Warriors For The Working Day
Military Art
By
Paul Hitchin
145 Walsall Road
Pelsall
Walsall
WS3 4BP
UK
Telephone
07967630942
German
Knight in French service 1345-1360
This figure is based on various mid 14th
century German effigies, particularly that of Otto von Orlamunde.
The knight shown here fighting for France against the English wears armour
typical of the period of transition from mail to plate. Padded body armour
and mail are still integral to the man’s armour but he wears a coat of
plates, metal plates riveted through fabric to protect chest and abdomen. Plate armour protects his lower legs and shoulders and his arms are
covered with iron splints. His conical bascinet helmet has a broad nasal
to protect the face and this is riveted to the mail aventail and attached
by fasteners to the helmet, allowing it to be released as necessary.
It was quite common at this period for the knight’s sword and dagger to be
attached to the coat of plates by chains so ensuring the mounted warrior
did not drop his weapons. The man carries a shield with a notch in the top
in which a lance could be rested when at the charge.
Knights such as this man fought for France at Crecy in 1346 where the
household knights of king John of Bohemia chained themselves to their
blind master and entered into the fray to fight valiantly but die to the
last man together with their king.
