Ed's Mid 14th C. kit

[Sir Edward]

OK, so I'm getting really tempted now to also step into the mid to late 14th C in addition to the other kits I have. I really like some of the armor in this period, except for those god-awful houndskull bascinets. So I'd look to other helms of the period.

I'm open to all sorts of suggestions here. Mainly, I want to make sure I do a reasonable job of pointing or strapping or whatever. I noticed that a lot of the appropriate gear from Mercenary's Tailor gives you the choice between buckled straps, or holes for pointing. Pointing is probably more period correct, but I'm not opposed to having pieces that are strapped to each other for suspension either.

To get started, it looks like it might be fairly easy to get a set of arms and legs, use the merc's tailor spaulders I already have, and wear it over the mail. With a decent over-tunic, I can probably save getting a new breastplate or brigandine for later. I also already have a small open-faced bascinet with integrated ventail that might work well enough for now (from Museum Replicas).

So one question that comes up already is this-- how should I point the top of the arms? It would be over mail, with sleeves that end right around the elbow. I usually don't wear a full gambeson under this stuff because of all the 85+ degree weather. And I'm not going to wear mail over my arming cotte that I have for the plate armor, simply because it has those voiders on it.

[Sir Edward]

I do have a set of spaulders already, but this looks pretty interesting too:

14th-15th Century Arms with Integral Spaulders

But of course this would work with the spaulders I have:

14th/15th Century Arms

And a set of legs, though the rondels don't match the style of the above arms:

14th-15th Century Legs

[Allan Senefelder]

Ed, I can make you the arms with the rondels if you'd like. I've meant to for ages and just never get around to it ( i've actually made 6 pairs for folks and never remember to take pics ).

[Das Bill]

If you don't like the houdskull visor, I recommend going with some sort of klapvisor or round nose one. Here's one that I've always loved from Anshelm:


(bascinets) http://www.anshelmarms.com/bascinets.html

[Das Bill]

Ed, I can make you the arms with the rondels if you'd like. I've meant to for ages and just never get around to it ( i've actually made 6 pairs for folks and never remember to take pics ).

That would be super sweet. I love that look!

[Sir Wolf]

i am looking at this too. if you look at http://www.gothiceye.com/pictures.asp?categoryID=3&offset=18 and http://www.themcs.org/armour/14th%20century%20armour.htm you can really see the strapping around certain areas.

it all depends really on the date and area really as to what you are looking for. i mean 1320s and 30s can show 3/4 arms over mail while the vambracers are under the mail and then 1340s the arms are all 1 solid piece. and then the greaves are still gutter shaped with soup can knees till the 50s or even 70s in some effigies. so its a fun game of mix and match for sure:)

for the faire kit, i would wear the bassinet without the visor. what would rock is if your great helm fit over the bassinet like the black prince helm combo from Museum Reps did. (i think)

i too am struggling what to do. money is a major factor in the house with the lil one on the way.

[Das Bill]

Here's a klapvisor bascinet that isn't too pricey from Armour and Castings. I've always been skeptical of their work, but after seeing Tom Leoni's new armet from them, I'm much more inclined to get a helmet from them in the future.


http://armourandcastings.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=565

If you aren't looking for facial protection, you may also consider some form of kettle hat.

[Das Bill]

If you were thinking of using the helmet for class, you may want to consider the new WMA line of helmets that Windrose is making called "The Fiore". I don't know if you saw these at WMAW, but they're really good for an inexpensive price:


http://www.windrosearmoury.com/zc/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=561

They have two options for the face plate. One is perforated blackened steel (meant to be a more modern look), and the other is a somewhat anachronistic "tournament style" visor (which is the one I've linked to here... it captures the feel pretty well, even if not 100% historical). Its meant to be a helmet for Western Martial Arts usage. For something like the faire you could also always take the visor off, too.

[Sir Brian]

…
I also already have a small open-faced bascinet with integrated ventail that might work well enough for now (from Museum Replicas).

I remember you letting me try those on the last day of the 2009 MDRF, they are a sweet combination and the bascinet with the aventail would work well with your updated harness.

So one question that comes up already is this-- how should I point the top of the arms? It would be over mail, with sleeves that end right around the elbow. I usually don't wear a full gambeson under this stuff because of all the 85+ degree weather. And I'm not going to wear mail over my arming cotte that I have for the plate armor, simply because it has those voiders on it.

Well you could try what I’ve been using, the wrestling jacket from revival clothing.
http://www.revivalclothing.com/medievalwrestlingjacket.aspx
It isn’t too heavy but thick enough to give you adequate cushion against armor bites. You could always add your own points to it and lace it through the mail although I would consider that method more of a pain than a simple belt harness that I use now for my spaulders. 

btw, I LOVE the Klapvisor helms! I really hope Tim over at Red Falcon will be able to do that custom visor I asked him about at NCRF.

[Sir Edward]

Great suggestions here!! That helm from Anshelm does look pretty sweet. I think any of the klapvisors would work pretty well. I'm going to work the kit out as a nice visual kit (meaning, renfaire worthy) first, but I want to be able to fight with it in class as well, so I may get one of the anachronistic fencing helms as well later.

As much as I like the kettle helms, the downside of them is this... I want to be able to walk into a room and have people think "there's a knight!!!" I've learned it's all about the helm, and choosing the right one.

[Das Bill]

With a decent over-tunic, I can probably save getting a new breastplate or brigandine for later.

FYI, I would go for a coat of plates rather than a brigandine. While there are some brigs that start appearing in the end of the 14th century, most of the ones on the market are distinctively 15th (unless if they are coat of plates that are being misnamed as brigs).

[Das Bill]

so I may get one of the anachronistic fencing helms as well later.

And to be fair, they aren't *that* anachronistic when compared to most helmets that are sold on the market. Most have things that are just as incorrect.

Since you have the MRL one, I think you'll be fine for the moment.

[Sir Edward]

Ed, I can make you the arms with the rondels if you'd like. I've meant to for ages and just never get around to it ( i've actually made 6 pairs for folks and never remember to take pics ).

Man, that would be awesome. I'll be in contact soon probably.

This is going to sting, having ordered those riveted chausses, and now some more plate. But it's OK. When I switched jobs, I got paid for more than 6 weeks of unused leave.

[Sir Edward]

If you don't like the houdskull visor, I recommend going with some sort of klapvisor or round nose one. Here's one that I've always loved from Anshelm:


http://www.anshelmarms.com/bascinets.html

Man, I just had to look at that one. Ugh, by the time you add in the liner, strapping, drilling, etc, and get it in stainless, it'll add up to $800 just for the helm. $900 if you get engraved brass trim too (geometric pattern). But I really like that one... arg....

[Das Bill]

Yeah, I hear you. I recall finding that page about 7 years ago, before I had any armor. I was seriously considering going 14th century back then, and that was my dream helmet. I just couldn't afford it.

Nowadays I'm so much more of a snob, though. Still, you could get one that is a little less fancy to keep the cost down, and possibly do some of the work (like the liner) yourself.

Of course, for myself, my tastes have grown beyond my abilities, so I would rather pay someone to do it right instead of me attempting it, then never being quite happy with it.