Historical Robin Hood kit

[Sir Ulrich]

I have made it a goal to make a kit thats similar to what the historical Robin Hood or one of his merry men would of worn. From what I read he was from the mid 13th century most likely so that makes it much easier for me honestly as I already have shoes, braies undershirt and weapons from the 13th century. I have been trying to piece together what I need so far and I am pretty sure I am gonna need either green or brown colored clothing to fit the "forest colors" so to say, especially a green tunic, which I would prefer either the Anglo Saxon design or a 13th century design preferably in linen as I plan for this to be a summer kit. Bows I am working on so far, I may go with a longbow and some period arrows, this way I could take up archery as a hobby as well, though I know more about swordplay than I do Archery. My biggest issue currently is finding a green 13th century hood similar to the one I have currently. All I have is a copper colored one at the moment and I'm not sure how that would fit with the green, may have to commission or make it myself. I already have a suitable sword for england, the reeve though the colors wouldn't work well for it being red and black, though I would assume people back then wouldn't of cared as long as it functioned well, especially for an outlaw like Robin Hood who probably would of looted most of his gear rather than payed for it, then again I always have the option of using one of my Type XIVs though those are period for the late 13th not the mid 13th. I already know I would need a bracer which can easily be gotten at KOA though I'd have to buy 2 due to them being sold in pairs. Belts wise I am all set I got commoners belts and I have a new pouch that will be coming soon. I am not sure if someone like robin hood would carry a big shield around, I do have a question about bucklers, I would imagine him to have a small buckler though I am not sure how they looked in the 13th century if the all metal examples even existed then.

[Sir William]

I think it probably depends on which Robin Hood legend you want to go with; some say he went on Crusade w/King Richard which would place you at or near the end of the 12th Century, not fifty years later in the middle of the 13th.  Robin Hood was a Norman nobleman in some circles, a Saxon outlaw (I think) in at least one story I read.  Or maybe that was Ivanhoe.  lol

In any event, it sounds like you're well on your way- I look forward to pics!

[Thorsteinn]

Do the Robin Hood that was a Saxon noble like in this version.

[Sir William]

There it is; knew one of the ones had him as a Saxon.  Some would say that the Bergin rendition is the best of the modern era RH movies but I'd disagree.

[Sir Ulrich]

I may do the Saxon thing then and just use my Reeve, I just need a green tunic some green or brown chausses and a hood for the "start" of the kit, bow can come later as I am still doing research on what kind of bow I want to get. I already have a bunch of people hooking me up with boyers who make bows and stuff I'm trying to choose wisely as I plan to use this bow for archery which I may take up given I can find a nearby range. I could always give my kit armor but I sorta want to do the traditional depiction of the green and hooded version.

[Sir Douglas]

I think you have a cool idea going there. Though I have no idea where you'd find appropriate-colored clothing. Does Historic Enterprises or Revival offer stuff in those colors?

[Sir Ulrich]

I saw they had green chausses and tunics on HE, I may just use my copper hood for the kit as I saw pics on google of Robin hood and the green combined with the copper didnt look too bad, so maybe I just need a tunic and chausses, making it easier than I thought to get what I want. Now to figure out what color green to pic if anyone knows how they look please let me know because some are too dark and others too light.

[Sir Wolf]

i think you need to start with your reddish color fox costume part first, then get the gear that would fit over it

[Sir William]

Fox costume, Sir Wolf?

[Mike W.]

[Sir Ulrich]

I got red enough hair that I dont need a fox costume to look like a fox. Though right now I am stuck on what kind of tunic to buy which I wanted to get an anglo saxon type like this http://historicenterprises.com/mens-c-99/tunics-c-99_114/tunic-anglosaxon-linen-c-9001100-p-873.html or this one http://historicenterprises.com/mens-c-99/tunics-c-99_114/tunic-button-neck-linen-p-1499.html
I am getting it in linen either way to be lighter for the summer as I already have a wool one in orange and black which looks brown. I just need to know what pale green and light green look like from that shop.

[Sir Brian]

i think you need to start with your reddish color fox costume part first, then get the gear that would fit over it

good!

BETTER!

[Sir William]

Oh boy.  lol

[Sir James A]

As was mentioned on Book of Faces, if you can find natural / undyed, get that, and dye it to preference

[Ian]

And no cheating, get wool