Treatise of the Points of Worship in Arms by John Hill,
Armorer Sergeant in the King’s Armory, 1434
Bodleian Library, Ashmole Collection. MS 856, article 22, pp. 376-83
LO, MY LIEFE LORDS! THE FOLLOWING IS A TREATISE COMPILED BY JOHN HILL, ARMORER AND SERGEANT IN THE OFFICE OF ARMORY, WITH KINGS HENRY IV AND HENRY V, ON THE POINTS OF GAINING RENOWN IN ARMS AND HOW A MAN SHOULD BE DIVERSELY ARMED AND GOVERNED UNDER THE SUPPORT AND FAVOR OF ALL THE READERS, TO CORRECT, ADD, AND TAKE AWAY WHERE NEEDED, BY THE HIGH COMMANDMENT OF THE PRINCES THAT HAVE POWER TO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH.
The first honor in arms is for a gentleman to fight in his Sovereign Lord’s quarrel in a battle of treason, sworn within the lists before his sovereign lord. Whether he is the appellant or defendant, honor belongs to him that wins the field. As for the appellant, thus armed by his own wit and by his (legal) Counselor which is assigned to him before the Constable and Marshal. This Counselor is appointed and obligated to teach him all manner of fighting and the subtleties of arms that long for sworn (judicial) combat.
First he needs to have a pair of red hose without feet. These hose are cut at the knees and lined with linen cloth cut on the bias (diagonal) as hose normally are. (He needs) a pair of red leather shoes with thin laces and with knotted whipcord underneath [see image in margin, for traction], and pierced (to attach the sabatons). The insides (of the shoes) are lined along the top with a double layer of linen cloth three fingers wide and cut on the bias from the toe to an inch above the ankles (for padding). And (they should be lined) likewise behind at the heel from the sole up half a quarter of a yard (4.5 inches) in order to fasten well his sabatons. And the same sabatons are to be fastened under the sole of the foot in 2 places. He also needs a petticoat of an overbody of a doublet [see image in margin]. This petticoat is sleeveless and about 3/4 the size of him (tight-fitting) without a collar. And the other part (inner doublet) should go no farther down than the waist with straight sleeves and a collar and containing eyelets in the sleeves for attaching the vambraces and rerebraces.
He is armed in this way: First he has need of the sabatons, greaves, and closed cuisses with voiders of plate or maille and breeches of maile closed with 5 steel buckles of steel and fine buff leather. And all the arming points after they have been knotted and fastened on him should be cut off.
And then a pair of close-fitting gussets strong [sclave] not [drawes] and those gussets be 3 fingers inside his plates at both sides. And then a pair of plates weighing about 20 pounds for his breast and his plates armed with wire or with points.
A pair of rerebraces whose plates are closed in front with 2 locks and in rear with 3 locks. A pair of closed vambraces with voiders of maille [& fretted/interlaced]. A pair of gloves of advantage which may be fashioned. A bascinet of advantage [see image in margin, right, possible example] for the lists which is not good for no other battles but one-on-one save that necessity has no law. The bascinet locked bevor plate and visor locked or [charnelled/entombed] also to the breast and behind with 2 locks. And when this aforesaid gentleman appellant is thus armed and ready to come to the field, place on him a coat of arms of a single silk cloth, the better for advantage in fighting. And his leg harness covered all in red silk cloth, the which has been called tunics. The covering of his leg harness is done because his adversary shall not lightly see his blood. And therefore also his hose should be red for in all other colors blood will be easily seen, for by the old times in such a battle nothing should be seen except his bascinet and his gloves. And then tie on him a pair of besagews. Also it fits the aforesaid counselor to goto the king the day before the battle and request for lodging near the lists. Also the aforesaid counselor must ordain him the masses: the first mass of the Trinity, the second of the Holy Ghost, and the third of Our Lady or of whatever other saint or saints that he has devotion to
He is armed in this way: First he needs the sabatons, greaves, and closed cuisses with voiders of plate or maille and breeches of maile closed with 5 steel buckles and (straps of) fine buff leather. All the arming points should be cut off after they have been knotted and fastened on him. And then a pair of close-fitting gussets strong [sclave] not [drawes] and those gussets should be 3 fingers inside his cuirass at both armpits. And then a pair of plates weighing about 20 pounds, his breast and his plates armed together with wire or with points.
A pair of rerebraces, closed within the plates with 2 forlocks in the front and 3 forlocks in rear with. A pair of closed vambraces with voiders of maille & [fretted, poss. interlaced]. A pair of gloves of advantage which may be fashioned. A bascinet of advantage for the lists which is not good for any other battles but one-on-one, save that necessity has no law. The bascinet (has a) locked bevor plate and visor that is also locked or charnelled; (it is) also (attached) to the breast and backplate with 2 forlocks. When this aforesaid gentleman appellant is thus armed and ready to come to the field, place on him his coat of arms of single layer of beaten tartarine, the better for advantage in fighting. His leg harness (should be) covered all in red silk cloth, which has been called a tunicle. The covering of his leg harness is done because his adversary should not be able to easily see his blood. Therefore his hose should also be red for in all other colors blood will be easily seen, for by ancient tradition in such a battle nothing should be exposed except for his bascinet and his gloves. And then tie on him a pair of besagews.
Also it is proper for the aforesaid Counselor to goto the king the day before the battle and request for lodging near the lists. Also the aforesaid Counselor must arrange for him three priests to sing him Masses: the first Mass of the Trinity, the second of the Holy Ghost, and the third of Our Lady or of whatever other saint or saints that he has devotion to.
[Still being developed]
Bodleian Library, Ashmole Collection. MS 856, article 22, pp. 376-83
LO, MY LIEFE LORDS! THE FOLLOWING IS A TREATISE COMPILED BY JOHN HILL, ARMORER AND SERGEANT IN THE OFFICE OF ARMORY, WITH KINGS HENRY IV AND HENRY V, ON THE POINTS OF GAINING RENOWN IN ARMS AND HOW A MAN SHOULD BE DIVERSELY ARMED AND GOVERNED UNDER THE SUPPORT AND FAVOR OF ALL THE READERS, TO CORRECT, ADD, AND TAKE AWAY WHERE NEEDED, BY THE HIGH COMMANDMENT OF THE PRINCES THAT HAVE POWER TO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH.The first honor in arms is for a gentleman to fight in his Sovereign Lord’s quarrel in a battle of treason, sworn within the lists before his sovereign lord. Whether he is the appellant or defendant, honor belongs to him that wins the field. As for the appellant, thus armed by his own wit and by his (legal) Counselor which is assigned to him before the Constable and Marshal. This Counselor is appointed and obligated to teach him all manner of fighting and the subtleties of arms that long for sworn (judicial) combat.
First he needs to have a pair of red hose without feet. These hose are cut at the knees and lined with linen cloth cut on the bias (diagonal) as hose normally are. (He needs) a pair of red leather shoes with thin laces and with knotted whipcord underneath [see image in margin, for traction], and pierced (to attach the sabatons). The insides (of the shoes) are lined along the top with a double layer of linen cloth three fingers wide and cut on the bias from the toe to an inch above the ankles (for padding). And (they should be lined) likewise behind at the heel from the sole up half a quarter of a yard (4.5 inches) in order to fasten well his sabatons. And the same sabatons are to be fastened under the sole of the foot in 2 places. He also needs a petticoat of an overbody of a doublet [see image in margin]. This petticoat is sleeveless and about 3/4 the size of him (tight-fitting) without a collar. And the other part (inner doublet) should go no farther down than the waist with straight sleeves and a collar and containing eyelets in the sleeves for attaching the vambraces and rerebraces.
He is armed in this way: First he has need of the sabatons, greaves, and closed cuisses with voiders of plate or maille and breeches of maile closed with 5 steel buckles of steel and fine buff leather. And all the arming points after they have been knotted and fastened on him should be cut off.
And then a pair of close-fitting gussets strong [sclave] not [drawes] and those gussets be 3 fingers inside his plates at both sides. And then a pair of plates weighing about 20 pounds for his breast and his plates armed with wire or with points.
A pair of rerebraces whose plates are closed in front with 2 locks and in rear with 3 locks. A pair of closed vambraces with voiders of maille [& fretted/interlaced]. A pair of gloves of advantage which may be fashioned. A bascinet of advantage [see image in margin, right, possible example] for the lists which is not good for no other battles but one-on-one save that necessity has no law. The bascinet locked bevor plate and visor locked or [charnelled/entombed] also to the breast and behind with 2 locks. And when this aforesaid gentleman appellant is thus armed and ready to come to the field, place on him a coat of arms of a single silk cloth, the better for advantage in fighting. And his leg harness covered all in red silk cloth, the which has been called tunics. The covering of his leg harness is done because his adversary shall not lightly see his blood. And therefore also his hose should be red for in all other colors blood will be easily seen, for by the old times in such a battle nothing should be seen except his bascinet and his gloves. And then tie on him a pair of besagews. Also it fits the aforesaid counselor to goto the king the day before the battle and request for lodging near the lists. Also the aforesaid counselor must ordain him the masses: the first mass of the Trinity, the second of the Holy Ghost, and the third of Our Lady or of whatever other saint or saints that he has devotion to
He is armed in this way: First he needs the sabatons, greaves, and closed cuisses with voiders of plate or maille and breeches of maile closed with 5 steel buckles and (straps of) fine buff leather. All the arming points should be cut off after they have been knotted and fastened on him. And then a pair of close-fitting gussets strong [sclave] not [drawes] and those gussets should be 3 fingers inside his cuirass at both armpits. And then a pair of plates weighing about 20 pounds, his breast and his plates armed together with wire or with points.
A pair of rerebraces, closed within the plates with 2 forlocks in the front and 3 forlocks in rear with. A pair of closed vambraces with voiders of maille & [fretted, poss. interlaced]. A pair of gloves of advantage which may be fashioned. A bascinet of advantage for the lists which is not good for any other battles but one-on-one, save that necessity has no law. The bascinet (has a) locked bevor plate and visor that is also locked or charnelled; (it is) also (attached) to the breast and backplate with 2 forlocks. When this aforesaid gentleman appellant is thus armed and ready to come to the field, place on him his coat of arms of single layer of beaten tartarine, the better for advantage in fighting. His leg harness (should be) covered all in red silk cloth, which has been called a tunicle. The covering of his leg harness is done because his adversary should not be able to easily see his blood. Therefore his hose should also be red for in all other colors blood will be easily seen, for by ancient tradition in such a battle nothing should be exposed except for his bascinet and his gloves. And then tie on him a pair of besagews.
Also it is proper for the aforesaid Counselor to goto the king the day before the battle and request for lodging near the lists. Also the aforesaid Counselor must arrange for him three priests to sing him Masses: the first Mass of the Trinity, the second of the Holy Ghost, and the third of Our Lady or of whatever other saint or saints that he has devotion to. [Still being developed]
GLOSSARY OF FIGHTING TERMS
Appellant - the party or representative bringing the charge or suit
Arming points - strong cloth or leather laces often with pointed brass aiglets used to attach armour plates to the wearer's cloth undergarments
Bascinet of advantage - fully-enclosed helmet that straps onto the breast and back plates so that it cannot be easily removed as well as a locking visor so that to make it more difficult for someone to raise the visor; specialized helmet for single combat as most visors for war did not lock in place
Besagews - small circular or shield-shaped plates attached with laces to protect the space between breastplate and shoulder plate
Bevor plate - hinged plate on the bottom of a bascinet that protects the throat and lower chin area
Charnel - according to Meyer, a pinnacle added to the helmet, it could prevent the visor from fully opening
Arming points - strong cloth or leather laces often with pointed brass aiglets used to attach armour plates to the wearer's cloth undergarments
Bascinet of advantage - fully-enclosed helmet that straps onto the breast and back plates so that it cannot be easily removed as well as a locking visor so that to make it more difficult for someone to raise the visor; specialized helmet for single combat as most visors for war did not lock in place
Besagews - small circular or shield-shaped plates attached with laces to protect the space between breastplate and shoulder plate
Bevor plate - hinged plate on the bottom of a bascinet that protects the throat and lower chin area
Charnel - according to Meyer, a pinnacle added to the helmet, it could prevent the visor from fully opening
Closed Cuisses - armour for protecting the upper legs consisting of articulated and hinged plates enclosing the thigh, side, and back of the legs from groin to knees.
Defendant - the party or representative defending against the charge or suit
Gloves of advantage - armour for the hands that have been specialized for single combat, uncertain distinction
Forlock - uncertain meaning, means of attaching rerebrace to the breastplate.
Greaves - armour for the lower legs a pair of hinged plates formed to enclose the legs between the knee and ankles
Gussets - sections of maille to cover small openings such as the elbow
Defendant - the party or representative defending against the charge or suit
Gloves of advantage - armour for the hands that have been specialized for single combat, uncertain distinction
Forlock - uncertain meaning, means of attaching rerebrace to the breastplate.
Greaves - armour for the lower legs a pair of hinged plates formed to enclose the legs between the knee and ankles
Gussets - sections of maille to cover small openings such as the elbow
Leg harness - period term for the combination of all leg armour, including cuisses (thighs), poleyns (knees), greaves (shins/calves), and sabatons (feet).
Petticoat - petycote, "men's short, tight-fitting coat," literally "a small coat," from petty + coat
Rerebrace - armour protecting the upper arms consisting of either a c-shaped or pair of hinged plates formed to protect the arms between the armpits and elbows.
Tartarine - a rich silk material used to make standards and coat-armor
Tunicle - tan open sleeved garment reaching to the knees, tabard
Vambrace - armour protecting the lower arms consisting of a pair of hinged plates formed to protect the arms between the elbows and wrists
Voiders - sections of maille to cover the gaps in the armour such as the armpit, inner elbows, and backs of legs and/or knees.
Petticoat - petycote, "men's short, tight-fitting coat," literally "a small coat," from petty + coat
Rerebrace - armour protecting the upper arms consisting of either a c-shaped or pair of hinged plates formed to protect the arms between the armpits and elbows.
Tartarine - a rich silk material used to make standards and coat-armor
Tunicle - tan open sleeved garment reaching to the knees, tabard
Vambrace - armour protecting the lower arms consisting of a pair of hinged plates formed to protect the arms between the elbows and wrists
Voiders - sections of maille to cover the gaps in the armour such as the armpit, inner elbows, and backs of legs and/or knees.
Sources:
Illustrations of Ancient State and Chivalry from Manuscripts Preserved in the Ashmolean Museum, with an Appendix. Nicol, William. Shakespeare Press, 1839.Ffoulkes, Charles. The Armourer and His Craft, London, 1912.
Meyrick, Samuel Rush. A Critical Inquiry into Ancient Armour as it existed in Europe from the Norman Conquest to the reign of Charles II, London, 1824.