09-10-2010, 11:43 AM
We're dancing around the subject of leather armor because several folks seemed to state categorically that there was no leather armor anywhere, anytime. Now we've shifted to, yes, there was leather armor but only for show and only for upper class. Or only somewhere else. :roll:
I really don't know, but the issue seems less clear than some of the absolute statements would lead one to believe.
Back to sub-Roman British cavalry. Wouldn't it be safe to assume that a man wealthy enough to own a horse (or two) suitable for combat would also have a decent kit of combat gear? Perhaps including something to protect his chest and back? :?
Most sources agree that mail would have been hugely expensive during this period. So, tell me what's the logical--preferably supported by some sort of sources--next step below metal armor?
Osprey's book cover and Plate C. of Arthur and the Anglo-Saxon Wars (sorry, Robert, I didn't name the book) shows a supposed North British cavalryman wearing what looks like scale armor. They (assumedly Angus McBride, since he did the illustrations) identify his helmet as Romano-Byzantine 5 c. from an example in the Coptic Museum in Cairo (p. 35), but say nothing about the armor. Lorica squamata was well attested to in the Roman period, but may not have been available in sub-Roman Britain. What was?
I really don't know, but the issue seems less clear than some of the absolute statements would lead one to believe.
Back to sub-Roman British cavalry. Wouldn't it be safe to assume that a man wealthy enough to own a horse (or two) suitable for combat would also have a decent kit of combat gear? Perhaps including something to protect his chest and back? :?
Most sources agree that mail would have been hugely expensive during this period. So, tell me what's the logical--preferably supported by some sort of sources--next step below metal armor?
Osprey's book cover and Plate C. of Arthur and the Anglo-Saxon Wars (sorry, Robert, I didn't name the book) shows a supposed North British cavalryman wearing what looks like scale armor. They (assumedly Angus McBride, since he did the illustrations) identify his helmet as Romano-Byzantine 5 c. from an example in the Coptic Museum in Cairo (p. 35), but say nothing about the armor. Lorica squamata was well attested to in the Roman period, but may not have been available in sub-Roman Britain. What was?
"Fugit irreparabile tempus" (Irrecoverable time glides away) Virgil
Ron Andrea
Ron Andrea
