Brandon Suede Tabard

The Foot Soldier’s Base Armour: Brandon Suede Tabard

Like many other people in medieval time, soldiers usually wore layers upon layers of clothes. In this case, this suede tabard is designed for a foot soldier who would potentially wear armour on top of it. It can withstand rigorous use, but it’s also great as part of a costume for a reenactment or LARP event.

As you’ve probably guessed, the tabard is made primarily out of suede and is available in either black or brown. It slips on over the head and can be adjusted with the side ties to improve the fit. You can get into this tabard without any help, unlike some other armours.

The tabard itself is knee length for maximum protection. It is designed to be used, so is relatively light and has a quilted pattern to allow the wearer to move about with ease. However, this is sturdy enough to allow for any armour atop it, as the chest is reinforced with extra fabric.

The Purpose of Base Armour in Medieval Times

When we say, “base armour”, we’re referring to something that is designed to be worn underneath more substantial armour. A leather tabard or a cloth gambeson would be considered this kind of armour.

You could wear this base armour in its own right, and this often happened with the thick gambesons, especially when the fighter couldn’t afford other armour. However, this armour was most effective when worn underneath mail or plate.

If a soldier tried wearing mail or plate without a protective layer underneath, they would not have a happy time of it. Even moving about in the armour would be painful, as the metal would quickly chafe and bruise the wearer.

In a fight, where you’re moving around a lot, this effect is even more pronounced. Also, the base armour provides an extra layer of protection when struck. Even if the metal is deformed or cracked by a blow, the layer underneath could save lives.

Tech Specs

The technical specifications for the Brandon Suede Tabard are as follows:

•         Materials: Handmade from suede, cotton, and felt
•         Colours: Black or brown
•         Care Instructions: Handwashing preferable, do not dry in dryer, do not bleach
•         Sizes (chest): Small 40 inches, Medium/Large 44 inches, X-Large/XX-Large 46 inches
•         Sizes (waist): Small 41 inches, Medium/Large 44 inches, X-Large/XX-Large 54 inches
•         Sizes (length): Small 41 inches, Medium/Large 43 inches, X-Large/XX-Large 45 inches