Costume of English knight from Battle of Poitiers, stylization

Need a XIVth century English knight's clothing and armor? Just for you, we’ve collected images of universal English knights who fought during the Battle of Poitiers times. Full garment – from braies to battle shield. Of course, it’s only stylizatio, but quite a good one…

The Battle of Poitiers was one of the most important battles between French and English forces in the Hundred Years' War. In this battle, on September 19, 1356, most of France's knighthood was lost while the French king John II the Good and his son Philip (later Philip II the Bold, Duke of Burgundy) were both taken prisoners. The ransom for the king was equivalent to two years' worth of the budget of the entire French kingdom. Enormous booty and vast ransoms were also taken by English soldiers from captive noble French knights. The whole of France was plunged into deep sorrow... 

All products are available at steel-mastery.com, and if you need something that we do not have – we’ll make it for you so that your knight image is complete. 

So this costume includes:

• two-coloured linen gambeson 
• linen chausses 
• arming belt with leather parts
• plate arms 
• half greaves
• plate legs
• kneecap
• sabatons
• shield
• leather belt
• black and red leather belt bag
• knight girdle of Sir Stanley of Elford
• poulaine
• linen chaperon
• linen men's underwear set

If you want to exclude, add or change something - just send us a picture with detailed description to [email protected], so we could quote you and discuss details of order.

So the winner.

The English army was commanded by Edward Woodstock, heir to the English throne and son of King Edward III of England, better known as the Black Prince. 

Gambeson

The most striking part of his attire is undoubtedly the magnificent stylization of the two-coloured gambeson, the original of which – together with his helmet and gauntlets of the hero – is still kept in Canterbury Cathedral where this same prince, who never became king, is buried. 

Steel Mastery's gambeson nis just as beautiful as the original (or let's be honest – ours is definitely newer, brighter, and more intact) and differs in materials. While the original gambeson is made of velvet on a silk lining, the lions and lilies are embroidered in gold, ours is linen with a gold print. 

Also, the original Blac kPrince's gambeson has a silver band at the top – the sign of the heir to the throne, while ours does not. Thus it has the colouring not of Prince Edward dWoodstock himself but of his father King Edward III of England as we’ve created it as a stylisation of the collective image of the English army and of England itself in this battle. 

Everything else, from the cut and length, colour and print, location and type of fasteners, the gambeson by Steel Mastery exactly reproduces the original Black Prince gambeson. 

However, you can always make a custom order and become the owner of an exact replica of Edward Woodstock's gambeson.

Chausses

Knight's legs are covered with long padded black chausses which both served as clothing and protection. It’s your medieval must-have as a self-respecting man. Sewn from soft but dense natural fabric with 1-2 layers of padding and leather laces for fastening, they are lightweight, comfortable, and practical. Oh, pay attention – below the knee, they fit closely to the leg due to the leather lacing, while classic cut allows ventilating in hot weather everything that needs to be ventilated. And surely the color and fabric of lining and cover as well as the number of padding layers could be changed. Just as any other model of chausses chosen. 

Arming belt

Note that while simple medieval chausses were fastened to the brais belt, arming chausses need a much more reliable fastening system. Our strong girdle is made to securely hold both the arming chausses and leg armor. And, of course, we have arming belt with leather parts

Plates

Now let's move on to the plates which complement the luxurious British gambeson and protect our knight's limbs.

Arm protection 

To protect the arm above the elbow we offer knight's plate arms of the 2nd half of the XIVth - beginning of the XVth centuries, which consist of 3 parts: rerebrace (upper part of arm/bicep protection), tubular vambrace (bracer, forearm defense) with hinges, and couter (elbow caps) with rondel. All elements are forged from millimeter cold-rolled steel with a brushed polish.

Legs

On the legs of our British knighthood incarnation, you can admire the extremely popular during those times plate – half greaves. They protect only the front part of the calf, which makes them much lighter than full protection. Well, since a real knight does not run away from the battlefield, there is no need to protect the back part. Legs from the knee and above are dressed in plate legs typical for late XIVth - early XVth century and we tell you – this is one really reliable protection.

Take a closer look – the cuisses protecting the thighs are reinforced with a rib in the center and the kneecap is complemented by a chased rondel that covers the outside of the knee. 

Sabatons

We also recommend you complement these plate legs with sabatons, if you decide to choose the image of a cavalryman rather than an infantryman.

Shield

In the hands of our English knight, you can see a shield with a leather edge. Such triangular shields were very popular among European knights in the XII-XV centuries. Evolved from kite shields, they have lasted so long due to their simplicity of design and low cost of manufacturing. However, you can visit our armory and choose any other shield you like.

Accessories

Well, here is a belt of medium width, made of thick leather bull leather and dyed in rich chocolate-wine color. Belt is adorned with cast buckle Orlamunde – exact copy of the Count’s buckle and rivets, placed in diamond shape. These rivets replaced four-leaved mounts and add manly look to the belt. 

You'll also need a knight's waist bag. For example, a black and red leather belt bag. A lot of other stylish knight swag to complement the knight's look, including Medieval Knight Collar, Pendants, Crowns, Badges, Cast buckles, Strapends, Cast belt sets, Belt mounts, Brooches and fasteners, Buttons, hooks, and pins are always welcome to find through our accessories section.
 

Knight belt

Now put all your attention on this British gentleman's thighs. And what do we see on his thighs? Oh, is that a copy of the luxurious knight girdle of Sir Stanley of Elford?

It certainly is!

You can see it at the monument to Sir John Stanley dated back to the late XIVth century and located, as you might’ve guessed, in England. Our craftsmen assembled this belt on the thick natural leather and thin upper layer of red leather with 20 pyramid-shaped plaques. Using additional removable parts, which are fixed with a decorative pin, the belt can be adjusted to any size of suit and armor (for additional cost). By the way, you can also choose the type of metal and color of the enamel. But, you see, gold looks just gorgeous. However, you can choose any belt you like.

Footwear

On the knight's feet, you can see our popular poulaine stylisation made from tough yet soft leather with leather soles – these are just amazing.

As for the remaining outfit elements on these wonderful countries' incarnations at the Battle of Poitiers – they are common for both. And that’s because, despite the wars, England and France were and still are very close countries with common roots.

Headwear

On the head of our knight, you can see a chaperon – the most fashionable headdress of those times – with a chic pelerine, thick roller, and a long tail. You can choose the color, fabric, and decoration of your chaperon. For example, decorate the edges of the cape with figured festoons as was fashionable at the end of the XIVth century.

Underwear

What else? Well, at least our knights' underwear, which you can pick up in the relevant section. For example you can simply order a men's underwear set, consisting of a simple shirt, braies with strings on the waist and legs, and cap. 

Watch, enjoy, and hurry up to order your own personal look of a knight or the King of the Centenary War himself. Our experts are always happy to advise you on any detail in such a look.

And if you can't find anything you need on our website, we are always happy to do it for you.

Author: Katarina Ziborova, writer, re-enactor https://www.facebook.com/katarina.ustymenko

Izickaa Tonya, re-enactor https://www.facebook.com/antoninaizickaa