I am very new at this so please bare with me. I am trying to complete a 12th century knight kit (first- second crusade). I have the arms , 12th century sword, Crusader dagger, 12th century spear (all from Arms and Armor) and am now working on the armor and clothes. I am having trouble with the helm, pants, shoes. I was thinking of the Norman Spangen Helmet from medieval-fightclub.com? Is this correct for Western Europe 12th century? I've been doing some research, but specifics seem hard to come by. Thanks for any help!

Here is a source for the Spangenhelm:

http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/index.php?c...0103d98080

This one I have and like very much because of the rivets:
http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_inf...ucts_id=61

Kite shield: http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_inf...ucts_id=87

You might ask Allan to modify it with a flat top for later period Kite shield.

Heater shield, a little more 13th century than 12th but a cut off at the top Kite shield like I mention above would be somewhere in between in period between the rounded top Kite shield and the later and a bit smaller heater shield.
http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_inf...cts_id=112

A good source to look at for soft kit: http://www.revivalclothing.com/

!2th Century: http://www.revivalclothing.com/12th-13thcclothing.aspx

There are other vendor possibilities out there but these I know personally and have had good experience with: Hope this helps if finding stuff was the main question. If period suitability the Spangenhelm is the question the Spangenhelm certainly works for the 10th and 11th and I think still in use in the 12th and maybe the beginning of the 13th, but I'll let others chime in an confirm this in more detail.

Thanks for the info. I like the Conical Spangenhelm and am considering it. I do not want any helm with butted mail however. I'm actually thinking of making my own shield. I read a post that said that the merctailor may not be accepting any more orders? Maybe I'm mistaken. Thanks for the links for the soft kit as I have not explored this site. :)

Thank you very much for the great info and links! I'm glad Allen is staying in business. Thanks again!

Thanks Scott. I actualy have stopped by Arms and Armor and have met Craig. He is very helpful and very pleasant to do business with. Their quality (as far as I'm concerned) is second to none. I was just hoping for a more economical helm. The Mercenary Tailer helm actualy caught my eye even before I posted. Now that I know it is period for my needs (and Allen is going strong) I am seriously considering it. My finances just need to catch up to my taste!

Wouldn't a round-topped helmet be more accurate for the 12th century? Been a while since I looked at that, so I may be misremembering, but I thought the conical form was good for the 11th century but then a more globular shape became fashionable. Pretty sure a spangenhelm construction would be passe, as well. Don't take my word for it, though!

On the other hand (or leg!), no pants! Hosen and braies are what you want.

http://www.larp.com/midgard/braies.htm

http://www.larp.com/midgard/hosen.htm

Have fun!

Matthew

My research (limited that it is) also points to a round helm. I'm not looking to be accurate to a particular year, but early 12th century is what I'm going for. Thanks for all the great advice and links!



Off topic---how do you quote a reply or part of a reply in a new post?

I actually have Allan's Conical Helm http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_inf...ucts_id=62 as well as several other pieces by him. I would add that the pictures on the site don't do his work justice and that helm is very nice and I am extremely happy with it. I would also second what Jean said about Allan customer service, the one time I had an issue he went above and beyond to make it right.

I always heard that the later period nasal helms (and by 12th cent you are starting to get into the later period use of it) were made of single sheet construction.
The spangen style seemed to die out earlier.

Thats at least what Ive always heard,
Z

Check out this page.

-Gregory

Thank you to everyone who posted and gave me links/advise on my kit. I have some more questions. What type of pouch was used in the early 12th century? Would a drawstring pouch be used, kidney shaped, or something different? Is a ring belt accurate? Thanks