Late 13th Century Arms and Armour

John D'Aubernoun 1277 John D'Aubernoun who dates from 1277AD is wearing a hauberk that extends to his mid thighs and which has mail mittens to protect the hands. He has a separate coif that covers his shoulders. Under the coif is a steel cap indicated by the shape of the coif which does not follow the contours of his head. Over the hauberk is worn a surcoat which was often of fine material - silk - and may have been embroidered, the bottom edge showing a finished, dagged, edging. This is held in place by a thin cord tied about the waist.

Under the hauberk John would be wearing some form of padded undergarment to protect him from the rubbing of the rings of the mail. His legs are covered by mail chausses separated by cuir-bolli genouillieres protecting the knee caps. These were normally used to divide the chausses and provide intermediate support of the heavy mail around the knee. A single piece of mail from thigh to foot could drag preventing ease of movement.

John carries a heater type shield suspended by a guige over his right shoulder. The sword typicial of this period is carried on a sword belt hung over the hips allowing the weapon to hang at the front of his body angled slightly forward. No secondary weapon is shown on this brass. John's lance is shortened to show a pennon with his arms. This is artistic licence as the length is obviously too short and it shows no hand grip.

In Chivalry and Sorcery terms John wears Super Heavy Battle Armour of Annealed Mail (type U) with a mail coif over a quilted hood and a open bascinet. His padded undercoat is the equivalent of an arming doublet although the correct term would probably have been an aketon.

Secondary Weaponry

The crossbow or arbalest was widely used and by the late 13th century was normally of composite construction with the introduction of the windlass in 1297AD for cocking the bow (C&S3 medium crossbow). The battle axe continued in use as did the infantry spear. Some infantry carried developed versions of the weapon known as the 'guisarme' with a curved blade and a hook (C&S3 Billhook). The mace was developed into an armour breaking weapon with heavy cast flanges.

Helmets for non-mounted forces were commonly the chapel-de-fer or iron kettle hat (C&S3 composite helm) although the conical helm both with and without a nasal bar were also widely used. A leather or padded coif is often worn by infantry and some troops would wear a jerkin or hauberk made of leather reinforced with metal plates (C&S3 reinforced cuirbolli).

The long tear-drop or kite shield became larger and was carried by infantry as well as the noble cavalry in Italy. Elsewhere the cavalry shield grew smaller as armour was strengthened. Horse armour reappeared in western Europe in the late 12th century but was very rare until the mid 13th century by when rich states like Milan could field 'iron-clad horses'. Some of the horse armour was undoubtedly quilted or of studded leather. By the mid 13th century armour or cuir-bolli was in use to protect the head of the horse.

To protect their torso infantry and some squires and sergeants wore a padded garment with long sleeves known as a gambeson, replacing the older mail haubergeon (short hauberk). The cuir-bolli cuirass worn over the hauberk became widespread by the end of the century.

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Early 14th Century

Last updated on 1 Sep 1998, at 21:13 ADT.