I've been debating a question for some time now and have done some research on it, but there is only so much one can do without insight from others. Not to mention, I'm sure I missed something along the way. :D

To give a brief overview, this past year I finally took the plunge and commissioned a 15th century Milanese style suit of armor from the folks over at Illusion Armoring. Now as I got closer to having it and the more I looked at the pictures on the site a question arose. Would incorporating maille into it in certain places be correct?

The places that come immediately to mind would be around waist (a skirt) and also near the upper arm and armpit area. There are tassets on the front that cover most of the body, but the rear faulds probably only come about halfway down your rear. The suit uses spaulders as opposed to pauldrons so there is a gap between the breastplate and the spaulder.

I know that during the 14th century we began to see that transitional trend for armor as more and more plate pieces were incorporated into the design. By the 15th century plate seems to be the dominant emphasis. I can't honestly foresee wearing a hauberk under the armor since 1) I didn't provide measurements to do so 2) it seems like a lot of unnecessary weight where you already have protection.

I had taken a look at Historic Enterprises site and noticed they offered a set of "voiders" which look to be specifically designed to cover the arms in the way I mention. However, were these voiders more 14th century oriented then 15th?

Beyond that the only other alternative I can think of would be looking into getting a pair of besegews.

Here is a link to the site http://www.illusionarmoring.com/

The suit is under the "Period Suits" section, 15th Century Italian.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions are as always appreciated!


~Dominic

Dominic,
It seems to have been fairly common to use mail "voiders" (patches of mail) after the 15th century. These attached to the arming doublet and covered areas like the armpits, inside of the elbows and more sensitive places...

I don't think they'd be out of place at all in the 15th century.

you are correct. mail was used in the un armoured areas. a standard at the neck, a skirt or shorts around the waist covering upper thighs, voiders covering the inner arm and sometimes the shoulders. the famous white harness even has mail over the feet (but not sure its original to the suit like that wrong barbuta hehehe)

Historic enterprises sells the mail parts that you are asking about, check there site for references on modern reconstructions.