[Luis Armando]

Hi knights, first of all i want to apologize if my english is bad.

I'm a new here i am of Mexico, I participate in forums hispanic of armer as the brotherhood of anvil, the cross scarlet etc...

I have seen that you questions much in the issues and i like that, i would like to help with this problem, my century to recreate is the XII. I like say what they know of arms and armor of this century. since before Thank you very much.

[Paul Mullins]

Welcome to the forum!

[Craig Peters]

It depends a little what portion of the 12th century you're looking at, and where you're talking about. But, generally speaking, knights in the 12th century would have most likely carried a Type X, Xa, XI, XIa,, XII or perhaps XIII sword- see Oakshott's Typology: http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_oakeshott2.html if you're not familiar with these designations. From 12th century artwork, it appears that a disc shape pommel like an Oakshott Type G or H was fairly common, although on the continent, particular in areas which were part of the Holy Roman Empire or traded with the Empire, Brazil nut pommels were still quite common.

The knight would also have, most likely, a kite shield. For most of the 12th century, we see two forms used- the older type, similar to those seen in the Bayeux Tapestry of the Norman Conquest of England, and a type whereby the rounded top of the type shield was cut flat; these are sometimes called "flat-top kite shields". Some of this type of kite shield seem to exhibit rather dramatic curvatures, appearing to almost "wrap around" the body of the knight using it. Near the very end of the century, circa 1190, there is some evidence of shorter shields starting to be employed, like this one seen from the manufacturer The Mercenary's Tailor: http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_inf...ts_id=112.

Daggers do not appear to have been a common part of a knight's equipment from this time, although we know that they existed as weapons.

Of course, the knight would also carry a lance, of varying lengths, to use when fighting on horseback. Lances in the 12th century were essentially spears held tucked under the arms. Perhaps someone who knows more about 12th century lances could provide more information for you.

Mail armour was the protection of the day for knights in the 12th century. Most would have worn, at the very least, a long hauberk that protected down to around their upper legs. Sometimes, the hauberk had a split in the middle of the waist area, allowing the knight to more easily sit on horesback, although this is not always present, judging from period art. Whereas in the 11th century, it appears that only the very wealthiest of warriors could afford mail chausses (leggings), as the 12th century progressed, they became increasingly more common. Mail gauntlets seem to have appeared some time around the close of the 12th century.

For helmets, virtually all knights wore some variation of the nasal helmet: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons...ntury.jpg. However, around the close of the 12th century, it is probable that some knights started to wear proto-great helms, an example being from this carving from 1207 CE: http://www.myArmoury.com/view.html?features/pic_spot_ghelm05.jpg.
There is also evidence that in Spain, specifically, another form of early great helm was worn; see this thread here: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ighlight=.

While other weapons such as the axe and the mace were known, particularly in regions like Spain, or else in parts of eastern and northern Europe, they do not appear to be common weapons for knights during the 12th century.

I hope this helps!

[Luis Armando]

Thank you brother, you've helped me much. Look that is what i have
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DneH2mxQFVk
Once more i thank him time and their own clear explanation, clear my armature even not completely, i lack the sobreveste and more things, the sword that sampling at the video even not finished, but know already, since this polished and well-armed

[Craig Peters]

Luis,

I would try to find a different sword, because the one you have isn't really appropriate for the 12th century. If you are interested in the later part of the century, say from 1170 onwards, you could pick up a very high quality sword, for a relatively low price, from Albion Armorers is the 13th Century Knightly sword. http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/sq...ghtly.htm. While it's called a 13th century sword, the pommel and guard are appropriate for the 12th century, and this particular blade type, an Oakshott Type XII, started to become more common in the later 12th C.

Another sword which is not nearly as good, but significantly cheaper, is the Hanwei-Tinker Norman sword. It too would be appropriate for the 12th century, particularly earlier on in the century. You can buy it sharp or blunt- the one I have linked here: http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...+%2D+Blunt is the blunt version.