[John H]

Hi,

I am looking into commissioning a 16th century harness (peascod cuirass, burgonet, etc.). My question is what I should get to wear under it?

Something like the Revival linen gambeson (which I believe is a 14th century style?) /pourpoint/arming cap, or is something else more appropriate?

Thanks!

[Daniel Staberg]

Is it a foot or horse harness?

Most Horse seem to have worn some sort of arming doublet underneath their armour, preferably with additional mail defences attached.

Foot mostly wore their harnesses on top of their ordinary garments.

I'll see if can provide more detials and some pictures in a day or two.

Regards
Daniel

[John H]

Hmm, I suppose knightly foot harness.

[David Evans]

If it's Gentry class then there is an arming Doublet from 1560 detailed in Janet Arnold's book "Patterns of Fashion: The Cut and Construction of Clothes for Men and Women C1560-1620" to give it's full title.

I suspect that, sometime in the late 16th Century, arming doublets vanished, repleaced by lining the armour with leather and wearing the armour over normal clothes, which are quite well paded and lined/interlined!

I'd also suggest that, if your wallet can take the hit, you go for a garniture or set, designed to allow armoiur to used for various different roles, from Captain of Infantry to Lancer to tourny with the addition and removel of parts.