I have been slowly putting together a "kit" for a common foot-soldier who might have fought in the Wars of the Roses. I have a gambeson which I plan to put jack-chains on, an open-faced sallet, a buckler, and a rondel dagger. My main weapon is a glaive.

What other armor might a common soldier from that time and place have worn, in addition to what I already have? Would an Oakeshott Type XIV have been completely out of place, or might a common soldier have had (or been issued from the town armory) an older weapon like that? Would a mail standard/bishop's mantle have been used? What about gauntlets, and if so, what type? Or leg protection? What about shoes or boots (which one would have been more likely, and what kind of either one)? Might a breastplate have been worn over the gambeson, or unlikely for an ordinary soldier?

Type XIV's had been out of use for around 100 years, so It's possible, but unlikely. He might instead have a sword like the Del Tin DT5159 -- http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...ntry+Sword

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Yorkist Gunline at Northampton, by Matthew Ryan

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DT5159

Maybe you should look at Wulflund in the Czech Republic. Some of their stuff shows up at KOA

https://www.wulflund.com/weapons/swords/other-swords/ellerton-medieval-falchion.html/ -- price in Euros

Just thought I'd share this. May not be you're cup 'o tea , but it looks decent. But, then you'd need the arms, legs, mail skirt, gauntlets, etc...etc...etc. It's a vicious cycle... :lol: ...........McM

www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=LB25186...auge+Steel

You might consider some simple greaves and knee cops. A breastplate would be up to you. I would most def get a pair of clamshell gauntlets. I've seen them in period art depicted with jack chains. Sorry...no links. Been too long ago. :\ .....McM

I'm no expert by any means, but for a common foot soldier, I would say yes. Only the more elite would afford closed greaves and cuisses. :) BTW---I think you made a good choice in that Wulflund sword! Please write up a review!......McM

Please excuse me...I just woke up! :lol: I didn't fully realize that the sword was only a suggestion. :lol: A good suggestion though!.....McM

If you are looking for a scabbard, maybe you should go over to the All Swords Facebook page and ask there. You will get some responses.

A Type XIV might have been more than a century out of date but you should still be able to get away with something similarly-shaped if you pick a short XV or XVIII. The latter seem to have been particularly popular among infantrymen in the late 15th century.

My Wulflund sword arrived a few days ago (will post pics at another date).It had good and bad points.

The good:

Seems to be properly tempered (blade flexes nicely without being floppy)

Substantial tang button - peened construction

Looks good, in my opinion (though more of a "hanger" like the Del Tin than a falchion - which is fine by me)

Price wasn't too bad (though shipping sucked)


The bad:

No distal taper at all

Somewhat blade heavy (POB 4" in front of the guard)

VERY blunt (I have seen swords from India that were easier to sharpen than this one will be - the edge is 2mm thick or slightly over in places!)

No scabbard (a leather one was available for over $100 but I saw the photos and it was not worth the price - looked WAY too modern).

Grip leather is simply wrapped and glued with no stitching.

Well, this is what I ended up with. M' lady and I at the Holly, Michigan Renaissance Festival last September. Ended up using the Oakeshott XIV, since I really don't like the Wulflund and don't have a scabbard for it anyway. Used a visored sallet but I think I will go with the open faced one next year - the visor was in the way either up or down. For this year's festival, I am hoping to have gauntlets (I had a pair on order but the order got stolen en route and I didn't have time to order another pair...), and a "bishop's mantle"

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