Finally trying out my 15th century armour
Lindybeige・2 minutes read
The Battle of Tewkesbury reenactment, sponsored by Audible, involved challenges and adjustments with armor, highlighting issues like discomfort, vision limitations, and impracticality for adventurers. Despite complications, the narrator, a personal bodyguard to Richard III, engaged in combat and emphasized the significance of winning to avoid capture or harm.
Insights
- The Battle of Tewkesbury reenactment involved detailed preparation, from repurposing tools for armor to crafting wide belts for support, showcasing the complexity and dedication required for historical accuracy.
- Wearing the armor presented challenges such as limited mobility, discomfort from sweat accumulation, and potential safety issues with loose straps, emphasizing the impracticality of such armor for everyday adventurers and the need for adaptation in combat strategies to exploit vulnerabilities.
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Recent questions
How did the narrator prepare for the Battle of Tewkesbury?
By working on armor and padding for comfort.
What challenges did the narrator face with their armor during the battle?
Stiffness, sweating, and vision issues.
How did the narrator's armor impact their combat experience?
Hindered movements and required adjustments.
What safety concerns did the narrator face during the battle?
Potential injuries and discomfort.
How did the narrator reflect on their experience after the battle?
Emphasized the importance of winning and recognition.
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Summary
00:00
Audible-sponsored Battle of Tewkesbury reenactment challenges.
- The Battle of Tewkesbury was reenacted for the first time post-pandemic, sponsored by Audible.
- The narrator prepared for the event, working on armor and padding for comfort.
- Issues arose with the points for the armor, leading to a search for suitable replacements.
- A tool for basketry was repurposed to help with the armor's grommet holes.
- The arming doublet successfully protected the wearer, despite becoming dirty and sweaty.
- Due to participation in the battle, recording footage was limited, relying on audience clips.
- The armor setup included sabatons, greaves, and creases, each serving specific functions.
- Sabatons were noisy and heavy but performed well in battle, with minor issues like a loose clip.
- Creases were well-made but caused wear on the hose, prompting the need for reinforcing patches.
- A wide belt was being crafted to support the skirt, with a temporary solution involving lacing the skirt to a belt for proper positioning.
14:19
Challenges and Comfort in Medieval Armor
- The thickness of mail underneath the fold of the breastplate was a concern due to potential discomfort, but it did not pose a problem during wear.
- Sweating was a significant issue, with sweat accumulating around the armpits, belly, and forearms, leading to discomfort.
- Falling over in the armor was necessary but surprisingly painless, akin to a rugby player diving onto the ground.
- The stiffness of the armor hindered movements like sitting up, requiring a different technique to rise from a supine position.
- The armor's articulation between the breastplate and fold was stiff, making certain movements challenging.
- The straps holding the armor together were not secure, leading to potential issues during combat.
- The pauldrons, while aesthetically pleasing, tended to get caught in the armhole of the backplate, requiring occasional adjustments.
- The leather components of the armor required significant care and maintenance due to sweat absorption and wear.
- Bruises were noted on the body after wearing the armor, indicating potential areas for improvement in protection.
- Vision through the helmet visor was adequate for combat, with good visibility forward and downward, although adjustments were needed for optimal fit and comfort.
29:38
Challenges of Medieval Armor in Combat
- The helmet worn by the speaker made hearing difficult, especially with a thick liner, but vision was adequate.
- Opening and closing the visor on the helmet required both hands, making it inconvenient during combat.
- People in armor avoided dropping items on the ground due to the difficulty of picking them up while wearing armor.
- Wearing the described armor is impractical for adventurers in a Dungeons and Dragons setting due to its hindrances.
- Putting on the armor requires skill and practice due to its complexity and adjustments needed.
- Fighting against someone in this armor requires a different approach, focusing on finding vulnerable spots.
- The gauntlets worn by the speaker had issues with finger movement and the back opening during combat.
- The exposed part of the gauntlet posed a danger, especially in combat situations.
- The speaker considered riveting the gauntlet shut to prevent it from opening during combat.
- The speaker discussed various audiobooks available on the Wars of the Roses, highlighting different lengths and formats for listeners to choose from.
43:54
Reenactment Battle: Heat, Identity, and Humor
- The reenactment took place on a hot day, with temperatures possibly exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, and organizers ensured hydration for the 2,000 reenactors present.
- Participants were well-hydrated, with water carriers ensuring access to drinks before and during the battle to combat the intense heat.
- Engaged in the battle as part of the Yorkist line, the narrator was a personal bodyguard to the Duke of Gloucester, later revealed to be Richard III.
- Faced off against Lancastrian billmen armed with bill hooks, the narrator had to constantly circle and resist downward pressure on their spear to adhere to safety regulations.
- Received guidance from a marshal on spear handling during the battle, adjusting their technique to maintain control and avoid potential accidents.
- In a scripted moment, the narrator was supposed to lose to the enemy leader to build drama for the Duke of Gloucester's victory, but confusion arose regarding the opponent's identity.
- On the second day of the battle, the narrator correctly identified their opponent and engaged in combat without issues, apologizing afterward for the previous day's confusion.
- Despite being easily recognizable in their armor, the narrator's father failed to spot them in the audience, highlighting the challenge of identification in such events.
- Reflecting on past reenactments, the narrator recalled a tactic used by an opponent involving grabbing spears to gain an advantage, disrupting the usual combat dynamics.
- The narrative concludes with a humorous anecdote about the challenges of recognition on the battlefield, emphasizing the importance of heraldry for identification.
57:43
Challenges and Vulnerability in Reenactment Battle
- The narrator discusses the compromise and challenges faced during a reenactment battle at Tewkesbury due to varying rules and safety concerns among different reenactment societies.
- Despite the lack of serious competitive fighting, a comrade in the battle gets injured on the finger due to a whack on the gauntlet, requiring assistance and experiencing a moment of disorientation.
- The narrator reflects on the scratches and wear on their armor, noting the loss of its original mirror finish but accepting it as part of the armor's aging process.
- Feeling vulnerable despite wearing armor, the narrator emphasizes the importance of their side winning to avoid being left slow and exposed to capture or harm in case of a rout during the battle.
