Jousting demo group

http://www.roundtableprod.com/RoundTable's%20Joust.htm

This group runs demonstration jousts. They have put a lot of effort into their gear, and seem to give a good heraldic display.

Clothing for Riding: Part 1

In order to wear a helm crest in a practical situation, I needed to make some appropriate clothing to go with it. I am hoping to wear the crests as part of riding demonstrations and part of Mounted Games Crest Combat. It would also be nice if they were used for SCA heavy combat, as part of a parade kit to bring more pageantry to presentations at the start of some tourneys. If nothing else, it seems an important part to complete our mid fifteenth century kit.

The riding clothing I am putting together will include:
*an undershirt
*a padded arming jack
*a corrizana
*a standard, over an SCA legal gorget
*woollen footed hose
*single leg hose
*a grand-bascinet helm
*arm and leg harness
*braies, underwear

I will post more about these items as they are completed.

SCA equestrian and fighter links

Here are some of the documents on SCA activities that I use regularly.

http://sca.org.nz/equestrian/

http://www.sca.org/officers/equestrian/pdf/equestrian_handbook.pdf

http://www.sca.org/officers/equestrian/keo.html

http://lochac.sca.org/marshal/docs/fighters-handbook.pdf

http://lochac.sca.org/lochac/regnum/index.html

http://lochac.sca.org/marshal/

Using Cennini's methods to make helms?

Here's a slightly terrifying thought: When Cennini says when you are caused to make a crest or helm, his leather moulding process may actually create a SCA legal equestrian helmet.

http://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/Cennini/index.htm
'Whenever you have occasion to make a crest or helmet for a tourney, or for rulers who have to march in state...'
I had really only read the wording about crests, and glossed right over his mention of making helms using the same process.

The SCA Equestrian handbook says:
'A. Equipment Standards: All equipment must be inspected for use prior to engaging in equestrian combat activities.
1. Armor requirements:
(a) Helm.
(1) Helms must be of rigid materials (18-gauge mild steel or equivalent). Fencing masks are acceptable for mounted crest combat use only.
...
B. Glossary.
1. Rigid material: a. Steel of no less than 18 gauge, or aluminum of no less than 1/8-inch (3mm)....
d. Heavy leather (as defined above) that has been hardened in hot wax, soaked in polyester resin (properly catalyzed), or treated in such a manner as to permanently harden the leather.
e. Two layers of untreated heavy leather.'
It also lists:
'2. Non-brittle: Shall refer to material that will not break or shatter upon being subjected to a stiff strike.'
This implies that although a full helm may be made from Cennini's leather method, the gesso layer could be deemed brittle and unsafe by the Kingdom Earl Marshall.

Fortunately for the sane among us, the Lochac Equestrian page recommends nationally recognised modern helmets are worn at all times while riding. Thanks for looking out for us, Lochac. Perhaps Cennini was saying that this process could be used to create a helm and accompanying crest for parades, where the person would be marching or the helm would be on display. I am going with that option for now.

Small crests in mounted combat clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmn642_LKjs

This clip shows small crests in use by a group involved in mounted combat. I can't see one get knocked off, so I am not sure how they are attached. Some seem to have some sort of mounting prongs or frame at the base.