Brocardus de Charpignie

a Flemish knight

Larnaca, Cyprus, 1270AD





Note the cuirie worn.
Source: effigiesandbrasses.
From: Creeny, William Frederick. 1891. Illustrations of incised slabs on the continent of Europe. pg 19. London: W.Griggs and Son. New York

A knight of c.1270 wearing a cuirie in Armies of Feudal Europe 1066-1300 by Ian Heath, based on this brass of Brocardus de Charpignie.



Referenced on p.34, Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era, 1050-1350, Western Europe and the Crusader States by David Nicolle
44 Incised monumental brass of Sir Brocardus de Charpignie, France, c.1270
(via Courtauld Institute, London, England)

It would be useful to know more about this monumental brass. Such a style of tomb memorial probably first appeared in northern France around the mid-13th century, Dinant being the main production centre for the copper alloy (latten) of which they were made. Monumental brasses became popular in England from the late 13th century but this early and archaic example may have originated in Flanders or the Rhineland. The warrior appears to have a form of bascinet, but even more interesting is the piece of armour that he wears over his long-sleeved mail hauberk. This has squared shoulders and is fastened by three laces, buckles or toggles on each shoulder. It probably did not come much below his waist and it is clearly not a form of surcoat. This might, in fact, be an early representation of a hardened leather cuirie or quiret.



See also:
European, Islamic & Byzantine Arms and Armour in Histoire ancienne jusqu'à César, 1260-70AD
Tomb of a knight wearing plastron de fer, in Pershore Abbey, c.1280

Other 13th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers






Free Web Hosting