12th Century armour

Most descriptions of armour in 12th C literature are of the finest fantasy armour, but the Lay of Graelant describes the armour of a knight who is so badly down on his luck that he has sold his charger and even his saddle. Here he is setting out through the town to go hunting: (trans. Weingartner)

He had donned an old suit of leather
Which he had worn much too long.
Those who looked at him
Mocked and teased him;

Unes viez piaus ot afubless,
Que trop par ot longes portees;
Cil et celes qui l'esgardoient
L'escharnissoient et gaboient;

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See also:

• 12th century fighting equipment