We used to complain about assembling our jungle combat kit and LBEs back in the 1990s. Compared to this 1490s kit, we had it relatively easy. This was very instructive, Sir. Thank you from a fellow veteran on the other side of the world.
@@thehistorysquad One piece essential to medieval english Man-At-Arm kit is missing. The son and dad undressing & exchanging their underwear 🩲 to wear them pulled up-belly long. That is where the phrase 'Man-at-arms' was coined by an excited english scholar after encountering the secret english family ritual. An exquisite part of English armor. Made out of hay, woven by their mother and daughter done to please the French nobles and Lords.
Armorers are just amazing people, just for their patience, if nothing else. I was lucky enough to be friends with a blade smith in Texas, and he decided to try to make a chain mail shirt. He made a piece about half the length of an arm, and then quit. I asked him why, and he said bluntly, that’s awful and tedious. I can’t imagine not only the creation of such a piece, but actually made to the fittings of an individual. Amazingly talented craftsmen.
I imagine there wasn't much to do in medieval times and having a craft to keep you occupied like that was more tolerable than it would be for modern people.
Also, as the Production of the Lord of the Rings showed (& did), it was more of a Medieval Assembly Line. Back then some Apprentices made the wire, another group of Apprentices cut them to length, then a 3rd Group made the wire lengths into loops, Then the Armorer assembled the loops and interconnected them, then Riveted them! (In the larger shops, for a high enough person, the Journeyman interconnected the loops, and the Master Armorer Riveted them!!) Of course the size of the Groups of Apprentices and Number of Groups could vary with a smaller number having to do more than one task........
@@timengineman2nd714 you really believe that.??? Don't get me wrong, I totally get what you mean and why you say it, but I'm thinking that is a bit to narrow scoped. Or more a certain situation. U believe what you say is true but... That is more an example of the Nobility, or maybe large cities, or those places with greater wealth... I'm fairly certain that the MAJORITY of cases, that is not the way. Most are smaller villages, not so many "helpers" of any kind. It was more, just the Smith, his Hammer and a 'quaint little forge'. Yes. He probably had an apprentice... Maybe two or so, but that's kind of it. Or... A couple small Forges in an area... And all of them sort of fighting to. . . Well, to survive really. And to see who gets the better reputation. From what I have learned watching these channels, and reading and such. I'm fairly certain TLOTR would be representing the Minority of situations. But yes. Sir what you say is true, at time... LOTR is a good representation of very certain situations.
@@strydyrhellzrydyr1345 Yes, I was thinking of the larger cities and upon occasion the "big names" in armor making of the time. My understanding is/was that the local (& small) Smitty would be more for maintenance and repairs .vs. making a whole new large piece of armor. Let's face it, although it was well known by blacksmiths of that time how to make Chainmail, you're talking about getting the Iron Ore, making Wrought Iron, making that into Wire, making that into Rings, "Weaving" i.e. Connecting the Rings together, Riveting the Rings, by the hundred if not the thousands to make a large piece of chainmail! I doubt that any village Blacksmith could actually do that in a timely manner and still do all of the other repairs and manufacturing that was required by the village, especially during harvest time!!
Interesting Even in medieval armor, there was an emergency off function for wounds or compromised plates. Really shows the thought into the design for battle practicality.
@@vihreelinja4743 well of course he should. Just like any combatant who dropped his arms and decided to end the battle due to injury. But like today, it's only in theory and hardly a guarantee that everyone played by the rules
@Mandalorian Actual Perfect, now I know - thanks Patrick 👍🏻 I've given you a shout out in one of my UK videos that'll be coming up over the coming month.
Each piece has to be perfectly fitted and carefully installed. I love the idea of armor but the reality is crazy. Expensive as a sports car and just as dangerous if not properly fitted and installed. There are so many myths about armor but the realistically it's just a piece of military technology. Thank you for another informative and insightful film Kevin, you are one of the masters.
I knew we were in for a good one when I saw it was 15 mins long and had armour. Fantastic. Brings back memories from my days as a squire before I became as knight in one of the companies here. (Reenactor with actual fighting) Great seeing your son and his mates also.
When I was learning light sabres duelling we was taught the bastard sword grip and the 8 circles of attack and how to defend. It really does work. Would love to have Mr Hicks at my dinner table, fascinating evening of conversation I think!
That was fantastic! Looking at the skills involved in making that armour is mind boggling for the time. No presses, or sheet metal machines, all hand beaten and fitted to the person who commissioned it to wear in battle. Thank you Kevin and son and squire! Lol
Reminds me of an armadillo. I took a picture of the engraving on a set of Italian armor that I love to a jeweler and had him engrave a ring for my 30th wedding anniversary.
That was brilliant, what a beautiful suite of armor. When I served in the Marine Corps we wore ALICE pack back packs and they had a little strap that you pull on either shoulder that would cause the shoulder straps to separate & the whole thing simply fall away to the ground; I wonder if that concept came from the suits of armor? Thank you for the content Brother. Ooh Rah!
I fought in Helmand in 2010 alongside the British Royal Marines and the SAS. Im a US Marine Scout Sniper. If you ever want to swap war stories I'd love to connect. Either way, your channel is superb, Sir Semper Fi
Kevin, I absolutely love your videos. They're straight to the point, full of knowledge and history. They're just very calming and interesting. Can't believe you don't have more views. I subscribed and I told some family members who are interested in the same concepts about you! Thanks for all your hard work! - From Pennsylvania, United States
That's great to hear, thanks for sharing. Interestingly, I used to live in England near the village of Penn in Buckinghamshire. The vault of the church had the family all neatly stacked up in coffins of William Penn, whom I believe to be the founder of Pennsylvania. 👍🏻
Wow. These guys must have been something else. I think that sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we have today and forget the wonders of yesterday. Great video!
Thanks for the in-depth video! I've recently read B. Cornwall's "Grail Quest" series with Thomas of Hookton, 14th century archer from Dorset as the central character. I've already watched all of your videos on archery/archers, so it was a double pleasure to read. P.S. For some reason I got your face as a mental image of one of the characters, veteran archer commander Will Skeat :)
Cheers! You may know I was used by Bernard as research for this series and now with my (slightly) advancing years I'm quite happy to be imagined in the boots of old Will 👍🏻
It is amazing you came back to England to film this video. I started watching this channel thanks to the 100 years war series. It made me realise that the armour of those days hadn't advanced much from the Romans, 1000 years before. The same rear neck guard on the helmets, the same chain mail, the same pointed spears and catapult artillery for sieges. You mention the armour was light but having to see out of very narrow slits can be a drawback if you can see around you to swing your sword. Having the wind knocked out of your sails due to the corset means the men were often winded in battle, and out of puff. It's ok to fight for 30mins and swing your arms around, but after an hour, your arms would be as heavy as mill stones. Compare this with Hannibal's time, where 35,000 Carthaginian mercenaries fought (virtually naked) all day long. Or even the Picts, who did similar, although in a rather more chilly climate. I'm into the British dark age battles myself, and have compiled a huge list of them, but I doubt I will ever write them into a book.
I can imagine that just as our young warrior here was doing, a Knight back in the day would actively assist with the fitting of his harness. He is relying on not just steel and leather but on his squires to keep him safe and so logically one would assume they'd endeavour to make the job as easy as possible and build the best possible rapport with his men lest he be felled through sabotage or a scorned squires lax hands.
I already had endless respect for Kevin and this channel but when he said "I'm glad I'm just a common bowman because this stuff is beyond me." Limitless respect replaced endless. 10/10 thank you so much for this content.
I once had a professor explaining how men at arms complicate man count in medieval records. It gets very complex. I'll elaborate what I was told in a reply. You might be interested in seeing if Tod of Tod's Workshop would be interested in a collaboration.
So... What I was told... Is that the number of "lances" or "knights" either could or could not include their household combative retinue.. So in any given battle, a knight or lance may be anywhere from a minimum of two men - although all of them might not be exactly engaged in combat at any given moment... You'd have to have someone to provide spare lances at a minimum.... And most knights would have at least some men at arms who could function either on foot or mounted, from my understanding... And sometimes basically everyone would fight on foot anyhow just to confuse everything, particularly the English - who, I may note, also had mounted archers - not not horseback archers, that I know of, but definitely horse mobile archers (I found that very interesting, kinda like pulling artillery with a vehicle in modern combat.)
@@brianknezevich9894So the archers were dragoon infantry effectively. Mounted for mobility and posibly logistics but fought on foot. The horses were for escape or maneauver, otherwise with the bagage. One of Kevin's videos talked about number of horses for a Knight. So that would be Charger to fight the battle, Palfry to ride to the battle and Courser to run away from a defeat. Likely they would have two of each. So that is one Knight by himself, plus the servants and pack animals and posibly wagon for them. It all adds up. This is what you call a Lance fournie. There had to be enough palfries for all the unit to travel to battle, the Man-at-Arms/Knight [Heavy Cavalry] and the Sergeant/Coutilier [Lighter infantry] (France) would be expected to fight mounted on chargers and have the escape courser. There would be a page/squire to assist the man-at-arms with extra equipment and some archers to fight as infantry. So if you had 2 cavalry and 2-4 infantry and some servants this becomes a mixed unit with inbuilt logistics. The French had companies of 100 Lances so that is a variable sized mixed unit with effectively circa 100 heavy cavalry/or heavy infantry if dismounted, 100 lighter cavalry/or lighter infantry if dismounted and 200-400 archers with 100-200 servants and 1,000 horses. It makes sense to have the connected archers to provide a retreating skirmish line for the cavalry or even enfilade fire to the battle line. There is a nice little article on Wikipedia for how certain areas did their Lance fournies.
Nice to see living-history groups getting back out in the open. I've yet to be able to get to an event post-Pandemic but I'm looking forward to doing so. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay back here :)
Thank you so much for the video, as an aspiring author, I love watching and learning about all of these pieces of accurate armour. Thank you, sir, I can't wait to learn more from you.
Amazing stuff lads...just astounding how was made to being put on your son Josh...sun shining and all ...I was thirsty just watching him wearing it....another great vid keV.
12.12 the detail on that dagger is great. Joshua is a veey good son withstandig such an onslaught. What a torture it all is. I particularly liked your explanation of the phrase 'get to the point' - that is absolutely fascinated. Great work Kevin 🤴🇬🇧
As usual a wonderful realization of that period. I understand weight was designed to be carried by the hips. I’ve also read that weaponry from that period frequently resembled various kinds of non wheel and gear based can openers for obvious reasons. I’ve also read that the coat of plates was frequently preferred due to comfort and flexibility even by some top commanders. Obviously with full harness shields and targs were unnecessary. Presentations of which you are a sterling example that bring the genius and complexities of the past so we might learn and admire them are invaluable to our future. Thank you and those that sail with you so much.
Hi there, thanks for watching. The fluting is actually a German, gothic detail design and the Milanese is the rounded design. Josh's gauntlets were gothic in design, the rest was more Milanese in style 👍🏻
note that shields are still used well onto the 1500s both pavese (centre grip shields) and targes (strapped cavalry shields) they become a little sturdier as time goes on, faced with iron ore, glass shaards or antler, for instance, but still layered with wood, sinew aand rawhide under that like before. not to mention bucklers.
always love ur videos kev, They are really informative and laid back. I wish more people would do more videos with re-enactment groups as it is an epic hobby.
@@thehistorysquad ah fair/ oh well if u ever fancy trying an american rev war event. I am i a group called redcoats and revolutionaries who are great with loan kit for new people. Its a really laid back group and be good to see you again.
Greetings once again from nova Scotia, fantastic video as usual good sir. I am happy to see the love of reenactment carries on, really made me smile. Thank you once again, safe journeys, and as always best regards.
Very interesting all the pieces that go together to protect the wearer. Suiting him up reminds me of my days as a hockey goalie getting dressed for a game. It would take me 1/2 hr by myself just to get everything on.
Such a fantastic kit, like absolutely love it and even though i have a similar set of armor my self i still love watching these. Great vid as always Mr hicks !
Hello Kevin and Joshua, I love the name 'War of the Roses' That harness is amazing. How does all that weigh I wonder? Maybe you will say? Looks like you do. Joshua is a solid 16 stone eh. The greaves are amazing. Must feel terribly claustraphobic The hands look the best
This was fascinating and very informative. Thank you very much for making and sharing this video! From an American who has been obsessed with armored knights and combat since a child. I recently found your channel and I find it awesome! 👍
Imagine if your leather bindings became untied during battlle, and suddenly and arm or leg armour is dangling off!... so many things could spell disaster in a battle. Totally horrifying to imagine this working in real life, or with my real life at the mercy of that suit of armour and all the GOOD LUCK I would need just to survive things going right... imagine if I tripped and fell over, it would take ages to get up again if i could on my own ina muddy field.... scary stuff! Great presentation as always, thankyou good sir!
Could you do a video on the type of combat training they would do? Like, did they train in boxing, weapons retention, or unarmed combat/wrestling? I would think in a battle it would be much more than just a sword fight and would be soldiers tackling or grappling with one another and getting a quick dagger in or even strangling one another.
There certainly was combat training, a continuous process, as you say, not just a sword fight but how to effectively use the various weapons. Sadly I'm back in Canada now, but who knows .... next year perhaps 😉
Fantastic and informative as always! Just starting to branch into Wars of The Roses reenactment from 13th Century so will be sure to keep an eye out on the field for the Oxfords!
I do a single loop bow for a pouch i carry with a bit of cash and some tool tips for my muti tool, the single bow holds the bagshut and wont loosen as easily and is easier to open quickly. And its good to see you with your son, my greatest joy was when i became a father. My sons only 14 but almost taller then me.
I've seen knights getting harnessed, I was curious to see how longit takes to remove the gear. Well, I'll just play the video backwards😂. Your videos are entertaining and informative, thank you!
Hi Kevin, fantastic video as always - so glad i found your channel. I'm from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, just wandering if you have ever been to our castle for any reenactments?
Yes absolutely. I've toured thousands of people around Kenilworth and done many an archery display for both schools and the public. I even did some Christmas Dickens storytelling for a couple of years which was fun and something different 👍🏻
We used to complain about assembling our jungle combat kit and LBEs back in the 1990s. Compared to this 1490s kit, we had it relatively easy. This was very instructive, Sir. Thank you from a fellow veteran on the other side of the world.
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
Just a quick note, his kit is well distributed about his body. Much of the modern kit is held, or strapped to the back, making it feel worse...
Roger that, sir! Agreed 100% from a fellow veteran on the other side of the pond.
In Basic in 84, I remember at first not being a fan of all of the pouches on my LBE. That, and my steel pot. Ha ha.
@@thehistorysquad One piece essential to medieval english Man-At-Arm kit is missing. The son and dad undressing & exchanging their underwear 🩲 to wear them pulled up-belly long. That is where the phrase 'Man-at-arms' was coined by an excited english scholar after encountering the secret english family ritual. An exquisite part of English armor. Made out of hay, woven by their mother and daughter done to please the French nobles and Lords.
Armorers are just amazing people, just for their patience, if nothing else. I was lucky enough to be friends with a blade smith in Texas, and he decided to try to make a chain mail shirt. He made a piece about half the length of an arm, and then quit. I asked him why, and he said bluntly, that’s awful and tedious. I can’t imagine not only the creation of such a piece, but actually made to the fittings of an individual. Amazingly talented craftsmen.
I imagine there wasn't much to do in medieval times and having a craft to keep you occupied like that was more tolerable than it would be for modern people.
Honestly... After watching LindyBeige newer video about getting his full suit of Armour... FINALLY...After YEARS... YEARS
Also, as the Production of the Lord of the Rings showed (& did), it was more of a Medieval Assembly Line. Back then some Apprentices made the wire, another group of Apprentices cut them to length, then a 3rd Group made the wire lengths into loops, Then the Armorer assembled the loops and interconnected them, then Riveted them! (In the larger shops, for a high enough person, the Journeyman interconnected the loops, and the Master Armorer Riveted them!!)
Of course the size of the Groups of Apprentices and Number of Groups could vary with a smaller number having to do more than one task........
@@timengineman2nd714 you really believe that.???
Don't get me wrong, I totally get what you mean and why you say it, but I'm thinking that is a bit to narrow scoped. Or more a certain situation.
U believe what you say is true but... That is more an example of the Nobility, or maybe large cities, or those places with greater wealth...
I'm fairly certain that the MAJORITY of cases, that is not the way.
Most are smaller villages, not so many "helpers" of any kind.
It was more, just the Smith, his Hammer and a 'quaint little forge'.
Yes. He probably had an apprentice... Maybe two or so, but that's kind of it.
Or... A couple small Forges in an area... And all of them sort of fighting to. . . Well, to survive really. And to see who gets the better reputation.
From what I have learned watching these channels, and reading and such. I'm fairly certain TLOTR would be representing the Minority of situations.
But yes. Sir what you say is true, at time... LOTR is a good representation of very certain situations.
@@strydyrhellzrydyr1345 Yes, I was thinking of the larger cities and upon occasion the "big names" in armor making of the time.
My understanding is/was that the local (& small) Smitty would be more for maintenance and repairs .vs. making a whole new large piece of armor.
Let's face it, although it was well known by blacksmiths of that time how to make Chainmail, you're talking about getting the Iron Ore, making Wrought Iron, making that into Wire, making that into Rings, "Weaving" i.e. Connecting the Rings together, Riveting the Rings, by the hundred if not the thousands to make a large piece of chainmail!
I doubt that any village Blacksmith could actually do that in a timely manner and still do all of the other repairs and manufacturing that was required by the village, especially during harvest time!!
Interesting
Even in medieval armor, there was an emergency off function for wounds or compromised plates.
Really shows the thought into the design for battle practicality.
Great video as always
i bet that a knight who has dropped his armor should be spared in the battle :D
@@vihreelinja4743 well of course he should. Just like any combatant who dropped his arms and decided to end the battle due to injury.
But like today, it's only in theory and hardly a guarantee that everyone played by the rules
As an American veteran, I am Proud to be a patron of yours, love your content my friend.
Thanks so much, I appreciate it!!
Do you go by another name on Patreon?
@@thehistorysquad you are most welcome! And I am Patrick Mourin on patreon. =)
@Mandalorian Actual Perfect, now I know - thanks Patrick 👍🏻
I've given you a shout out in one of my UK videos that'll be coming up over the coming month.
Thank you for sponsoring.
Each piece has to be perfectly fitted and carefully installed. I love the idea of armor but the reality is crazy. Expensive as a sports car and just as dangerous if not properly fitted and installed. There are so many myths about armor but the realistically it's just a piece of military technology. Thank you for another informative and insightful film Kevin, you are one of the masters.
Great analogy Phillip, & thank you 👍🏻
Gives rise to the saying “Dressed to Kill”! Great episode as ever. Thank you.
Cheers Wayne, yes, Dressed to Kill is the business name of the armourer who made my knight lights 😉
Mr. Hicks, you must be a very proud father. Joshua seems like a fine young man. Huzzah!
.......and very tall!
I'm very proud indeed 👍🏻
I knew we were in for a good one when I saw it was 15 mins long and had armour.
Fantastic. Brings back memories from my days as a squire before I became as knight in one of the companies here. (Reenactor with actual fighting)
Great seeing your son and his mates also.
When I was learning light sabres duelling we was taught the bastard sword grip and the 8 circles of attack and how to defend.
It really does work.
Would love to have Mr Hicks at my dinner table, fascinating evening of conversation I think!
Cheers Andy 😉
Brilliant content. Interesting to see all through history the added weight to the combat soldier remains constant between 60 and 80 pounds
That was fantastic! Looking at the skills involved in making that armour is mind boggling for the time. No presses, or sheet metal machines, all hand beaten and fitted to the person who commissioned it to wear in battle. Thank you Kevin and son and squire! Lol
Glad you enjoyed it!
Josh seems like a good sport. Hope it was not a hot day!!
It’s very interesting to see that even back then a soldier was heavy no matter how modern we get soldiers are always gonna be heavy
Yes, the weight is quite equivalent.
Ive watched a video and the reckon the soliders carry weight hasn't much change from Roman time to now
The weight is more evenly distributed than modern soldiers
Well you gear him up till he can't fight any more..... that's why the kit is comparable in weight... the same beast is carrying it.....
I’m so happy your son participates in this history. Great man at arms, you gave me a lot more to look into.
Reminds me of an armadillo. I took a picture of the engraving on a set of Italian armor that I love to a jeweler and had him engrave a ring for my 30th wedding anniversary.
This is so intersting! I have seen these armours in museums, but never on a real person. So interesting to see how everything moves.
What a great video. Although I am an American, I thank all three of you for your service to your country.
Our pleasure!
That was brilliant, what a beautiful suite of armor. When I served in the Marine Corps we wore ALICE pack back packs and they had a little strap that you pull on either shoulder that would cause the shoulder straps to separate & the whole thing simply fall away to the ground; I wonder if that concept came from the suits of armor? Thank you for the content Brother. Ooh Rah!
Quite possibly👍🏻
I fought in Helmand in 2010 alongside the British Royal Marines and the SAS.
Im a US Marine Scout Sniper.
If you ever want to swap war stories I'd love to connect.
Either way, your channel is superb, Sir
Semper Fi
Hey, cheers buddy - happy to connect anytime. The contact form on my website would be a good place to start 👍🏻 or Patreon 😉
Amazing, love how intricate and well put together this armor is. Armor like this is truly a work of art.
MOST INFORMATIVE.
FASCINATING SUBJECT MATTER.
Well Done Kevin 👍
Cheers Robert, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
Kevin, I absolutely love your videos. They're straight to the point, full of knowledge and history. They're just very calming and interesting. Can't believe you don't have more views. I subscribed and I told some family members who are interested in the same concepts about you! Thanks for all your hard work! - From Pennsylvania, United States
That's great to hear, thanks for sharing.
Interestingly, I used to live in England near the village of Penn in Buckinghamshire. The vault of the church had the family all neatly stacked up in coffins of William Penn, whom I believe to be the founder of Pennsylvania. 👍🏻
It's a lovely kit for sure! Very impressive and I appreciate how you included the weapons into the wait calculation
Thanks. We'll have another film on the weapons coming up in a few weeks 👍🏻
Wow. These guys must have been something else. I think that sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we have today and forget the wonders of yesterday. Great video!
Well said!
Thanks for the in-depth video!
I've recently read B. Cornwall's "Grail Quest" series with Thomas of Hookton, 14th century archer from Dorset as the central character. I've already watched all of your videos on archery/archers, so it was a double pleasure to read.
P.S. For some reason I got your face as a mental image of one of the characters, veteran archer commander Will Skeat :)
Cheers!
You may know I was used by Bernard as research for this series and now with my (slightly) advancing years I'm quite happy to be imagined in the boots of old Will 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad that’s awesome! Did archers really burn their old bows to send them to hell?
@@cholulahotsauce6166 No, just to keep their hands warm 😉
@@thehistorysquad as someone who’s currently reading the series this makes me love it even more! That’s amazing.
Definitely Old Skeat! ;)
Do you swear like him off camera? 😂
Thank you, Kevin and friends, for these superb glimpses into history! 👍🏻
Our pleasure!
It is amazing you came back to England to film this video. I started watching this channel thanks to the 100 years war series. It made me realise that the armour of those days hadn't advanced much from the Romans, 1000 years before. The same rear neck guard on the helmets, the same chain mail, the same pointed spears and catapult artillery for sieges. You mention the armour was light but having to see out of very narrow slits can be a drawback if you can see around you to swing your sword. Having the wind knocked out of your sails due to the corset means the men were often winded in battle, and out of puff. It's ok to fight for 30mins and swing your arms around, but after an hour, your arms would be as heavy as mill stones. Compare this with Hannibal's time, where 35,000 Carthaginian mercenaries fought (virtually naked) all day long. Or even the Picts, who did similar, although in a rather more chilly climate. I'm into the British dark age battles myself, and have compiled a huge list of them, but I doubt I will ever write them into a book.
Thanks very much for the visit, I'm glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
To say armour had not advanced much in 1000 years is about as wrong as you can possibly be
I was an American soldier in Berlin in the 80s! We shared our site with the RAF and the British Army. T-berg. Great channel!
Thanks for truthfully educating us about what it took to prepare a man in arms
Short, informative and to the point. Just perfect.
very interesting - big thanks to everyone involved.
Wasn't it a great collaboration 😉
Good to see you in the field with others. And with family keeping up the tradition.
That's for sure, it was a lovely day & we got lots more footage to share too 👍🏻
I love all your videos. Your son Josh and friends are awesome. Thank you.
Cheers David, we think so too, we hope to see more of them next spring 👍🏻
Very nice walk through of what it use to take. Well done
As always a great informational video Kevin.
Thanks 👍
Marvellous video, so interesting. Thank you gentlemen for taking the time to make this video👍
Our pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
I can imagine that just as our young warrior here was doing, a Knight back in the day would actively assist with the fitting of his harness. He is relying on not just steel and leather but on his squires to keep him safe and so logically one would assume they'd endeavour to make the job as easy as possible and build the best possible rapport with his men lest he be felled through sabotage or a scorned squires lax hands.
👍🏻
thank you, after so many books about medieval times, your videos are incredible
I already had endless respect for Kevin and this channel but when he said "I'm glad I'm just a common bowman because this stuff is beyond me." Limitless respect replaced endless. 10/10 thank you so much for this content.
Wow, thanks Chris, I'm speechless 👍🏻
Congratulations on the Platinum Jubilee 👑💐🌺
Your son looked great with the full harness on Kevin! Excellent video, hope you had a great time back in England.
I certainly did, thank you 👍🏻
Truly amazing and well heavy. That is a lot of hand work to create this. Wow
I once had a professor explaining how men at arms complicate man count in medieval records. It gets very complex.
I'll elaborate what I was told in a reply.
You might be interested in seeing if Tod of Tod's Workshop would be interested in a collaboration.
So... What I was told...
Is that the number of "lances" or "knights" either could or could not include their household combative retinue..
So in any given battle, a knight or lance may be anywhere from a minimum of two men - although all of them might not be exactly engaged in combat at any given moment... You'd have to have someone to provide spare lances at a minimum....
And most knights would have at least some men at arms who could function either on foot or mounted, from my understanding... And sometimes basically everyone would fight on foot anyhow just to confuse everything, particularly the English - who, I may note, also had mounted archers - not not horseback archers, that I know of, but definitely horse mobile archers (I found that very interesting, kinda like pulling artillery with a vehicle in modern combat.)
Great comment Brian, thanks 👍🏻
@@brianknezevich9894So the archers were dragoon infantry effectively. Mounted for mobility and posibly logistics but fought on foot. The horses were for escape or maneauver, otherwise with the bagage.
One of Kevin's videos talked about number of horses for a Knight. So that would be Charger to fight the battle, Palfry to ride to the battle and Courser to run away from a defeat. Likely they would have two of each. So that is one Knight by himself, plus the servants and pack animals and posibly wagon for them. It all adds up.
This is what you call a Lance fournie. There had to be enough palfries for all the unit to travel to battle, the Man-at-Arms/Knight [Heavy Cavalry] and the Sergeant/Coutilier [Lighter infantry] (France) would be expected to fight mounted on chargers and have the escape courser. There would be a page/squire to assist the man-at-arms with extra equipment and some archers to fight as infantry. So if you had 2 cavalry and 2-4 infantry and some servants this becomes a mixed unit with inbuilt logistics. The French had companies of 100 Lances so that is a variable sized mixed unit with effectively circa 100 heavy cavalry/or heavy infantry if dismounted, 100 lighter cavalry/or lighter infantry if dismounted and 200-400 archers with 100-200 servants and 1,000 horses.
It makes sense to have the connected archers to provide a retreating skirmish line for the cavalry or even enfilade fire to the battle line.
There is a nice little article on Wikipedia for how certain areas did their Lance fournies.
Fascinating channel! Love it!
This channel takes my mind off the troubles of the world
Awesome video, very fascinating and I love how your son also has a passion for history too!
Nice to see living-history groups getting back out in the open. I've yet to be able to get to an event post-Pandemic but I'm looking forward to doing so. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay back here :)
I did, thank you. We have a few more of these videos to come, but the rest of our time was spent catching some quality time with family and friends 👍🏻
Thank you so much for the video, as an aspiring author, I love watching and learning about all of these pieces of accurate armour. Thank you, sir, I can't wait to learn more from you.
Cheers Joseph & good luck with your writings 👍🏻
Yet another great video, I just love your models. Absolutely fantastic. Thanks Kevin, Dawn ❤❤❤
Don't worry about the sound mate, this was great as ever! :) - Your mate was in the Staffs, bless him my Great Grandad was S. Staffs in WW1.
Cool, cheers Jon 👍🏻
Thank you guys for the breakdown of the armor of a man at arms. Looking to put together a set similar to this!
Excellent, good luck!
This channel is on a rocket to the moon. Congrats Kevin, you deserve it. Lets see 1 million followers.
Cheers buddy, I hope so, I'm having a blast and hope it continues 👍🏻
It must give an archer pride, to see his son be able to afford and wear the kit of a man at arms.
Oh indeed it does 👍🏻
What a great video! So informative, and extremely interesting to see the armor donned piece by piece.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed that video Kevin, thank you.
Amazing stuff lads...just astounding how was made to being put on your son Josh...sun shining and all ...I was thirsty just watching him wearing it....another great vid keV.
Glad you enjoyed it, cheers.
Brilliant. I'm studying the Wars of the Roses and the hundred years War. This just thrilled me to bits.
Great, there'll be more to come
12.12 the detail on that dagger is great. Joshua is a veey good son withstandig such an onslaught. What a torture it all is.
I particularly liked your explanation of the phrase 'get to the point' - that is absolutely fascinated. Great work Kevin 🤴🇬🇧
Cheers 👍🏻
Fascinating. Thanks for posting this.
Our pleasure!
Wow! Thanks for sharing that interesting part of history.
Glad you enjoyed it
As usual a wonderful realization of that period. I understand weight was designed to be carried by the hips. I’ve also read that weaponry from that period frequently resembled various kinds of non wheel and gear based can openers for obvious reasons. I’ve also read that the coat of plates was frequently preferred due to comfort and flexibility even by some top commanders. Obviously with full harness shields and targs were unnecessary. Presentations of which you are a sterling example that bring the genius and complexities of the past so we might learn and admire them are invaluable to our future. Thank you and those that sail with you so much.
Hi there, thanks for watching. The fluting is actually a German, gothic detail design and the Milanese is the rounded design. Josh's gauntlets were gothic in design, the rest was more Milanese in style 👍🏻
note that shields are still used well onto the 1500s
both pavese (centre grip shields) and targes (strapped cavalry shields)
they become a little sturdier as time goes on, faced with iron ore, glass shaards or antler, for instance, but still layered with wood, sinew aand rawhide under that like before.
not to mention bucklers.
I love that link to a common colloquial “get to the point” hahaha that is brilliant! Thanks for the great video as always!
You bet!
this chennal is somtng)))) love it
Awsome demonstration! Thank you. I love your Chanel!
You are so welcome!
Love your films Kevin .so interesting.
Cheers Paul 👍🏻
always love ur videos kev, They are really informative and laid back. I wish more people would do more videos with re-enactment groups as it is an epic hobby.
It really is. When I go back to the UK, I'll be sure to do some more 👍🏻
U doing one with the Warwicks they did a good show at avonscroft on the multiperiod in March.
@@leithafae All my WW1 kit was in Canada 😉
@@thehistorysquad ah fair/ oh well if u ever fancy trying an american rev war event. I am i a group called redcoats and revolutionaries who are great with loan kit for new people. Its a really laid back group and be good to see you again.
Thanks! I am really interested in that era, I used to portray a redcoat at Blenheim Palace. Where are you based?
Good to see your channel getting some traction
Yeah thanks, it's nice seeing it grow 👍🏻
Just magnificent!
Greetings once again from nova Scotia, fantastic video as usual good sir. I am happy to see the love of reenactment carries on, really made me smile. Thank you once again, safe journeys, and as always best regards.
Cheers Arthur - keep well 👍🏻
Very interesting all the pieces that go together to protect the wearer. Suiting him up reminds me of my days as a hockey goalie getting dressed for a game. It would take me 1/2 hr by myself just to get everything on.
Loving it Kevin, 3 former soldiers, thank you all for what you’ve done for your country 🤘🏹
Cheers Mick 👍🏻
Such a fantastic kit, like absolutely love it and even though i have a similar set of armor my self i still love watching these. Great vid as always Mr hicks !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hello Kevin and Joshua,
I love the name 'War of the Roses'
That harness is amazing. How does all that weigh I wonder? Maybe you will say? Looks like you do.
Joshua is a solid 16 stone eh.
The greaves are amazing.
Must feel terribly claustraphobic
The hands look the best
This was amazing
Thank you very much
Great stuff, your videos are always so interesting. Can’t wait for you to hit 100k subs, very close now
I know right? It's been a crazy few months watching the channel grow as quickly as it has. Thanks as every for your support Kiwifruit 👍🏻
Thanks for another excellent video!
Been waiting for this banger! Much respect to you as you continue to provide accurate historical knowledge to the community!
Cheers Conrad, glad you liked it 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad you don’t realize how happy this just made me, greetings and much love from America!
This was fascinating and very informative. Thank you very much for making and sharing this video! From an American who has been obsessed with armored knights and combat since a child. I recently found your channel and I find it awesome! 👍
You're very welcome! I'm glad you're liking the videos 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad Loving them, squad!
Brilliant video and what a formidable look. Would not want to stand in the way of someone armored like that.
This was very informative. Great work historysqaud
Glad you think so, thanks!
Very interesting, never knew how it was all put together. All together it's very impressive looking.
Does the mail underneath the arms connect to fill the gaps better or something? Great video, I like seeing the whole process
Yes they do, they have what's called voids or voiders and they're specially shaped to be sewn to your arming doublet. 👍🏻
Great video, Kevin. That sound at 04:08 caught me off guard though 😂
😜
You gotta feel like a right badass wearing the full suit.
Imagine if your leather bindings became untied during battlle, and suddenly and arm or leg armour is dangling off!... so many things could spell disaster in a battle. Totally horrifying to imagine this working in real life, or with my real life at the mercy of that suit of armour and all the GOOD LUCK I would need just to survive things going right... imagine if I tripped and fell over, it would take ages to get up again if i could on my own ina muddy field.... scary stuff! Great presentation as always, thankyou good sir!
Have you considered doing a video on the difference in gear between knights and men at arms?
When I can find myself a knight I will 😜
As an avid history buff, I seriously appreciate your channel. I'm learning new things every day from you. 😃.
That's great to hear, thanks very much 👍🏻
Thanks for the video
This was a great video, something different than the usual! More collabs with your son please if/when possible! Thank you!
Thank you! We did manage to shoot some more footage and that will be released over the coming weeks 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad Brilliant, will look forward to it! Cheers! :)
Fascinating!!! 👍👍
Could you do a video on the type of combat training they would do? Like, did they train in boxing, weapons retention, or unarmed combat/wrestling? I would think in a battle it would be much more than just a sword fight and would be soldiers tackling or grappling with one another and getting a quick dagger in or even strangling one another.
There certainly was combat training, a continuous process, as you say, not just a sword fight but how to effectively use the various weapons. Sadly I'm back in Canada now, but who knows .... next year perhaps 😉
Fantastic video
Thanks for the visit
Great film! Much love from Germany 🖤
Thank you 🙌
Beautiful armour, thank you for sharing!
Fantastic and informative as always! Just starting to branch into Wars of The Roses reenactment from 13th Century so will be sure to keep an eye out on the field for the Oxfords!
Please do, they're a good bunch 👍🏻
I do a single loop bow for a pouch i carry with a bit of cash and some tool tips for my muti tool, the single bow holds the bagshut and wont loosen as easily and is easier to open quickly. And its good to see you with your son, my greatest joy was when i became a father. My sons only 14 but almost taller then me.
....and still growing 👍🏻
I've seen knights getting harnessed, I was curious to see how longit takes to remove the gear. Well, I'll just play the video backwards😂.
Your videos are entertaining and informative, thank you!
It takes about half the time as you can just undo the ties and let It fall off.
Thanks for your input Josh 👍🏻
Hi Kevin, fantastic video as always - so glad i found your channel. I'm from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, just wandering if you have ever been to our castle for any reenactments?
Yes absolutely. I've toured thousands of people around Kenilworth and done many an archery display for both schools and the public. I even did some Christmas Dickens storytelling for a couple of years which was fun and something different 👍🏻
What a brilliant video!❤
Thanks 👍🏻
Brilliant & informative as always. Thanks Kevin.👍
Glad you enjoyed it