So, trying to source something that meets the spec
[quote]Armour made from steel or a similar weight metal
If there are plates used they must be at least 1mm thick
Butchers Mail and Ring Mail are not included as heavy armour, regardless of the materials used
Provides 4 extra hits and protects against CLEAVE and IMPALE
Any armour that is primarily made from steel provides the wearer with 4 extra hits. Other base metals that weigh the same such as brass would also count, but aluminium and titanium armour counts as medium.[/quote]
… whilst still being able to draw “properly” and also - and this is the tricky part - suitable for the “older gentleman” that can’t wear stuff that’s too heavy - i.e. my old chain that weighs in at about 20kg. I should mention that I’m in the Marches, so would be looking for something appropriate.
Options seem to be:
“lighter” chain mail hauberk, probably short sleeved. Would be interested to hear how people are getting on that are shooting in chain, I’ve seen quite a few! Possibly with left steel vambrace Any decent suppliers that we know of? I don’t have the time to make my own (did that once!)
Or some sort of breastplate ? Not seen a steel breastplate on an archer in game, though there are some references IRL (livinghistory.co.uk/forums/v … 27&start=0) it strikes me as awkward, though possibly lighter / offering less protection. Having monstered as an archer in the orc armour, I didn’t have any issue, so it would seem doable (even though it wasn’t steel) Again - any thoughts on type / supplier?
A coat of plates / brigantine might stylisticly suit an archer more so than a cuirass. Probably easier to draw while wearing a brig too, but don’t quote me on that,
A set jack chains for the arm, likewise would be a good look for a Marchers archer. Also the so called archers sallet is another option.
Cap-a-pie (capapie.co.uk/) maille is one option if you have the cash - my haubergeon (plenty enough for heavy armour) weighs in at about 8Kg. Being short sleeved I reckon it’d be fine for archery.
Justin’s suggestion of a brig is also a good one - get one made with 18 gauge steel (which IIRC is just over 1mm so qualifies for heavy armour) and it wouldn’t be too heavy. Made to measure from Steve Lunn at White Rose Apparel (facebook.com/groups/2590311 … 7/?fref=ts) isn’t too expensive (YMMV of course), probably about the same as Cap-a-pie maiile, and as it’d be made for you you can make sure you can comfortably draw your bow. If that sort of thing bothers you brigs for archers are a good historical look as well Add a simple pot help, sallet, etc. to the brig to qualify for heavy armour.
Lightweight heavy armour is basically “torso armour plus a pot helmet”. We’ll take the helmet as assumed.
For getting torso armour weight down, you’ve got several good suggestions already. The other thing you could do is get a set of cheap butted mail, some pliers, and tailor it a bit more. Hanging down to the hips, with little part sleeves, and you should be able to get the weight well under half of the 20kg of your old mail. Mail tailoring is surprisingly easy, and nipping out baggy bits of superfluous mail will both make it easier to move in and reduce the weight. Then do a zigzag bottom edge for style, and get a bag of riveted links from Mark at Cap a Pie to reinforce the neckline and other such weak points with.
While the exact weight will obviously depend on your size, you should be able to get something that’s light, good coverage against being shot in the torso*, and also looks pretty nice, for under £100 spent. Fair bit of time involved in doing it nicely, though - but that’s what the winter’s for, right?
*And there’s magic items to deal with limbs being shot off - look up Defiant Steel
My recommendations are very much in line with the other. Tactical plate is your friend as an archer. The other added benefit is that you can build this kit up over time. Should you decide to go down this route then i’d advise buying items in the following order (do shop around for the best deal I am posting these up as examples).
Arming Jack - essentially a padded jacket with points to tie the armour onto it. This should be the first priority. I’d also consider getting it adjusted to fit you better as well.
Plackart - Armour for the lower half of the torso, effective and does not hinder the chest/ shoulders when shooting. http://www.re-enactmentsupplies.co.uk/
For reference, the mobility is not much of an issue. I’ve (for the sake of experiment) tried shooting a longbow in a full set of Mytholon plate. It’s a terrible fit on me, I can’t easily bend down to pick up arrows off the floor … but I can shoot the bow itself just as well as unarmoured.
As long as your armour doesn’t have big wings on the arms to snag the bowstring, you’re basically fine there. So the question is more one of general weight, mobility, and amount of protection. I still lean towards a mail vest and a helmet as the ideal balance of those factors, adding jack chains or extra bits of mail/plate as desired and required (I’d prioritise jack chains, then maybe cuisses or some archer’s knees, possibly with adding a bit of extra length back into the sleeves and skirts of your mail). Tailoring mail is easy, the raw components are really cheap even in a substantially finished form, and the end result is heavy armour and highly generic and reusable should you happen to die in battle.
As a marcher archer, I found shooting in knee-length, elbow-length steel chain not an issue at all, so if you can find chain you can wear comfortably for two hours or so, you should be fine.
Occasionally wastes a shot catching on a bit, but I’m pretty sure I’d sort that if I went with an archer’s bracer of some kind. It’s heavy, but it covers all the way along my arms, all my torso, and down toward my knees.
The Cap a Pie armour is excellent, a lot lighter than butted chain. Still more than good as counting for heavy, but it’s not cheap.
Strapping up is great to reduce perceived weight, although we all know that’s a lot of effort.
Plate is nice, but you get a lot more coverage a lot more easily with chain, and we all know coverage is the name of the game (or carrying potions of Fix Impale!).
Thanks for the info guys - it does look like a suit of cap a pie chain or maybe the scale mail from white rose is the way forwards, at least for torso! ponders upcoming birthday
I’ll be honest, all my plate is hidden bar the legs. but that’s for a good reason. I have a plate that goes under tunic, spaulders that’s under a sheep skin with georget and a plate on my arms. but it doesn’t weigh me down so much in battle just getting it all on. once adrenaline kicks in it weighs realitively little.
Be aware with padding jacks though to those who are inexperienced with armour. If it gets soaked its going to weigh you well down. in some cases in medieval battles drowning people because of how much they weigh soaked through. hence I rarely wear any of it.
Add a simple pot help, sallet, etc. to the brig to qualify for heavy armour.