A man-at-arms is the elite soldier for the military company and we expect him to be armed cap a pié (from head to toe). The required kit listed here is what you need to complete to become a companion in the group. Note that if the portrayal is to be a knight, extra kit is involved.
To present yourself as a man-at-arms, you must have at least one basic set of armor and the clothes to wear with it, a few other items and minimal weapons suitable to a man-at-arms. Please refer to our clothing glossary for definitions of the garments and check out arms and armor for details on the named items.
Required:
- Braes: Style will be timeframe dependent.
- Hosen: Probably “tailed” hosen. “Point” hosen for the first half of the fourteenth century, or “joined” in post 1415 timeframes
- Shirt
- Headwear: Necessary if your hairstyle is not a period appropriate one. Timeframe will determine the most suitable sort.
- Arming Doublet: A lightly padded garment to wear beneath the body armor. The cut depends on timeframe.
- Belt(s): A military girdle and/or sword belt as appropriate to timeframe.
- Helmet(s): Metal head protection suitable to the timeframe. In the early part of the war great helms are sometimes worn over a small bascinet.
- Pisane: A mail collar with a short skirt.
- Mail Shirt: Of suitable style for timeframe; alternatives such as sleeves, skirts and voiders are possible, especially inn later timeframes.
- Metal leg armor: Styles and details vary by timeframe.
- Metal arm armor: Styles and details vary by timeframe.
- Metal gauntlets: Styles and details vary by timeframe.
- Shoes: Styles and details vary by timeframe.
- Spurs: Styles and details vary by timeframe.
- If the timeframe requires it: Cloth Covering for the Armor: Styles and details vary by timeframe.
plus:
- Bowl: A good wooden one will do but metal is better.
- Spoon: One with a fig shaped bowl, metal.
- A drinking vessel: glass, metal, or fancy pottery
- A Table Knife: with sheath or case.
Man-at-arm’s Weapons:
- Sword: Either a single-hand “arming” sword or a longsword. Styles and details vary by timeframe.
- Dagger: Styles and details vary by timeframe. May be optional for some timeframes.
- Lance: Styles and details vary by timeframe.
- Shield: Optional for timeframes after 1370
Recommended:
- Solerets or Sabatons
- Set of Civilian Clothes: Doublet, Gown, Hosen, Shoes, Headwear.
- Percussive Weapon: a mace before 1370 and a poleax after.
- Seat: Either a chair, a stool, or a seat-height chest. Required for knights.
- Cloke, a second Cote, or second Gown: Always welcome on cold days
- Gloves: also welcome on cold days
- Pattens: You will be grateful of these if the ground is wet.
- Container: A chest or two to keep your stuff in.
A knight will have:
- A second sword: Whichever of the two basics you don’t already have.
- A second lance: Either a jack (heavily padded garment) or a mail shirt is preferred. Other options are possible. Garment styling changes during the war.
- Something to add to the sideboard for hastilude scenarios: A ewer, plates, saucers, etc.
- Pennons for the lances
- Some or all of his equipment marked with his arms or device
A “proper” knight will have:
- Tent: preferably an arming pavilion