Friday 29 January 2016

Oriental Tall Hat

This hat was made by a friend as a surprise gift, I have good friends it seems.


The hat was inspired by a character in oriental movie, although I can't remember which one, probably used by some sort of official, priest or advisor.


A basic cloth hat with a stiffening material in it to allow it to stand upright, once your wearing it.

I regularly loose this hat by misjudging the height when walking through doorways.


Friday 22 January 2016

Grand Bascinet

This what I would call a Grand Bascinet or Battle Helm


This style of Helm was from around the period of 1450 so was worn from the end of the Hundred Years War with France and just before the War of Roses kicked off.


Made by the great armourer David Hewitt of  White Rose Armory in his early learning years, his stuff is full on museum quality today.


I have no picture of me in my full armour wearing this helmet, last worn in battle I believe at a re-enactment of Jack Cades rebellion in 1450 or 1990 in the real world.


The helmet is designed to fix firmly to the back and breast plate, it offers no head movement other the limited movement from space inside the helmet, I found this not my cup of tea for foot combat while you feel pretty invulnerable, you need to be constantly twisting your shoulders to see what is behind you and this effect good balance and your fighting stance,  I much prefer a beaver and sallet.


The helmet hinges apart for access as can be seen above.


Vision is not bad actually you mainly see through the vent holes.

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Sometimes Wearing a Sack is Good

Yes its me 


These hoods where made by Julie for creatures called scarecrows in larp event 




Later re-used one for the role a hangman

Thursday 14 January 2016

A Hat for a Character.

This post is not about a tricorn but about a much loved hat.

If any hat qualifies as well worn, this one does, worn over many weekends for last 15 years.

I will say this hat is extremely comfortable.


This is good quality felt tricorn and cost a £ 80 quid or more back when purchase at the end of the last century.

Its been through many fights, been trod on, crushed in the back of car, survived horrendous rainstorms, snow and regularly deals with sand and sweat, its loosing its shape a bit, the crown as lost its stiffness but survives.


The photo above is fairly current taken about 5 months ago, as you can see its not in too a bad condition, the hat not me that is.

 I think its doing so well, simply because it was quality hat to start with.



The early years of the hat it had a black band as above.

I later added a purple band and emblem as the character it belongs to costume mutated as below