Once again, I can thoroughly recommend Uncle Roger's Mittens (see Lancaster's Armourie's Webpage).
Not the cheapest on the market but I dare say the very safest and sturdiest. He makes them to measure and they will last you a lifetime. It's worth saving up for them.
Search found 75 matches
- Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:40 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Plate Gauntlets
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1773
- Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:19 am
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Advice on buying a helmet
- Replies: 80
- Views: 17845
Re: Advice on buying a helmet
Aye, my missus would have to say something about that. My pretty face is the second best part of me. 

- Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:39 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Advice on buying a helmet
- Replies: 80
- Views: 17845
Re: Advice on buying a helmet
Hmm...I'm not actually sure how prominent shields were in Sweden, 1361. Gotta read up on that. Anyhow, we probably have to agree to disagree as I can't really disprove that you would stab me in the face if I went for your legs. 

- Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:56 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Advice on buying a helmet
- Replies: 80
- Views: 17845
Re: Advice on buying a helmet
Good point. But fighting in a duel and fighting for sport are two different things. I'd like to think that there is some form of ideal method that applies to both but that's just my religious belief and not necessarily founded in evidence. As for your other point - I believe people did have their le...
- Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:24 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Advice on buying a helmet
- Replies: 80
- Views: 17845
Re: Advice on buying a helmet
Interesting observation! Could that be an issue in WMA where more often than not you deflect a strike with the flat of your own sword? We do? Where did you hear that one? I recall discussion of such deflection, but nothing I've ever done says deflect a strike with the flat of your blade, because od...
- Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:48 am
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Advice on buying a helmet
- Replies: 80
- Views: 17845
Re: Advice on buying a helmet
At the base! wow... ive seen a hand n half break at the middle, but the base would of been the last place id of thought of. Breaking at the base is quite common in swords used as group resources by beginners in training. If it happens to your own sword it means you haven't got out of a bad habit by...
- Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:42 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Advice on buying a helmet
- Replies: 80
- Views: 17845
Re: Advice on buying a helmet
ASH?
I love his tinned brigs! Personally I'd be prepared to take one to bed when i can afford one.
I love his tinned brigs! Personally I'd be prepared to take one to bed when i can afford one.

- Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:47 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Fur yes or no???
- Replies: 67
- Views: 14270
Re: Fur yes or no???
I just had another look again myself. There definitely is more than one style I'd say. And it would make sense, too....fashion is a fickle mistress, after all. 

- Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:05 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Fur yes or no???
- Replies: 67
- Views: 14270
Re: Fur yes or no???
I think a gardecorps does not have proper sleeves, kind of like a heraldic tabard. In Germany and the Netherlands it's called 'Wetterfleck' - a 'weather patch' or throw that you put on when it's cold and rainy. Kind of like a poncho with a hood, tacked together at the sides. Very practical kind of ...
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:00 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Fur yes or no???
- Replies: 67
- Views: 14270
Re: Fur yes or no???
[ Narvek - that's a nice garnache - I'd call it a herigaut (although I have a theory that the terms were used interchangably, or varied with location). or Gardecorps as well.. oh, I am now loking into a price of fox fur. To line and edge my dreammed of cloak I need 60 red fox and 15 arctic ones :de...
- Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:22 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Fur yes or no???
- Replies: 67
- Views: 14270
Re: Fur yes or no???
Well, of course!
After saying all that I still have a hooded cloak which I made for myself and I wear it whenever I can find an excuse for it.
They're just got style!


- Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:01 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Fur yes or no???
- Replies: 67
- Views: 14270
Re: Fur yes or no???
[...]and I have to ask .... why do (apart from the obvious) traders selling authentic clothing styles sell hooded cloaks ... [...] I think I should own up to it: because that is what sells. When you say 'cloak' most people think of something from the Lord of the Rings-film. Mind, in 'The Hobbit' th...
- Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:48 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Fur yes or no???
- Replies: 67
- Views: 14270
Re: Fur yes or no???
Just my two pence worth: I vaguely remember seeing a few medieval illustrations of men wearing separate hoods that ended in a really wide dagged shoulder cape, giving the impression of a hooded cloak. Date and source I have got none but I found this far more believable than a hooded full-circle cloa...
- Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:53 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: leather armour for poorer Vikes/Saxons
- Replies: 19
- Views: 8788
Re: leather armour for poorer Vikes/Saxons
I'm not saying that it didn't happen. There's plenty of references in the sagas of men killed by arrows and in ship to ship combat they were readily used (I believe). Still, don't underestimate the use of a shield. Even if you can hammer an arrow 6" into a centre boss shield, I'm still fine unless I...
- Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:50 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: leather armour for poorer Vikes/Saxons
- Replies: 19
- Views: 8788
Re: leather armour for poorer Vikes/Saxons
I'd say that if you really give it some welly most maille can be defeated by a thrust with something pointy. Apparently it's very easy to do with the main weapon of the period - the spear. But that only proves that maille is also not the main armour of the period. For that you use your body shield, ...
- Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:08 am
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: How to tell who is a Knight.
- Replies: 333
- Views: 50785
Re: How to tell who is a Knight.
I have done so, though I must admit that I have a fairly easy bow (30lbs) which does not compare at all to a warbow. The string does not catch anywhere and the armour shouldn't impede your ability to draw. Though saying that, I'm very particular about how my arm harness is attached and it makes a hu...
- Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:02 am
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: best relaible helms for the price
- Replies: 54
- Views: 10816
Re: best relaible helms for the price
Again, it depends what you want it for. Occasionally my group indulges in a fine tradition: mummer's plays, with such illustrious characters as St. George, The Dragon and a magical doctor who revives everyone at the end, complete with cheesy dialogue ("He is dead? Oh dear, that could be fatal!") :D ...
- Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:35 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: leather armour for poorer Vikes/Saxons
- Replies: 19
- Views: 8788
By the way - the most important part of defensive kit would be your body shield. For most vike fighters, that IS your armour. So even good maille would only really protect you safely from glancing blows. Some may have withstood a thrust and with enough padding even a heavy blow but your maille, scal...
- Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:08 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: leather armour for poorer Vikes/Saxons
- Replies: 19
- Views: 8788
On a rather similar note, I've found a lovely way to make some suitable padding: Make 2 wool tunics and make them a size too big. Then use one as lining for the other. Wash the whole thing in warm, soapy water, stirring and agitating it slightly so it shrinks A LITTLE (don't overdo it here or you'll...
- Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:59 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Crossbows - some questions
- Replies: 44
- Views: 10911
Just out of interest: where could one lay hands on a crossbow with a much lower draw weight, say 30 to 45 lbs or so for shooting blunts at people with? I know there used to be a guy who made them out of fiberglass, all wrapped in leather for a more eye-pleasing look. Been looking for something like ...
- Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:26 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Mid - late C15 archer, kit improvements.
- Replies: 27
- Views: 10827
You CAN use a bow with gauntlets. Even with mittens, depending on style. But fingered gauntlets are definitely easier to shoot with. I find the main problem is not the drawing but the arrows snagging on the gauntlet holding the bow. My shots are all over the place...! Try Lancaster's Armourie's fing...
- Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:55 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Crossbows - some questions
- Replies: 44
- Views: 10911
- Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:28 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Making a Brigandine
- Replies: 22
- Views: 5247
- Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:22 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Making a Brigandine
- Replies: 22
- Views: 5247
And while we're talking tools: http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/255mm-Expert-Quality-Hand-Nibbler-35748-Draper-3 Does anyone know if this is any good for cutting 16ga mild steel? I have bought that huge shear off you, Dave, which is still running brilliantly. It cuts endless straight lines and so far I'...
- Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:58 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Making a Brigandine
- Replies: 22
- Views: 5247
Don't expect to finish it this winter. :D Seriously though, it's a very demanding project. From experience, I'd suggest using 16ga plates. It'll be much MUCH heavier than 18ga, even heavier than a solid breastplate made from the same material but you will likely be using mild steel as it is cheap, r...
- Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:39 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Silly, strange and stupid questions from the public.
- Replies: 60
- Views: 14418
In favour of our general public I would like to say that our Have-a-Go Archery attracts many interested young men who, although in tracksuits, will display an amazing level of skill and understanding in the handling of the bow. Others are complete numpties. Very often it's society itself that breeds...
- Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:15 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Iron shield rim - how to attach?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 5974
We shiny knights are pretty much tinned up allright. 8) I just noticed something about the buckler I've made though: after using it properly yesterday it's developed some lovely dents in the boss and a few nicks in the leather facing yet the edging is entirely unscratched. I reckon because of the wa...
- Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:03 am
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: lacquering leather armour (has become Archer vs Armour)
- Replies: 141
- Views: 28990
This thread is pure quality...! To generalize a bit: is it plausible to think that a massed arrow barrage was the English answer to the french cavalry charge because the English traditionally fought on foot and therefore had to somehow negate the french advantage...? If memory serves, english archer...
- Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:39 am
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: saxon style shield/axe?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 13949
Don't know about your chosen period but in mine the rim's supposed to be on the outside. It depends. Heater shields aren't often depicted with any kind of edge reinforcement, as far as I'm aware. As for vike shields - my main inspiration was a shield they'd found (web source escapes me now) with a ...
- Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:11 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: saxon style shield/axe?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 13949
About stiffening leather - have heard somewhere that paraffin can be dissolved in white spirit. Is that true? Can't try it out atm. If it works, could one possibly saturate the veg-tan with that solution prior to stitching it onto the shield rim and would it do any good to harden the leather? Kinda ...