Our Approach to Reconstruction

We have no photographs of life in the fourteenth century. We must develop our picture of it from illustrations done at the time, from surviving artefacts, archaeological information, and written sources such as chronicles, wills, inventories, and period instruction manuals. On rare, fortunate occasions, we can draw all four avenues of research together for a reconstruction. As much as possible we try to have at least two sources.

Whenever we can we use primary source documentation that dates from the first quarter of the fifteenth century. However, many of the illustrations from the time are sketchy or unclear. Some things are not illustrated at all. If we cannot find a visual reference for something that we have learned was used in our time frame, we look to both earlier and later sources and try to find a form that appears both before and after our time. If we have a vague image of an object, we try to match its silhouette to one depicted in another place that shows the object in greater detail. Thus we obtain insight into the construction of the object, allowing a plausible reconstruction.

Occasionally we experiment with variant reconstructions, trying alternative possibilities in materials and methods of construction. Such “field testing” can clarify reconstructive options, separating what is a practical from what turns out to be not such a good idea after all.

Projects

LBC have worked to add breadth and depth to our portrayals of camp life by undertaking research projects. Each project, such as ‘Medicine & Surgery,’ begins with research (reference materials for each project is summarized, below) after which the Compagnie manufactures or creates needed materials. The following projects have been originated over the last thirty years. Many are still ongoing as new research suggests changes to the way we present material culture of the period. These projects are broken down into major themes, such as ‘Armors & Armor, Camp Activities, etc. We regularly add to this section, so check back for updates.

Camp Activities

Arming a Knight

Training: Fighting Techniques

Music and Singing

Writing and Record Keeping

Fiber Arts

Pastimes: Entertainment

Cooking

Medicine and Surgery

Camp and Furnishings

Tents & Shelters

Chests & Containers

Furniture

Lighting

Tools

Clothing and Personal Items

Fiber, Dyes & Clothing Construction

Men’s Clothing

Women’s Clothing

Fastenings & Jewelry

Shoes and Leather Goods

Belts and Fittings

Personal Goods

Cooking and Tableware

Cooking & Cooking Tools

Pottery

Tableware & Settings

KIT (Costume)

Included below are LaBelle’s standards for various impressions. While not something we expect new members to have, these descriptions present the ‘ideal state’ of a person presenting a particular class or profession. These suggestions are based on our best research and are typical of the period.

A Man-at-arms’ Kit

A man-at-arms is the elite soldier for the military company and we expect him to be armed cap a pié (from head to toe). The required kit listed here is what you need to complete to become a companion in the group. Note that if the portrayal is to be a knight, extra kit is involved.

To present yourself as a man-at-arms, you must have at least one basic set of armor and the clothes to wear with it, a few other items and minimal weapons suitable to a man-at-arms. Please refer to our clothing glossary for definitions of the garments and check out arms and armor for details on the named items.

Required:

    • Braes: Style will be timeframe dependent.

    • Hosen: Probably “tailed” hosen. “Point” hosen for the first half of the fourteenth century, or “joined” in post 1415 timeframes

    • Shirt

    • Headwear: Necessary if your hairstyle is not a period appropriate one. Timeframe will determine the most suitable sort.

    • Arming Doublet: A lightly padded garment to wear beneath the body armor. The cut depends on timeframe.

    • Belt(s): A military girdle and/or sword belt as appropriate to timeframe.

    • Helmet(s): Metal head protection suitable to the timeframe. In the early part of the war great helms are sometimes worn over a small bascinet.

    • Pisane: A mail collar with a short skirt.

    • Mail Shirt: Of suitable style for timeframe; alternatives such as sleeves, skirts and voiders are possible, especially inn later timeframes.

    • Metal leg armor: Styles and details vary by timeframe.

    • Metal arm armor: Styles and details vary by timeframe.

    • Metal gauntlets: Styles and details vary by timeframe.

    • Shoes: Styles and details vary by timeframe.

    • Spurs: Styles and details vary by timeframe.

    • If the timeframe requires it: Cloth Covering for the Armor: Styles and details vary by timeframe.

plus:

    • Bowl: A good wooden one will do but metal is better.

    • Spoon: One with a fig shaped bowl, metal.

    • A drinking vessel: glass, metal, or fancy pottery

    • A Table Knife: with sheath or case.

Man-at-arm’s Weapons:

    • Sword: Either a single-hand “arming” sword or a longsword. Styles and details vary by timeframe.

    • Dagger: Styles and details vary by timeframe. May be optional for some timeframes.

    • Lance: Styles and details vary by timeframe.

    • Shield: Optional for timeframes after 1370

Recommended:

    • Solerets or Sabatons

    • Set of Civilian Clothes: Doublet, Gown, Hosen, Shoes, Headwear.

    • Percussive Weapon: a mace before 1370 and a poleax after.

    • Seat: Either a chair, a stool, or a seat-height chest. Required for knights.

    • Cloke, a second Cote, or second Gown: Always welcome on cold days

    • Gloves: also welcome on cold days

    • Pattens: You will be grateful of these if the ground is wet.

    • Container: A chest or two to keep your stuff in.

A knight will have:

    • A second sword: Whichever of the two basics you don’t already have.

    • A second lance: Either a jack (heavily padded garment) or a mail shirt is preferred. Other options are possible. Garment styling changes during the war.

    • Something to add to the sideboard for hastilude scenarios: A ewer, plates, saucers, etc.

    • Pennons for the lances

    • Some or all of his equipment marked with his arms or device

A “proper” knight will have:

    • Tent: preferably an arming pavilion

 A Gentlewoman’s Kit

To present yourself as a gentlewoman, you must have at least one basic set of clothes and a few other items. A knight’s Lady will need a bit more. Please refer to our clothing glossary for definitions of the garments.

Required:

  • Hosen: Knee length.

  • Garters: No pewter, copper alloy fittings minimum.

  • Shift

  • Kirtle: Styles vary with timeframe.

  • Gown: Styles vary with timeframe.

  • Belt: No pewter, preferably silver(ed) fittings and mounts. Styles vary with timeframe.

  • Purse: Decorated or rich fabric bag

  • Small “use” knife and sheath

  • Headgear: Necessary if your hairstyle is not a period appropriate one. Styles vary with marital status and timeframe.

  • Shoes: Styles vary with timeframe.

  • Some jewelry: Styles vary with timeframe.

plus

  • Seat: Either a chair, a stool, or a seat-height chest.

  • Bowl: A fine wooden or pottery one will do, but metal is preferred.

  • Spoon: One with a fig shaped bowl, metal.

  • A drinking vessel: A fine pottery one will do, but metal is preferred.

Recommended:

  • Cloke: Always welcome on cold days

  • Pattens: You will be grateful of these if the ground is wet.

  • Gloves: also welcome on cold days.

  • Container: A “lady’s chest” (a small coffer for sundries, toiletries, etc.

  • Fiber Arts Tools/Supplies: For an art you can practice, such as spinning, tablet weaving, embroidery, or sewing.

A Knight’s Lady will have:

  • Silver(ed) or better fittings on her garters and belt.

  • More Jewelry

  • Something to add to the sideboard for hastilude scenarios: A ewer, plates, saucers, etc.

 

An Archer’s Kit

An archer is the basic soldier for the military company. The required kit listed here is what you need to complete to become a companion in the group, but the extra kit listed for “a well arrayed archer” is what we would like you to have to truly represent one of Sir Geoffrey’s archers.

To present yourself as an archer, you must have at least one basic set of clothes, a few other items and minimal weapons suitable to an archer. Please refer to our clothing glossary for definitions of the garments and check out archery equipment for details on the named items.

Required:

    • Braes: Style will be timeframe dependent.

    • Hosen: Probably “point” hosen, but possibly “tailed” or “joined” in post 1400 timeframes

    • Shirt

    • Tunic or Cote: Which, as well as the cut, depends on role and timeframe. Having this garment in Sir Geoffrey’s military livery colors (azure and murrey) is always welcome.

    • Belt

    • Purse

    • Small “use” knife and sheath

    • Headgear: Necessary if your hairstyle is not a period appropriate one. Your role may determine the most suitable sort, influenced by the time period being portrayed.

    • Shoes

plus:

    • Bowl: A wooden one is fine.

    • Spoon: One with a fig shaped bowl, wooden will do.

    • A drinking vessel: If you don;t want to drink out of your bowl, which is a fine medieval solution.

Archer’s Weapons:

    • War bow: A D-section, self longbow with horn nocks; no leather wrap at the grip; linen bow string.

    • 3 War arrows

    • Sidearm: A long dagger will do, but an sword, axe, or maul are also choices.

    • “Dummy” Arrowbag: A properly constructed arrow bag with dowels or target arrows to fill up the load in place of the war arrows you don’t have yet.

Recommended:

    • A Bow Bag: A narrow bag of wool to protect your bow and help keep it from wet.

    • Cloke or a second Cote: Always welcome on cold days

    • Pattens: You will be grateful of these if the ground is wet.

    • Container: either a bag or box to keep your stuff in.

A Well Arrayed Archer will have:

    • Helmet: There are a variety of options and styles chance during the war.

    • Body Armor: Either a jack (heavily padded garment) or a mail shirt is preferred. Other options are possible. Garment styling changes during the war.

    • Full Sheaf of Arrows for arrow bag: They need not all be war arrows. In fact a variety of heads provides more opportunities for education.

    • A second arrow bag: This can be a “dummy” bag.

    • Sword: A single-hand sword with scabbard or sheath.

    • Buckler: Preferably a wooden body, reinforced with metal or not, fax ed with leather and fitted with a metal boss and wooden handle.

 

A Servant’s Kit

For living history kit, a servant’s outfit and accessories are about as simple as it gets.

To present yourself as a servant, you must have at least one basic set of clothes and a few other items. . Please refer to our clothing glossary for definitions of the garments.

Required:

    • Braes: Style will be timeframe dependent.

    • Hosen: Probably “point” hosen, but possibly “tailed” or “joined” in post-1400 timeframes

    • Shirt

    • Tunic or Cote: Which, as well as the cut, depends on role and timeframe.

    • Belt

    • Purse

    • Small “use” knife and sheath

    • Headgear: Necessary if your hairstyle is not a period appropriate one. Your role may determine the most suitable sort, influenced by the time period being portrayed.

    • Shoes

plus

    • Bowl: A wooden one is fine.

    • Spoon: One with a fig shaped bowl, wooden will do.

    • A drinking vessel: If you don;t want to drink out of your bowl, which is a fine medieval solution.

Recommended:

    • Cloke or a second Cote: Always welcome on cold days

    • Pattens: You will be grateful of these if the ground is wet.