14thC shield/ecranche for jousting. -- myArmoury.com

Rod Walker

I have been working on a 14thC harness for a series of 14thC jousts that are happening this year. I needed to make a new ecranche and wanted to do something a little different and larger than the usual ecranches that people use. I was looking at an Italian manuscript from C1370 and liked the large shields that were depicted. Some of them were curved but some also looked as if they were flatter and angled. I have made plenty of curved ecranches so thought I would have a go at the more angled type. Mine is based on the ones shown but I did change a couple of things to suit me. I also used modern screws, glue and fibreglass in the construction.

I started with 18mm plywood that was cut with the angles needed to join it together. I used wood glue and 3"wood screws to hold the sections together as I made up the blank.

This was then cut to shape and the joins on the rear were fibreglassed.

Final shaping and the front is covered in 5 layers of cloth and glue and the rear in 1 layer. This bumped the thickness up to 24.5mm. The hardware is attached for the guige and enarmes.

Making sure it works with the armour and saddle before trying it out on horse.

The rear cover and guige and enarmes are attached.

Painted and in use.

It sits perfectly and is very comfortable to use even though it is so large. Total weight is 5.7kgs..

Mart Shearer · Posted: Sat 31 Jan, 2015 5:21 pm Post subject:

Looks exceptional. I like the fabric choice for the back.

Is the fiberglass necessary with 5 layers of cloth on front and one on the back, or were you being extra safe given the nature of the sport?

Rod Walker · Posted: Sat 31 Jan, 2015 5:29 pm Post subject:

Mainly being extra safe. I didn't want it to break after doing all that work to it.

Peter Lyon · Industry Professional

A couple of things I noticed. The angled top means no need for a bevor or other extra throat protection (always a problem with a great helm), and the angled base, besides deflecting a low strike up to the main shield, also doesn't interfere with the reins like straight large shields tend to.

Rod Walker · Posted: Tue 03 Feb, 2015 2:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Peter, the flares top and bottom was something I really wanted to try,,,,, and they work, who'da thunk it Razz

For some a large piece of timber it really is easy and comfortable to use.

Randall Moffett · Posted: Tue 03 Feb, 2015 7:22 pm Post subject:

Rod,

That looks great. It is neat to see these less reproduced items like this. You did an amazing job. Make sure to let us know after use what your thoughts are on it over time. Always curious about application. How is the top and bottom flaring so dramatically different from say one of the more curved, scoop type jousting shields? Are they about the same?

Great kit as always Rod! I actually saw Full metal Jousting come up the other day and watched the episode and wondered what you were up to and here it is, appears you are keeping quite busy.

RPM