Physiological effects of wearing armour and heat

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

You are probably on the mark with breaks having to be taken to avoid real danger of dehydration.

Hello Richard,

Rehydration is key indeed. If boxers in lightweight clothing carrying no weapons and fighting indoors need to guzzle down lots of water every 3 minutes, I can imagine how thirsting it would be for warriors in action in full battle gear.

Hence modern day soldiers have a Camelback. And a few decades ago, it was the canteen. So the question is, how did the warriors of old rehydrated themselves in the middle of the battle?

The last illustration below shows a medieval guy drinking while on the move. But while in action, did he carry water with him?

[Pukka Bundook]

Miqueldiaz,

I like the way this thread is progressing!

In "the Great Warbow" Robert hardy states that the archers of the period drew with only two fingers and shows illustrations as well, but maybe the French drew with three fingers, and presumed the English did as well.

Re how a knight got re-hydrated in battle....(I like your last illustration!)
A knight had a groom, or squire or whatever to attend him, and I gather to re-supply him with arms as he broke them. maybe he also had a few gallons of water or something for refreshment.

Re. Agincourt, Two points;

1, Your quote re. the French boast, of cutting off the fingers, ..." so that man or horse would never be killed by arrows again"
Says quite a lot.
Some now play down the part that the archers had in the defeat of the French at this period, but this statement shows vividly that the French viewed the longbow as a terrible weapon, ..and not at all sporting....and it was a sore point with them. A sure sign of its effectiveness.

2. the English were a pretty sick bunch when they drew up for battle...outnumbered as well, and had a "backs against the wall" mentality,
This I see as the key to their success,..."if we lose, we are dead men".
Because of this, the resolve was there to Not lose. The rest's history.

Please forgive if this is slightly OT.

Richard.

[katana]

Miguel,
nicely done....the pictures clearly illustrate the 'fighting man's' need for water ...... although in Medieval England, ale was drunk ...even by children as the water was not often purified.......suggesting that perhaps the 'king' would prefer to 'murder' a cool pint of beer.......

Regards

.

[katana]

Another battle during the "100 years war" was at Verneuil in northern France. The English had to face Italian 'heavy cavalry' whom were wearing the latest Milanese armour, (as were their horses,) ... far superior to most armour plate due to the skill of the hardening and tempering. This made them 'arrow proof'.....but although they did not 'penetrate' ..the constant 'battering' of high velocity arrows must have been un-nerving.

Due to the long period of battle, knights rested .....



http://www.channel4.com/history/micr...s/armour2.html


A little more regarding armour
http://www.channel4.com/history/micr...s/armour1.html

Regards David

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by katana

Miguel, nicely done....the pictures clearly illustrate the 'fighting man's' need for water ...... although in Medieval England, ale was drunk ...even by children as the water was not often purified.......suggesting that perhaps the 'king' would prefer to 'murder' a cool pint of beer.......

David, how about the French? Champagne perhaps?

[katana]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

David, how about the French? Champagne perhaps?

Bonjour Miguel
Non….le champagne est pour les vainqueurs

Regards David

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by katana

Bonjour Miguel, Non….le champagne est pour les vainqueurs

Bonjour David!

My reply --

In English: "Ah, yes. But of course." [said in a thick British accent]
In French: "Mais oui... évidemment... c'est bête comme question." [and that is being said in the same lighthearted tone]

Thanks to you and the rest for making this thread quite interesting!

Best regards.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Miqueldiaz, I like the way this thread is progressing! ...

Hello Richard,

Same here, sir. And I definitely agree with the insights you shared.

Thanks for sharing and regards.

[katana]

A true indicator of the problems of heat and armour would be the solutions the crusaders utilized whilst on campaign.
Some sources state that the Saracens used a form of surcoat that covered the armour, a reasonably loose garment, of light coloured material which helped to reflect some of the sun's heat. This would also help trap an insulating layer of cooler air between the surcoat and armour. This was soon adopted by the crusaders, whom introduced it to Europe after the 1st crusade.
Helmets also evolved the visor, which could be raised quickly to survey the battle ......release heat.....or to improve breathing and quickly 'dropped' again. This was a necessary but dangerous practice.....skilled archers were always looking for raised visors so that they could target the face


Regards David