German knight 13th century. Development of armor in the Middle Ages in Western Europe

It will be interesting to all medieval history lovers.

Sequence of knights of the 13th century knight.

Step 1. It is absolutely clear that the mail fell not on the naked body
and not on underwear. First needed to protect legs with
pretty thick stegan pants:

Step 2. Then there were already put on the rolling "stockings boots",
who were tied to the knight's belt.
Under the knees they were tightened with special belts,
otherwise, it would be too large load on the lower back:

Step 3. Before putting on the mail, the knight was died in the same pants
shed caftan:

Step 4. Wearing mail.
Now the knight is being protected almost completely:

Step 5. On top of the ring mandatory rope of heraldic colors of the knight with his generic coat of arms,
otherwise it would be not clear what kind of knight and on whose side in battle he acts.
However, the raincoats of the Knights of Catholic orders most often did not differ from each other,
if we talk about members of one order.

Then a distinctive sign served as a helmet with appropriate heraldic signs.
It was possible to distinguish the knights in the form of a helmet. Unlike hiking knechtov whose helmets
were uniform, horse knights sought to individuality and their helmets were quite
a variety of both in shape and decor.
The helmet was also put on a naked head, but on a certain cap with garters under the chin.

Step 6. Equipment horse.
During the knightly tournaments, as a rule, the horse was also falling in the oppon
heraldic colors of a rider knitter. But in real battles it was
not a mandatory rule.

In winter, in such a closure, the knight may be comfortable. But in the warm (and especially roast) time of the year, he had to just pushing from the heat, pouring down later. And considering the attitude of the Western European Middle Ages to hygiene, you can imagine how you smelled from these noble knights!

Thank you for attention.
Sergey Vorobyov.

Modern images of warriors

German Knight XI century

On the knight of the chain of the old sample with cuts on the sides. Such mailings were worn in Germany more than two centuries in a row. The cavalrymen wore chains with cuts in front and rear, and this knight is a penalty. On the head at the knight, the helmet of an old sample (the so-called "Spegelhelm"), which are glued to the frame of the iron strips. Nasal plate at the helmet is missing. The bottom of the collar hat does not protect the neck in front. Shield copied from the drawings of that time. It is believed that these shields were among the German knights of the XI century, although the archaeologists could not find a single preserved copy.

Bohemian infantry of the XI century

The infantrymen of many European countries differed from knights and mercenaries in that they did not wear almost no armor. However, this infantryman we see a helmet with a nasal plate that protects the sword from a chopping. It is cast from a single piece of metal. Rivets along the edge of the shorts are designed to attach a leather or disholling rim on a soft lining. The Shield "Korshun", which we see the warrior, entered into use in the XI century, like in the infantry and cavalrymen.

Polish heavy cavalryman of the XI century

Poles came across the German many times, as they were under constant threat of aggressive policies of the emperors. On this warrior, we see iron scaly armor. In his hands, his shield covered with slices of leather. His gold-plated helmet is decorated with decorative plates. A short ax is tied to the saddle.

German Knight of the first half of the XII century

The knight's helmet has a fastened and bent forward the top typical for that time. Ringca sleeves reach the wrist. However, in contrast to most of its contemporaries, this warrior has no foot armor. The tower for wearing the sword was fixed on the waist as follows: its forked end was watched in the slots at the opposite end and tied to the knot. This method of wearing a belt was distributed in Germany everywhere in the XII and in the XIII century.

The infantryman from Lorraine, the first half of the XII century

In the warrior, the short chain mail with sleeves, reaching only to the elbow. In the hands of a warrior, a round shield on which crossed belts replaced the metal bar for the capture characteristic of previous samples. Despite the widespread spread of the Shield "Korshun", the infantrymen also often could see a round shield.

Infantryman from Verona, 1139 year

This city infantryman is dressed in the mail. His vesting has some features of Italian style: the tip of the helmet is tilted forward, the lower part of the helmet is stretched for better protection. Warrior shield is quite long, the lower end has a rectangular shape. This is one of the species of the Italian shield, which, in addition to Italians, used only some Muslim warriors. The vestment of this warrior is not worse than Knight. Only rollery clauses, put on only to the left leg, say that a heavy infantryman, who during the battle turned to the enemy is the left side during the battle.

German Knight of the second half of the XII century

On the legs of the knight, the knights tied behind the back, although most warriors wore the entire colts of "stockings". On the head there will be a high hemispherical helmet, popular in Germany XII century. On the sides of the helmet we see the image of the simplest heraldic emblem. The nasal plate in the form of an inverted letter "T", extended at the bottom for better protection of the mouth, is the first step towards making a mask that fully defended the face.

Milan infantryman 1170

In the figure we see the infantry from the city of Milan, whose warriors delivered so much trouble to the Germans. On the head of the warrior helmet with an elongated back, designed to protect the nape. The shield is strengthened with iron stripes, its lower end is rounded. A widespread end of a wide saber curve is designed to apply powerful blows. Armpels have no infantryman.

Italian knight end of the XII century

The figure shows a knight from northern Italy, who fought both for the Germans and against them during their campaigns for the southern Alps. His vesting is a little different from the versions of the German knight. A round helmet with a slightly elongated back view reminds one of the late Sallet models. A rib in the middle of the helmet at the top forms a comb. In the hands of the knight, one of the early varieties of Bulava with a copper alloy overall.

Knight- "ministerial" tungsten von Eschenbach

The knight tungsten von Eshenbach came from the family of Bavarian knights, "ministerial". Extended hanging sleeves and "V"-shaped cut Surko can be found on many images of that time. German masters often made vertical grooves on details, strengthened metal design. They did it consciously or squeezed out the excavations just for the decoration, we are unknown. The knight's face completely closes the mask, sticking to the granted edge of the helmet. Upstairs, we see the decoration in the form of a flag with a generic coat of arms of Eschenbakh. The researchers could not accurately establish what was depicted on this coat of arms: an ax or flower pot. Horse body protects quilted popone. Points in the corners of quilted rhombuses are likely to rivets.

German Knight 1200

The image of this knight is copied from the picture in the manuscript "Eneida". Kellez's sleeve is so long that it closes the hand, forming something like a mittens. To the inside of the sleeve adjacent to the palm, sewn a piece of fabric or skin to facilitate the grip. On the head of the knight of the unusual shape of a column hood with eye slits, apparently, which is part of the chain mail, worn under Surko. The manuscript does not have a description of how similar vesting dressed. Perhaps the mail had an elongated valve in front, but it usually closed only the mouth. It seems some of these valves were tied with laces in the temples. This variant is shown in this picture. In the hands of the warrior a wide shield common among the German knights. At Surko there is the same image of the coat of arms as on the shield. The sword hangs out with a dressing on the wrist. This is a rather rare way of wearing a sword. More often so wore a mace.

Archer from Thuringia, 1200 year

The archer has no armor, except the hat in the form of a kitfish. Its weapons are close to the big bow. Quiver for arrows in the shape of a cap resembles a quiver of equestrian archers Muslims, as well as quiver of Eastern European warriors. Head arrows semicircular shapes. Probably, the closeness of the Slavic borders affected the archers of Thuringias and had the influence of the military traditions of Slavs.

Savoy Knight, 1225

The warrior from the kingdom of Arles, which was part of the German Empire. In the hands of the warrior one of the early models of the helmet with a facial mask. This helmet was put on top of a hat on a soft lining and a chain hood and tied the straps under the chin. In the knees of solid skin, they made holes on the edges and sewed to the flight. In the hands of the knight typical for the German warrior shield, form close to triangular.

Arle's infantryman, 1220

On this warrior, the long chalkgach is hoping. He has a separate chapter hat with a rectangular chest. This shape of the flying valve of the collar cap was typical of German warriors. She testifies to the German influence, which took place in the territory, more and more subfolded by France. Wearing the caps separately from the chain, was uncharacteristic for that time. The warrior helmet is probably of two halves, and the decorative strip in the middle closes the place from the connection. However, it is only an assumption. The helmet could also be made of one piece of metal. In the hands of the warrior of the shield-"Korshun" of the old sample.

Graf Louis Luz, 1216

The drawing is copied from the image on the graph printing, where the graph is depicted in surcooked with a rigid shoulder insert. Alternating red and yellow stripes on surcooked and horsepone are the colors of the generic coat of arms. In this case, the popone closes only the head and the front of the horse's body. Such "half" Popons met infrequently. On genuine print, the helmet is depicted with decoration upstairs. But due to the damage of the original, the decoration form is not preserved.

German Knight 1250

The equipment of this knight is similar to the gear of the knights of modern France and England. He has no solid armor. The knightly helmet became deeper. The top under the collar cap on the lining is laid a circular roller, which gives a cap view of a rectangle, if you look at the front. The head of Ephesus, having the shape of the crescent, rarely met outside of Germany. On the shield at the knight and in the afternoon, his horse is depicted by the generic coat of arms of Malincrodts from Westphalia.

Horse archer-Sarcin with Sicily, 1240

Frederick II especially loved Saracin, who had many in his army. The warrior in the dress of Saracin from the Andalusian part of Spain holds in his hands the reinforced bow with a backward ends, consisting of wood, horns and tendons. Tendons on the outer side of the bow amplify tension. The horn on the inside contributes to compression (that is, the return of the bow into the initial state after the shot). This warrior does not use a bowl case, but the arrows are hidden in a quiver, hung to the right shoulder. The archer is also armed with a direct sword, typical of Arab warriors.

Bodyguards from Tunisian Berberov, 1240

Friedrich II, as well as his predecessor Roger I, took the bodyguard serve from Tunisia. This warrior, which is a striking contrast to the German Knight in appearance, is a real Arabic warrior. On the head of his head on top of the helmet of the conical shape, the turban will be put on the body, the torso protects the upper dress characteristic of warriors-Arabs. Round shield covered leopard skin. Armor protecting the body, represent a number of small plates associated with each other. Such armor were distributed among Muslim warriors and very rare in Catholic Europe.

Sicilian Crosschik of the first half of the XIII century

The drawing is based on the image from Peter Eboli's manuscript. This warrior could be Sicilians, Byzantine, Arab, Norman or Hermann. On his head, he has an outdated model with a helmet with a nasal plate. To charge the crossbow, the warrior uses a hook hanging on his belt. Onions are made of horns, wood, tendons and coated with parchment. The only weapon of this warrior is a long knife.

Walter von Geroldsek, Bishop Strasbourg, 1262 year

In this picture, the bishop is depicted as he probably had when he led his army into battle. On top of the helmet instead of decoration, I hope mitra, behind which is visible cape, although at that time it was more often you could see a scarf tied around the helmet. His surcoo has a lining of three rows of vertical plates. On the front side you can see the heads of rivets, which plates are attached to the cloth Surko. In the hands of the bishop, one of the early varieties of Bulava with ribs. It is made in such a way that all the impact strength occurred on the small area of \u200b\u200bthe rib. Despite the prediction that the sword raised, from the sword and perishing, "the bishop is armed with a sword. Prelate warriors, armed with swords and spears (less often Bulavami), were often depicted in the patterns of chronicles, as well as the "Roland song" Archbishop Turpina. On the horse we see the colts of the popone, thrown over the soft lining. The reins serve the iron chain, which is harder to break during the battle than leather reins.

German Infantryman-citizen of the second half of the XIII century

This warrior carries an Acton on a soft lining with a standing collar and long sleeves, reaching the wrist, in the area of \u200b\u200bwhich they narrow, forming a tightly adjacent cuff. On the head of the infantry of a simple shape helmet under which the cap on the soft lining is hoping. The ax with a big blade was kept with both hands, having hit during the battle. Other soldiers from the townspeople had spears, swords and shields.

Equestrian Crosschik second half of the XIII century

In this warrior, like many others, we see the mail, wearing Surko. However, he has no armor. For the convenience of charging the crossbow, the rings hoses only reach the wrist. During the recharge of his weapon, the Crosschik fell off the horse.

Infantryman from the Netherlands, the second half of the XIII century

One of the numerous infantry soldiers serving as a mercenary or feudal warrior. On the infantry we see the scaly armor. Such armor in the form of a long shirt with short sleeves without a hood, consisting of horny, iron and copper scales, from time to time could be seen from soldiers of the second half of the XIII century.

German Knight, 1290

On the knight's shield we see the generic coat of arms of the name of Bredov from the Brandenburg brand. On the side of the knight, the knight has a lamellar armor, which were especially common in the XIV century. Front and on the shoulders are set vertical plates, rivets from which are visible on the front side. Under the challenge, the knight will put an Acton on a soft lining, which quenched the blows. In this picture, the aetone is not visible. The shin protects the ledge of one of the first samples, fastened on the inner side of the legs on the buckle. In addition to the usual sword hanging on the belt, in the hands of the knight we see the sword Bastard, which is also called a combat sword or a big sword. In many illustrations, it is depicted attached to the belt. However, there are written evidence that speakers that the second sword was tied to the saddle. Such swords were especially popular among the German knights.

Kumansky mercenary second half of the XIII century

Kumani is a nationality that was part of the Hungarian people. On the warrior the top dress of the Turkish cut, under which he must be wearing a mail and small lamellar shoe. Onions are suspended with a case, quiver with a lid rotating on the loop and a small shield. In the hands of the warrior slightly curved saber, sharpened from one end. During the XIV century, many Kumani, like other Hungarians, gradually adopted the German suit.

Mercenary from Brabanta, 1300 year

The lower countries, including Flanders, which was formally part of France, provided numerous hired troops. This figure shows one of these mercenaries. On the warrior we see the mail. In his hands, he holds a spear with a tetrahed tip.

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In this article, the process of developing armor in Western Europe in the Middle Ages (VII is the end of the XV centuries) and at the very beginning of the early new time (the beginning of the XVI century) is considered in the most common features. The material is equipped with a large number of illustrations for a better understanding of the topic. Most of the text is translated from English.

Mid-VII - IX centuries. Viking in the weather helmet. It was used mainly in Northern Europe by Normans, Germans, etc., although they often met in other parts of Europe. Very often has a semi-mask closing the upper part of the face. Later evolved to the Norman helmet. Armor: short mail without a collar hood, reliating over the shirt. The shield is round, flat, medium sizes, with a large umbon - metal convex seal-hemisphere in the center, typical of Northern Europe of this period. On the shields are used by the gug - a shield belt during a hike on the neck or on the shoulder. Naturally, horned helmets did not exist at that time.

X - the beginning of the XIII centuries. Knight in the Norman helmet with ronde. Open Norman helmet conical or ovoid shape. Usually,
front attached a nanker - a metal nasal plate. It was widespread throughout Europe, both in the Western and Eastern part. Armor: long ring to the knees, with sleeves of complete or incomplete (to elbow) length, with a koyf - a chain hood, separate or representing a single whole with a chain. In the latter case, the Kolchug was called "Huberk". In front and rear from the ring cuts on the Podol for more convenient movement (and it is more convenient to sit in the saddle). From the end of the IX - early X centuries. Under the challenge knights begin to wear a gambezon - long approaching clothes, stuffed with wool or packles to such a state to absorb strikes on the chalch. In addition, the arrow perfectly stuck in the hambizons. It was often used as a separate armor poorer compared to knights of infantrymen, especially archers.

Tapestry from Bayyo. Created in the 1070s. It is clearly seen that the archers of the Normans (left) do not have armor at all

Often, extracts were worn to protect the legs - rolling stockings. With the X century Rondash appears - the large Western European shield of the Knights of the early Middle Ages, and often both infantrymen - for example, Anglo-Saxon Khuskerlov. Could have a different form, more often round or oval, depressed and with Umbon. Knights Rondas almost always has a pointed shape of the bottom - she covered his left legs. Was produced in various versions in Europe in the X-XIII centuries.

Attack knights in the Norman helmets. That is how the Crusaders looked, who captured in 1099. Jerusalem

XII - the beginning of the XIII centuries. Knight in a solokovanny Norman helmet in Surko. The nnock is no longer attached, but it is shot along with the helmet. On top of the ring began to wear surcookedly - a long and spacious casing of various styles: with sleeves of various lengths and without, monochrome or with a pattern. Fashion went from the first crusade when the knights saw such raincoats from Arabs. Like the mail, he had in front and behind the cuts on Podol. Clooring functions: protection against overheating of the chain in the sun, prevention from rain and dirt. Rich knights in order to improve protection could wear a double mail, and in addition to the nnacker to attach a semi mask, which closed the upper part of the face.

Archer with a long bow. XI-XIV centuries.

End of the XII - XIII centuries. Knight in a closed pothelime. Early Pothelums were without face protection, could have a nickel. Gradually, the protection intensified until the helmet began to completely close the face. Late Pothelm is the first helmet in Europe with a pick-up (visor), fully closing face. By the middle of the XIII century. Evolved in Tophelm - a pot or big helmet. Armor do not significantly change: the same long ring with a hood. Muffers appear - rolling mittens, coated to Hobberk. But they did not get widespread, the knights had leather gloves. Surpo slightly increases in volume, in the largest version becoming a coatless cape - clothes, put on top of the armor, without sleeves, on which the coat of arms of the owner was depicted.

The king of England Edward I Long-legged (1239-1307) in Open Pottleme and the Coat Cape

The first half of the XIII century. Knight in Trefhelm with Tary. Tophelm - Knight's helmet, appeared at the end of the XII - early XIII century. Used exclusively knights. In the form can be cylindrical, barrel-shaped or in the form of a truncated cone, completely protects the head. Tophelm was put on over a collapse hood, under which, in turn, a handmaker was put on the felt, to mitigate shocks on the head. Armor: long mail, sometimes double, hooded. In the XIII century. It appears as a massive phenomenon, a chain-brigant armor, providing stronger protection than just a chain. Brigantine - Armor of metal plates, stuck on a cloth or stegan linen basis. Early rolling-brigant armor was dressed on top of the ring blades or vests. Shields in knights, due to the improvement by the middle of the XIII century. The protective qualities of the armor and the appearance of fully closed helmets are significantly reduced in size, turning into a tary. Targe - a type of shield in the shape of a wedge, without Umbon, actually circumcised from above the version of the drop-shaped rondas. Now the knights no longer hide face shields.

Brigantine

The second half of the XIII is the beginning of the XIV centuries. Knight in Tophelm in Surko with aelets. A specific feature of topfhelms is a very bad review, so they were used, as a rule, only in a spear sror race. For hand-to-hand fight, Tophelm fits bad due to disgusting visibility. Therefore, knights, if it came to hand-to-hand, discharged it. And in order for an expensive helmet to be lost during the battle, it was attached to the neck with a special chain or belt. After that, the knight remained in a chain hood with a felt probe under it, which was weak protection against powerful blows of a heavy medieval sword. Therefore, very soon, knights began to wear a spherical helmet under a topfhelm - Chercher or Hirnhauba, which is a small hemispherical helmet, a tightly fitting head, similar to a helmet. Chercher has no elements of person protection, only very rare Cherchelors have nankers. In this case, that Topfhelm sat on the head on the head and did not shifted on the parties, a felt roller was put on his head on top of Chercher.

Chercher. XIV.

More Tophelm did not attach anything to the head and relied on the shoulders. Naturally, the poor knights did without Chercher. Aelets are shoe rectangular shields, similar to epaulets covered with heraldic symbols. Used in Western Europe in the XIII - early XIV centuries. as primitive shoe. There is a hypothesis that straps have occurred from aelets.

From the end of the XIII - early XIV centuries. The tournament sacred decorations were greatly distributed - various heraldic figures (keenodes), which were made of leather or wood and was attached to the Slem. The Germans have a lot of distribution received a variety of horns. Ultimately, Tophelma was completely out of use in the war, remaining purely tournament helmets for a spear srinkage.

The first half of the XIV is the beginning of the XV centuries. Knight in the Bacing with Aventile. In the first half of the XIV century. Bacinet comes to change the topfhelma - a spherokonic helmet with a pointed riding, which is sent to the Aventyle - a chain cape framing the helmet along the lower edge and the closing neck, shoulders, heads and side sides of the head. Bacietary wore not only knights, but also infantrymen. There is a huge number of varieties of bacieties, both in the form of a helmet, and in the type of fastening took a wide variety of species, with a nicer and without. The most simple, and therefore the common elevation for bacetics, there were relatively flat clampsors - in fact, the face mask. At the same time, a variety of Bacieties with the elevation of Khundsgugel appears - the most ugly helmet in the European, nevertheless very common. Obviously, the security at that time was more important than the appearance.

Baciety with picking Khundsgugel. End of XIV in.

Later, from the beginning of the XV century., Bacings began to supply the neck of the neck instead of a collapse Aventyle. Armor at this time is also developing along the way of strengthening the protection: chain railings are still used, but already with larger plates, better than the strike. Separate elements of the Latched Armor began to appear: first, the plaston or plaque, covered with the stomach, and bibs, and then the brass kids. Although due to its high-cost, brass kids at the beginning of the XV century. Little knights were available. Also in mass quantities appear: Bracers are part of the armor protecting hands from the elbow to the brush, as well as developed elbows, pulps and knee pads. In the second half of the XIV century. Aquetone comes to shift, a quilted jacket with sleeves like a gambezone, just not so thick and long. It was made of several layers of tissue, stood up with vertical or rhombic seams. Additionally, no longer stuffed. The sleeves were made separately and sucked to the shoulders of the aeton. With the development of lamellar armor, which did not require so thick waydays, like chain, in the first half of the XV century. The Aeton gradually displaced the gambezon from the knights, although among the infantry it remained popular until the end of the XV century., First of all, because of his cheapness. In addition, the Knights cooler could use doublet or Purpuen - essentially the same activity, but with enhanced protection from the colts of the inserts.

This period, the end of the XIV - the beginning of the XV centuries, is characterized by a huge variety of combinations of armor: rolling, rolling-brigant, composite from a column or brigant base with walled bibs, sweatshirts or piles, and even brigant armor, not to mention all sorts of visual , elbows, knee pads and pulps, as well as closed and open helmets with the most diverse elections. Shields of small sizes (Targe) knights are still used.

Lacking of the city. France. Miniature began the XV century.

By the middle of the XIV century, following the new fashion that spread over all Western Europe to shortening the outerwear, Surko is also very shortening and turns into a zoopon or tobar, which performed the same function. Baciety gradually developed in the Grand Baciety - a closed helmet, rounded, with the protection of the neck and the elensity of the hemispheric shape with numerous holes. It was out of use at the end of the XV century.

The first half and the end of the XV century. Knight in salad. All further development of Armor is on the way to enhance protection. It is the XV century. It is possible to name the age of the Latt Armor, when they become somewhat more affordable and, as a result, they appear in massual knights and to a lesser extent in infantry.

Crosschik with Pavesa. Mid-second half of the XV century.

With the development of a blacksmithing case, the design of the Latt Arms has become increasingly improved, and the lats themselves changed according to sending fashion, but the western Western European armor always possessed the best protective qualities. By the middle of the XV century. The hands and feet of the majority knights have already been completely defended by the lathel armor, the torso - Kirace with the famous skirt, fastened to the lower edge of the pussy. Also in mass order, wipe gloves appear instead of leather. For a change, the Avenue comes with coarse - the fascosal protection of the neck and top of the chest. Could combine both with a helmet and with Kiras.

In the second half of the XV century. Arme appears - a new type of Knight's helmet of the XV-XVI centuries, with double pick and protection for the neck. In the design of the helmet, the spherical dome has a hard back and movable protection of the face and neck from the front and from the sides, on top of which it descends fixed on the dome. Thanks to this design, Arme gives excellent protection both in a spear srinkage and in hand-to-hand combat. Arme is the highest step of the evolution of helmets in Europe.

ARME. Mid XVI century.

But it was very expensive and therefore only rich knights are available. Most of the knights from the second half of the XV century. Wore all sorts of salary - type of helmet, elongated and closing neck from behind. Salads, along with chaople, are widely used - the most simple helmets and infantry.

Infantryman in Chapel and Kiras. The first half of the XV century.

For the knights, deep salads with full protection of the person (the fields in front and from the sides were caught vertical and became actually part of the dome) and the neck, for which the helmet was complemented by Buwiger - protection for the clavicle, neck and lower part of the face.

Knight in Chapel and Buviger. The middle is the second half of the XV century.

In the XV century There is a gradual refusal of shields as such (due to the mass appearance of the Latt Armor). Shields in the XV century. Turn into backers - small round fistboards, be sure to steel and with Umbon. Appeared as the replacement of the Knight's Troop for a walking battle, where they were used to parry shocks and strikes Umbon or edge to face the enemy.

Buckler. Diameter 39.5 cm. The beginning of the XVI century.

End of the XV - XVI centuries. Knight in complete armor. XVI in. Historians have no average centuries, but to early new time. Therefore, the full brass armor is a matter of more than new time, and not the Middle Ages, although he appeared in the first half of the XV century. In Milan, famous as a center for producing the best armor in Europe. In addition, the full brass armor has always been very expensive, and therefore only the most secured part of the knighthood was available. Complete Warm Armor, covering the whole body with steel plates, and a closed helmet head, - the culmination of the development of European armor. Halfons appear - walled shoulder protection, providing the shoulder protection, the top of the hand, the blades with steel plates due to their rather large size. Also, to enhance protection to the walled skirt began to mount tastes - loose shields.

In the same period, bard appears - walled horse armor. Consisted from the following elements: Charfrigen - Protection of the muzzle, criticism - the protection of the neck, pelatrals - breast protection, croupper - protection of cereals and flanses - Protection of sides.

Full armor for knight and horse. Nuremberg. Weight (general) rider armor - 26.39 kg. Weight (total) horse armor - 28.47 kg. 1532-1536

At the end of the XV - early XVI centuries. Two mutually opposite process occur: if the cavalry armor is increasingly enhanced, then the infantry, on the contrary, is incigeriated. During this period, famous landscapes appear - German mercenaries who served during the reign of Maximilian I (1486-1519) and his grandson of Charles V (1519-1556), who left all the protection at best, only Kiraça with taste.

Landsknecht. End of XV is the first half of the XVI centuries.

Landscinds. Engraving began the XVI century.

The stories of the knights, the faithful king, a beautiful lady and military debt, have been inspiring men for feats, and people of art - for creativity.

Ulrich von Liechtenstein (1200-1278)

Ulrich von Liechtenstein did not take storming Jerusalem, did not fight the Moors, did not participate in Reconquis. He became famous as a knight poet. In 1227 and 1240, he traveled, which described in the "ministry of the ladies" in the court novel.

According to him, he passed from Venice to Vienna, causing every oncoming knight to fight in the name of Venus. He also created the Lady Book, theoretical essay of love poetry.

The "ministry of the ladies" of Liechtenstein is a tritomatic example of a courtroom novel. It tells about how the knight sought the location of an excellent lady. To do this, he had to amputate the little finger and half of the upper lip, to win three hundred opponents in tournaments, but the lady remained adamant. Already at the end of Roman Liechtenstein concludes, "that only a fool can endlessly to serve where there is nothing to count on the award."

Richard Lion Heart (1157-1199)

Richard Lion's heart is the only king-knight in our list. In addition to the well-known and heroic nickname was Richard and the second - "yes and no." He came up with another knight, Bertrand de Bourne, who brightened so young prince for indecision.

Already being the king, the management of England Richard did not do at all. In the memory of descendants, he remained fearless warrior, taking care of personal glory more than the well-being of his possessions. Almost all the time of his reign, Richard spent abroad.

He took part in the Third Crusade, won Sicily and Cyprus, besieged and took the acre, but the English king was not decided on the storming of Jerusalem. On the way back, Richard was captured by the Duke of Austria Leopold. Only a rich ransom allowed him to return home.

After returning to England, Richard fought for another five years with the French king Filipp II August. The only major victory of Richard in this war is the taking of a life under Paris in 1197.

Raimund VI (1156-1222)

Graph Raimund VI Toulouse was an atypical knight. He became famous for the confusion of the Vatican. One of the largest faudals of Languedoc in Southern France, he patronized Qataram, the religion of which was confessed during his rule the majority of the population of lodnomk.

Dad Innokenti II twice rejected Ramunda from the church for the refusal of submission, and in 1208 called for a campaign on his land, which was in history as an Albigo-crusade. Raimund resistance did not give himself and in 1209 he had publicly repeated.

However, too cruel, in his opinion, the requirements for Toulouse led to the next break with the Catholic Church. Two years, from 1211 to 1213 he managed to hold to Toulouse, but after defeating the Crusaders in the battle of Ramunda, IV fled to England, to the court of John the landless.

In 1214, he once again officially submitted to Pope. In 1215, the fourth Lateran Cathedral on which he was present, deprived him of his rights to all lands, leaving only Markizat Provence His Son, the future Ramundu VII.

William Marshal (1146-1219)

William Marshal was one of the few knights whose biography was made almost immediately after his death. In 1219, the poem called the "History of William Marshal" was published.

Marshal became famous not because of the root exploits in wars (although he participated in them), but thanks to the victories in the Knight's tournaments. They gave them as much sixteen years of life.

Archbishop Canterberian called Marshal the greatest knights of all time.

Already in the 70th age, Marshal headed the royal army in a campaign to France. His signature is on the great charter of liberty as a guarantor of its observance.

Eduard Black Prince (1330-1376)

The Senior Son of the King Eduard III, Prince Wales. He received his nickname or because of a severe nature, or because of the origin of the mother, or in the color of armor.

His glory "Black Prince" tied in battles. He won the two classic battles of the Middle Ages - during the Cresus and when punishing.

For this, his father highlighted him, making the first cavalier of the new order of garters. His marriage in Kuzin, Joanna Kent, also added EDARD KHTERSKAYA Glory. This couple was one of the brightest in Europe.

June 8, 1376, a year before the death of his father, Prince Eduard died, and was buried in the Canterbury Cathedral. The English crown inherited his son Richard II.

The black prince left a trail in culture. He is one of the heroes of the Dilogy of Arthur Conan Doyle about the Century War, the character of the novel Duma "Bastard de Moleon".

Bertrand de Born (1140-1215)

Knight and Troubadur Bertrand de Born was the ruler of Perigord, the owner of the castle of the castle. Dante Aligiery depicted Berran de Born in his "Divine Comedy": Troubadour is in hell, and holds his sliced \u200b\u200bhead in his hand in punishment for the fact that in his life he inflated a quarrel between people and loved wars.

And sang, according to Dante, Bertrand de Born only to sow discord.

De Bourne, meanwhile, became famous and his courtisy poetry. In his verses, he glorified, for example, the Duchess Matilda, the older daughter of Heinrich II and Alienora Akvitan. De Born was familiar with many pipelists of his time, such as Gilmem de Bergedan, Arnaut Daniel, Folk de Marseille, Gaousel Foci and even with the French Drove Conona Bethune. By the end of the life of Bertrand de Born, Dalon's Cistercian Abbey, where he died in 1215.

Gottfried Boulevard (1060-1100)

To become one of the leaders of the first crusade, Gottfried Boulevard sold everything that he had and refused his lands. The vertex of his military career became the assault of Jerusalem.

Gottfried Boulevard was elected the first king of the king of the Crusaders on the Holy Land, but refused such title, preferring to him the title of Baron and the defender of the Holy Sepulcher.

He left the disposal to crown his brother Baldwin by the King of Jerusalem in the event that Gottfried himself dies - the whole dynasty was founded.

Being the ruler, Gottfried took care of expanding the limits of the state, hosted by Caesarea's emissaries, Ptolemaids, Askalon and subordinate to his power Arabian on the left side of Jordan. On his initiative, the rule was introduced, which was obtained by the name of Jerusalem Assisi.

He died, according to Ibn al-Kalanisi, during the siege acres. According to another version, died of cholera.

Jacques de Mole (1244-1314)

De Mall was the last master of the Order of the Templars. In 1291, after falling acres, the Templars moved their headquarters to Cyprus.

Jacques de Mole put two ambitious tasks: he wanted to reform the Order and convince the dad and European monarchs to equip a new crusade on the Holy Earth.

The order of the Templars was the richest organization in the history of medieval Europe, and its economic ambitions began to interfere with European monarchum.

October 13, 1307 by order of King France Philip IV beautiful all French Templars were arrested. The Order was officially banned.

The last Master of Springlers remained in history including due to the legend about the so-called "curse de mole." According to Joffwru Parisian, March 18, 1314, Jacques de Mole, going to the fire, called the French king of Philip IV to God, his adviser Guillae de Nogaare and Pope of Clement V. Already enveloped smoke clubs, he promised the king, advisor and dad that they We will survive it no more than a year. He also cursed the royal genus to the thirteenth knee.

In addition, there is a legend that Jacques de Mole before his death founded the first Masonic lodges, in which the prohibited order of the Templar was to be preserved in the underground.

Jean Le Mengr Beadico (1366-1421)

Bead was one of the most famous French knights. At 18, he went to Prussia to help the Teutonic Order, then he participated in the battles against Mavrov in Spain and became one of the heroes of the Central War. During the truce in 1390, Beadiko performed at the knightly tournament and took the first place on it.

Beadiko was a wandering knight and made poems about his valor.

He was so great that the king of Philip VI made him Marshal of France.

In the famous battle of Azenkur, Beadiko was captured and died in England six years old.

LED Campador (1041 (1057) -1099)

The real name of this glorified knight was Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar. It was a Castilian nobleman, a military and politician, the National Hero of Spain, the hero of Spanish traditional legends, poems, romances and drama, as well as the famous tragedy of Cornel.

Sitting knight called Arabs. Translated from the People's Arab Sydi means "My Mr.". In addition to the nip of "LED" Rodrigo also earned another nickname - a campauador, which is translated as "winner."

The glory Rodrigo was stamped at the king of Alfonso. Under it, El LED became the commander-in-chief of the Castilian army. In 1094, LED seized Valencia and became her ruler. All attempts by Almorvadov to win the Valencia ended with their defeats in the battles for the coupper (in 1094) and Bairen (in 1097). After his death in 1099, LED turned into a folk hero, sneaking in poems and songs.

It is believed that before the last battle with Moors El LED was mortally wounded by a poisoned arrow. His wife had the body of the Comcomiedor in the armor and sat on the horse to keep his army to save the morale.

In 1919, the remains of Sid and his wife, Donja Himenes were buried in the Burgos Cathedral. Since 2007, Cyson is a sword, presumably belonging to Sid.

William Wallace (Ok. 1272-1305)

William Wallace is the National Hero of Scotland, one of the most important figures in its wars for independence in 1296-1328. His image embodied Mel Gibson in the film "Brave Heart".

In 1297, Wallace killed English Sheriff Lanark and soon established himself as one of the leaders of the Scottish uprising against the British. On September 11 of the same year, the small army of Wallace broke the 10,000th English army on the Sterling bridge. Most of the country was released. Wallace was dedicated to the Knights and declared the Kingdom Keeper, driving on behalf of Balliola.

A year later, English King Edward I invaded Scotland again. July 22, 1298, a folkerkaya battle took place. Wallace's forces were broken, and he was forced to go underground. Nevertheless, the letter of the French king of his ambassadors in Rome dated November 7, 1300, in which he demands that those support Wallace.

In Scotland, at that time, the guerrilla war continued, and Wallace returned to his homeland in 1304 and took part in several collisions. However, on August 5, 1305, he was captured in the vicinity of Glasgow English soldiers.

Accusations in treason at the court Wallace rejected, saying: "I can't be a traitor to Edward, because I have never been his subject."

August 23, 1305 in London William Wallace was executed. His body was beheaded and cut into parts, head posted on a large London bridge, and parts of the body were exhibited in the largest cities of Scotland - Newcastle, Bervik, Sterling and Perth.

Henry Percy (1364-1403)

For its character, Henry Percy got the nickname "Hotspur" (hot spur). Percy is one of the heroes of the historical chronicles of Shakespeare. Already at the age of fourteen age, he participated in the command of his father in the siege and capture Berick, after ten years he himself commanded two raids to Boulogne. In the same 1388, he was dedicated to the King of England King Edward III, took an active part in the war with France.

For the support of the future king Henry IV PERSI, Flit, Konavy, Chester, Carnarvon and Denbi, was constable, and was appointed by the North Wales Justiciary. In the battle of Khomildon-Hill Hotspur captured Count Archibald Douglas, who commanded the Scots.

The outstanding warrant of century war Bertrand Degulklen in childhood was little similar to the future famous knight.

According to Trubadura, a bushell from the tour, who made up the life-in-law of Duheclenelen, Bertrand was "the most ugly child in Rennes and Dinan" - with short legs, too broad shoulders and long hands, ugly round head and dark "boar" skin.

On the first tournament, Degulolen got in 1337, at the age of 17, and later chose the military career - as the researcher he writes to Jean Favye, he made the war with his craft "as if necessary, how much and on mental inclination."

Most of all Bertrand Duceclene became famous for his ability to take a well-fortified castle storm. Its small detachment supported by the shooting of archers and crossbars, stormed the walls with stairs. Most castles that had minor garrisons could not resist such tactics.

After the death of Duceclene under the siege of the city of Shanef de Randon, he was given the highest posthumous honor: he was buried in the tomb of the French kings in the church of Saint-Denis in the feet of Charles V.

John Hokwood (Ok. 1320-1323 -1394)

English Congreter John Hokwood was the most famous leader of the White Company - the detachment of Italian mercenaries of the XIV century, served by the prototype for the heroes of Roman Conan Doyle "White Rota".

Together with the hockwood in Italy, British archers and hiking ladies appeared. Hokwood for his military merit got a nickname L'Acuto, "cool", which later became his name - Giovanni Acuto.

Glory Hawkwood was so great that the English king Richard II asked the permission of Florentine to bury him in his homeland in the hinkin. Florentine returned the ashes of the great kingdom to their homeland, but ordered for his empty grave in the Florentine Cathedral of Santa Maria del Formor gravestone and fresco.

Reading about knights, thirteenth century warriors, we often face mention of their armor and weapons. What did the military armor look like the 13th century, as the warrior put on all his gear, how did he use it? Of course, you can apply to numerous reference materials that contain information on these issues, but nothing compares with a good practical demonstration of knightly equipment of the 13th century.

Numerous Military Historical Clubs study military equipment of various eras, make knightly armor and weapons, and even know how underwear in the 13th century. Participants in military historical clubs know that it is much more interesting to see everything with your own eyes.

Practice has shown that for putting on all the equipment and complete equipment warrior 13th century will need a lot of time and help , at a minimum, one servant servant, but it is better to take two assistants who know what to do.

For a start, the knight should be in the under-linen of the thirteenth century.

Over the underwear warrior puts on not solid pants, but two simple trousers , which are attached with special leather straps to the belt. On the legs of the warrior homemade leather shoes , stitched by antique patterns.

The first thing of the knight's colts colenny Lessions (eng. Chain Leggings) that wear "Foot" on top of sophisticated trousers.

Colenny Lessions pretty hard to wear Since they should fit enough to fit the leg.

If they were too loose, the knight would be difficult to walk, the legs would cling one for another.

Kolenoe Leggings are given Knight the opportunity to comfortably sit on the horse.

Mounting rollers with special straps to the belt knight.

For. To prevent sagging collaborate, they are supported by additional leather straps, tied around the knee and ankle.

Then the knight puts on a thick soft set (eng. Gambeson - overalls), consisting of a variety of layers of material, fabrics, wool and horsepower, the whole step is flashed with durable threads, so it is firm to the touch, and at the same time soft armor as a blanket.

Good Steganka can stand by itself! Safety dense fabric, like a jetty, weakens the power of any blows that can hit the knight, and is also a softening protective layer from the hard touch of iron chain.

Steganka is very warm and bad "breathable" material, so the knight became very hot and sweaty during movement or battle for several hours. Before the fight or before the campaign, the warrior was supposed to have a sufficient amount of water, otherwise he could perish from dehydration.

Then the knight puts on a soft sophisticated handmaker, hiding his hair and serving head protection from iron kolchugi. .

What is characteristic and for the manufacture of chain mail of this period?

If you carefully look at the close-up, you will see that it consists of alternating rows of solid rings and rolling units.

This method of connecting the rings is a little faster, because you do not need to rivet each ring, but it is still a very laborious process.

First, the blacksmith rod steel, did individual links, correctly connected them, performing a cloud.

We are talking about several weeks of work of a qualified wizard, as well as expensive materials. That is why Kolchuga was very expensive, and it was possible to order her master only for wealthy people.

Kolchuga It was invented approximately in the middle of the 11th millennium BC. e., but it is impossible to say for sure who and where for the first time made it.

Word "Kolchug" Comes from the word Vedic Sanskrit "Armor of a set of rings (with the root" Cole "," Kolo "-" Circle, Ring "); Lats, tightly adjacent to the top of the body, the shell from the rings. This derivative word from the root "CANK" - Kañc - 1) 'link', 2) "shine".

To put on the chain of the warrior it is also not easy. Huberk pretty heavy, but it is also very flexible, so the knight in it can easily move.

Since the X century, the distribution of Kolchug reached its maximum when they were invented huberki (English hauberk) , hooded and mittens and shirt (eng. Mail Shirt) covering the whole body.

The word hauberk comes from the old-German word " Halsberge. ", Which initially meant Hals.- "Hals" - The throat and Berge- "Take care."

B. XIII century in Europe Kolchugi Sometimes enhanced by extensive shoe and chest plates.

As you can see, Huberka has a built-in hood which should be launched with a leather strap around the head.

The leather strap holds a hood in place, and serves so that he does not fall forward to his eyes, and he would hold on the forehead of the knight when he rides on horseback or fighting in battle.

The hood is equipped with a collar that protects the throat.

The flexible hood collar can be fastened in two positions - up and down.

An important detail of the knight's equipment is belt on belt which helps to distribute the weight of the heavy chain.

When the knight puts on hauberk, the whole weight of iron equipment, hanging, puts on his shoulders.

If the warrior lifts his hands, and the servant servant is tight causing a belt around the waist , then again dropping hands, the warrior will feel that big part of the weight of the ring is now held by the belt.

An integral part of the gear of the 13th century knight is mittens.

Mittens have rolling protection with back side But from the palm, they are leather, so that the knight is easier to keep the horse reins and weapons.

On the palm of the leather mittens there is a slot, so that the knight can take out a hand from the mittens when necessary.

If you look at the modern illustration of the battle, you will see that mittens are always put on the knights, and there is a reason for this.

No one in the right mind goes into battle without mittens, first of all it is protection against damage to the hands holding weapons. Hands in mittens rolled with rolling sides are a powerful weapon in the near battle.

Mittens are attached to Huberk (eng. Hauberk), but are located so that you can remove them or put on. They also have a leather tie around the wrist so that they keep in place.

On top Huberka knight puts on shirt (eng. sUR + Coat - "Surcoate", hence the word "Sutuk"). Opinions researcher disagree with respect to the initial goal of wearing shirts.

Researchers of military equipment believe that the upper twist defended the iron chain from heating in the sun, because the chain mail could become too hot, or the shirt could protect the mail from the rain, because the iron chain might rusted. In any case, the shirt served both targets.

Surcoat (surcoat) was used for applying the coat of arms of the knight, what was very important because it is very difficult distinguish one warrior from another when they are put on rolling helmets and raised collars.

At the beginning of the 13th century, heraldic symbols were quite simple, mostly geometrical drawings or stylized images animals.

On the shields of the 13th century, there were no very complex heraldic emblems and coat of arms consisting of quarters and eighth, indicating relationships with distant ancestors of the genus. The emblems of the 13th century can be described as "embezzled sable (Sable), that is, black and white color.

On top of the shirts with the coat of arms knight belt with a sword. The sword in the sheath was mounted on the left side So that the knight can quickly and easily grab the handle of the sword with his right hand.

By the way, the 13th century swords are much less severe than many believe, they weighed about 3 pounds or 1.5 kg, which is only three times more than that of a fencing sword. The sword is a balance and skill weapon, and not a shock weapon like a Bulava.

The knight might be in his left hand to make a mace or ax, and apply crushing, deadly blows on the enemy. Depending on the situation, the knight could use his shield, holding it in his left hand.

Then an extra soft protective headdress is on the head of the knight, with the engined circle, like egalema which are worn on head Arabs. This circle helps to hold the rollery helmet in place, just like Egallo holds a male head scarf - Kufu.

Now helmet. The beginning of the thirteenth century was a kind of transitional time for helmets: if you look at modern illustrations, you will see old-fashioned nasal helmets next to a later type of helmet mask. However, the most modern fashion 13th century There was a helmet with a flat top, the design of which was a clear step back, not a very good idea for the helmet, as it can be very tortured when hitting, which will lead to serious knight's injury. At the end of the thirteenth century, the design of the helmet has changed And it looks like a "sugar head", in the next centuries, helmets almost always have a rounded form, which protects the head well, but the shoulders may suffer. Kolchugi strengthened with shoulder lats that protect the shoulders of the warrior.

Wearing a helmet does not give a warrior of a large range of review, and the ease of breathing is not taken into account. It is necessary to achieve a balance between greater safety and a smaller visual range, which would mostly mean that the head of the knight was completely closed. With a larger viewing range, the warrior must have a more open and vulnerable person. Thus, the result of the design of the 13th century helmet has become narrow eye gaps and small breathing holes.

The shield is put on the left hand of the knight.

With the back of the shield are located two short belts (Eng. Enarmes), through which warrior does the left hand. But there is on the shield and a longer strap called gige (eng. Guige), i.e giga nTSKI to hang it over his shoulder when he does not use them to protect. The 13th century shield is made of wood and is covered with several layers of thick skin to form a strong, layered protection. As in the top shirt, on the shield portrayed the distinguishing sign of the knight, coat of arms.

The main weapon of the knight of the 13th century was, of course, not a sword, but a spear. At the beginning of the thirteenth century, the spear was not a stupid striped wooden sixth, but rather a real combat spear, which is a wooden rod with a length of ten to twelve feet, with sharp, double-edged metal edge at the end.

In the earlier century, the spear was used more often during the battle, it can be seen where the Norman Covern of Wilhelm fights against the Anglo-Saxon heavy infantry of Harold in the battle of Hastings October 14, 1066. The shock force of the rider spear was much higher than the strength of the hit of a spear of a walking heavy warrior.

By the beginning of the 13th century, Knights used a spear technique of a spear, tightly held under the right hand of the rider. Considering the fact that the knight was firmly sat in the saddle of his horse, and the whole weight of the rider in the armor and the galloping horse was focused on the sharp cutting edge of the spear, which acquired the slaughter power of the projectile. There are reliable news of the contemporaries of events that tell about what a spear pierced the enemy in the armor through.

What were the horses in the army of the 13th century? Contrary to common myths, battle horses were not massive animals, but they were very strong to carry all this weight of the armed knight in the armor.

So, the knight is now armed and ready for battle.

Several things should be noted that refute common delusions emanating from Hollywood films or television. First, for the knight, it is physically impossible to wear all the necessary military equipment on behalf of everything and armed. As you can see in the photos, the warrior could not wear equipment without assistance: he needs at least one, and better two assistants.

Secondly, the proper armament of the knight takes quite a long time. In modern conditions, at least about twenty minutes of time require, provided that you have two experienced assistants. Under other conditions, you will need at least half an hour to wear and tie everything right and carefully, and not slightly and crookedly. Otherwise, the hood can subscribe to the eye of the knight, and the handle's sleeves move to the mittens, which would be a catastrophe for war during the battle. Preparation for battle must be solid and thorough, during the battle it will be too late.

And finally, weight issues and ease of movement. Yes, the armor is heavy - it should be different, otherwise it is unlikely to be useful to protect the warrior. But let's not forget that the knight trained, almost every day, from childhood. This meant that he was accustomed to armor and their weight, and could well move easily in them. Kolchug is flexible enough, and its owner has freedom of movement.

So, here he is an armored knight of the thirteenth century.

The chain chain in the photo is made of metal harness, and is an accurate copy of the knightly gear of the 13th century.

Weight of various details of the knight of the 13th century In modern execution:

Jumpsuit (eng. Gambeson): 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
Kolchuga (Engl.Hauberk; Huberk): 38 pounds (17 kg)
Leggings (English Chausses - Shossen): 18 pounds (8 kg)
Helmet (eng .helm): 6 pounds (2.5 kg)
Shield (eng. Shield): 4 pounds (2 kg)
Scabbard and Sword Belt (Eng. Scabbard and Sword Belt): 2 pounds (1 kg)
Sword (eng. Sword): 3 pounds (1.5 kg)
Ax (eng .Axe): 4 pound (2 kg)

A total of 85 pounds or 38.5 kg.

The Knight of the 13th century, equipped in all armor, was a "armored tank" of its time - almost invincible and not killed with all iron protection. Very few knights of the 13th century died during the battle, much more lived civilians or easily armed foot soldiers.

Many thanks to the Knight of Colin Middleton (Colin Middleton) and his faithful squirrel.

2018-12-15