“How a Man Shall Be Armed”:
An English Treatise in the Ordonances of Chivalry Manuscript at the Morgan Library, MS M.775, fols. 122v–123v
Synopsis: “How a Man Shall Be Armed” is an English medieval fighting treatise found on folios 122v–123v of Ordonances of Chivalry, Morgan Library MS M.775. The text describes the garments, mail, plate armour, and equipment used to arm a 15th-century man-at-arms.
Perhaps the most famous example of a knight being armed in period illustrations is found in Ordonances of Chivalry [MS M.775]. The 320-leaf volume consists of several treatises compiled into one volume for Sir John Astley who died in 1486. It was printed on vellum in England, probably London, between the third and fourth quarters of the 15th century. Images of Astley and his arms are found throughtout the manuscript. Folios 122v-123v, which describe step-by-step how a knight would be dressed in armour before fighting in a judicial duel, were generally believed to have been written circa 1450. The following is a transcription of the passage contained under the heading "How a man schall be armyd at his ese when he schal fighte on foote" as written its original Middle English. A modern English translation of the text has been provided afterwards.
How a man schall be armyd at his ese when he schal fighte on foote
He schal have noo schirte up on him but a dowbelet of ffustean lynyd with satene cutte full of hoolis. The dowblet muste be strongeli boude there the poyntis muste be sette aboute the greet of the arme. And the b ste before and beyhnde and the gussetis of mayle muste be sowid un to the dowbelet in the bought of the arme. And undir the arme the armynge poyntis muste be made of fyne twyne suche as men make stryngis for crossbowes and they muste be trussid small and poyntid as poyntis. Also they muste be wexid with cordeweneris coode. And than they woll neythirrecche nor breke. Also a payre hosyn of stamyn sengill and a peyre of shorte bulwerkis of thynne blanket to put aboute his kneys for chawfygeof his ligherness. Also a payre of shone of thikke cordwene and they muste be frette with smal whipcorde thre knottis up on a corde and thre coordis muste be faste sowid un to the hele of the shoo and fyne cordis in the mydill of the soole of the same shoo and that there be between the frettis of the heele and the frettis of the myddill of the shoo the space of thre fyngris.
To arme a man
ffirste ye muste sette on Sabatones and tye hem up on the shoo with smale poyntis that wol breke. And then griffus and then quisses and the breche of mayle. And the tonletis. And the brest. And the vambras. And then glovys. And then hange his daggere upon his right side. And then his shorte swerde upon the lyfte side in a rounde rynge all nakid and pylle it oute lightli. And then putte his cote upon hos bak. And then his bascincet pynid up on two greet staplis before the breste with a dowbill behynde up on the bak for the make the bascinet sitte juste. And then his long swerde in his hande. And then his pensill in his hande peyntid of seynt George or oure lady to blesse him with as he gooth towarde the felde and in the felde.
The day that the Pelaunt and defaundaunt shal fighte what they shal have with hem in the felde
A tente muste be pight in the felde
Also a cheyre
Also a basyn
Also vj loves of breed
Also ij galones of wyne
Also a messe of mete flesshe or fisshe
Also a borde and a peyre of trestelis to sette his mete and drynke on
Also a borde clothe
Also a knyf for to cutte his mete
Also a cuppe to drynke of
Also a glas with a drynke made
Also a dosen tresses of armynge poyntis
Also an hamyr and pynsones and a bicorne
Also a smale nayles a dosen
Also a spere a longe swerde shorte swerde and dagger
Also a kerchif to hele the viser of his bascinet
Also a pensell to bere in his hande of his avowyre
When translated into modern English, the passage clearly describes the construction of the arming clothes as well as detailing how armour was meant to be worn:
How a man should be armed at his leisure when he will be fighting on foot
He should not wear a shirt, only a doublet made of fustian lined with satin and cut full of holes [for attaching arming points]. The doublet must be sturdily built and the arming points must be set about the bend of the arm. And gussets of mail must be sewn onto the doublet under the armpit from the side of the breast around to the back. And under the arm the arming points must be made the kind of fine twine men use to make crossbows strings, and they must be tied tightly and pointed as points. Also they must be waxed with cordwainer's coad so that they will not stretch or break. He should also be wearing a pair of hose of single [uncut] stammel and a pair of short strips of thin blanket to wrap around his knees to prevent chaffing by his leg harness. He should also be wearing a pair of shoes made from thick cordwain, and they must be fitted with small whipcords with three knots upon each cord; three cords must be stitched under the heel of the shoe and fine cords in the middle of the sole of the same shoe with a space of three fingers between the two sets.
To arm a man
First you must put on sabatons and tie them onto the shoe with small arming points that will not break. And then greaves and then cuisses and the breeches of mail. And the tonlets and breastplate. And the vambrace. And then the gauntlets. And then hang his dagger upon his right side. and then his short sword hung from the left side in an uncovered round ring making it easy to pull out. And then put his [heraldic] coat upon his back. And then his bascinet is pinned on using two great staples, one on the front of his breastplate and the other on his backplate, making the bascinet stay in place. And then put his long sword in his hand. And then put his pennant in his other hand painted with Saint George or Our Lady to bless him with as he goes toward the field and in the field.
The day the appellant and defendant shall fight they shall have the following them in the field:
A tent must be pitched in the field
Also a chair
Also a [water] basin
Also 6 loaves of bread
Also 2 gallons of wine
Also a meal of meat or fish
Also a [table] board and pair of trestles to set his meat and drink on
Also a table cloth
Also a knife to cut his meat with
Also a dozen sets of arming points
Also a hammer and pliers and an anvil
Also a dozen small [arming] nails
Also a spear, long sword, short sword and dagger
Also a kerchief to hold the visor of his bascinet
Also a pennant to bear in his hand of avowed [patron saint].
An English Treatise in the Ordonances of Chivalry Manuscript at the Morgan Library, MS M.775, fols. 122v–123v
Synopsis: “How a Man Shall Be Armed” is an English medieval fighting treatise found on folios 122v–123v of Ordonances of Chivalry, Morgan Library MS M.775. The text describes the garments, mail, plate armour, and equipment used to arm a 15th-century man-at-arms.Perhaps the most famous example of a knight being armed in period illustrations is found in Ordonances of Chivalry [MS M.775]. The 320-leaf volume consists of several treatises compiled into one volume for Sir John Astley who died in 1486. It was printed on vellum in England, probably London, between the third and fourth quarters of the 15th century. Images of Astley and his arms are found throughtout the manuscript. Folios 122v-123v, which describe step-by-step how a knight would be dressed in armour before fighting in a judicial duel, were generally believed to have been written circa 1450. The following is a transcription of the passage contained under the heading "How a man schall be armyd at his ese when he schal fighte on foote" as written its original Middle English. A modern English translation of the text has been provided afterwards.
How a man schall be armyd at his ese when he schal fighte on footeWhen translated into modern English, the passage clearly describes the construction of the arming clothes as well as detailing how armour was meant to be worn:
He schal have noo schirte up on him but a dowbelet of ffustean lynyd with satene cutte full of hoolis. The dowblet muste be strongeli boude there the poyntis muste be sette aboute the greet of the arme. And the b ste before and beyhnde and the gussetis of mayle muste be sowid un to the dowbelet in the bought of the arme. And undir the arme the armynge poyntis muste be made of fyne twyne suche as men make stryngis for crossbowes and they muste be trussid small and poyntid as poyntis. Also they muste be wexid with cordeweneris coode. And than they woll neythirrecche nor breke. Also a payre hosyn of stamyn sengill and a peyre of shorte bulwerkis of thynne blanket to put aboute his kneys for chawfygeof his ligherness. Also a payre of shone of thikke cordwene and they muste be frette with smal whipcorde thre knottis up on a corde and thre coordis muste be faste sowid un to the hele of the shoo and fyne cordis in the mydill of the soole of the same shoo and that there be between the frettis of the heele and the frettis of the myddill of the shoo the space of thre fyngris.
To arme a man
ffirste ye muste sette on Sabatones and tye hem up on the shoo with smale poyntis that wol breke. And then griffus and then quisses and the breche of mayle. And the tonletis. And the brest. And the vambras. And then glovys. And then hange his daggere upon his right side. And then his shorte swerde upon the lyfte side in a rounde rynge all nakid and pylle it oute lightli. And then putte his cote upon hos bak. And then his bascincet pynid up on two greet staplis before the breste with a dowbill behynde up on the bak for the make the bascinet sitte juste. And then his long swerde in his hande. And then his pensill in his hande peyntid of seynt George or oure lady to blesse him with as he gooth towarde the felde and in the felde.
The day that the Pelaunt and defaundaunt shal fighte what they shal have with hem in the felde
A tente muste be pight in the felde
Also a cheyre
Also a basyn
Also vj loves of breed
Also ij galones of wyne
Also a messe of mete flesshe or fisshe
Also a borde and a peyre of trestelis to sette his mete and drynke on
Also a borde clothe
Also a knyf for to cutte his mete
Also a cuppe to drynke of
Also a glas with a drynke made
Also a dosen tresses of armynge poyntis
Also an hamyr and pynsones and a bicorne
Also a smale nayles a dosen
Also a spere a longe swerde shorte swerde and dagger
Also a kerchif to hele the viser of his bascinet
Also a pensell to bere in his hande of his avowyre
How a man should be armed at his leisure when he will be fighting on foot
He should not wear a shirt, only a doublet made of fustian lined with satin and cut full of holes [for attaching arming points]. The doublet must be sturdily built and the arming points must be set about the bend of the arm. And gussets of mail must be sewn onto the doublet under the armpit from the side of the breast around to the back. And under the arm the arming points must be made the kind of fine twine men use to make crossbows strings, and they must be tied tightly and pointed as points. Also they must be waxed with cordwainer's coad so that they will not stretch or break. He should also be wearing a pair of hose of single [uncut] stammel and a pair of short strips of thin blanket to wrap around his knees to prevent chaffing by his leg harness. He should also be wearing a pair of shoes made from thick cordwain, and they must be fitted with small whipcords with three knots upon each cord; three cords must be stitched under the heel of the shoe and fine cords in the middle of the sole of the same shoe with a space of three fingers between the two sets.
To arm a man
First you must put on sabatons and tie them onto the shoe with small arming points that will not break. And then greaves and then cuisses and the breeches of mail. And the tonlets and breastplate. And the vambrace. And then the gauntlets. And then hang his dagger upon his right side. and then his short sword hung from the left side in an uncovered round ring making it easy to pull out. And then put his [heraldic] coat upon his back. And then his bascinet is pinned on using two great staples, one on the front of his breastplate and the other on his backplate, making the bascinet stay in place. And then put his long sword in his hand. And then put his pennant in his other hand painted with Saint George or Our Lady to bless him with as he goes toward the field and in the field.
The day the appellant and defendant shall fight they shall have the following them in the field:
A tent must be pitched in the field
Also a chair
Also a [water] basin
Also 6 loaves of bread
Also 2 gallons of wine
Also a meal of meat or fish
Also a [table] board and pair of trestles to set his meat and drink on
Also a table cloth
Also a knife to cut his meat with
Also a dozen sets of arming points
Also a hammer and pliers and an anvil
Also a dozen small [arming] nails
Also a spear, long sword, short sword and dagger
Also a kerchief to hold the visor of his bascinet
Also a pennant to bear in his hand of avowed [patron saint].
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Appellant - the party or representative bringing the charge or suit.
Arming points - strong cloth or leather laces often with pointed brass aiglets used to attach armour plates to the wearer's cloth undergarments.
Bascinet - fully enclosed helmet attached to the breastplate and backplate, making it difficult to remove; helmets for a duel often had a locking visor, although most war visors did not lock in place.
Breeches of mail - garment of maille to cover the groin and buttocks, sometimes called a paunce or fauld.
Coad - sticky wax used for making laces for shoes and strings for crossbows.
Cordwain - tanned goatskin, often used for shoes.
Arming points - strong cloth or leather laces often with pointed brass aiglets used to attach armour plates to the wearer's cloth undergarments.
Bascinet - fully enclosed helmet attached to the breastplate and backplate, making it difficult to remove; helmets for a duel often had a locking visor, although most war visors did not lock in place.
Breeches of mail - garment of maille to cover the groin and buttocks, sometimes called a paunce or fauld.
Coad - sticky wax used for making laces for shoes and strings for crossbows.
Cordwain - tanned goatskin, often used for shoes.
Cordwainer - one who works with cordwain, a shoemaker.
Cuisses - armour for protecting the upper legs consisting of articulated and hinged plates enclosing the thigh, side, and back of the legs from groin to knees.
Defendant - the party or representative defending against the charge or suit.
Doublet, arming - foundational garment worn underneath armour. See What Lies Beneath: the Arming Doublet for more information.
Fustian - a thick, coarse cloth made of wool and linen similar to modern corduroy.
Greaves - armour for the lower legs; a pair of hinged plates enclosing the legs from the knee to the ankles.
Gussets - sections of maille to cover small openings such as the elbow.
Cuisses - armour for protecting the upper legs consisting of articulated and hinged plates enclosing the thigh, side, and back of the legs from groin to knees.
Defendant - the party or representative defending against the charge or suit.
Doublet, arming - foundational garment worn underneath armour. See What Lies Beneath: the Arming Doublet for more information.
Fustian - a thick, coarse cloth made of wool and linen similar to modern corduroy.
Greaves - armour for the lower legs; a pair of hinged plates enclosing the legs from the knee to the ankles.
Gussets - sections of maille to cover small openings such as the elbow.
Rerebrace - armour protecting the upper arm between the armpit and elbow, formed from a single C-shaped plate or a pair of hinged plates.
Sabatons - armour for the feet made of overlapping lames of steel.
Stammel - woolen cloth of a bright red color, often used for undergarments.
Tonlets - skirt-like armour protecting the waist in the form of overlapping lames of steel.
Vambrace - armour protecting the forearm between the elbow and wrist, usually made from a pair of hinged plates.
Voiders - sections of maille to cover the gaps in the armour such as the armpit, inner elbows, and backs of legs and/or knees.
Sabatons - armour for the feet made of overlapping lames of steel.
Stammel - woolen cloth of a bright red color, often used for undergarments.
Tonlets - skirt-like armour protecting the waist in the form of overlapping lames of steel.
Vambrace - armour protecting the forearm between the elbow and wrist, usually made from a pair of hinged plates.
Voiders - sections of maille to cover the gaps in the armour such as the armpit, inner elbows, and backs of legs and/or knees.
Sources:
Ordonances of Chivalry, MS M.775, a collection of treatises in one volume belonging to Sir John Astley (d.1486). Formerly known as the Hasting Manuscript. Currently held at The Morgan Library & Museum.Provenance: Written for Sir John Astley (d. 1486), arms on several pages: quarterly, 1 and 4, azure a cinquefoil ermine (Astley); 2 and 3, gules two bars or (Harcourt) over all a label of three points ermine; Thomas Fitzhugh (arms 'part azure a fesse inter three buckets sable hooped or'); Brian Tunstall; Thomas Tunstall; owned by Edward VI before accession in 1547; Astley family, to Sir A.E.D. Astley, 21st Lord Hastings; his sale (London, Sotheby's, July 20, 1931, pp. 9-15, lot 7, pl. VI-IX) to Quaritch; purchased through Quaritch in 1931.