OurDecay's English Knight, c.1265

1. Scramseax (secondary weapon) - a relatively short bladed weapon that is carried sheathed horizontally along the front of the belt. The primary purpose of the scramseax was cutting and hacking, not stabbing. A tanned leather scabbard is included and attached at two points along the belt.

2. Longbow (primary weapon)* - an effective weapon that later gained notoriety for its use in large numbers in later periods, most famously by the English. This bow measures 72" long, with a 28-lb draw at a 28" draw-length. Unlike the originals that would have been made with yew or osage (now very rare and expensive woods), this replica has been made out of red oak. Because bowmen were used in a largely singular basis, they served more as guerilla fighters or snipers, as a high-arching volley attack would be totally ineffective in this manner. Therefore the bowman would be interspersed among the rest of the forces, just behind the skjaldborg (shield wall) and firing lethal arrows directly into the teeth of oncoming attackers. This replica has a simple rope wrap, and a linen string with stringer.

3. Viking Leather Quiver* - a simple and hardy quiver made of 8-9 oz. shoulder leather with an oval cross-section. Is joined together with leather lacing rather than thread. Entire quiver is 22" long with a 4" over-flap and is 18" in circumference. The hanging loop is 8" in length at its narrowest. The quiver could comfortably hold 12-18 of our reenactment arrows, which are simple wooden arrows fitted with a double-layer of foam rubber padding on the end. Currently due to pricing concerns we are using cedar target arrows as a starting point, but that is only a temporary measure.

4. Simple Leather Belt (with strap end)* - tanned leather simple belt, 1-1/2" wide. Features a single steel heel buckle and is designed to hang horizontally around the waist. Belt carries scramseax sheath as well as a pouch and quiver if equipped with a bow.

5. Maille Hauberk* (and maille mittens*) - A very valuable item most probably either handed down from his father or acquired through force or plunder. This is my second shirt of maille, and features short sleeves and does not have the integral coif of the later English knight portrayal. For safety sake I would wear maille mittens as with the c.1265 kit, but in this case the mittens would not be attached permanently to the maille shirt, and the slits in the leather of the palms would be sewn together. The maille mittens in this kit are of a smaller diameter (5/16" at 14-ga) than the rest of the kit, to allow for more comfort and safety. The maille construction is 3/8" butted galvanized 14-ga steel maille. Historically accurate maille would have been a smaller gauge and riveted individually with a flat cross-section.

6. Nasal helm (peaked top)* - This helm was the most popular style of helm of the era and is often associated with the Normans circa 1066. It came in many styles, but the two primary styles are a spangenhelm type (whose name is based on having separate plates attach together with rivets comprise the top of the helm) and a two-piece conical helm top that was welded along a central ridge. A single bar extends down to cover the bridge of the nose. This helm is of the spangenhelm type and is fitted with a leather chin strap attached with copper rivets. This particular helm would probably have an aventail to provide some protection around the lower half of the head and neck.

7. Viking Shield (round)* - This served as the standard shield for Vikings of many ethnicities and origins for hundreds of years. A rather large diameter round wooden shield with a central domed boss and rawhide (or simple leather) wrapping around the rim of the shield. The backside of the shield features a long strip of steel that crosses behind the boss to form a protected handle for the wearer. The shield also has a buckled 7/8" leather carrying strap. As this was before formal heraldry, it is unclear what the significance of the design and coloring of the shield would be.

8. Viking Pouch (leather)* - This is a semi-circular pouch with an over-flap and a simple clasp made of horn and leather tie. The flap features Scandinavian designs, and the whole pouch has been tanned. This pouch is hung from the belt along the right hip.

9. Kyrtle (Tunic)* - Has two layers of separate simple tunics, with a light inner tunic made of linen and and an outer dyed tunic (pale blue) made of a slightly anachronistic linen/polyester blend. The necklines feature a slit down the front to get the garment over the head. Currently these are very simple garments with no edgework (table weave, etc.).

10.Trousers (without winningas)* - These are of made of a dyed (turquoise) slightly anachronistic linen/polyester blend . This garment isn't excessively baggy like those of the Rus, but isn't altogether tight either. An alternate set of trousers are natural muslin and feature hidden pockets along with being a bit more baggy.

11. Boots (soft leather)* - These simple lace-up suede boots are tall, riding on the upper calf. In actuality, they are a pair of modified moccasins. Eventually they will need to be replaced with turnshoes.

12. Necklace* - This was hand-made out of pieces of horn, bone, wood, brass, nickel, and stones. The medallion hanging at its center is a replica of a medallion recovered from the Birka (Sweden) archeological dig and dates to c.800. It has been determined to be Swedish in origin.

13. Broach* - The cast piece is a replica of an artifact of Swedish origin dating to the 11th Century. It is being used to close the neckline of the kyrtle.

If you have any questions, dead links to report, or anything else to request, feel free to email me at:

ourdecay@cox.net

Last Updated: 11.16.04 (new host!)

Date Created: 04.20.03

Warrior's Hall of Honor:

John
Varangian Guard

Mike
The Anglo-Dane

Shawn
The Rus Trader

Ian
The Hersir

Ryan
The English Knight

Dan
The Thing Man