13th century fighting equipment: Difference between revisions

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The fighting equipment of a [[13th century]] warrrior is described by recovered artefacts, manuscript images and contemporary references and depictions in sculpture.
The fighting equipment of a [[13th century]] warrrior is described by recovered artefacts, manuscript images and contemporary references and depictions in sculpture.





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* [[arrow]]s socketed heads and self nocks. Needlelike bodkin [[arrowhead|points]] and broadheads for hunting were used.
* [[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, sinew and [[horn]] [[lath]] covered in [[leather]] or [[parchment]]. Spanned with a hook attached to the belt as it became increasingly powerful.
* [[crossbow]] - with a [[wood]]en [[tiller]] and composite wood, sinew and [[horn]] [[lath]] covered in [[leather]] or [[parchment]]. Spanned with a hook attached to the belt as it became increasingly powerful.
* [[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.
* [[knife]] - Blades are usually 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) long and used point down. The quillions of the [[crossguard]] typically point down.
* [[sling]]s - used by foot [[soldier]]s
* [[sling]]s - used by foot [[soldier]]s, including the staff [[sling]]


===Armour===
===Armour===
* none (especially [[longbowman|longbowmen]] although these would have at least a [[buckler]].
* none (especially [[longbowman|longbowmen]] although these would have at least a [[buckler]].
* padded armour (''gambeson'' or ''aketon'') - vertically quilter of layers of [[linen]] stuffed with tow, rags, etc. Whilst the terms are often used interchangably at the time, general consensus has a [[gambeson]] fitting over armour and an [[aketon]] under. [[Soldier]]s might wear a [[gambeson]] that was sleeveless with a stiffened collar or one that was plain, knee length with full sleeves.
* padded armour (''gambeson'' or ''aketon'') - vertically quilter of layers of [[linen]] stuffed with tow, rags, etc. Whilst the terms are often used interchangably at the time, general consensus has a [[gambeson]] fitting over armour and an [[aketon]] under. [[Soldier]]s might wear a [[gambeson]] that was sleeveless with a stiffened collar or one that was plain, knee length with full sleeves.
* [[maille|mail]] [[hauberk]]- include sleeves ending in [[muffler]]s, thigh length and and sporting integral [[coif]]s and a [[ventail]]. The middle of the century saw the [mitten]]-like [[muffler]]s split into separate fingers. Towards the end of the century, separate [[coif]] reappears, sometimes with thick [[mail]] rings or [[plate]]s of metal reinforcing the neck. Short sleeved [[harbergeon]]s were worn by better off [[soldier]]s.
* [[maille|mail]] [[hauberk]]- include sleeves ending in [[muffler]]s, thigh length and and sporting integral [[coif]]s and a [[ventail]]. The middle of the century saw the [[mitten]]-like [[muffler]]s split into separate fingers. Towards the end of the century, separate [[coif]] reappears, sometimes with thick [[mail]] rings or [[plate]]s of metal reinforcing the neck. Short sleeved [[haubergeon]]s were worn by better off [[soldier]]s.
* [[scale]] [[hauberk]] - occasionally appear at the beginning of this century.
* [[scale]] [[hauberk]] - occasionally appear at the beginning of this century.
* [[cuirasse]] or ''cuirie''- a [[leather]] defence for the chest and back, found under the [[surcoat]] were developed in the latter part of the century.
* [[cuirasse]] or ''cuirie''- a [[leather]] defence for the chest and back, found under the [[surcoat]] were developed in the latter part of the century.
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* an early form of a [[pair of plates]] appears late in the century as well.
* an early form of a [[pair of plates]] appears late in the century as well.
* [[chausses]] - of [[mail]] are ubiquitous for mounted [[noble]]s throughout the century and developed into form of joined [[mail]] [[hose]].
* [[chausses]] - of [[mail]] are ubiquitous for mounted [[noble]]s throughout the century and developed into form of joined [[mail]] [[hose]].
* [[gamboised cuisse]]s - [[velvet]], [[silk]] or other rich [[fabric|material]] covering padded funnel shaped tubes that covered the thigh. They could be [[embroidery|embroidered]] for decoration and were laced to the [[aketon]].
* [[gamboised cuisse]]s - [[velvet]], [[silk]] or other rich [[fabric|material]] covering padded funnel shaped tubes that covered the thigh. They could be [[embroidery|embroidered]] for decoration and were generally laced to a belt worn underneath or possibly laced directly to the [[aketon]].
* [[kite shield]] - flat top kites that began large but was cut down in the middle of the century and to form the [[heater shield]]. Covered with [[leather]] they still had a [[guige]] and also two [[enarme]]s and were painted to display the owner's [[coat of arms]].
* [[kite shield]] - flat top kites that began large but were cut down in the middle of the century and to form the [[heater shield]]. Covered with [[leather]] they still had a [[guige]] and also two [[enarme]]s and were painted to display the owner's [[coat of arms]].
* conical [[spangenhelm]] - pointed [[helmet]] sometimes with [[nasal]].
* conical [[spangenhelm]] - pointed [[helmet]] sometimes with [[nasal]].
* domed [[helmet]]s such as the [[basinet]] appear in the middle of this century.
* domed [[helmet]]s such as early forms of the [[bascinet]] appear before the middle of this century.
* small [[skull cap]] - worn under a [[mail]] [[coif]].
* small [[skull cap]] - worn under a [[mail]] [[coif]].
* [[kettle helm]] - worn with of without a [[mail]] [[coif]].
* [[kettle helm]] - worn with of without a [[mail]] [[coif]].
* [[great helm]] is introduced. This is worn with a padded [[coif]] which could sit either under or over a [[mail]] [[coif]].
* [[great helm]] is introduced. This is worn with a padded [[coif]] which could sit either under or over a [[mail]] [[coif]].
*[[gauntlet]]s - likely of [[leather]] reinforced with whalebone appear after 1290 but are very rare. [[Steel]] [[gauntlet]]s are also mentioned in the last 5 years of the century.
*[[gauntlet]]s - likely of [[leather]] reinforced with whalebone and appear after 1290, but are very rare. [[Steel]] [[gauntlet]]s are also mentioned in the last 5 years of the century.
* [[espauder]]s - shoulder defences of unknown form or material are mentioned at the end of the century.
* [[espauder]]s - shoulder defences of unknown form or material are mentioned at the end of the century.
* [[ailette]]s - flat diamond shaped, disc or square [[plate]]s laced to the shoulder and made of [[leather]] or [[parchment]] which appear primarily to provide identification of a [[knight]].
* [[ailette]]s - flat diamond shaped, disc or square [[plate]]s laced to the shoulder and made of [[leather]] or [[parchment]] which appear primarily to provide identification of a [[knight]].
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* [[couter]]s - small disc shaped defences for the elbows appear at around 1260 but are very rare.
* [[couter]]s - small disc shaped defences for the elbows appear at around 1260 but are very rare.
* [[schynbald]]s - gutter shaped [[plate]]s of [[steel]] that were laced to the [[chausses]] to protect the shins.
* [[schynbald]]s - gutter shaped [[plate]]s of [[steel]] that were laced to the [[chausses]] to protect the shins.



===Clothing===
===Clothing===
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===Misconceptions===
===Misconceptions===
* two handed swords - not known (although we do see the introduction of the "hand and a half" or "bastard" sword which could be used with two hands but was not a true zwiehander)
* two handed swords - not known
* double headed axes - not known
* double-bitted [[axe]]s - not known
<!-- previous line said "double headed axe", but what is often called "double headed axe" is really an axe with one head that has two sharp edges. -->
* swords with elaborate basket-style hand guards - not known
* swords with elaborate basket-style hand guards - not known


==Internal Links==
''See also:''
*[[12th century fighting equipment]]
*[[14th century fighting equipment]]
[[category:fighting kit]]
[[category:fighting kit]]
[[category:13th century]]
[[category:13th century]]
[[category:starting out]]

Latest revision as of 19:13, 16 April 2007

The fighting equipment of a 13th century warrrior is described by recovered artefacts, manuscript images and contemporary references and depictions in sculpture.


Equipment

Arms

  • spear - sometimes with wings and generally socketed.
  • lance- ash shaft and rarely shorter than 10-12 feet (3 to 3.7m) long. Small, sharply pointed head.
  • axe
  • sword of war - single handed weapon with longer, heavier blades appear as the great helm appeared. The blade is about 40-42 inches (101 to 106cm). They featured wide crossguards that could be tapering and inclined towards the blade or spatulate and straight. The blade still sports a central fuller, the hilt is longer and the pommel takes the form of wheels, balls or trefoils from the middle of the century. Still worn by nobility as a symbol.
  • thrusting sword - diamond sectioned bladed sword designed for thrusting rather than the cut.
  • falchion - favoured by all classes for it's powerful cuts.
  • battle axe - large axe designed for use with two hands with and well liked by high ranking warriors. Large heavy head on a 4 to 5 foot (1.2 to 1.5m) shaft.
  • mace - increasingly popular with the noble classes with bronze or iron flanged or pyramindal projections head on a 3 foot (1.0m) shaft.
  • longbow - of elm and possibly of yew used by the common infantry.
  • arrows socketed heads and self nocks. Needlelike bodkin points and broadheads for hunting were used.
  • crossbow - with a wooden tiller and composite wood, sinew and horn lath covered in leather or parchment. Spanned with a hook attached to the belt as it became increasingly powerful.
  • knife - Blades are usually 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) long and used point down. The quillions of the crossguard typically point down.
  • slings - used by foot soldiers, including the staff sling

Armour

  • none (especially longbowmen although these would have at least a buckler.
  • padded armour (gambeson or aketon) - vertically quilter of layers of linen stuffed with tow, rags, etc. Whilst the terms are often used interchangably at the time, general consensus has a gambeson fitting over armour and an aketon under. Soldiers might wear a gambeson that was sleeveless with a stiffened collar or one that was plain, knee length with full sleeves.
  • mail hauberk- include sleeves ending in mufflers, thigh length and and sporting integral coifs and a ventail. The middle of the century saw the mitten-like mufflers split into separate fingers. Towards the end of the century, separate coif reappears, sometimes with thick mail rings or plates of metal reinforcing the neck. Short sleeved haubergeons were worn by better off soldiers.
  • scale hauberk - occasionally appear at the beginning of this century.
  • cuirasse or cuirie- a leather defence for the chest and back, found under the surcoat were developed in the latter part of the century.
  • armoured surcoats - rectangular steel plates arranged in three rows and attached to the surcoat with rivets.
  • an early form of a pair of plates appears late in the century as well.
  • chausses - of mail are ubiquitous for mounted nobles throughout the century and developed into form of joined mail hose.
  • gamboised cuisses - velvet, silk or other rich material covering padded funnel shaped tubes that covered the thigh. They could be embroidered for decoration and were generally laced to a belt worn underneath or possibly laced directly to the aketon.
  • kite shield - flat top kites that began large but were cut down in the middle of the century and to form the heater shield. Covered with leather they still had a guige and also two enarmes and were painted to display the owner's coat of arms.
  • conical spangenhelm - pointed helmet sometimes with nasal.
  • domed helmets such as early forms of the bascinet appear before the middle of this century.
  • small skull cap - worn under a mail coif.
  • kettle helm - worn with of without a mail coif.
  • great helm is introduced. This is worn with a padded coif which could sit either under or over a mail coif.
  • gauntlets - likely of leather reinforced with whalebone and appear after 1290, but are very rare. Steel gauntlets are also mentioned in the last 5 years of the century.
  • espauders - shoulder defences of unknown form or material are mentioned at the end of the century.
  • ailettes - flat diamond shaped, disc or square plates laced to the shoulder and made of leather or parchment which appear primarily to provide identification of a knight.
  • poleyns - apear in the middle of the century and were cup shaped plates of steel laced to the chausses.
  • couters - small disc shaped defences for the elbows appear at around 1260 but are very rare.
  • schynbalds - gutter shaped plates of steel that were laced to the chausses to protect the shins.

Clothing

Misconceptions

  • two handed swords - not known (although we do see the introduction of the "hand and a half" or "bastard" sword which could be used with two hands but was not a true zwiehander)
  • double-bitted axes - not known
  • swords with elaborate basket-style hand guards - not known

Internal Links

See also:

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