Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search


myArmoury.com is now completely member-supported. Please contribute to our efforts with a donation. Your donations will go towards updating our site, modernizing it, and keeping it viable long-term.
Last 10 Donors: Daniel Sullivan, Anonymous, Chad Arnow, Jonathan Dean, M. Oroszlany, Sam Arwas, Barry C. Hutchins, Dan Kary, Oskar Gessler, Dave Tonge (View All Donors)

Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Weapons Knight of the 12th century? Reply to topic
This is a standard topic  
Author Message
Luis Armando




Location: Mexico
Joined: 09 May 2010
Likes: 1 page

Posts: 37

PostPosted: Mon 18 Oct, 2010 5:45 pm    Post subject: Weapons Knight of the 12th century?         Reply with quote

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.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Paul Mullins





Joined: 22 May 2006

Posts: 120

PostPosted: Mon 18 Oct, 2010 6:32 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum!
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger
Craig Peters




PostPosted: Tue 19 Oct, 2010 12:05 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

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!
View user's profile Send private message
Luis Armando




Location: Mexico
Joined: 09 May 2010
Likes: 1 page

Posts: 37

PostPosted: Tue 19 Oct, 2010 2:17 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Craig Peters




PostPosted: Wed 20 Oct, 2010 4:31 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

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.
View user's profile Send private message


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Weapons Knight of the 12th century?
Page 1 of 1 Reply to topic
All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum