How long to put on full plate?

[shandy]

I've been reading a lot about the Wars of the Roses recently, but there is one piece of information I couldn't find in the literature: How long did it actually take to put on a full suit of plate armor? For example, one reason cited why the Lancastarians got into trouble during the First Battle of St Albans is that they were not prepared for the battle and had yet to put on their armor. I just wondered how long this would take them? I guess this is a question that can be answered from reenactment rather than from the sources…
Thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Shandy

[Emir of Askaristan]

I watched a man demonstrate how quickly it took at a medieval fare at Drum Castle a few years ago. Even talking to the audience it took less than 15 mins and more like 10 with the aid of two servants. Had they not been there it would have taken much longer - 20+.
He was wearing a padded jack and suited up into white armour complete with helm then proceeded to do a cartwheel - excellent demo. Wish I still had the mpg I took.


Hope that helps. You might want to double check that though! Doing it rushed might have taken longer!

[Cubs]

I guess a big part of the process is preparation. If your armour is all ready in your tent, on the racks with your helpers ready it's going to be a lot different from running about with a bunch of other panicked men at arms, yelling for their servant and hoping it's all cleaned and ready in place.

As an aside I did wear a chain shirt once and was pleasantly surprised at how light it felt. Picking it up it felt quite heavy, but slinging it over my head and on my shoulders the weight was very easy to carry, kind of like a full backpack.

[Mad Doc Morris]

You need someone to give you a hand, otherwise it's useless.
Depending on how experienced your support is and how many plates you're putting on (nobody needs sabatons, greaves or bevor if the fight's already on, and you may even cut down on that further), it takes about 15 to 45 minutes. The latter, though, is more true for specialised equipment like tournament harnesses where you need to check proper fit and the wearer himself becomes pretty immobile in the process. Seen that at the Landshut armoury with men preparing for an actual run.
More than one guy helping you isn't useful other than to pass on the next piece of equipment and to double-check if the armour's in place. Things get easily mixed up if three or more people (including the armoured chap) are trying to coordinate.

EDIT: Oops, just what the others said, never mind.

[shandy]

That's why i love the LAF community! Thanks everyone, that is really helpful. And good point about preparation cubs. I was thinking about a scenario were a camp is raided at dawn and the troops inside have to dice if and when they will be ready dressed and enter the fight…
Cheers,
Shandy

[the scott]

hi there good question I though they sleep in it well they did in Black Adder the best is to ask some of the boys who like to play in it yours Andrew

[Cubs]

If you believe 'Excaliber' (fine romp of a film) they do all sorts of things in their armour ... all sorts of things ...

[joroas]

That's why i love the LAF community! Thanks everyone, that is really helpful.

Seconded!!

[Dr. Zombie]

If i have someone to help me who knows what is what I can put my full suit of armour on i less then 10 minutes.
When it is properly prepared and tied to the padded clothes worn underneath it is more or less like getting into a jumpsuit. And then you have to tighten alle the straps and put on a few extra bits.

If you have ever worn armour you know that the only thing you do in it is fighting. There is no way anyone would have slept in full plate armour.

The absolute best thing about armour is when you take it off.

Also wearing armour does not make you invulnerable. It can actually be an advantage to not wear armour when facing an opponent who does.

[Mad Doc Morris]

If i have someone to help me who knows what is what I can put my full suit of armour on i less then 10 minutes.
When it is properly prepared and tied to the padded clothes worn underneath it is more or less like getting into a jumpsuit. And then you have to tighten alle the straps and put on a few extra bits.

Less than 10 minutes for, say, a full gothic harness? That's impressive.

Just curious, though, you've mentioned the plates are already tied up. Would've thought that the corresponding jerkins (doublets, corselets, whatever the term) were worn in the field as kind of an off-duty garment or 'emergency armour'. Hence it's obvious influence on male civilian fashion of the 14th and 15th century – "cool, let's be warlike!" Also, storing armour plates that way seems a bit cumbersome and would make regular maintenance even more difficult. Any thoughts how common that practice would've been?

[Dr. Zombie]

It is a bit difficult to explain. But I will give it a go. Under the armour you wear a pair of hoes and a doublet. The hoes are tied to the doublet. You can get out of the hoes and the dublet by only untying the breast og the doublet. Kind of like a jumpsuit. The mail voiters and the leg and arm armour is then tied to the hoes and doublet. There are some additional straps to keep everything in its right place. These straps needs to be untied to get out but the armour is still tied to the doublet/hoes.
Then i wiggle myself into the armour jumpsuit and someone helps me fasten the additional straps and put on the chest/back piece.

I dont' know if it is historical as such. But both the armour and the clothing is, so if I can figure out how to get in and out quickly then I am pretty sure medieval knights could as well. I can wear "normal" medieval clothing under this.

It is not the best way to store armour for sure. I think of it as a kind of field setup. For maintenance and propper storage the whole armour is of course untied. The hoes and doublet really need a good wash after a summer day in armour!

[Mad Doc Morris]

Dr. Zombie, cool, thanks for the explanation.

[Cubs]

The hoes and doublet really need a good wash after a summer day in armour!

I'm sure there's a 'dirty hoes' gag there, but I'm far too mature to reach for it.

[shandy]

Thanks again! It's exciting to hear from people with actual experience with the stuff...

[Crossedlances]

Peter my business partner re-enacted medieval battles for many years, he wore it for Tewkesbury, he confirmed it takes 10 minutes to put on with help and practice. He also told me one day he worked so hard they had to pour water into the suit to stop him over heating.....I hope that helps.

Martin