Padded Armour

[tlclark]

Wear the heavier of the two over the top, not both underneath. The European padded jack was worn over the haubergeon which was worn over an aketon - the combination is proof against the longbow. In the Crusades it is likely that the Franks wore a heavy velt vest over their mail and the combination was proof against Saracen arrows. Saladin's biographer, Bah?’al-D?n, wrote that the crusaders were:

drawn up in front of the cavalry, stood firm as a wall, and every foot-soldier wore a vest of thick felt and a coat of mail so dense and strong that our arrows made no impression on them… I saw some with from one to ten arrows sticking in them, and still advancing at their ordinary pace without leaving the ranks.

I have no doubt that that would work. Looking at my felt samples and how well they resisted puncture I am convinced felt could have been used.

The only problem is that there is no specific evidence that the Romans employed such a system.

If you look back up the thread you will see that there are some who suggest that the Libyan hides are very similar to the outer coverings worn over maille in later periods, but the context of the mention of the Libyan hides seems to indicate that they were meant to protect the armor from the elements and moisture, not add an extra layer of protection.

Myself, since my interest is the musculata, I can say that the padded armor is definitely not worn over the cuirass itself, but I am prepared to accept any combination of layers, including possibly maille, underneath the cuirass.

I definitely think that the layering of materials makes a huge difference.

Thanks for the info.

Travis.