Cunnan - User contributions [en]

12th century fighting equipment

2007-04-10T01:46:52Z

59.167.208.61: /* Clothing */

The fighting equipment of a [[12th century]] warrrior is described by recovered artefacts, manuscript images and contemporary references and depictions in sculpture.

==Equipment==
===Arms===
* [[spear]] - sometimes with [[wing]]s and generally [[socket]]ed.
* [[lance]]- [[ash]] [[shaft]] and rarely shorter than 10-12 feet (3 to 3.7m) long. As the century progressed the [[head]] of the lance became smaller and more sharply pointed.
* [[axe]] - common household [[tool]] sometimes with pronounced [[beard]].
* [[arming sword|sword]] - single handed weapon with straight, long [[crossguard]] thought to be an influence of [[Christianity]]. The [[blade]] still sports a central [[fuller]] and frequently inlaid or inscribed with religious slogans or the name of the smith. The blade is rarely longer than 25-30 inches (63.5 to 76cm). [[Pommel]] now leans heavily towards the Brazil nut or wheel or disc type in the south and was spreading north and were sometimes made of bronze. Rarely rock crystals appear as do Holy relics incorporated into the pommel. Still primarily used by the wealthy but now more common and still worn if the knight were to use another weapon such as an axe as their primary [[weapon]].
* Battle [[axe]] - large axe designed for use with two hands and well liked by high ranking warriors.
* [[mace]] - popular with the [[noble]] class
* [[longbow]] - of [[elm]] and possibly of [[yew]] used by the common infantry.
* [[arrow]]s socketed heads and self nocks. Needlelike bodkin [[arrowhead|points]] and broadheads for hunting were used.
* [[crossbow]] - with a [[wood]]en [[tiller]] and composite wood (likely [[yew]]) and [[horn]] [[lath]].
* [[knife]] - frequently [[pattern welded]]. These develop during the century into the [[dagger]]. The term dagger does not appear until the late 12th century, rather the words ''coustel'' or ''cultellus'' are used. Blades are usually 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) long and used point down. The quillions of the [[crossguard]] typically point down.

===Armour===
* none
* padded armour (''gambeson'' or ''aketon'') - worn with or without mail. Conjectural with no known examples surviving
* [[maille|mail]] [[hauberk]]- include elbow or forearm length sleeves and knee length body probably split in the front and back. This mail could also sport an integral [[coif]] and a [[ventail]] is occasionally seen by the end of the century as well as the sleeve extending to include mail [[muffler]]s.
* [[scale]] [[hauberk]] - occasionally appear
* [[chausses]] - of mail appear relatively common and are primarily of the type that laces across the back of the leg although the knee length stocking type are also seen.
* [[kite shield]] - [[centre boss]] style. Covered with leather with an [[iron]] boss. These are decorated in geographic patterns or animal shapes (regular and fantastical), or with a coat of arms or devices symbolisimg their calling (eg. Crusader cross). They start to become shorter near the end of the century and gain a flatter top.
* conical [[spangenhelm]] - pointed [[helmet]] with [[nasal]]. Single piece construction appears to become the main form in the early part of the century. By the middle of the century, this form could be replaced by a domed [[helmet]] which freqently lacked a nasal. During the end of the [[12th century]], flat (or very slightly dome) topped [[helmet]]s that tapered down towards the base also appeared. Very late in the century, face guards with sights appear. Sometimes these have ventilation holes. The [[kettle helm]] also makes an appearance.

===Clothing===
* [[tunic]] of [[wool]] - A longer tunic worn under [[armour]] seems to appear in the latter part of the century
* under[[tunic]] of [[linen]]
* Over[[tunic]]
* [[hose]] of [[wool]]
* turn[[shoe]]s of [[leather]]
* [[surcoat]] - long sleeveless, full skirted types appear in the latter part of the century although are not common
* [[mantel]] - an ecclesiastical garment
* [[gamberson]] - padded jacket like clothing

===Misconceptions===
* two handed [[sword]]s - not known
* double-bitted [[axe]]s - not known

* [[sword]]s with elaborate [[basket hilt|basket]]-style hand guards
* [[sword]]s with very heavy, blunt [[blade]]s.
* [[gauntlet]]s - not known

==Internal Links==
''See also:''
*[[Norman fighting equipment]]
*[[Saxon fighting equipment]]
*[[Viking fighting equipment]]

[[category:fighting kit]]
[[category:12th century]]
[[category:starting out]]

12th century fighting equipment

2007-04-10T01:46:34Z

59.167.208.61: /* Clothing */

The fighting equipment of a [[12th century]] warrrior is described by recovered artefacts, manuscript images and contemporary references and depictions in sculpture.

==Equipment==
===Arms===
* [[spear]] - sometimes with [[wing]]s and generally [[socket]]ed.
* [[lance]]- [[ash]] [[shaft]] and rarely shorter than 10-12 feet (3 to 3.7m) long. As the century progressed the [[head]] of the lance became smaller and more sharply pointed.
* [[axe]] - common household [[tool]] sometimes with pronounced [[beard]].
* [[arming sword|sword]] - single handed weapon with straight, long [[crossguard]] thought to be an influence of [[Christianity]]. The [[blade]] still sports a central [[fuller]] and frequently inlaid or inscribed with religious slogans or the name of the smith. The blade is rarely longer than 25-30 inches (63.5 to 76cm). [[Pommel]] now leans heavily towards the Brazil nut or wheel or disc type in the south and was spreading north and were sometimes made of bronze. Rarely rock crystals appear as do Holy relics incorporated into the pommel. Still primarily used by the wealthy but now more common and still worn if the knight were to use another weapon such as an axe as their primary [[weapon]].
* Battle [[axe]] - large axe designed for use with two hands and well liked by high ranking warriors.
* [[mace]] - popular with the [[noble]] class
* [[longbow]] - of [[elm]] and possibly of [[yew]] used by the common infantry.
* [[arrow]]s socketed heads and self nocks. Needlelike bodkin [[arrowhead|points]] and broadheads for hunting were used.
* [[crossbow]] - with a [[wood]]en [[tiller]] and composite wood (likely [[yew]]) and [[horn]] [[lath]].
* [[knife]] - frequently [[pattern welded]]. These develop during the century into the [[dagger]]. The term dagger does not appear until the late 12th century, rather the words ''coustel'' or ''cultellus'' are used. Blades are usually 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) long and used point down. The quillions of the [[crossguard]] typically point down.

===Armour===
* none
* padded armour (''gambeson'' or ''aketon'') - worn with or without mail. Conjectural with no known examples surviving
* [[maille|mail]] [[hauberk]]- include elbow or forearm length sleeves and knee length body probably split in the front and back. This mail could also sport an integral [[coif]] and a [[ventail]] is occasionally seen by the end of the century as well as the sleeve extending to include mail [[muffler]]s.
* [[scale]] [[hauberk]] - occasionally appear
* [[chausses]] - of mail appear relatively common and are primarily of the type that laces across the back of the leg although the knee length stocking type are also seen.
* [[kite shield]] - [[centre boss]] style. Covered with leather with an [[iron]] boss. These are decorated in geographic patterns or animal shapes (regular and fantastical), or with a coat of arms or devices symbolisimg their calling (eg. Crusader cross). They start to become shorter near the end of the century and gain a flatter top.
* conical [[spangenhelm]] - pointed [[helmet]] with [[nasal]]. Single piece construction appears to become the main form in the early part of the century. By the middle of the century, this form could be replaced by a domed [[helmet]] which freqently lacked a nasal. During the end of the [[12th century]], flat (or very slightly dome) topped [[helmet]]s that tapered down towards the base also appeared. Very late in the century, face guards with sights appear. Sometimes these have ventilation holes. The [[kettle helm]] also makes an appearance.

===Clothing===
* [[tunic]] of [[wool]] - A longer tunic worn under [[armour]] seems to appear in the latter part of the century
* under[[tunic]] of [[linen]]
* Over[[tunic]]
* [[hose]] of [[wool]]
* turn[[shoe]]s of [[leather]]
* [[surcoat]] - long sleeveless, full skirted types appear in the latter part of the century although are not common
* [[mantel]] - an ecclesiastical garment
* gamberson - padded jacket like clothing

===Misconceptions===
* two handed [[sword]]s - not known
* double-bitted [[axe]]s - not known

* [[sword]]s with elaborate [[basket hilt|basket]]-style hand guards
* [[sword]]s with very heavy, blunt [[blade]]s.
* [[gauntlet]]s - not known

==Internal Links==
''See also:''
*[[Norman fighting equipment]]
*[[Saxon fighting equipment]]
*[[Viking fighting equipment]]

[[category:fighting kit]]
[[category:12th century]]
[[category:starting out]]