Advanced 14th-Century Gauntlets and Sword Scabbard

Hello armour fans and archaeology enthusiasts,

After several excursions into the Viking Age, today we are finally focusing once again on equipment from the time of my favourite fencing manual, I.33. I wish you an enlightening read.

The Kyburg Gauntlets

During excavations in Kyburg, Switzerland, in the winter of 2020/21, archaeologists discovered the fully preserved iron elements of a late medieval gauntlet and its rather fragmented counterpart. Various indications suggest that the pair of gauntlets was lost during a fire in 1362. This would mean the pieces are contemporary to the famous gauntlets from the mass graves created after the Battle of Wisby in 1361. The Kyburg model belongs to a type that was in use continuously from 1350 to 1650.

In the current issue of the Zeitschrift für Waffen- und Kleidungsgeschichte (i. e. Journal of Weapon and Clothing History), 2024 issue 1, Lorena Burkhardt and Matthias Goll present the finds in detail for the first time. The article, which is more than 30 pages long, includes documentation and analysis of the artefacts as well as extensive pictorial material, such as archaeological drawings and illustrations of reconstructions.

Additionally, a typological classification of the Kyburg gauntlet is undertaken, and comparisons are made with other examples and according depictions in late medieval art. A must-read for every armour enthusiast and 14th-century re-enactor!

Another Bifurcated Sword Belt

Also dating to the 14th century is the tomb of Count Rudolf von Hohenberg. As part of my research on medieval sword scabbards, I examined the sculpture in the church church of St. Moriz in Rottenburg, made sketches, and took photos and videos.

Although the scabbard and sword were restored without any expertise in weaponry, a reconstruction of the scabbard suspension is indeed possible.

In my corresponding article, I present my current proposal for attaching the straps of the bifurcated waist belt in a simple but effective way.

So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed.

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Yours,

Roland

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