Historical Leeds Brigandine - 15th Century Infantry Armour

Historical Leeds Brigandine - 15th Century Infantry Armour

The first thing you'll notice is the quality black suede leather forming the outer layer. Securely riveted to the inside are hundreds of overlapping steel plates. It's these flat-headed rivets that create the characteristic and elegant decorative pattern on the surface, as you can see in the photo – forming small triangles and lines that not only look smart but also show the placement of the protective plates beneath the leather. The brigandine is a sleeveless design and fastens down the front with five leather straps and brass buckles. You'll find another two straps and buckles on the shoulders, allowing you to adjust it perfectly to your size and whatever you're wearing underneath (like a gambeson or mail shirt).

Key Features and Facts:

• Authentic Design: Based on a historical artefact from the mid-to-late 15th century, likely of Italian origin.
• Robust Construction: Beneath the suede leather lie approximately 150 overlapping mild steel plates, 0.9mm (18 gauge) thick, providing solid protection. (Plate count varies slightly by size: 149 for S/M, 147 for L/XL).
• Comfort and Mobility: Despite its sturdiness, the brigandine is designed for excellent mobility, crucial for long battles and marches. It's surprisingly comfortable, even when worn for extended periods.
• Adjustability: Thanks to the 7 leather straps with brass buckles (5 at the front, 2 on the shoulders), you can easily tailor the fit.
• Materials: Genuine suede leather, steel plates, brass buckles.
• Sizing: You'll find the size chart in one of the additional photos.

Who wore brigandines and when?

The brigandine was popular armour from the 14th right through to the 16th century. It represented a transition between mail and plate armour. In earlier times, it was worn by knights and men-at-arms alike. Later, as full plate armour became more widespread in the 15th century, it became a favourite choice for foot soldiers, archers, and lower-ranking combatants, offering a superb balance between protection, cost, and freedom of movement. It was often worn over a mail shirt (haubergeon) or just with mail sleeves and a skirt. You'd have seen it on battlefields across Europe, including the aforementioned Wars of the Roses.

How can you use it today?

This brigandine is the ideal choice for:

• Historical Reenactment (especially 15th century)
• LARP (Live Action Role Playing)
• SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) events
• Costumes for theatre, film, or themed events
• A display piece for history enthusiasts

A Bit of History:

The name "brigandine" is a tad misleading. Although "brigand" now means a bandit or robber, this type of armour wasn't primarily for them. It was standard kit for regular soldiers. The name likely refers to a type of infantryman (known as "brigands") in the 14th century who often used this armour.

How to look after it:

To keep your brigandine serving you well and looking smart:

1. Leather: Keep the suede leather clean and dry. You can treat it occasionally with a suede care product to maintain its suppleness and colour. Avoid prolonged soaking.
2. Metal Plates: Even though the plates are hidden, moisture isn't their friend. After each use (especially in damp conditions or if you've worked up a sweat), let the brigandine air dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated place. You can give the rivets and buckles an occasional light wipe with a cloth and some conservation oil (like WD-40 or Ballistol) to prevent rust.
3. Storage: Store it in a dry place, ideally hung on a sturdy hanger or laid flat so it doesn't lose its shape.

With this brigandine, you're getting not just a piece of quality armour, but a piece of history that offers protection and style for any event!

A high-quality product made by Lord Of Battles®