Equipment

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Examples

Much of our equipment is based on specific examples from finds or contemporary pictures, whilst other equipment is a composite interpretation of several examples of a 'type'. The equipment is bought or commissioned from various suppliers.

Click on the photographs to see a larger picture.

		Bracer This archer's wrist-guard is based on the one in the MoL, shown in 'Dress Accessories' p229.

		Mirror cases The pewter mirror case is based on one in the Museum of London, shown in 'Dress Accessories' 1712 BWB83 (Billingsgate) 130 (257). It has openwork decoration of the crucifixion, showing Christ on the cross, flanked by haloed figures of Mary and St. John, with the sun and moon above and to the sides. There is an inscription of 'Jesus' on the rim.
The copper alloy case is based on one in the Museum of London, shown in 'Dress Accessories' 1712 BWB83 (Billingsgate) 121 (263).

Towton Ring This is a based on the 3 silver rings recovered from the finger of Towton skeleton 39. Two rings are interlinked, and the third is detached. A slight bulge in the ring may indicate the site of welding.

		Comb The design of this comb is a composite of examples in the Museum of London's Dress Accessories book, particularly the 15th C example 1743 TL74 (Trig Lane, London) 1135 (368)

Garter hooks Bronze garter hooks have been cast from originals. These are similar to the ones found on the Towton Battlefield site (see 'Blood Red Roses').

		Piercing awl Based on a 14th-15th C woodcut of Saints Crispin and Crispianus.

Girdle Based on Rogier Van der Weyden 'Portrait of a Young Woman'. This buckle is bronze rather than the gold probably depicted in the painting, and so a more subdued red silk has been used for the girdle, to keep in fitting with the buckle.

		Lavabo This bronze lavabo (washbasin) is similar to numerous examples in museums (such as the Gruuthuse in Bruges), and to those in paintings such as Hubert and Jan Van Eyck 'Polyptych The Adoration of the Lamb', and Robert Campin 'Merode Alterpiece'.

Gloves Our gloves are based on several pictoral sources, such as Robert Campin 'Nativity', and a misericord in the Cathedral of John the Baptist Saint-Jean-de Maurienne. The pattern for the thumb is based on a pair of mittens in the Museum of London.

		Spindle whorl The spindle whorl on this drop spindle was cast from an original, similar to the one shown here.

Fire striker This fire striker is based on originals such as the one shown here.

		Pins Pins of this type are common finds on the foreshore of the Thames. The reproduction brass pin with the coiled head is similar to the originals shown here.

Cosmetic set Tweezers, nail cleaner, and ear scoop. Based on examples in the Museum of London. The ear scoop is dished.

		Pen Bronze dip pen. Based on 13-15th century pens. See MH 898, and Age of Chivalry 422.

Boots and Pattens Our boots are hand-made on reproduction lasts to replicate the 15th century shoes such as those described in the Museum of London book 'Medieval Finds from Excavations in London: 2 - Shoes and Pattens' by Francis Grew and Margrethe de Neergaard. The pair shown here are based on a 15th century pair excavated in London. The pattens are based on Wooden patten #136 in Museum of London "Shoes and Pattens", early/mid 15th century.

		Money bag This composite bag, made from several leather pouches is based on several paintings, including Marius van Reymerswaele 'The Moneychanger and His Wife'.

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Equipment

Examples

Bracer

Mirror cases

Towton Ring

Comb

Garter hooks

Piercing awl

Girdle

Lavabo

Gloves

Spindle whorl

Fire striker

Pins

Cosmetic set

Pen

Boots and Pattens

Money bag