Armor Up -12th Century Europe

Gearing up a 12th century knight/ Man at Arms. The 12th century witnessed the martial influence of the Norman's within Western Europe in regards to the use of full body chain mail and the shared experiences from the Crusades contributing the use of surcoats and the development of pot, sugarloaf and flat top helmets. It was also the beginnings of heraldry and the advancements of rudimentary plate armor.

Gambeson quilted leg and chain mail chausses belted over hose, braies and linen undershirt. Suspended from a belt or a type of girdle the chain mail chausses were also supported by ties below the knee and above the ankles.

Quilted gambeson and padded forearm vambraces. Gambesons began to get longer with full sleeves in response to improved chain mail 3/4 length haubergeons developed and used by Norman cavalry.

Chain mail hauberk. By the end of the 12th century the 4 in 1 pattern chain mail hauberk had evolved into the 3/4 length haubergeon, often with a front/ back split to facilitate sitting  in the saddle while horseback. Often it had both integrated mittens and coif but due to the expensive nature of chain mail it became a legacy item. Often passed down through generations and also within the ranks of a medieval army to men at arms, crossbowmen and archers there was quite a variance in the styles of mail worn.

Surcoat, gauntlets, axe and sword belt. Surcoats or tabards began to be used over armor during the 12th century, in part for the protection of chain mail from the elements, but also in facilitating the burgeoning heraldry tradition. Arming swords of the period were, according to Oakeshott's typology, of the X, Xa or Xi variants. Generally they were broad medium length double edged blades of about 31 inches in length possessing wide fillers the length of the blade. Possessing cruciform hilts they could have either wheel or Brazil nut pommels. Axes and knives were also common as backup or melee weapons. As plate armor became more advanced daggers became more common as well as percussion weapons like war hammers and/or maces.

Chain mail coif and nasal spagenhelm (early 12th century). The venerable nasal helmet was eventually replaced by helms that offered better face protection in response to the increased use of battlefield archery and the threat of lance impacts during massed cavalry charges. 

Flat top helmet ( late 12th century). A substantial piece of kit in terms of weight it did provide excellent protection while horseback but was often discarded within a melee due to limitations in sight and hearing. A chain mail coif and arming cap provided adequate protection as a tradeoff for better situational awareness. Later versions of the great helm allowed the use of a secret helmet, a small spagenhelm type helm, for added protection. Eventually these flat top styles of helmets were replaced by visored pot helms and bascinets which offered better sight, hearing and deflective qualities enabling users far better protection.

Armored Up.....