byzantine armor in XVe century? -- myArmoury.com

Laloë Franck · Posted: Tue 29 May, 2007 7:34 am Post subject: byzantine armor in XVe century?

Hello
I do not find any document showing the armour of a Byzantine soldier in mid-XVe century. The icons are very stylized and very "traditional".
They seem to me not very reliable.
Know with what resembled these armours,please?
Thanks

Hisham Gaballa · Posted: Sat 02 Jun, 2007 9:46 am Post subject:

This is just a quick response, so I can't quote any references, but AFAIK 15th century Byzantine arms and armour was mainly imported from Genoa and Venice or captured from the Ottomans. So they would have been wearing a mixture of Italian and Turkish equipment. It's also worth pointing out that by the 15th century the Byzantine Empire was totally bankrupt, so only the wealthiest could afford high quality Italian armour and weapons.

Laloë Franck · Posted: Wed 06 Jun, 2007 12:31 am Post subject:

Thank you very much, Hisham.
It is also what I think.
But I would have liked to have a formal proof. Archaeological discovery, paintings, etc… Worried