[Ísleifur Helgason]

Greetings, You have probably heard this question before but here goes:

I just received some good quality 14'th century garments(pourpoint and chauses) but the laces are to modern for my taste. Are any of you willing to share your expertise on historically correct laces for garments in the 14'th century? How many varieties of material, weaving pattern etc.?

Regards.

[Mart Shearer]

1367 Inventory of Guy d’Ibelin, Bishop of Limassol, Cyprus
http://www.persee.fr/doc/bch_0007-4217_1950_num_74_1_2496
item 5 douzenes d'aguilletes pour armer, de cuir blanc, vendues B. 1 d. 12 ;
(Item, 5 dozen points for arming, of white leather, valued 1 besant, 12 deniers;)

Comptes de l'argenterie des rois de France au XIVe siècle. p.143
https://archive.org/details/comptesdelargen00dougoog
Ledit Prince, pour 2 livres de soye de plusieurs couleurs, à faire aguillètes, las et tissus ans diz hernois, 14 escus
(For the same Prince, for 2 pounds of silk of many colors, to make aglets (aiguillettes, points), and the straps for said harness 14 crowns)

The silk ribbon and deerskin mentioned in these 1343-4 accounts for doublets might have been for laces.
http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewto...p;t=181664

This late 16th century doublet uses silk ribbon which as been gathered into the aglets, and this might be a long-standing method.
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/83202?img=7

[T. Kew]

While I haven't looked into the historical accuracy specifically, you can learn to weave square cord on a lucet in a few minutes that will serve very well for this job. Add brass tips afterwards for ease of use.

Linen, wool or silk could all make decent cord for the job (waxed linen is particularly good for armour).

[Mark Griffin]

I'm yet to be convinced by lucet, never seen any evidence. Whereas there is tons for good buckskin and similar leather, linen narrow woven tape/ribbon or fingerbraided points, of which examples remain.

On a practical note, lucet is simple one thread, once it breaks that's your lot. Fingerbraided points have multiple strands and so many elements can fail before the point gives up its ghost.

[Ísleifur Helgason]

Thank you for your replies lads, but i could use some photos of historically accurate leather laces.