I've been following the postings on your board for several days, and I just joined. The reason I'm interested in your group is because I'm in an authenticity-oriented 15th century group (Wolfe's Company), and I'm starting to work on a circa 1450-1460 Brigandine.

It seems that one, if not several members of your group have studied some surviving brigandines. I've only seen photos, myself. I've noticed some information scattered throughout the postings, but nothing complete. I'd really appreciate it if someone could comple the information into a "ideas on making a brigandine" article. The more detail, the better. I'm sure that it would also be helpful to other people as well.

Also, any links would be appreciated.

Regarding the leather cover, I've looked at numerous reproductions of Memling paintings, such as The Beheading of John the Baptist, and the brigandines look a lot like oiled leather to me. On the other hand, all of the surviving brigandines that I know of are on fabric, and the documentary evidence (at least from England) points to cloth ("fustian" and velvet)....

Thanks,

Welcome to Firetryker! I will have to address this later, as I shortly leave for work, but rest assured you will get a proper answer this evening.

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Originally posted by chrisvika:
and the documentary evidence (at least from England) points to cloth ("fustian" and velvet)....

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Christian,
There are numerous references to different coverings on Brigandines in England, not just Velvet or Fustian. In fact Fustian doesn't actually appear very often in the
accounts I've seen.
This is what I wrote in a previous post

quote:

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There are more covers than simply fustian ... A quick glance at the Howard's accounts shows black, green, crimson (generally implying good quality to allow for the dye) and blue 'cloth' (so probably wool) alongside fustian and black fustian,
crimson, purple, black and russet velvet
and white leather (i.e. alum tawed)

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Also, whilst not a for brigandines there is a French ordnance which describes the construction of Jacks (sorry for being vague ... over worked, tired and no references to hand so the memory is slipping) includes a final layer of deer skin.

p.s. to those who care ... there is no such thing as a Brigandine ... they invariably called them 'a pair of Brigandines' when refering to one ... much like 'a pair of hose' (avoiding the trousers/pants Atlantic divide)