If you’re interested in traditional armouring techniques, this video is certainly one to watch. A recreation of a brigandine from the famous statue of St. George in Prague. The statue itself is in one of the courtyards of Prague Castle and should be on anyone’s sightseeing list when heading there on a city break.
Brigandines are a combination of a jacket and plate armour. They often have a similar cut to a doublet, but with steel plates riveted to a fabric outer and lining. The design was most often used by foot soldiers to bridge the gap between chain and plate armour. The brigandine is fitted closely to the wearer meaning that the weight is taken on the shoulders and hips which makes it easier to wear than some other kinds of armour.
The brigandine itself is elaborate and beautiful, full of ornamental detail. Perhaps in the future we’ll see something as unique as this on the field at a LARP event? If anyone’s up to the challenge of making one it would be White Rose Apparel – I look forward to seeing a commission of something similar!
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