Equipment requirements

Equipment requirements for the tournament. Equipment of the participants should fit in the time period of the event as well as guarantee the safety of the participants. Allowed time frame for the equipment is A.D. 1350-1420.

The sarcophagus of St. Henrik at Nousiainen. It was made in between the years 1415-1420. The pictures depict the legendary first crusade to Finland, but the warriors are clad in contemporary gear of the sarcophagus. They present knights, men-at-arms and other retainers. Notice the cannon!

There are some suggestions.

Women’s clothing

  • White or unbleached linen smock, long sleeves
  • Short or long-sleeved woollen kirtle, 1350-1420 style
  • Period or plausible shoes
  • Veil or women’s hood
  • Belt
  • Socks (sewed or nalbinded)
  • Authentic jewellery and accessories fit for the role
Two noblewomen in Sweden in 1415 at Vadstena.

Men’s clothing

  • White or unbleached linen shirt, long sleeves.
  • White or unbleached linen braies.
  • Woollen hose.
  • Woollen tunic, jacket, or doublet.
  • Belt.
  • Period or plausible shoes.
  • Linen coif, period hat, or chaperon.

Men-at-arms and other retainers (Venans)

Organizers recommend following minimum gear.

  • Padded jacket/gambeson and/or maille shirt.
  • Helmets: Bascinet or kettle hat suitable for the given time period. Maille coif on its   own will not suffice. Kettlehats of single piece construction are preferred.
  • Gauntlets or padded gloves suitable for the time period. Hourglass type gauntlets are preferred.
  • Simple mens clothing, military garment.
  • Also recommended are
    • Neck protector. Maille standard or bevor.
    • Groin protector
  • It is possible to use only basic men’s clothing in tournament show too.
A junior man-at-arms, or a retainer.
A knight and a retainer. Guess which is which.
The armour and clothes of a knight and an equal man-at-arms do not reveal the title of their owner.

Knights and esquires (Tenans)

  • Bascinet with visor and maille aventail or kettlehat with bevor. Kettlehats made of single piece construction are preferred.
  • Neck protector. (Separate maille standard or bevor)
  • Mail shirt with cuirass or coat of plates/brigandine.
  • Gauntlets. Hourglass type gauntlets are preferred.
  • Leg armour
  • Arm harness.
  • Also recommended
    • Heraldic surcoat
    • Groin protector
    • Wooden shield
A man-at-arms comparable to a knight in a fashinable suit of armour.

Archers

  • Wooden bow, no modern materials
  • Wooden arrows
    • No plastic nocks
    • Rubber blunts for the show
    • No metal arrowheads
  • Wrist protector
  • Mens clothes. See men-at-arms.

Allowed weapons

  • All weapons used in the event must be fitting to the time period of the event (AD 1300 – 1420).
  • All weapons used in the tournament must also be rebated, and clearly blunt.
  • The judges retain the right to forbid any weapon they consider dangerous. However, if the combatant does not have a safe weapon for the tournament the Judges shall issue a safe blunt wooden mace fitting for the tournament games.

Forbidden weapons

  • Chained maces and flails.
  • Weapons not fitting the time period of the event.
  • Overly heavy weapons. Such as heavy warhammers, or “swords” more than 1.5kg.
  • Sharp weapons