Hello all,

I am considering beginning a historically accurate 15th century kit. I certainly cannot buy everything I'd like at once, but I can start to plan and save money. I'm 19 years old currently, and will be dealing with college bills for some time unfortunately. I'd like to arrange something with the flavor of a well equipped English Man at Arms in the latter quarter of the hundred years war. I'm posting here to gather some suggestions and check some of my plans and hopes for authenticity (I am generally well versed in when certain types of armor were in use, but not near as much so as some of the forumites here). I currently have some cheap arming clothes, and I learned the hard way from attempting to put together a lesser quality harness before that in order for the rig to truly fit comfortably and do its job, the arming clothes must fit perfectly, as they provide the base upon which the harness depends. Anyone know where to get some quality arming clothes at a fair price?

I currently plan on eventually purchasing an Armet with a typical sparrow beak visor and perhaps a wrapper (Example attatched) . My foremost question is whether or not the wearing of a short surcoat displaying a heraldic device is an acceptable addition to a kit of this era. Also, any recommendations on applicable accompanying plate armor or equipment would be most appreciated. Thanks guys.

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Hi, when looking for a kit matching the appearance of a later English Man in the hundred years war, this site is a must, providing you with almost everything you need: http://www.gothiceye.com/pictures.asp?categoryID=3&offset=45
Just browse to the 1400+ pages.
For the arming garments you will have to go custom. You can be lucky to find some working off the shelf, but I won´t bet on it. But you can get something real close to what you are looking for and have it fitted at your trusted local tailor.
Those people do some reasonably priced stuff: http://www.medieval-market.biz/

I think you need to look at your dates :) Armets come in more in 1450s rather than 1400. fashion during the end of the hundred years wars still have men in basenits. also, which area are you wanting to portraight? this too has a lot to do with fashion and design of the armour.

There are two armets from Rhodes that Thom Richardson and Walter Karcheski date to the 1430's in " Armour from Medieval Rhodes ".

hmmmmm rereading his post. i thought he wanted something more turn of the century then middle. my bad.

Felix R: Thanks for the links to those sites, I'm sure they'll prove very useful. I've already skimmed the Knight section of Gothic eye and have seen some rather giant couters.

I apologize if I wasn't clear on what epoch I was going for, I was under the impression that there may possibly have been a few armets in use during the last "quarter" of the war. If I have to name a date, the early 1450's would probably be it I suppose. I know that surcoats decline heavily in popularity the later you get, but is it an impossibility that one may have been worn over the breastplate in the 1450's in combination with an armet?

You might want to check with the period artwork, but it does seem somewhat unlikely, to be honest.

I gathered so much. I know that some effigies were portrayed without their surcoats, when surcoats were still in use, so I wasn't sure.

Surcoats might be too early for your kit, but a late jupon or a tabard might fit the bill.

Perhaps I'd be better off building a 14th century kit around a helm similar to that of Sir William de Staunton. Speaking of which, does anyone know if MRL still makes their reproduction of that helm? And has anyone handled it before?

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armature dated 1450. If you are interested I have many other views.

Maurizio

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If you are open to different periods and want something a bit cheaper than mid 100 years war will probably be best. A good combination of plate, maille and fabric that would allow you to build a decent portrayal with less money than a 1450s portrayal.

http://www.man.poznan.pl/~ritter/Wieruszyce2006/index.html

There is a good site with lovely late 14th century armour. I'm planning a kit that looks a bit like this:

[ Linked Image ]

as an alternative to my war of the roses portrayal.