I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but I am looking for any historical evidence of how late 14th century plate legs were pointed and/or supported. I've seen speculations of arming points on the gambeson, vest-like pourpoints, and on chausses. Has anyone found any first generation illustrations, paintings, effigies, or extant armour that show's what's really going on?

This seems to be one of the most debated topics on armour.

Thankya,
T

Hi Tim,

Unfortunately, we have no real evidence right now - only the guesswork, alas.

That's why there's so much debate.

Cheers,

Christian

If you scroll down http://www.tforum.info/forum/index.php?showtopic=29477 there's an inside pic of the Charles de Blois pourpoint. You can see seven laces at the bottom, but on the images below it looks like only two laces are being used to hold up the hose at the sides. I would think the front and back laces would be for the leg armour.

It's a frustrating problem...

TOMAR has what I think is a second generation sketch of some period artwork that shows something that looks like two arming points for each leg on the outside of a pourpoint or gambeson, but I don't remember what he lists as a source.