I have been “playing medieval” for about fifteen years now, starting prosaically enough with live action role-playing games in Colorado in the mid eighties as a teenager. Then I participated in the SCA from about 1990 to present. I have always been interested in improving the quality of the portrayal that I present, and have reached a point in my life where I am interested in joining the growing wave of “frontierspeople” carving out a niche in the re-enactment community by doing high-fidelity pre-settlement living history. I will in the end have one foot on each horse, as our Kass does, one foot in living history, and one foot in the SCA, and wish to make it clear that I understand that each horse is different, for different reasons, and each valid in their own way.

That said, I have decided that I wish to portray an English late 14th century gentleman of arms of the rank of esquire. I and my lady may, if fate is kind, form the core of a group of re-enactors or interpreters portraying a household troop typical of those seen in the Hundred Years' War, esquires, men at arms, and archers, with their camp followers.

I have approached this from the standpoint of material culture, and submit my findings to the advisement of my peers in re-enactment, so that I can obtain the best return for my treasure, and achieve the best results possible. I wish as much as possible to avoid spending money on items of low quality, or items that are inappropriate for the portrayal I have described. Please help me by attesting to the choices I have made, or by suggesting alternatives, or by suggesting alternatives even if the choices I have tentatively found are good. The cost of the items listed is in excess of $11,000USD, so in any case, I have discovered some measure of the price of authenticity. I thank you for any assistance or guidance you may provide. You will see that some of the items I have already obtained, which I believe I can carry forward into this project.

Without further ado, the list:

Jehan de Pelham, esquire

Portrayal: English Gen d’ Arms of the esquire rank, dating to 1382 specifically but 1380-1390 generally.

Material Culture:

1. Arms.
a. Sword and Accessories
i. Arms and Armor Henry V Sword. Obtained, $498.
ii. Scabbard. Obtained, $85.
iii. Sword Belt and Hanger.
b. Sword of War
i. Next Generation Albion Mark “Baron.” $750.
ii. Ian-made Scabbard.
c. Poll Axe
i. Raymond and Shannon-made Poll Axe. Inquiry Out.
d. Mace
i. Arms and Armor Iberian Mace. $138. (an old family treasure)
e. Dagger
i. Arms and Armor Classic Medieval Dagger. $176.
ii. Scabbard. $15.

2. Armor. (All Historic Enterprises Armor is in Spring Steel)
a. Helmet.
i. Anshelm Arms Mild Steel High Top Bascinet. Obtained, $425.
ii. Ansehelm Arms Mild Steel Round Nose Klappvisor. Obtained, $250.
iii. Erik Schmid Rivited Camail. $??.
b. Spaulders.
i. Historic Enterprises Spauldlers, Circa 1380. $250.
c. Breastplate.
i. Historic Enterprises Breastplate, Italian Circa 1360-1415. $600.
d. Gorget.
i. GAA Armories Gorget. $45.
e. Haubergeon.
i. Steve Forth Alternative Solid/Riveted Haubergeon. $724.
f. Vambraces.
i. Historic Enterprises Vambraces, Italian Circa 1380. $600.
g. Cuisses and Greaves.
i. Historic Enterprises Cuisses w/ Custom Fitted Greaves 1390. $2230.
h. Sabaton.
i.
i. Gauntlets.
i. Tom Justus Hourglass Gauntlets: http://justus.pair.com/GalleryPhotos/slides/Hourglass.html Inquiry Out.

3. Clothing.
a. Underwear
i. Historic Enterprises 14th Century Braies, 3 Pair. $54.
ii. Revival Clothing 14th Century Shirt, 3. $135.
b. Outerwear
i. Historic Enterprises Herjolfsnes G63 Gown, Linen. $160.
ii. Historic Enterprises Chausses, Linen, 3 Pair. $90.
iii. Historic Enterprises Cotehardie. $200.
iv. Revival Clothing 14th Century Cotte, Blue Linen. $160.
c. Head Coverings
i. Historic Enterprises Norlund Type II Hood, Dagged, Red. $45.
ii. Revival Clothing Linen Hood w/ Liripipe, Wine. $38.
iii. Revival Clothing Linen Coif. $15.
iv. Historic Enterprises Early Medieval Coif. $12.
d. Footwear
i. Historic Enterprises Turnshoes. $85.

4. Clothing Accessories
a. Belts
b. Pouches
i. Historic Enterprises Kidney Pouch. $45.
c. Badges
d. Jewelry
i. Steve Millingham Lancastrian SS Collar, Pewter. 45L
e. Garters
i. Historic Enterprises Garters, Buckled. $20.

5. Housing
a. Tent
i. Tentsmiths 13’ x 19’ Round End Marquee. Obtained, $1500.
ii. Tenstsmiths Museum Wedge. Obtained, $600.
b. Awning
i. Tentsmiths 15’ Awining (12’ Tent Version). $250
ii. Tentsmiths Wall for 15’ Awning, 6’ Wall. $101.
6. Furniture
a. Chests and Boxes
i. Six Board Chests, 18”x36”x24”, 6. $?? (Self-Made)
b. Bed
i. Oak Slat Bed, Full Sized Mattress. $?? (Self-Made)
c. Chairs and Stools
i. Form Stool, 34” Long, 2. $$?? (Self-Made)
ii. Three Legged Stool, 2. $$?? (Self-Made)
d. Tables
i. Trestle Table, 24”x36”. $?? (Self-Made)
ii. Trestle Table, 24”x 48”. $?? (Self Made)
e. Lanterns
i. Historic Enterprises Brass Lantern with Horn Door, 2. $50.

7. Tools and Implements
a. Fire Set.
i. Armlann Fire Set. $??
b. Bellows.
i. Historic Castings Bronze Bellows Nozzle. 15L.
ii. Bellows. $?? (Self-Made/Adapted)
c. Buckets.
i. Historic Enterprises Small Bucket. $30.
ii. Historic Enterprises Large Bucket, 2. $100.
d. Kitchen Tools.
i. Cutlery
ii. Cooking Pots
1. Historic Castings ½G Cast Iron Cauldron. 78L.
2. Historic Castings 2G Cast Iron Cauldron. 130L.
3. Historic Castings Large Three Legged Pan. 100L.
4. Historic Castings Pot Hangers, 2. 90L.
iii. Historic Enterprises Footed Ceramic Cauldron w/ Lid. $65.
iv. Chokecherry Forge Steak Turner. $10.
e. Sewing Kit.
i. Historic Enterprises Sewing Kit. $89.
f. Drinking Vessels and Eating Utensils.
i. Historic Enterprises London “Baluster” Mug, 2. $22.
ii. Billy and Charlie’s Trenchers, 2. $50.
iii. Steve Millingham’s Pewter Replicas Maidenhead Spoons, 2. 10L
g. Table Settings.
i. Billy and Charlie’s Salt Cellar. $50.
ii. Historic Castings Bronze Chafing Dish. 110L
h. Fire-starting Kit
i.

8. Accessories

This letter is an outgrowth of a decision I made some months ago to undertake a massive improvement of my kit. It is my goal to attempt to obtain many of the items on this list within the next twelve months.

Again, I thank you for your time.

I believe for the 14thc, a breastplate is just that, for the breast, not for the whole front including stomach. There would be no reason I can see for you having an SS collar. Better to get a pair of spurs. There are no awnings evident with tents. For your bed, whether you go with wood slats or ropes (not plywood sheet) to support the mattress, the mattress should be a linen 'tick' stuffed with staw, topped with a feather mattress. Feather mattresses are still manufactured, just check any bedding specialty store. You may also want to pick up an iron space heater for cooking on. There is no pictoral evidence for chaffing dishes prior to the Mary Rose find.

I have never heard of esquires in the 14thc either. As far as I know that started much later and denotes someone too poor to advance to being a knight. But all your very fine equipment would put that at odds.

Would you really have that many various weapons? What are you hired as? a polearmsman or squire to a knight? Also you mention sword and hangar. A hangar is a later period sword, normally for huntsmen. There is a specific sword buckle for the 14thc, see below. It can be purchased from Gaukler Medieval Wares however I don't see it up on his site, as I have the first one produced from the 14thc original. Best email him if you are interested.

So with all your fine (and complete) equipment, especially the steel breast and limb armour, you are of the knightly class.

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Regarding weapons, I do not know with great authority what weapons an esquire would be required to have. I understand that the sidearm of a man at arms was typically a sword like the Henry V sword. Also, that a larger Sword of War would be the expected primary weapon for combat or any sort of chivalric deeds a'la outrance. The poll axe was a common chivalric weapon of the time. The mace is just because I like maces. But I would be glad to shed any un-necessary expense, especially if it were shown to me that these weapons are inappropriate to the portrayal.

You are right about the Lancastrian collar. The portrayal is too early for that, I am told, and have verified, and they are worn on "special occasions" only. Perhaps I will get one anyway, though, and have it standing by for when I (and my portrayal, as it moves forward a year as I do) get older, and opportunities for the portrayal of "special occasions" occur.

The breastplate is a full globose breastplate. Quite common for the late 14th century. Your own website says that by 1384, breastplates had become so common they were banned for wear in London.

I am thinking oak slats, for the bed. Thank you for the details about the bedding. Now I know what the hell people mean when I read references to "feather beds." They mean the thinner top bed, not a whole thing made of feathers. Which, I knew all along, and had forgotten until just now! Thanks!

Iron space heater--do you mean something like what you depict on your website: a griddle with legs and a handle for setting over coals?

Again, I thank you for your advisements.

Truly they are made to hold burning material. They originally would have had a pan supported by the iron strapping. Wood or charcoal could have been burnt. Did you warm yourself? food or water? Who knows truly, as such an item can be put to all these uses. Just a couple of days ago, I found a 15thc illumination showing an owner of a farm warming himself beside a wheeled space heater, dressed in fur cap, hood, overcoat. While four field hands laboured outside.

Another item you may wish to consider is an iron buckler as shown on this page Armour examples the churburg breastplate ends at the elbows. Dangle your arm and your elbow should be near the bottom of your ribcage and the top of your stomach. This is what I mean about a 'breast' plate.

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Regarding the breastplate, I believe that that breastplate example makes it look like it rides higher than it was meant to. That one looks like it comes to about three to four inches above the navel. My understanding is that it's supposed to be a little lower.

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