[MR] lamellar armor of the 1300's (14th century)

[Vels inn Viggladi]

Lamellar was pretty much outre by the 14th Century, though it never really 
caught on in the Germanies at all.

The Wisby Lamellar is not dissimilar from Hellenic Roman Empire armor of 
previous centuries. An identical plate style and pattern has been indicated 
from reliefs and statues of the 11th and 12th centuries. It is assumed by 
some that a goodly amount of Hellenic Roman armor was sold or otherwise 
redistributed during the short lived Latin Empire (1204-1261).
Gotland being the Northern East-West trade hub, this armor probably came to 
the island as old trade goods or inherited property and was strapped on for 
the battle by some peasant or burgher who had it sitting around (as was most 
armor found there).

There is no indication of indiginously produced Lamellar Armor in the 
Germanies at this time, nor really ever. Italian Armorers did begin infusing 
lamellar and other Eastern inspired elements by late the 12th century, but 
other parts of Western Europe moved onto larger plate designs as 
accompaniment to conventional maille. The larger plates then went two ways 
over time- either the relatively few fair sized plates of a "Coat of Plates" 
or into the two plate cuirasse style.

The Eastern European plains and near-Steppes would have seen a lot of 
lamellar style armor in the 13th century. The Germanies, we have nothing to 
support the Lamellar Style at all.

For how lamellar evolved and spread, you may want to check out "Medieval 
Warfare Sourcebook vol2: Christian Europe and its Neighbors" by David 
Nicolle in addition to the one to which you have the link.

As good and easily repairable an armor it was, it just never really caught 
on much past the Danube.




Vels


>From: abelofregnesfolc at aol.com
>To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
>Subject: [MR] lamellar armor of the 1300's (14th century)
>Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:13:58 -0400
>
>Greetings all,
>I was wondering if anybody knew of documentation for lamellar armor of the 
>mid 13th century (preferably German / Eastern European).
>
>THe only graphical example I have been able to find is: 
>http://www.medieval.co.nz/images/wisbylamellar.jpg
>
>But I have no idea how accurate that is.
>
>If somebody knows of another resource please let me know.
>
>Many thanks,
>Abel

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