Gothic besagews, 15th–16th century, 1.2 mm

Product description

Besagews are a type of rondel designed to protect the armpits as part of a suit of armour. The armpits contain the axillary arteries, making their protection vital. Armour without besagews could instead employ larger types of pauldrons as shoulder protection.

The later Gothic style (1440–1500) featured sharp, richly decorated forms. These armours followed Burgundian fashion, with a breastplate that ended high on the thighs—similar to the fashionable doublet of the time. Chainmail voiders and a chainmail skirt were worn in place of a full hauberk, combined with long, pointed sabatons. This type of armour was often paired with a sallet and bevor, though gorgets and kettle hats were also used. Gothic armours featured compact, ornate shoulder protection with angular besagews. In the Gothic style, gauntlets with individual fingers or full mitten-style gauntlets were worn.

These flower-shaped, slightly concave rondels are crafted from approximately 1.2 mm thick steel. Each rondel is blackened on the back for improved corrosion resistance and fitted with a securely riveted, pre-punched leather strap for attachment to armour, arm guards, or a hauberk (required cords or aiglets not included). Well-suited to Renaissance and Late Medieval costumes, armour, and LARP battles.