Brigandine armor for SCA and fencing (basic model)

Brigandine armor for SCA and fencing (basic model)

Here is one of the earliest models of brigandine, which refers to the turn of the XII-XIII centuries.

Custom medieval plates’ armor is made-to-measure item. That means that our artisans use individual body parameters and personal regards of client to handcraft such body protection. 

We guess you are aware that first European brigandine armor was amateurish attempts to copy Eastern lamellar armor. Invading the Holy Land to Holy Sepulcher, knight-crusader were developing that his heavy chainmail and surcoat protect against sun well, but provide with quite weak protection from arrows and other weapon of damned Saracens.

In their turn, damned Saracens were protected with plates’ armor, which is lighter and more functional, than chainmails of Lord’s soldiers. Some knights succeeded to rob Saracen’s corpse in order to sack an armor, but most part of warriors went in chainmails.

European blacksmiths were a bit afraid of beginning of “complex and time-consuming” process of lamellar armor making. They preferred “fast and easy” making of chainmail. Finally, the most brave of them, inspired by future glory and heavy knights’ fists, began to make own plates’ armor, not too beautiful, but with good protection level. In particular, brigandine armor.

Early European brigandines had a look of few metal plates, riveted to the inner side of surcoat. Well, we must be thankful for small. One of such work is St. Maurice Coat of Plates. You can see it at statue of St. Maurice in Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice Magdeburger Dom, Germany.

That is which we can call “poorly, but purely”. Though, no need to laugh, as luxury Munich brigandine began with it. But, it is long time before its appearance so let’s back to our Coat of Plates.  

Even such simple model, which we can observe at St. Maurice, were adding many points to the knight’s protection level. So, inspired blacksmiths started to make brigand armor.

In time, quantity of plates were increasing and their sizes were becoming larger. Buckles appeared on the sides, but then they moved to the chest or back (depending on the model). Most part of models had belts with buckles on the shoulders that allowed fitting of non-custom-made brigandine.

Thus, here is of the earliest brigandine armor, with buckles on the sides and shoulders and good protection level. It consists of three layers: linen or cotton inner layer (by your choice), metal rivets and then sound clothing wool, dressed with canvas cloth.

Color of wool you may choose by your wish, or change fabric to velvet or leather. Steel Mastery will cater to it. We can offer different variations of outer material for SCA brigandine armor, in which you will not only look perfect, but also perfectly protected.

You can use this brigand armor for:

• SCA
• HEMA
• Larp
• Stage performances
• Medieval festivals
• Reenactment events

Base price includes following options:

• Black for outer shell;
• Plates of cold-rolled steel 1.0 mm;
• Steel finding rivets;
• Black leather straps;
• Steel nickel-plated buckles;
• Straight bottom edge;
• No decoration;
• XS-size.