Irish and Scottish medieval (1300-1500) uniforms/appearance?

[alligator9]

Hello,

   anyone know of any books that have illustrations of  medieval Irish and Scottish troops 1300-1500 ?

 P.

[elefant66]

Hi,

 try  "Armies of the middle ages" vol 1  Western Europe   by Ian Heath.

 Someone may  have a pdf  they could send you.

  John.

[Lowtardog]

Series of article taken from George Gush here, also one for Scots and other protagonists

http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_armies_irish.html

[Atheling]

Hi,

 try  "Armies of the middle ages" vol 1  Western Europe   by Ian Heath.

 Someone may  have a pdf  they could send you.

  John.

That's the book you need as a primer! You still see it for sale at shows (here in the UK).

......go on... do some research 

Darrell.

[rumacara]

There are also ospreys about the subject including those for Scottish wars against the english both Man-at-arms and campaign series.

[Iain R]

There are also ospreys about the subject including those for Scottish wars against the english both Man-at-arms and campaign series.

Of which, the early one on "Edward I's Scottish and Welsh Wars" is, to be honest a bit ropey, and best avoided. Very much a product of its time, it contains a lot of info that has since been dismissed as Victorian propaganda/romanticism. For example, the blind insistence that Scots archers used a "short" bow, rather than the "long" bow of the English/ Welsh. The later one on Scots Rennaissance Armies is a good bit better, with some interesting info.

Lowland Scots soldiers were dressed/ outfitted much the same as any other North Western soldier of similar rank/professionalism. "Uniform" was initially restricted to a simple white St Andrews cross sewn onto the outer layers of clothing or soft armour (painted on to metal plate in the later eras). later, following the development of the retinue system, professional soldiers in the service of te major lords would wear colours or badges identifying their masters, in much the same way as English, French, etc troops.

As for Highlanders, very little written info from the period is available. What they didn't wear was tartan and blue face paint...  Much would depend on what parts of the Highlands they hailed from; some areas had a strong irish influence, others a Scandinavian flavour, whilst others took on aspects gleaned from the lowlanders. Early tartan, or Breacan, may have started to appear towrds the later part of your period, but bore littel resemblance to tartan as it is marketed today; no bright colours, intricate setts, etc; think muted browns, the odd green or blue. It functioned almost as a sort of early camouflage when lying on the hills, as the dyes all camefrom whatever plants grew in the local areas, "clan" tartans didn't come into it!

Cheers
Iain

[Atheling]

It has just occurred to me that I've got an article in a Slingshot on the very subject.

Problem is, it's in my ex's garage- If you can hag on(?), I'll see if i can find it for you when I'm next up there.

Darrell.

[alligator9]

Thanks for all the information gents,

  Pat.