Hello all! I have a few questions for you. Aesthetically, I have come to appreciate tunics, robes, kilts, and all such garments. When I train with my swords, I like to get into the right mindset and clothing I wear affects that as well. I happen to own a wool viking tunic and a green cotton tunic but the green tunic is a little too small and the viking tunic is much too warm. Getting to the point, I would love to just wear a kilt and a shirt but cannot afford a tunic at the moment. I do, however, have some smaller bits of fabric so I was wondering if some sort of war or battle skirt would be feasible and historical. I had been considering wearing some form of cloth skirt over my armor once I had bought or made some, so I did a quick google search about armor skirts and found very little. I did, however, find these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bases_(fashion)

and

http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/22285

These both say that there were cloth and plate skirts known as bases. First real question: Is this word pronounced in the usual English way, or in some other way? Next, do any of you have any more detailed information on these particular items, perhaps even some photos of historical pieces in steel and in cloth?

Thank you!

Try googling "King Henry Tonlet".

Victor, You just gave me an awesome idea for a 'armored kilt'....or maybe a 'kilt-of-plates'. Would need some suspenders, though, to avoid an embarrassing moment. :lol: I usually practice my moves in a kilt, just for the freedom of movement it allows. One can never have too much leg and groin protection. :D ..........McM

If someone builds one before I do, and you get rich selling them.....you owe me royalties! :lol: :lol: .........McM

I'd be interested to know if there is any evidence of leg armor being worn under a kilt. ....?.......McM

It is actually called a "tonlet"...you can find multiple pics here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=tonlet+armor+pics&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=-mEwU-X8C4ec2AW9qIHoBw&ved=0CCYQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=625

and here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=tonlet+armour+pics&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=amIwU-ujEKeA2gXQigE&ved=0CCQQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=625


OOOps...just noticed Matthew P. Adams beat me to it.

I'm down with that, Victor! I think it would look cool as hell to wear plate and a kilt to the Ren-Fests. History-correct......no. But, if it looks cool and your woman thinks it's hot....... ;) :lol: ...........McM

fabric skirts worn in the late 15th/early 16th cent are known as' bases'.

The highland kilt has no connection, nor was it ever worn with armour. Not that that will stop people :-)

depends what you want to know.... they mimic the steel ones of course. Or is it the other way round?

Met Museum : http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/aa/web-...156800.jpg

some cloth ones (could be part of or seperate to the upper body cloth covering) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons...ndarme.jpg

couple of views of the one in the Tower

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/2a/e2/...43cad7.jpg

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41676/41676-h/images/img31.jpg

http://www.royalarmouries.org/assets-uploaded...K-ii.5.jpg

The ones i wear for early 16th cent jousting are open at front and rear and attached to a waistband. Its sometimes easier to put on after mounting but either is possible.

Griff

and you can see clearly where there are holes for a band to be attached so they can have a lining added too, pretty important.

Liking this pic:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Gendarmes.jpg

I'd hazzard a guess that some of the horses have painted leather armour.

Hi I am afraid I cant really claim to no much, if indeed anything on this particular topic although I did find this rather interesting Picture. I hope it helps.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/canecrabe/528440...21996@N00/

base coats are part of civilian fashion at the time. The more cloth and pleats the more you are showing off what wealth you have.

more info available from here:

http://www.tudortailor.com/