting the edge of dehydration, so usually it's not a problem until I go to take the armor off, and start to re-acclimate to not wearing it. Then I need to run for the privy right quick! ;)

Roughly 8 hours in it at faire, and usually I can avoid the whole issue until the end of the day.

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Sir William

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #10 on: 2014-02-19, 14:14:44 »
Apparently, it is knightly to poop in one's harness if the need arises.  I nearly knocked over one of those port-a-johns at MDRF while wrestling with my surcoat, hauberk and a new belt that was being difficult- and still almost soiled myself.  If my wife had not been in attendance who knows, I might have just to be more period.  lol
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Sir James A

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #11 on: 2014-02-19, 17:11:52 »
As mentioned, sweat does wonders for not having to urinate. I eat little, or not at all, while in harness too.
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Sir Nate

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #12 on: 2014-02-20, 03:46:34 »
It's not easy to squeeze the lemon when everyone wants a picture with you.
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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #13 on: 2014-02-21, 05:34:28 »
Fight all day, even the sun, and you have to pee sooner or later. I cheat and wear joined hose with an (inaccurate) button down cod piece. Lift the mail skirt, drop the cod piece, and away you go. Taking care of other business is still a huge pain. :(
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SirNathanQ

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Re: Going to the Bathroom in Full Harness
« Reply #14 on: 2014-02-21, 06:53:58 »
#1, not an issue, maille or plate. I wear both.
#2, impossible to use a toilet like a civilized human. Skip the Chipotle and Taco Bell before the battle, guys.  :P
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