Looking for some kit advice

Michael P Smith · (#1)

Hi guys,

After years of being out the reeenactment game, I've been conned by friend to get back in.

In particular, I'm looking at doing 2 impressions... the first is an English Longbowman, late 14th century, serving in garrison in France. The second is a English Longbowman in Burgundian service (or War of the Roses, haven't decided) circa 1470. My experience with these periods is fairly limited, but I'd like to allow as much crossover for kit as possible (limited budget and all) without stretching credulity too far. The bow, arrows and haubergeon seem like good choices, but how about smaller personal items like a belt purse, utility knife, shoes?

Anyway, I looking for advice on where to get the parts of the kit I'm not comfortable making myself. I looking for a good living-history standard, but not neccessarily "authenticity nazi" standard (for example, a welded helmet is fine for me, as long as it doesn't show on the outside). Any advice would be GREAT.

14th c.
head - open face bascinet, mail aventail (looking at forth-armory for a riveted aventail, no idea on a decent open-faced bascinet.
body - mail haubergeon (I'll start with a butted mild steel shirt I already have, but want to transition to a rivetted mail shirt later. Again, looking at Forth Armory.
Shoes - checked out the "boots" thread.. are clump soles period at all, or is turn-shoes with pattens to the only reasonable historical approach?
Sword - Currently have a type XVa "black Prince" sword. I'm building a scabbard and getting some appropriate belt hardware online.
hands - Bartlett claims some evidence for metal gauntlets carried by some archers (in his Osprey book), anyone know the period evidence for this (I'm making some hourglass gauntlets for another project anyway)
Bow - I have a self bow of some unknown wood (ash, I think) that Intended to fit horn nocks to. If it turns out to be of a non-period wood, anyone have advice for a reasonably priced Ash Longbow? Yew seems to be out of my reach fininacially at the moment.
Arrows - anyone have a favorite place for period arrows?
Buckler - considering Therion Arms... any advice?
dagger - what's appropriate for late 14th century? Baselard? Rondel? Ballock?

15th c.
I'm looking to do a similar impression for the 15th c. I'd replace the gambeson with a good jack, but I am hoping to be able to use the same mail haubergeon.

Helmet - I'd like a nice open face sallet that doesn't cost a bloody fortune.

sword - anyone have a suggestion for a late 15th century sword (prefer hand and a half type) appropriate for the impression? Finding appropairate hardware for the belt doesn't look too tough.

I think I have sufficient skill to tackle the textile items, but we shall see.

Thanks!

Mike

James Aldrich · (#2)

OK, I'm familiar with the cautions about Osprey Books, but . . . I believe Warrior #11 English Longbowman 1330-1515 is quite reliable. I have been slowly acquiring kit based on Plate F which lays out a household archer's worldly goods.

Geoff Hedgecock of Historic Enterprises did a first class job on the sallet and buckler. Gwen Nowrick of the same concern made my doublet and hose. Armour Class does an excellent rendition of the falchion.

I think anyone could do a lot worse than starting with this illustration. If one wanted to do the work, I daresay every item pictured is documentable and reproducible.

JSA

Michael P Smith · (#3)

Thanks James.

Obviously, I'm using Osprey Warriors 11 as a guide and inspiration, but if I ever intend to use the kit fro serious living history, I like to be able to at least reference the primary or secondary source. I tend to trust this Osprey book more than others though.

Jeff Hedgecock does do some amazing work for sure! He has a sallet essentiually exactly like I want, but at $500 without the liner, it's maybe a bit out my league, but I do like it... YES I DO

The "falchion" has always been one of my favorites. MRL sold that sword a few years ago as the "wakefield" sword. I picked up one then (and it was a nice little sword), but sold it a off a few years ago. How much was shipping on your Armour Class piece, I may have to get it.

Again, thanks fro the input!

Mike

Originally posted by James Aldrich
OK, I'm familiar with the cautions about Osprey Books, but . . . I believe Warrior #11 English Longbowman 1330-1515 is quite reliable. I have been slowly acquiring kit based on Plate F which lays out a household archer's worldly goods.

Geoff Hedgecock of Historic Enterprises did a first class job on the sallet and buckler. Gwen Nowrick of the same concern made my doublet and hose. Armour Class does an excellent rendition of the falchion.

I think anyone could do a lot worse than starting with this illustration. If one wanted to do the work, I daresay every item pictured is documentable and reproducible.

JSA

James Aldrich · (#4)

I guess if I really wanted to get my ducks in a row I would start by squeezing every citation in the Osprey book to see how many sources I could track down that relate to the items shown. Next I would do the same with anything relevant in another Embleton book, The Medieval Soldier.

You can also try to contact Embleton; another step I haven't taken but which I have heard is possible and potentially rewarding. I believe his group The Company of Saynte George has a web presence.

Geoff made my sallet and buckler directly from the Plate F illustrations. Must have been longer ago than I recall because the total was less than $500.

I don't recall what shipping was on my AC falchion but I remember it didn't seem like an issue. Since receiving it I have considered selling my Wakefield but lately I think I might look into having a different blade fitted. The furniture is so good.

Bows-- I have a good one, a Mary Rose repro, but at 80lbs I haven't trained myself to shoot it effectively. I have from time to time looked for a lighter, cheaper alternative to actually play with but the search has been frustrating.

As you look around the web you will find some suppliers that look promising but for one reason or another can't deliver exactly what you need at a price you can afford.

I'll paw through my bookmarks and see if I can unearth some links.

JSA

Michael P Smith · (#5)

Hi James,

Again THANKS!

Where did you get your Mary Rose Repro? Sounds great for a LH bow and to "work up to".

I've got an inquiry out to "Saxonfox Archery" who claim to make Ash Self Longbows (Self nocked) for a decent price that look good to play with. I have a simple bow I got from Quick's Archery in England and sold as a "re-enavtment bow" made of "Mystery Wood." It was CHEAP and has been great fun to shoot and learn basic technique with. Quick;s later told me it was lemonwood backed with hickory, but as mine is clearly a self bow, I am thinking it's lemonwood through and through. Not a period wood alas, but still fun to shoot. Quick's also selfs read-made horn nocks and flax bow strings good for dressing up a cheapie bow.

Mike

Originally posted by James Aldrich
I guess if I really wanted to get my ducks in a row I would start by squeezing every citation in the Osprey book to see how many sources I could track down that relate to the items shown. Next I would do the same with anything relevant in another Embleton book, The Medieval Soldier.

You can also try to contact Embleton; another step I haven't taken but which I have heard is possible and potentially rewarding. I believe his group The Company of Saynte George has a web presence.

Geoff made my sallet and buckler directly from the Plate F illustrations. Must have been longer ago than I recall because the total was less than $500.

I don't recall what shipping was on my AC falchion but I remember it didn't seem like an issue. Since receiving it I have considered selling my Wakefield but lately I think I might look into having a different blade fitted. The furniture is so good.

Bows-- I have a good one, a Mary Rose repro, but at 80lbs I haven't trained myself to shoot it effectively. I have from time to time looked for a lighter, cheaper alternative to actually play with but the search has been frustrating.

As you look around the web you will find some suppliers that look promising but for one reason or another can't deliver exactly what you need at a price you can afford.

I'll paw through my bookmarks and see if I can unearth some links.

JSA