Besagews -- myArmoury.com

Patrick Lawrence · Posted: Thu 16 Feb, 2012 4:52 pm Post subject: Besagews

Hi I am wondering about the use of Besagews in the late 14th century. What time frame were they used in? Also do we have any serviving examples where we can clearly see the shape and size ?

Jens Boerner · Posted: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 1:39 am Post subject:

Besegews are known at least from about 1330-1340 in the french and english speakingh regions; in germany they came intoi fashion much later. I'm not sure, but as far as I know there are no surviving examples dated to the 14th century. However, there are loads of effigies showing their shape, construction details and even attachment unlike in the 15th century, doh...)
You know http://effigiesandbrasses.com ?

Patrick Lawrence · Posted: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 1:48 am Post subject:

OK thanks I was thinking I had seen them in that period. But the quick glance through the images I have for that period did not show any until 1400.

Jens Boerner · Posted: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 2:20 am Post subject:

Then you have missed such. Especially for english effigies from about 1350, and several french ones, there are such.

Just to name two:
Lord Ralph Stafford - 1340 - England
Gilbert Bernard - 1340 - England

But in the later 14th century there are hardly any, and in general they are much less widly common then nowadays among reenactors...

Patrick Lawrence · Posted: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 2:23 am Post subject:

I just did a better survey from the rough 20 years or so at the end of the century I am interested in and your right they seem to be very uncommon. But there were a handful. Thanks for the feedback and help Happy