Gambeson of crossbowman of the XII-XIII centuries

Gambeson (or gambison) of crossbowman of the XII-XIII centuries has tight fit.

It was typical as for dismounted soldiers, so for mounted knights.

You give us your specific measures and wishes - we make you a completely custom gambeson that will bring you joy and comfort for a long time! 

Made-to-measure gambeson armour may be sewn by two ways:

• Machine manufacturing. Tailors will make padded armor by your parameters, using sewing machine.
• Hand sewing. Custom gambeson will be completely sewn by hands of our tailors. Such type of manufacture is historical one and is offered for additional costs.

You can use this medieval gambeson armor for:

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

Base price includes following options:

1. 1-2 layers of padding (natural sheet wadding 50% cotton, 50% wool);
2. Natural (uncoloured) cotton for outer and inner shell;
3. Standard sleeves’ attaching (closed armpit);
4. XS-size;
5. Black leather strap;
6. Straight bottom edge;
7. No fastenings for steel arms.

Gambeson has cuts from the front and back on the bottom hem that provide with good mobitily during the fighting.

There is leather lacing on the collar for fastening.

Poor soldiers mostly wore cotton and linen gambesons. Rich noble warriors preferred silk, velvet, wool or leather gambesons. The most popular colors of quilted gambesons among all the knights were yellow, red, black, green and blue. In options, you may choose the wished gambeson material for outer and inner layers. 

Quantity of padding layer depends on the main armour. If you plan to wear chainmail over gambeson, so 5-6 layers will be required. If there will be usual plate armour or brigandine, so 2-3 layers of natural wadding is enough.

Various color are available for order. If you choose half-coloured or quarter-coloured long gambeson, please inform us by e-mail, what colours you prefer and its exact disposition.

Standard sleeve attaching is an option by default, but you may choose option “Laced sleeves”, which will allow transfroming your padded armor into sleeveless gambeson.

If you plan to use plate arms or spaulders over your gambeson, we recommend you to order leather fastenings for steel arms.

There are two layers of padding in sleeves by default. If you want to change it, please contact us [email protected]

Main photo shows gambeson with following options:

• 3 layers of padding;
• yellow linen for outer shell;
• brown linen for inner shell;
• standard sleeve attachment (without hole under armpit);
• M-size;
• brown leather strap;
• straight bottom edge;
• no fastenings for steel arms.

You may create a look of medieval crossbowman of the XII-XIII century, combining this quilted gambeson with chausses and medieval long cotta.

Also, we offer you have a look at these gambesons of the same historical period: medieval leather gambeson, ordinary gambeson, European gambeson of the X-XIII centuries.

In section “Gambeson” you can see all models that we offer for ordering. If you didn’t find any for your taste and wish, please send us photo and description of the required model and we will make it for you.

In this article we're telling how to choose a gambeson.