The Writer’s Guide to Gambesons

As promised this week I will be covering types of armor that were common in medieval Europe, starting with gambesons and continuing over the next three weeks with chainmail, plate armor and brigantine. I will also be doing some myth busting with each type of armor. I want to point out that just because I’m covering four types of armor that these were not the only types of armor used in Europe during the Middle Ages. I am merely focusing on the most common ones. There were also other designs and transition styles that were combinations of types of armor.

As always, magic is the exception to the rules. Because magic.

Introduction

The gambeson or padded jack was a quilted jacket that usually extended to the knees, fastening up the front with lacing, ties, buttons, or buckles. It was commonly stuffed with fabric or horsehair. Since it was easy and economical to make, the gambeson was quite commonly used on its own for protection. It provided decent defense against slashes and bludgeoning. One way to provide more protection when the gambeson was worn alone was the use of jack chains. They were sections of metal that were stitched, tied, or laced to the outside of the gambeson’s sleeves to provide more protection. [1]

Medieval depiction of a gambeson. Photo source.
A gambeson with jack chains. Photo source.

How It Was Worn

Gambesons were also the vital first layer under chainmail and plate mail armor, providing cushioning and shock absorption and protecting against chaffing from any of the armor’s edges. They usually had arming points, ties for attaching armor, which helped with the weight distribution. Some gambesons had sections of chainmail attached to the sleeves and armpits called goussets or voiders. This provided more protection, especially to areas that could not be covered with plate armor. [2]

Gambeson with chainmail voiders.
Photo source.

In the mid-15th century the gambeson evolved into the arming doublet, a tightly fitted garment ending at the hips that replaced the arming belt and caused the weight of the leg armor to be carried on the hips and waist rather than the shoulders. [3]

An arming doublet. Photo source.

There was also a padded coif or arming cap that was worn on the head underneath chainmail or helmets although it could also be worn alone. The downside to wearing a gambeson was how warm it could become because of its insulating properties.

Cost

I was unable to find any recorded prices for gambesons. However, a freeman in late 12th century England who owned goods valued at less than 10 marks (1 mark = 13s 4d) was required by law to own a helmet, spear, and gambeson. [4] This implies they were relatively cheap. By comparison, a modern gambeson will run you between $115 to $350.

Depictions

Even though gambesons were quite common in the Middle Ages and an essential first layer under armor, they are rarely depicted in television shows or movies or mentioned in historical or fantasy novels. One of the exceptions was Netflix’s “Outlaw King.”

Writer’s Tip: Including rarely depicted armor like gambesons is a great way to show the social standing of your character.

I hope this was helpful. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions by using the Contact Me form on my website or writing a comment. I post every Friday and would be grateful if you would share my content.

If you want my blog delivered straight to your inbox every month along with exclusive content and giveaways please sign up for my email list.

Let’s get writing!

Copyright © 2020 Rebecca Shedd. All rights reserved.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambeson
[2] https://its-spelled-maille.tumblr.com/post/175518038999/what-is-a-gambeson-its-a-mystery-gambesons
[3] http://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=86991
[4] http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/120D/Money.html
English Weapons & Warfare, 449-1660, A. V. B. Norman and Don Pottinger, Barnes & Noble, 1992 (orig. 1966)

Category: Fantasy Writing, Historical Writing, Medieval Armor, Writing    

111 Comments on “The Writer’s Guide to Gambesons”

  2. Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great site!

    Like

    Reply

  9. whoah this weblog is wonderful i like reading your posts. Stay up the great paintings! You recognize, many people are searching around for this information, you can help them greatly.

    Like

    Reply

  21. I’ve been surfing on-line more than three hours lately, but I never discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is lovely price sufficient for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content material as you did, the web might be a lot more helpful than ever before.

    Like

    Reply

  24. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you?ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What an ideal website.

    Like

    Reply

  36. I have been surfing on-line more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is pretty price enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did, the net might be much more helpful than ever before.

    Like

    Reply

  37. Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Great. I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort.

    Like

    Reply

  40. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

    Like

    Reply

  41. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff prior to and you’re just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have got right here, certainly like what you’re stating and the best way during which you are saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to learn much more from you. This is actually a great website.

    Like

    Reply

  43. Greate post. Keep posting such kind of information on your blog.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hello there, You have done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally
    suggest to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from
    this website.

    Like

    Reply

  44. Thanks for any other great article. Where else may just anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal manner of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.

    Like

    Reply

  45. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

    Like

    Reply

  46. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I?m gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Like

    Reply

  48. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered vivid transparent idea

    Like

    Reply

  50. I am not sure where you’re getting your info, however good topic. I must spend a while finding out much more or working out more. Thanks for magnificent info I used to be in search of this info for my mission.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to Jared Lamonda Cancel reply

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 245 other subscribers