Medieval Armour (Brigandine & Plate): WHAT I GOT WRONG!

Measurements for medieval clothes and armour are SUPER important and you cannot underestimate how important the waist size was to medieval tailoring.
Brigandine by Aleksey Perebeynos - / aleksey.perebeynos
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[@ShummaAwilum]

Matt Easton takes 16 min to say he wants a smaller waist and bigger chest.

[@ronweber1402]

Don't we all.

[@robertdonnell8114]

Yeah, I noticed that....

[@chadfalardeau3259]

That's what she said

[@longsword1969]

Just eat more cheese burgers

[@PSquared-oo7vq]

I'd pay good money for Matt to film bringing that brigandine to a local tailor, and ask him "could you please bring in the waist a bit?"

[@scholagladiatoria]

Really? How much would you pay? :-)

[@meltedplasticarmyguy]

@@scholagladiatoria I bid 42,317 Iranian Rials, or ¥105.46

[@Bassalicious]

@@scholagladiatoria I'd throw in a HUNDRED ... Indian Rupees

[@Robert399]

@@meltedplasticarmyguy So like $1?

[@chadfalardeau3259]

I'd but that for a like

[@ChristianThePagan]

French guild regulations and ordinances stipulated that brigandines should be proof against crossbow bolts and they should be tested by being shot at with a crossbow much like breastplates were later proofed by being shot at with a musket or a pistol i.e. these things are pretty proof against arrows and bolts.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Were these Burgundian, or a different part of France? I'd be very interested to know the source if possible please.

[@duchessskye4072]

@@scholagladiatoria It's a source from the Armourers in Angers, dated to 1448. The transcription here isn't mine, so no credit to me for it: "They will make white harnesses for men-at-arms fully proof tested, which is to say to crossbows with windlass, or at least half proven, which is defined to be from levered crossbows and shots from a bow, and however it strikes. The brigandiers [brigandine makers] will be held like this to make brigandines... the heaviest of up to 26 to 27lb, will be proof tested against crossbows with windlass, and stamped with 2 makers marks, and the lightest of 18 to 20lb, tested as above against a crossbow with a levered hook, stamped with 1 makers mark" It's interesting to note that the brigandines are held to the same standard as the cuirasses

[@scholagladiatoria]

That's awesome! If I have seen this source before, I had not noticed the bit about brigandines. Thanks for sharing!

[@ChristianThePagan]

@pel thoron People have this weird idea that quality control did not exist in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. In fact most cities required all armour to be inspected by proofers and there were heavy punishments for cheating. One crap shipment of breastplates, or brigandines could ruin the reputation of an armour making centre. The guys over at Cap and Ball tested lamellar armour against hand guns, wheel lock pistols and muskets. Only the muskets achieved killing wounds which is not surprising since they output about two orders of magnitude more kinetic energy than a 160 lb war bow or the (approximately) equivalent war crossbow of about 500-600 lb. However, even a wheel lock pistol outputs at least an order of magnitude more energy than any bow and it did not even manage to penetrate lamellar. Brigandines were tough as hell and would be my 2nd choice right after a properly articulating breast and backplate set for raw protection value. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYTbd4xvZpyIfpo

[@ChristianThePagan]

scholagladiatoria Seconded, that’s a better source than I had.

[@JeffHays]

Legos can explain so much.

[@scholagladiatoria]

It says a lot about my youth that the first comparison that comes into my brain is lego.

[@Sk0lzky]

A guy that made fretboard with movable and replaceable frets was inspired by lego. It's truly a miraculous toy lol Oh, and his 6 yo son invented one made with legos so they built an actual learning tool together too >

[@louisvictor3473]

@@scholagladiatoria Oh, you too always wanted them as a kid super badly, but your parents were super poor, but later on in life you realised that long story short the issue wasn't poverty but being stingy, so it still haunts your memories to this day so it is always the first thing you think about? I knew there more of us out there!

[@alexandersarchives9615]

scholagladiatoria you sir, are truly an intellectual

[@mrhappynz]

My proudest moment was explaining DNA to my son using Legos - with the same building blocks you can make many different things.

[@shanedonovan1245]

There's a simple solution to fixing the waist. Just get fatter.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I'm *trying* to do the opposite.

[@shanedonovan1245]

@@scholagladiatoria It sounds like your problem is about to get worse.

[@charlottewalnut3118]

scholagladiatoria hAmmer it tighter🤗

[@krystofdayne]

Can confirm. Been working on that for years.

[@SuperFunkmachine]

Or take out some plates an cut it down to size.

[@tubebobwil]

That explanation of the wasp-waisted shape taking pressure off the shoulders hasn't been mentioned by most of the other KZbinrs. Thank you for this excellent video.

[@thomaswilkinson3241]

I got myself a coat of plates replicated after a Find from the massgraves of Visby. The Platemaker made it absolutely clear that I should take my measurements with everything I want to wear beneath. I am glad he did, because now it fits even on my Spes AP Jacket. I never thought there was any need for your video, but I think it was very good for us all that you did. Thanks a lot. 😊👍

[@joshyaks]

My first thought was that bringing in the waist would allow more of the weight of the armour to be carried on the hips rather than on the shoulders, but you covered that just before the 13 minute mark!

[@2008davidkang]

Brigandines obviously contains brigands in them

[@scholagladiatoria]

In this case, it seems so.

[@2008davidkang]

Brigands in Brigandines sounds kinda metal

[@RyanRyzzo]

:D It may mean something like: "Fighting wear" or "Fightingine" "Brig" seems to mean something like "power" or "strength" in some Celtic languages. Possibly a loanword that got into Italian, which then evolved into words for Brigand, Brigandine... and even Brigade (a blob of fighting men).

[@Knoloaify]

@@RyanRyzzo "Brigand" is a french word that used to mean "part of a brigade" as in "part of a group of soldiers", so : a soldier. In short, a brigandine means "something worn by a soldier". The word "brigand" later evolved to mean "bandit" as brigades of brigandine-wearing brigands pillaged the Kingdom of France whenever they weren't being employed. And we still use it that way to this day. And yes it seems to come from the italian "Brigante" which had the same meaning. Which itself comes from the latin "briga" (which means "to fight").

[@ivanharlokin]

@@2008davidkang It does. If they operate on the sea they could also travel in a brigantine 😁

[@michaelgladitsch1519]

One additional thing to mention about it opening to the front, is the ability to simply open it up to cool off. I've seen US soldiers open up the older body armor when relaxing at ranges, taking naps when out in the field and still being able to quickly get ready when the need arises. I would assume those soldiers and knights would have done the same. Whereas with plate, you would need someone to assist you every time.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

considering most casualties for cuirassiers in the napoleonic wars (according to an austrian source i read a while back, i forgot the exact source tho) were due to over heating (probably heat stroke preventing active partisipation in an individual battle), i imagine this is quite an important advantage, atleast for scouts and regular infantry...

[@michaelgladitsch1519]

@@matthiuskoenig3378 Jason Kingsley on Modern History TV did a test on a hot day in full harness, and after 20-30 minutes of just riding around not even fighting, he was feeling the beginning of heat stress. If a man in plate needs an assistant to don/doff his armour, that's two guys who are busy instead of ready to fight. If half a company of knights want to cool off, then you just lost a large percent of a force. Just adding to what you are saying Solar 👍

[@Veni-Vidi-Vini]

Wow, those pauldrons and that arm armour looks amazing! I'd love to see more of it, I don't remember you showing them before. Keep up with the amazing videos!

[@project86xero]

The look and materials have changed but armor sizing and layout hasn't changed much over the years. We still stop at our natural waist, even today, for the same reasons they did then. We also want it tighter, rather than loose, for similar reasons. If you look at modern plate carriers the cumberbund is often reinforced, especially on larger plate carriers, so it makes a solid loop. Which helps to distribute weight. Although on the larger carriers that can reduced mobility, similar to s full brest plate. So now lightweight carriers are growing in popularity. However they don't usually have the rigidity needed for support. This is why sometimes the lightweight plate carriers tend to be more uncomfortable in the shoulders than the heavy duty plate carriers. This usually leads to people tightening their cumberbunds even more making light carriers even more uncomfortable. However some more recent lightweight designs have plastic or metal reinforcements in the cumberbund to add back that rigidity that was lost when they reduced the bulk. Which gives it the support of the heavy duty carriers without the bulk. This is usually the ultimate in Comfort. Lightweight and rigid while still remaining flexible similar to a brigandine.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Flak vests/jackets (essentially a kevlar gambeson) from the late cold war/single digit years of the 21st century however, are the worst. This because they don't have the rigidity of plate carriers while having almost the same weight, and are simultaneously too rigid to be tightened in with a belt, thus nullifying every attempt at ergonomic weight distribution in the design of the webbing, backpack weight offset belts or other gear details...

[@zwinmar21]

@@SonsOfLorgar In my experience i could actually breath in a flak jacket, tightening anything around the waist was just uncomfortable. Of course, I was humping ALICE high on the shoulders, damaging the nerves a bit. Was an 0311 btw, in a victor unit.

[@khodexus4963]

It's a fortunate coincidence that I'm listening to this video while working on the details of a fantasy character design that wears a sort of hybrid cuirass/lorica segmentata right at the stage where I can adjust the waistline of the armor.

[@duchessskye4072]

It is interesting to note that brigandines seem extremely uncommon in the HRE in the 15th century, especially the german parts. This also goes for areas influenced a lot by the HRE, for example scandinavia. Brigandines are hardly ever depicted there (in fact, I have yet to stumble across one) and the very very scant references to them when they are used suggests import from Italy, but even this is exceedingly rare. There can be many guesses as to why. My personal speculation is that germany already had an established munitions breastplate industry which either actively suppressed brigandine making (since guilds can be very competitive) or by its mere existence just didn't give any need for the brigandines to exist. From the second half of the 15th century we already have a bunch of german munitions breastplates, and while barely any survive from the first half of the century the art depicts quite a few of them on infantrymen as well. Regardless of what the actual reason is the sources point to it being extremely rare bordering to nonexistent there, which definitely should be kept in mind. They're very common in flemish lands, especially in burgundy and the french lowlands, but this doesn't carry over to germany... I should also throw in an edit. A lot of french and flemish art depict covered breastplates rather than brigandines on men-at-arms. It's a common mistake to assume that everything fabric-covered with a dotted pattern must be depicting brigandines (one I am guilty of myself). One can see clear cases of this in more detailed art, where the rivet patterns on the brigandines are distinguishable from the different patterns on the textile covered breastplates/cuirasses.

[@duchessskye4072]

@Kaiser Franz von Lappen der 2. it'll give it a look. Emperor Maximilian however is one of the few germans we have records of owning a brigandine. Which is not terribly surprising considering his ties with Burgundy and the fact that he owned lots of armour in general.

[@duchessskye4072]

@Kaiser Franz von Lappen der 2. If you have any pictures that you can share i'd love to see, as I didn't manage to find any

[@duchessskye4072]

@Kaiser Franz von Lappen der 2. Oh right, those. I have seen them before, I must have searched for the wrong thing. But yes I wouldn't put much trust in those depictions. Most of them are 'heroic' in style and do not depict contemporary armour.

[@DeHerg]

@Kaiser Franz von Lappen der 2. WTH is that "breastplate" on the 3. to the right? Look kinda like the armorer was a time traveler that took inspiration from a tiger tank XD.

[@RyanRyzzo]

I've always wondered how the repair effectiveness and maintenance is with brigandines. If a plate assembly is damaged so is the fabric (or leather?) covering. Would one remove the rivets and damaged plates and then have a cloth patch sewn over the damaged fabric then reassembled?

[@scholagladiatoria]

I don't honestly know and I have also wondered about how brigandines were maintained and repaired historically.

[@Vespuchian]

I sadly don't have a source for this other than observation of materials in use, but I believe the leather or fabric (especially fabric) could be patched or resewn fairly easily, and would be done prior to riveting on the new plate. There's also a decent chance the damage could be from blunt force (hammers, maces, kicked by a mule, etc.) so the fabric wouldn't take so much damage itself, even if the backing plates were bent out of shape or the rivets torn out. Like the later buff coats I think it was expected for the outer layer of a brigandine to be fairly sacrificial, being cheap enough to simply be replaced when worn out and the steel plates reused on the new suit. Individual plates would likely be fairly cheap to order from a decent blacksmith, so the big expense would be the initial buy of the unit, then parts would be replaced as they wear/break (comparisons to car ownership are apt).

[@breaden4381]

I don’t know if this was ever done, but making the fabric out of many smaller segments stitched together could make it easier to replace certain sections with out disturbing others. It would also make sense since looms weren’t all that big.

[@seidmadr2024]

Damn it... I know I read an account somewhere that common soldiers were forced to repair their armor on their own, implying that it was possible but uncommon. I know it was connected to brigandine though. That's the problem with studying history for pleasure, rather than academic pursuits; you don't make notes of what you find where.

[@superballspaceship]

It raises me a question, maybe the pigeon shape you talked about would not only allow for more movement, but also creating a space for more padding in the ribcage and sternum, where you would need more to protect the bones and vitals.

[@deeber3960]

My very first thought was, “Matt’s honesty comes back to bite him” (i.e., actually giving an accurate waist measurement, without caring what anyone thinks of it). :)

[@Intranetusa]

Brigandine is believed to have developed around the 13th century or earlier from East Asia, and was brought over to Europe by the Mongol invasions. The first European kingdoms that used brigandine were those in Eastern Europe.

[@hector_2999]

Plate arms look really cool with your brigandine.

[@idontknowpreston3673]

Don't know how I missed this video last month. Very I informative as usual . I've become very interested in the brigindine recently so excellent timing. 👍✌

[@simiamalum5487]

I would love to see the video of you taking that to a seamstress to have it altered. The blank/shocked look on their face OR the blank/shocked look on your face as they start pulling out a grinder and box of rivets would be priceless.

[@sarahbezold2008]

I'm lining up a brig and doublet buy and this video probably saved me your same regret. Thank you!

[@Arkantos117]

I wonder if anyone ever put small metal plates on the leather straps prevent them being cut. Probably not now that I think about it; if you're getting repeatedly slashed down the middle then you've got bigger problems to worry about.

[@MadManchou]

Another great video by Matt "my body can still take it in" Easton

[@arc0006]

Is brigandine that buckles at the side common or even historically accurate at all? It seems like it wouldn't be that much harder to put on and it would be easier to get more overlap on the one side where it buckles. Which would be less of a weak point and a smaller one at that. Plus not right in the middle of your chest. I'm going to assume I'm some how wrong. :)

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes lots of brigandines connected at the sides instead of the front and some opened at the back. Brigandines in art are very varied.

[@arc0006]

@@scholagladiatoria Thanks Matt. Am I at all correct about the advantages and disadvantages of each?

[@Eiterra]

I would argue against side buckles not being that much harder to put on. I have a brigandine that buckles on the side, and it's extremely difficult for me to buckle those by myself. To the point that I usually just buckle them loosely and slip the whole thing over my head instead. Even though mine is a crappy non-historical model, I'm certain that the side placement and rigidity is a bad combo if you plan on doing it yourself. Having it just a little bit forwards would be a substantial improvement.

[@arc0006]

@@Eiterra Thanks for the input. I guess it is a concern. Granted maybe more historically accurate and higher quality brigandine might be easier to buckle yourself? Maybe, maybe not? However, you can do it right just with extreme effort? Would that be worth the extra protection to you?

[@ivanharlokin]

@@arc0006 Interestingly, the higher status/quality historical examples tended to fasten on the back, not only because this afforded greater protection, but also the wearer of such higher status versions would expect to have attendants to help them arm.

[@thoughtheglass]

The wasp waisted shadow is really interesting. As well as reenactment I also spend a lot of time lifting weights. Compressing your gut is really helpful - which is why weightlifters use belts- it takes strain of the back and makes you more stable. In the art their armour looks tighter than it needs to be for mobility - it looks like it's actively constricting their waists. I wonder if it's also to reduce back again and provide strength and stability.

[@davidnorth6670]

I remember Lindybeige getting a suit of plate armor made somewhat recently. I think I can speak for all of us when I say "Ir would be awesome to see Matt Easton, Lindybeige, Shad, Metatron, and Skallagrim together, in their best armor. Although, admittedly, I'm not sure what Skall is working with these days in terms of armor. I remember seeing him put on some decent armor some time ago.

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

That's tough. It actually does look much better with the tightening at your waist. You really should reconsider having your brigandine tweaked.

[@adrixshadow]

The Classic Studded Leather Armor.

[@sh4dowchas3r]

I saw a thing on early 20th century army webbing - French and British, I can't remember if they were 1st or 2nd WW, where the being able to carry the weight on your waist made it so much more comfortable. Those lessons were learnt 500+ years ago.

[@lordstephen7813]

This has been very very useful thanks. Just got the patterns for the cloth and the plates to make my own. OMG! there are over 700 rivets

[@hakdov6496]

the look in the original artwork was probably just the art style of the time and not how they actually looked

[@scholagladiatoria]

No, we have lots of armour surviving and it has that shape in reality as well.

[@dogman9291]

@@scholagladiatoria It is probably a mix of that and the art style, more exaggerated in art than in reality but still very much how they were shaped.

[@thedezzastator6997]

Glad I watched this before ordering a gambeson and later brig

[@bbartt80]

Great stuff! A one on blade types and their evolution would be a nice thing:)

[@jamesbruce1975]

I take it that the steel elements of the brigandine prevent from punching more holes into the leather strapping and simply “ratcheting” it tighter around the middle.

[@pickoffking]

I feel like this is a tendency that the creator should be aware of and ingorm the buyer ahead of time

[@mindstalk]

I note the brigandine is really noisy when you're handling it, but much less so when you're wearing. Not sure how well you could sneak in it, but seems possible. The plate arm at the end is really noisy again, though.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Yeah, taking in a brigandine properly would take 1) punching out most or all of the rivets and sort the separated plates. 2) Take the cover apart at the seams 3) Take the cover in as desired and re sow it to the new measurements. 4) Re attatch the plates that still match their original holes to the reduced cover. 5) Reforge or replace those plates where the rivet holes didn't match the original holes in the reduced cover. OR, use the easier method: 1)Have a brand new cover made to the new measurements. 2) Separate the plates from the old cover. 3) Arrange the old plates on the back of the new cover and reforge or replace individual plates too big or the wrong shape to accomodate the new size. 4) Punch the rivet holes in the new cover so that the holes match the rearranged plates. 5) Rivet the old plates to the new cover and have a child apprentice wax or flax oil all of it as a preservative coating unless the customer has ordered tinned plates, then the tin is applied prior to riveting to both plates and rivets.

[@steyn1775]

HELL JA MORE PEEPS DOING BRIGANDINE ARMOUR VIDEOS!

[@TJBMediaProductions]

Ah yes Captain Context once more "Pull it in tight" ;)

[@DMRaptorJesus]

Matt Easton, khajiit heavy armor trainer.

[@woltews]

most soldiers thought history got what was in the pile , not something tailored for them and even it was tailored for them at some point in time in winter you wanted it bigger and in summer and after marching 250 miles it dint fit as well as before the war started . by trying for a perfect fit you are missing part of the experience of actually having one at war .

[@NGWhite-mw9kz]

Seems to me like the waist would get pulled in a little more tightly once you factor in a sword belt, much like with the rope. I assume, anyway, that a gentleman able to commission such a fine piece of armor would've needed somewhere to hang his scabbard! I am curious whether that's a serious consideration when making this particular style of harness, or if it's attested-to in period writings.

[@Maxim777-m7v]

Can you make video about Brigandine vs Plate? (vs warhammer sword spear etc.)

[@scholagladiatoria]

I can in theory, but I'm not going to destructive test my armour :-)

[@Maxim777-m7v]

@@scholagladiatoria yeah i was meant theory

[@custodianvrael6471]

So basically, you need to chonk, but you don't want to chonk

[@Pedro8k]

Very nice looks a quality item

[@DrVictorVasconcelos]

I find it hard to believe that they just made one for every single knight. Looks to me like they'd be passed down, and there probably is a way to make it slimmer.

[@Robert399]

How does brigandine compare to lamellar in terms of protection?

[@Turkoktonos1]

Is there a possibility to get a brigandine without connection to fakebook? To someone reasonable. Thanks.

[@skm1091]

Ever thought of reviewing lamellar armor?

[@ghostfacedninja1000]

If you were to want to spend a lot of moneys on some kind of armour. How much is it worth, to physically go to the armourer to get it tailored exactly to you? Or can you achieve the desired results by measuring yourself and sending them the information?

[@Ssatkan]

You got mail!

[@creativehorse7907]

I know Matt said 'as tight as possible' but is that say 8-10cm (3-4 inches) from you natural waist circumference because of gamberson and mail?

[@AdumbrationOfAnAlias]

Could you not move the attachment points for the leather straps. It would simply create a larger overlap, just as when you tightened the rope around your waist. I think this is a fairly easy modification that would not require you to take out or resize the plates.

[@juanzulu1318]

Wasnt tbe Brigantine worn together with chain mail hauberk?

[@jeb-zf4un]

How do you clean them? I guess rust was a problem

[@budahbaba7856]

Lol, Matt has such great information, but it takes him so damn long to get around to saying it! :)

[@kotam2]

this is a great video matt, very informative and helpful. i have recently taken a great interest in 15th century fashion and armour. one question for you (if you see my comment) or anyone else reading this. where can i find a good arming doublet? i have had a small look around and i can find all kinds of gambesons but nothing like what i see more experienced (and better equipped) members of the community have. do you make them yourself or have them made alongside the armour? any help would be greatly appreciated as i am rather new to all this and still quite ignorant. i look forward to your next video.

[@stormrhode2330]

I'm surprised (maybe a wee disappointed) that this was a video featuring brigandine and there wasn't a shoutout to Shad.

[@frankgonzalez3822]

Of all the armor you own, which is your favorite ?

[@RVM451]

How much does your Brigandine Weight, Matt?

[@richarddelotto2375]

Over the years... stuff moves down from your chest to your waist. Just wait a few years. Or get a push-up doublet...

[@naimishtiakahmed9221]

Skallagrim tested it’s very durable.

[@harrybrechin]

Matt, simple answer is eat more pies!!!, however failing that have you considered speaking to ASH who in my mind makes top end Brigs, I'm lucky enough to own one of his, perhaps he could make the alterations for you

[@vedymin1]

Can't the buckles be changed up so that they pull more around the waist ? Also i wonder how much can this armor be hit and sliced before it starts falling apart ?

[@smokerxluffy]

Rather than have two sides match exactly in the middle, having them overlap would give more room for adjustment. You know, like a kimono or a SPES gambeson or something.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

threse are metal strips with shape, while offering flexability, they can't be adijusted like truely flexable clothing/armour like cloth or mail.

[@smokerxluffy]

@@matthiuskoenig3378 You didn't understand what I suggested, Think of a kimono or a bathrobe; you overlap the two flaps at the front, so that one is under the other. It doesn't matter how inflexible they are then.

[@Dgoc813]

Look so gshdarn neat !!

[@joeyvanhaperen7715]

I would have that probleem pretty much regardeless of what I do. I don't have a Apple, pear or sandstopper figuur, I have a goblet figuur. Pointy hips sticking out the side, then a quick sloop into the waiste line and a slow, but steady enlarging around the chest area that ends in straight lines. I'm like a pear figuur in reverse. Like a karakter from baki. Getting anything to stay on my hips has bin a challange for all of my life. 😅 That's why I'm struggling to get any leg armor to stay in place and I'm about to turn my leg padding into brutels to just be done with them sagging off all the time. I'm also trying to use belts to bend my sideclosing cuiras in a better shape sow I can wear it propperly. 🤣 Trust me people have it worse then that little gap your brigendine has. Also why not tie a blanked around your waiste line?

[@bencoomer2000]

"Try to get your waist as small as possible..." Sigh.

[@nate_thealbatross]

How tall are you? Pretty sure I could fill that out.

[@craigmason9893]

If I was a searget in the 14th century I would wear it backwards on account of the plate on the back and the fact that it opens up on the front. I feel like if I get stabbed by a spear in the chest it will just pry open the armour and fuck me.

[@tubthump]

It has a u in it

[@noelebbert9322]

heat/steam try to shrink the waste

[@scholagladiatoria]

I cannot change the number of plates, as discussed in the video :-)

[@FlinnGaidin]

@@scholagladiatoria Toss it in the washing machine, the plates will shrink if you've never washed it before... 😆

[@Rokaize]

0:14 is that guy on the left wearing a turban?

[@mikefule330]

Possibly. It certainly looks like a turban. Turbans have been worn by many cultures over many centuries in large parts of the world. However, from the context of the picture, he appears to be a western European. Rather than a turban, therefore, he may be wearing some sort of padded cap designed to go under a helm? Alternatively, it is just marginally possible that a European fighting in a part of the world where the turban was common may have adopted the turban either as suitable headgear for that climate, or as a fashion statement?

[@Rokaize]

Mikefule That what I thought. Shemaghs are pretty common in the US military. And that is a purely middler eastern garment. But military members being deployed there for so long they realized how useful it is and decided to use it themselves. Makes sense for a turban as well.

[@penguasakucing8136]

Possibly its meant to be Chaperone (a form of headwrap fashionable in Italy in the 15th century) OR it is meant to depict Andalusians, which adopt more European influenced equipments and styles than other Muslim realms - e.g Crossbows as attested by other Muslim archery manuals, lance and maille style as reported by Ibn al-Khatib, Sallet gilded in Islamic decoration as Muhammad XII's example, and so on OR the artist was depicting some Middle Easterners without knowing their armour - just use any armour the artist know (this is common) How to tell this guy isn't Christian? Just slap a turban and the audience will get it.

[@hchan4818]

U can order this stuff or other armors from armorysmith.com or watch on youtube World of armor.ArmorSmith. Very best Ukrainian craftsmanship.

[@ThatsLeoYKnow]

I guess it's like a hiking backpack, most of the weight should be worn on the waist/hips. I bet wearing armor just off your shoulders would get real nasty, real fast.

[@garrick3727]

Female viewer: Well duh!

[@maciejzaczek1068]

Matt, haven't noticed that before, but your ears look pointy, for some reason it's quite disturbing, kind of an orcish look...

[@axp8598]

Elfic.

[@penguasakucing8136]

Can't unsee it now

[@crutherfordmusic]

Antichrist is coming. Jesus died for your sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

[@americanfascesparty3935]

The aesthetic of brigandine and lamellar is very attractive.

[@QualityPen]

I really like Italian plate and for some reason the ancient Green linothorax, especially when reinforced with brass, really appeals to me.

[@ChaoticSorceror]

Especially that Leeds style with the three rivets in the triangle pattern. It's the type that I want to get when I eventually get my own brigandine!

[@Robert399]

How do brigandine and lamellar compare in terms of protection?

[@ChaoticSorceror]

@@Robert399 I can't say with 100% certainty because I haven't done tests or seen comparisons myself, but I'd imagine they'd be very similar (maybe a slight increase in protection for brigandine because there's fabric over the metal), but I think lamellar would be less protective because they're laced instead of riveted.

[@americanfascesparty3935]

@@Robert399 Roughly the same, they are both made of small plates and fabrics. We would have to compare two specific pieces if we wanted to do a less vague assessment though.

[@joemacleod-iredale2888]

Armour being supported from the waist is consistent with how you wear a larger backpack- it feels odd at first but it is so much more comfortable over time and slows greater freedom of movement.

[@jeffh8177]

Any other backpackers have a "duh" moment listening to this bit about the waist taking the load off your shoulders?

[@thomasdahlgren1985]

Yes, and aside from freeing your upper body movement it also lowers your center of balance - equally important in combat.

[@bencoomer2000]

Yep. It was a "Oh. I remember that..."

[@dunedainrangers1309]

I imagine that this would be a common dilemma for soldiers during a siege. Slim rations, possibly diarrhea, losing weight and the armor doesn't fit so well anymore.

[@ArkadiBolschek]

To think that Dungeons and Dragons (and most RPGs after it) rank brigandine _below_ chain mail in protection, when it clearly should be at the same level as plate mail.

[@ArkadiBolschek]

@Soul Calibur I guess that works too.

[@InSanic13]

I don't think any D&D systems actually list brigandine, just some things that you could potentially interpret or reflavor as brigandine.

[@Vespuchian]

To be fair, D&D assumes "chain mail" to be a full set of harness, with sleeves and trousers, not just the torso. The 5th ed. PHB doesn't have a "brigandine" on the armour list but you can just use "breastplate", "half-plate", or "full-plate" depending on what accessories you're adding to the torso harness.

[@ArkadiBolschek]

@@InSanic13 Have a look at the AD&D rulebook. Brigandine is AC 6, like scale mail.

[@InSanic13]

@@ArkadiBolschek Ah, pre-3rd edition stuff is my weakness.

[@NicoSavio2395]

tl,dr: man feels like his armour makes him look fat

[@charles2703]

At lest this time he won’t take it out on his seven wives

[@chaosmatic404]

I like the outside videos because you do not pace your normal "2-steps-towards-the-camera-then-2-steps-away-from-the-camera" over and over and over again like you do indoors! :) Great content also ofc!

[@scholagladiatoria]

Is that pacing annoying? A lot of video makers do random framing changes, which is proven to keep viewers watching for longer. I actually wonder whether my pacing achieves a similar thing without the need for editing!

[@QuentinStephens]

@@scholagladiatoria Try moving from side to side - you often do it anyway when picking up a weapon.

[@chaosmatic404]

@@scholagladiatoria the problem is that once someone notices the pacing it becomes so incredibly distracting. I have often started to count the pacing instead of listening to the things you speak about. Just in case you are wondering - your average pacing is about 60 “2 steps forward-2 steps back loops“ / video. :) Edit - it is like some people who bounces their leg up and down whenever they are sitting down. It comes across as a nervous tick and can be very distracting once you start noticing it.

[@markfergerson2145]

@@scholagladiatoria Almost any kind of movement is A Good Thing in a video. I think what you want to do is do it more randomly. Some professional speakers synch their movements to the words they emphasize as they speak but that can come off as robotic (something I don't believe you'll ever do), and monotonous movement is as bad as no movement. Just some thoughts.

[@dunedainrangers1309]

The sound is very good too, without being "miked" under the armor.

[@Tuikkari]

Hey it's that studded leather armor we see in films!

[@_scyas_1827]

He forgot to slather mud/shit all over it. Since Hollywood seems to think medieval people didn't give a toss about hygiene, you know ?

[@Tuikkari]

@@_scyas_1827 lets forgive him. He missed some gear because of lock down.

[@mikefule330]

I was initially a little surprised to see the direction of overlap at the front of the brigandine. However, it is clearly authentic as shown in the contemporary illustrations you have used. As a former fencer, I automatically think of right hand and right foot forward and would therefore want the right front panel to overlap the left front panel to reduce the risk of a weapon slipping in through the gap. However, I guess that fighting with either a shield or with a 2 handed pole arm, much of the time your left shoulder and left foot would be forward in which case left front overlapping makes sense. It looks like a nice piece of kit.

[@Zaeyrus]

Brigandine may be less protective than a plate armour, but it is the coolest of them all! ;)

[@scholagladiatoria]

I suspect that it aligns better with modern fashion sense.

[@Zaeyrus]

@@scholagladiatoria perhaps, but in a sense, it is also the least amount of material overall for great level of protection, it allows a lot of personal design (cheaper than plate perhaps). And in the end, whatever the reason, it is just badass! Order a new one by the way, we all know you want to! :P

[@Zaeyrus]

@@scholagladiatoria better still, lose some more weight and then order a new one! :D

[@scholagladiatoria]

I must admit that I do think about ordering another one in a different style - perhaps one optimised to go with the rest of my plate armour. And not black, but some horrific gaudy colour combo.

[@earthman4222]

Drink more beer, eat more pizza.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Mmmmm, Dominos. I know what I want for dinner now.

[@earthman4222]

@@scholagladiatoria LMAO

[@ramibairi5562]

Matt what's your opinion on the middle eastern ''Qarqal ''which is a type of brigandine worn by the Mamluks in the 15th -16 th centuries ?

[@penguasakucing8136]

Yes, I want to hear more about this as well - assuming Matt knows or have sources about it. Brigandines isn't something most people think for Middle Eastern armour even though contemporary records from al-Qalqashandi on Mamluks and Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo on Timurids stated Brigandines to be common

[@thomasdahlgren1985]

Hey Matt, how about a stylish silk sash instead of the downright pedestrian rope? I have to assume your problem was not entirely uncommon back in the day - it's not like everyone had bespoke kit. Surely many people were making do with ill fitting second hand.

[@Zemar16]

I have seen the ears and now I cant unsee them. My dude is officially bald Legolas.

[@glennchartrand5411]

Just put an internal belt in it. Put small loops of leather around the rivets and run a belt through them. Thats a relatively easy fix that won't be visible from the outside and I bet it was a common practice in the past.

[@ontaka5997]

Why were the plates riveted on the inside instead on the outside of the fabric? Would it make it more difficult to push a blade through in between the plates? Or does it help to protect the steel from the elements? (even though there is more contact with saline sweat)

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Having something on the outside means more points for weapon to hook and drag you, it exposes your weak points and it is less of glancing surface. Having them all on the inside means the slip points are more well hidden and there is more of glancing outer surface.

[@ontaka5997]

@@PJDAltamirus0425 Thanks!

[@pipebomber04]

Omg you look like the villain from the outlaw king movie.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Looking like a villain is better than some options.

[@minatomat]

I think you meant Runt, the villain from Kingdom Come Deliverance, am I wrong?

[@scholagladiatoria]

I'm not so keen on being likened to someone called 'Runt'...

[@michaelkemp128]

scholagladiatoria No! Matt clearly styles his look on Count Orlok from the film Nosferatu! 😱😉

[@Sutorenja]

@@scholagladiatoria Runt is a pretty big badass. an evil badass, granted...

[@kellymccabe9154]

I'd love to see a more in depth discussion on fashion and armor design. How civilian dress influenced armor, how armor influenced casual clothing, etc. I'm fascinated by the idea of certain concessions made in the name of looking swag on the battlefield.

[@ilejovcevski79]

A combination of plate and brigandine.........now that's what my next mount and blade character will aim for!

[@armorfrogentertainment]

The tightened waist looks nicer, IMO

[@BNRmatt]

I'm puzzled by something - if you're also wearing a piece of plate on the chest, why the brigandine up above and the plate around the waist? Wouldn't it make more sense to have a solid breastplate higher up and the more flexible brigandine around the stomach and waist?