The Avant Harness: History and Reconstruction

The world famous Avant harness is one of the most well recognized and most important surviving armors in existence. The way it looks now is a little bit different than what it would have looked like when it was first built. Today we will explore Avant's history and attempt a digital restoration to get an idea of what this superb Milanese harness would have looked like when new.
For further reading on Avant:
The Real Fighting Stuff: Arms and Armour at Glasgow Museums, 2007, pp 26-29 Dr. Tobias Capwell
'The AVANT Armour and RL Scott', The Seventh Park Lane Arms Fair [Catalogue], London, 1990, pp. 5-11, Robert C. Woosnam-Savage
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#medievalarmor
#avant
#milanese
#armet
#barbute

[@SUB0SCORION]

The amount of work that went into it is amazing. The information and the content quality is so high. Man i love it. I hope there would be more.

[@Deathbyreality1]

Man the restored versions looks so much cooler!

[@heldaneurbanus5135]

So video starts and I start thinking " Ian sounds different today"... then realised you were speaking Italian! Ottimo lavoro Ian. Edit: Hah! So the armour is labelled " toward enemy" like a claymore mine? I find that absurdly amusing :)

[@genghiskhan6809]

I can only wonder how many times some dumbass went into battle with his armor on backwards for this to happen.

[@scottfarrell1]

Great job, Ian! You may have this in mind already - but I'd just love to see this concept turn into a series of videos looking at various famous museum armors, with the history and critical examination of the assembly and display of the pieces. Thanks!

[@KnyghtErrant]

Thanks Scott. This was a lot of fun to make, and I hope to do it again in the future one day.

[@Ackbar223]

Ian, I've been thinking a lot lately about variations in armor styles across history; various Medieval European armor types and designs, Roman armors, Japanese and other Asian styles. So my thoughts are directed toward the functions of different parts of the armor, every historical suit of armor was specialized for specific circumstances(Mounted combat, Shield walls, cost reduction, etc.), I'm wondering for a sci-fi story I'm creating what armor design techniques would be most effective for solo combat in enclosed spaces. I realize it's a complicated topic but whatever information you can provide would be much appreciated.

[@JustGrowingUp84]

Man, Metatron is going to love this video!

[@knightshousegames]

Man, your restored version of this armor looks awesome! I might be biased because I like armets, but I also just love the italian style mail as well.

[@rinflame44]

It would been neat if we could get Kelvingrove to display your reconstruction of the armour along with the real piece. It would possibly even make a great interactive display where visitors could match different pieces of armour to get them to match with the most likely representation of the original.

[@extrasmack]

Wonderful video Ian! I particularly like the middle image (first proposed reconstruction) at the end. Really enjoyed all of the possibilities shown and specially the depth in which they were discussed. Hope you make more vids along these lines. Cheers!

[@01ZombieMoses10]

The irony is, I actually enjoy the aesthetic of the Italian skirt otherwise mixed with the German voiders. The skirt just has this great visual affect as the wearer changes stances or attacks, but I feel like the baggy sleeves look a bit unseemly. I wonder if such an arrangement was ever worn in-period, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised knowing that people are people, regardless of the time period and if given the choice of a variety of practical wear options for armor, many rich lords or knights could certainly get their druthers regardless of the perceived tastefulness of mixing styles.

[@BryceNewtson]

Would love to see more overviews on specific historical harnesses like this one!

[@AKRex]

OMG I cannot believe the timing for this video! Ian, I was just browsing the web to look for good images of Italian armour in order to prepare for my upcoming sculpting project, as I want to make a series of tall resin kits of variety of men at arms from 15th century with magnetised helmets and weapon arms. This will be extremely helpful to implement ideas. Gotta be honest, I will likely be implementing composite pieces (but try to match the periods as much as possible) in order to make the kit more interesting. I will make a video on it as well once I start sculpting! Thank you, amazing video, please do more on other armour pieces!

[@NicAimo]

That intro! I almost fell from my chair (I'm italian, I was expecting to hear English... my brain was completely fooled).

[@daviddivers]

I live in Glasgow, very near the art gallery and never knew about this armour or its significance! I'll have to go check it out soon

[@MoriShep]

AS always its like having a collage level speaker presenting, fantastically informative ty for your continued efforts in informing us lowly squires

[@juanpablogonzalez8528]

damn, this was a great video, i can see the amount of work you put into this

[@ianmiller4195]

Can we see more soft kit videos? If you ever need to replace any of your clothes make a video about how to make/repair them.

[@faolan9472]

i too would like that.

[@robscotchie]

Phenomenal work Ian! Great work illustrating all possible options with reference images and walking through your reasoning. It is interesting when people talk about armours in collections being inaccurate and cobbled together. But it is so much more informative to have a video like this walking through everything in detail. Looking forward to more videos!

[@poorlydisguisedeldritchabo221]

I love the middle, looks so much better

[@abc-oq7dt]

I was mind boggled when you said Kelvin Grove Art Gallery like... Jesus thats in my city! Shoutout

[@Isseinoyuu]

Amazing video as always.

[@theColJessep]

Fantastic video, thank you!

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

This is awesome that you put this together.

[@duchessskye4072]

Ah, I started fearing Id go crazy without my annual video on armor :D

[@iacopoiacoponi1983]

this is a very informative and well made video.

[@JeffersonMills]

Great stuff. Thank you for your dedication and hard work!

[@scottbauldry6257]

Amazingly in depth work. I look forward to seeing this in Glasgow this summer.

[@tubekulose]

Great video, as usual!

[@Famine2k]

Excellent job Ian. Well done. Highly interesting content.

[@youtubevoice1050]

Nice surprise! Greetings from Tyrol!

[@thezokman]

This was great to watch, I hope you do more.

[@74Grimlin]

Great video! Wonderful information and we'll done over lays. This must have been a lot of work, but thanks for doing it.

[@andrearovati]

one of the best videos ever!! magnifico lavoro, signor La Spina!!!

[@KnyghtErrant]

Grazie mille!

[@andrearovati]

Knyght Errant: "la spina" is an italian family name, isn't It?

[@KnyghtErrant]

Yes.

[@funnyguy5746]

I saw this set in Glasgow a few months ago

[@JizzburnGigaqueer]

This was amazing!

[@mnk9073]

Glorious video, the depth and effort are exceptional. Could you talk about "black", "white", lacquered, leather/fabric covered and painted armour when you get the chance? Sadly, thanks to victorian polishing and decomposition, the common perception is armour = "white".

[@yogibear5995]

Thanks for the upload, makes the armour more believable

[@KorKhan89]

Great work! I always thought that barbute looked out of place; your reconstruction looks so much more harmonious.

[@reaperwithnoname]

Fascinating.

[@Akinos1]

Very nice video !

[@2b2tcitizen92]

I don't understand half of what you say, because I don't speak English, but I still learned a lot and i like your videos

[@dimitrizaitsew1988]

Top 10 medieval armors video next!

[@s.w.4409]

Yay! He's back

[@carlpolen7437]

Another well put together video. Very informative and entertaining. Thank you.

[@orsettomorbido]

Woah. Amazing video! Really a lot of research °_°

[@KonigRitter]

Thank you sir for your video

[@F1ghteR41]

Brilliant video!

[@sheep1ewe]

Realy great information!

[@alesmatoh4625]

I like the fact that from toes to the neck, it looks so buff, but then the helmet: simple yet functional :D

[@MrFangsea]

Getting into the history of all this and you nailed it with the most famous piece. Really looking to this armor and date time to start learning.

[@QbertEnhanced]

A video on barbutes might be interesting.

[@vadimflaks7795]

Fantastic analysis! I keep forgetting that the suits of armor we see in the museums are partially created by the modern curators and aren't QUITE the harnesses the actual medieval/renaissance masters put together.

[@wyzardfoot]

Awesome!

[@emperordraygon]

Not a huge fan of Italian armour, but I did find this video enjoyable regardless! Very informative.

[@Furri1bia]

Excellent restoration work. Very informative and also very pleasing to the eye. The only thing I miss is the lack of a piece in the armor to store extra pommels.

[@serindas]

Great video and nice italian presentation Ian :D

[@ЭкскурсиипоПетербургуотАлексея]

Great job, as always. Many thanks!

[@madmechanic7976]

Love my kit.

[@OurCognitiveSurplus]

Top video!

[@shatteredstar9565]

Bin that spoon! Love your videos.

[@billy123174]

a book by you i would buy

[@JETWTF]

I went on a tour of Hearst Castle in California. He did better with that armor than he did with his castle.... the castle was all over the place with historical design.

[@TheWampam]

Do you know the Pienzenau armor? It is a really beautifull piece. And I think it could be the same period as this one.

[@phillip0537]

Love the work you did on this. They both look really cool. I did find it a bit funny that you paired the jousting helm and asymmetrical gauntlet with the lighter mail configuration though. Still, great work!

[@OptionalBean]

Great work, man.

[@MrHusang23]

Very nice video, great work! Do you plan on making more "investigative" things like this?

[@_bisclavret]

Please talk about the armor of Frederick the Victorious and that unique style of bassinet. It's my favorite looking Hundred-Years armor, but I don't know much about it.

[@zamoutague199]

I really enjoyed this video! I'd love to see another video in this vein on the Churburg s18

[@ludovicocamellini7309]

Paladin knight level 100 great Job

[@davidmacon1138]

If you ever had the privilege of touring Hurst Castle, you can quickly see why, he went into debt. Just google his indoor pool alone. 24k gold tiles!!!! I was literally walking on gold tiles in that place.

[@Gabdube]

"Avant" in that context probably meant "front". Not the verb "[go] forward!". Like, "front" piece as opposed to "back" piece. Or like "Front plate".

[@masterofpuppets4771]

Incredible video Errant. Even though I would personally prefer 1st option but with the shorter German mail coif.

[@siege2928]

Geeze, I thought I had a stroke for the first few seconds

[@janehollander1934]

🤣

[@DanTrue]

Very nice video. Just curious: why wouldn't they have included plate sabatons? I'm not much into Italian armour, but I would have guessed the mail was just an ankle voider?

[@Valkanna.Nublet]

Very interesting. Thank you. Any chance you'd do more of these? Or are there not enough suits of armour complete enough? Also, more Toby please ;)

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

This makes me think that Italians armorers were one of the first to add plate armor to horses because allot of pieces on the Avant Harness would be extremely hindering in foot Combat, so a dismounted Italian knight would be in greater peril than a dismounted French, German, or English Knight

[@Paul_Spence1964]

Excellent and informative video. well done. I wonder why the Von Trapps decided to sell of some of the armour when it had been in the armoury for so long? My Avant right Pauldron Guard mirrors the left with the small moon shaped cut out at the top. just another possible variation. Cheers, Paul.

[@KnyghtErrant]

Hi Paul, thank you! In Bob Savage's article on the Avant in the Park Lane Arms Fair Catalog he alludes to some circumstances surrounding the cession of the South Tyrol to Italy after WW1 as having forced the Trapps into a position to sell some of the collection. Exactly why, it doesn't say.

[@matthewmillar3804]

Excellent video, as always! Well done sir! What's an example of armor that would have used a barbute? Any complete historical harnesses to show as an example?

[@viridisxiv766]

i like the restored version, but with the alternate (german) mail.

[@godofimagination]

Excellent video! Did Toby happen to go into detail on why the Italians wore their sleeves like that?

[@spacemanapeinc7202]

Huh, I always thought the Barbute was actually apart of the armour. But there also was probably a crest on the Armet as well.

[@Ygdrasil18]

FINALLY!

[@Eddneton94]

0:20 ..... yes

[@SardinianWarrior]

Oh mamma mia! Amazing!

[@Beardshire]

Aim for the toes gentlemen!

[@janehollander1934]

My eyes were fixed on the "missing" sabatons as well👍🏻. But Knyght Errant has shown & talk about many historic depictions of men in "full" armour...yet without sabatons ✌🏻.

[@KnightlyNerd]

Very good reconstruction! So what armour matches better with the Barbute?

[@half_a_nut8081]

So here's the new Franken-armour video

[@chasebirch2951]

I wonder, would the Italian configuration of mail be more protective, or simply heavier? How effective is mail underneath plate armour?

[@KnyghtErrant]

The mail underneath is a bit redundant, but the doubled skirt can be quite effective. You have to remember that we have the benefit of hindsight. From their perspective, a mail shirt was always what you wore, especially before good solid back defense came online. So in the early days of the full cuirass it's not always immediately obvious to innovate a new way to wear mail. There's always a bit of lag as the system gets optimized over time. From a modern practical perspective, a friend of mine has experimented with this on his Churburg #18 cuirass. He uses a fringe of mail attached to the fauld and culet. He's found that because the fringe is affixed to the fauld, it's always under a certain amount of tension. This makes it behave like a net that very effectively catches blades and takes a lot of force out of a thrust by the time it reaches the second layer of mail (if it reaches the second layer of mail at all).

[@chasebirch2951]

Knyght Errant I see, thanks for replying and explaining it. So in hindsight, I suppose the German mail would be a better set up? (Exception being the double skirt)

[@greenmarcosu]

It looks so much better without that barbute.

[@matthewmiller9485]

Can you PLEASE provide links to pictures of your restorations? They are AMAZING!!!

[@KnyghtErrant]

facebook.com/KnyghtErrant/posts/1937605622981479

[@matthewmiller9485]

Thanks!!!

[@dermeistervonhoeth2]

Could you post a pic of the middle configuration with a german style mail harness somewhere? On your facebook or something? That would be great please

[@Damnmeplease]

This is an amazingly in depth video. I love it. Thank you for making me feel slighly uneducated and teaching me about something i find very interesting!

[@kacpermadejek3791]

Hi Ian, Could you link the manuscript with the armour depictions? A quick search for 'uomini illustri' got me mostly to the art trope.

[@morriganmhor5078]

As this was Italian mastery for German noble, could it be possible if the helmet was in fact sallet?

[@KnyghtErrant]

In all likelihood, the owner of the Avant armor probably would have had an armet, a sallet, and a great bascinet all for different things.

[@morriganmhor5078]

@@KnyghtErrant I understand what the joust great helm was for, but ... why armet, when I have sallet? Probably lighter, better construction, safer in battle?

[@KnyghtErrant]

I think the sallet is more versatile and lighter, yes, but in a heavy cavalry charge an armet with a wrapper is going to be far more protective (and typical for the role with that type of harness).

[@duchessskye4072]

Wasn't it in german fashion to wear the great bascinet around this time as well? You can see it in Friedrich I:s armor, which is a Milanese export but was paired with a great bascinet, and that one's dated to 1450 Is it a stretch to imagine the avant harness worn with a German styled great bascinet for war, and not for tournament only as you implied?

[@KnyghtErrant]

Yes, a war visor with a great bascinet is a possibility too, as is an Italian export sallet with bevor depending on the overall role expected on the battlefield. I could easily imagine this armor without its pauldrons (just mail on the shoulders), and no guard of the vambrace with a sallet and bevor or even an open faced barbuta serving in a light cavalry role.

[@duchessskye4072]

Yes although the latter would be simply a configuration. I was mostly talking about the original helmet, and whether it is possible that it was a great bascinet in the current configuration (with the pauldrons). Thinking about it further however, it doesn't seem very likely. The armor is distinctly made in the Italian style and from what I know they did not use great bascinets. If it would have been made by the Milanese but in a different style (like the armor I mentioned earlier), it would not be far-fetched to imagine the native helmet to be a great bascinet. (I just like great bascinets)

[@Seyfudin]

Hai un accento fortissimo ;)

[@JohnRaptor]

I've always thought that helmet looked odd with that armor.

[@orsettomorbido]

The intro confused me HAHAHA I was not looking at my screen XD

[@Thomas-tc7hp]

in some modern illustrations it is common to see some knights using the helmet directly on the head, without a arming cap or mail. Was this really the case?

[@KnyghtErrant]

Yes. Most medieval helmet types were designed to incorporate textile suspension liners directly into the helmet. If you're interested in knowing more, here's a video on that very topic - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6WyZ2eQd71koLc&t

[@Thomas-tc7hp]

Very interesting video, thanks Ian.

[@christopheresquire947]

at 11:28, can you tell me what that pleated cloth is?? ive heard of bases, but i havent been able to find much information about them. thanks in advance!

[@-----REDACTED-----]

The German style imo looks so much better... But then again I am going purely by aesthetics without much knowledge in usability...

[@federico3701]

Hello knyght Errant do you know exactly where I can find the photo at 1:29? I've looked everywhere but I'm not able to find it. Thanks.