Late 12th / Early 13th Century Kit

[Silvanus]

Thank you, Sir Wolf,

I can't sew, but perhaps it's time to learn! At least I will sew up the sides of my surcoat a bit; I will bribe someone to take in the shoulders some. And that's a good idea about tailoring the chausis; I will work on that.

In place of the gauntlet plates, after they are removed, Sir Edward also had the idea of attaching some mail from the forearm to the sleeves of the hauberk as well. I have plenty of extra mail for that. (Glad I did not purchase some vambraces!)

I live in Northern Virginia and attend MDRF as often as I can. Hopefully every other weekend. Hope to see you there.

Thanks again.

[Silvanus]

you may also want to make a wrap belt for your kit. I made mine and its super easy.  it ties instead of buckles at the wasit and ties around the scabbard. it really keeps teh scabard in place and would be more correct for your persona

That sounds like a super idea! It would save me from having to buy that $75 belt.

Is there any way you could include a photo of the finished belt? Or a quick list of ingredients?

[Sir Wolf]

all it is is 2 pieces of leather from 1 to 2 inches wide. here is the diagram showing how it laces to the scabbard. you don't necessarily have to interweave the belt threw the leather on the scabbard. just wrap it tight around etc.  easy to mkae and doesn't move off the hip

[Sir Brian]

can you sew? I would cut back the arm/shoulder area a little of the surcoat and the sew it down teh sides a tad.  This would keep the soulders from lookin glike wings

As an alternate to sewing the sides you can also add eyelets and lace the sides up. Still very period and offers a
bit more room. Sewing it closed looks like it may make the surcoat too snug IMHO. Four or five eyelets an 1.5" to
2" apart on each side should do.

What you might want to consider for sewing is adding a slit front and back on the surcoat to allow you to sit
in a saddle! 

[Sir Wolf]

i like that helmet but would almost avoid that one. there is no nose room. as Sir Edward can tell you he saw a lord that had his nose pushed firmly up against the visor. i would go with this one: http://www.casiberia.com/product_details.asp?id=AB2968  or http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~AB0359~name~Crusader+Flat+Top+Helm.htm

[Sir Matthew]

I saw a gentle wearing a transitional helm Sat. at PaRF, I think it may have come from that first link posted here because he suffered from squished nose syndrome when wearing it.  I will say, however, that that style is very nice looking and you don't see many people wearing them.  It seems most people shooting for that period stick with just a mail coif.

[Sir Edward]

Oh, I decided to order one of those sword belts you've been looking at. I'm hoping it'll be here in time for Saturday.

It turns out that the double-wrap belt I bought last year has a design flaw. I never got around to using it, but looked at it for opening weekend and discovered that the way the belt comes together onto the frog, it wants to hold the sword perfectly vertical! Gah! So I'm trying this one you're thinking of getting, in the hopes that it works better.

The simple frog I used a few weeks ago wasn't working well. The scabbard kept whacking my legs.

[Sir Edward]

Oh yeah, those transitional helmets are pretty cool. I think it was Sal at MDRF who it looked really tight on. I'm not sure which one he bought. But here's the photo:

[Sir Wolf]

any more word on this project? any pictures?