• Based on historical patterns
  • Engineered for ease of motion
  • Made of 100% heavy cotton duck
  • Color: Black
  • Padded with all cotton batting
  • Fully quilted
  • Solid cast buttons


 
"A good gambeson is as important as the plate armour it supports - this is the best platform I have found for 14th Century armour."
- Christian Tobler
Order of Selohaar

"Very few gambesons offer sufficient arm mobility, but the Revival design allows complete freedom of movement and is far more durable than those made overseas."
- Brian Price
Schola St. George

"Unlike the polyester fiber fill used in many gambesons, the cotton batting in my Revival gambeson breathes even when I use it in the heat of summer, and hasn't lost its shape after many washings."
-Greg Mele
Chicago Swordplay Guild

Our Design

Our gambeson is based on a combination of 14th sources, both extant garments and contemporary artwork. We’ve retained the most important aspects of the historical patterns, particularly the exaggerated armhole which permits complete freedom of arm movement. Taking inspiration from period garment quilting designs, it is made with three layers of 100% cotton batting for a combination of protection and breathability. We have added a collar for additional comfort. The buttons are larger than was common in period to make getting in and out of your gambeson easier after an exhaustive day on the field. The gambeson works equally well on its own or under armour; with that in mind we’ve included attached arming points for attaching spaudlers (shoulder armour) and arm harness. This version of our gambeson is made of durable, heavyweight 100% cotton to make it long lasting and affordable. In the future more colors as well as a linen version will be available.

Size Chart for Ordering Gambesons

Size Chest Measurement Waist Measurement
     
Small fits up to 38" / 97cm up to 36" / 92cm
Medium fits up to 42" / 107cm up to 40" / 102cm
Large fits up to 48" / 122cm up to 46" / 117cm
Extra Large fits up to 54" / 137cm up to 52" / 132cm

This chart is meant as a general reference - while the actual sizes are larger than regular sizes this is because we discovered during our market research that due to the thickness of our gambeson most people preferred a somewhat larger size than they would normally choose in the case of civilian clothing. Please note that if you are on the cusp between sizes that general fit preferences and size of your frame should determine which size you choose. For a looser fit and/or a heavier frame order the larger size. If you prefer a more tailored fit or are of slimmer build order the smaller size. This style is designed to be looser in the chest and more fitted in the waist and hips as were the historical models.

 

Historical Inspirations

Drawing after a detail of the
"Martyrdom of Saint Catherine" in the Little
Church of Saint Francis, circa 1360
Drawing after the mid-14th C. jack
of Charles de Blois in the Musees de
Tissus in Lyon, France

Drawing after the Jupon of Charles VI
in the Musee des Beaux-Arts de
Chartes, late 14th century

gambeson [gæmbsn] n.
a quilted and padded or stuffed leather or cloth garment worn under chain mail in the Middle Ages and later as a doublet by men and women. [from Old French, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German wamba, belly; see {womb}]
Source: The Collins English Dictionary ©1998 HarperCollins Publishers

 

Purpleheart Armoury neither guarantees nor warrants our clothing for any combat or martial arts related use, since we cannot know how an individual will use the garment or what kind of equipment it will be used in conjunction with. As such, all Purpleheart Armoury Clothing products are intended for costume use only.