A question for Dark Age/Medieval fans...

[valiant]

Hi Guys,

Just something which has struck me recently and that is the trend for illustrators and modellers to depict Knights, Crusaders, etc with painted armour.

I am wondering where the original reference came from and if there is any actual evidence of this practise?

I'm not out to court controversy, I'm genuinely interested..!!

HNY chaps!

 

[Nap]

Hi Steve

I have seen painted helmets ( sallets etc) , googled painted armour...a very interesting subject !

Nap

 

[tock24]

Treated with pitch to stop rust? Hence 'black mail'.....
Ian

 

[valiant]

The treating of armour to prevent rusting by applying pitch, blueing or browning I can appreciate, but I'm having difficulty thinking that they would go to such lengths to paint intricate patterns on something which is basically functional - but maybe I'm wide of the mark...!

 

[DEL]

Treated with pitch to stop rust? Hence 'black mail'.....
Ian

Unlikely although there are loads of theories relating to the origins of the term. Many follow a common theme by identifying the roots in old norse and scots gaelic. For example two gaelic words blathaich pronounced bla-ich (to protect) and mal (tribute / payment)
In the 16th century smallholders farming lands along the scottish english border paid their rent to landlords in the form of whitemail (coin) and/or blackmail (goods and livestock). Blackmail was regarded as being particularly unfair as the goods were valued at way below their true market value, I'm sure that many of us are aware that this disgusting practice is still visited on poor people in this country to this day.
When the Border Reivers extorted money from small holders and farmers the term 'blackmail' was used for this eventually becoming common usage for extortion.

Derek

 

[Helm]

The treating of armour to prevent rusting by applying pitch, blueing or browning I can appreciate, but I'm having difficulty thinking that they would go to such lengths to paint intricate patterns on something which is basically functional - but maybe I'm wide of the mark...!

No different to painting a shield really. The Victorians have a lot to answer for in this regard as they polished up a lot of armours to fit in with the romantic ideals of knights in shining armour. Here is an article on a sallet which may help http://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2700. Admittedly a much later period than the crusades but I see no reason why it would be that different. Also as mentioned in the link a lot of armours may well have been fabric covered rather than painted, probably in an attempt to A) Stand out from the crowd and B) To keep up with the latest fashion trends. I've attached a few examples of painted stuff
Steve

 

[valiant]

Cheers Steve - some amazing work there!

 

[Mark S.]

Unlikely although there are loads of theories relating to the origins of the term. Many follow a common theme by identifying the roots in old norse and scots gaelic. For example two gaelic words blathaich pronounced bla-ich (to protect) and mal (tribute / payment)

In the 16th century smallholders farming lands along the scottish english border paid their rent to landlords in the form of whitemail (coin) and/or blackmail (goods and livestock). Blackmail was regarded as being particularly unfair as the goods were valued at way below their true market value, I'm sure that many of us are aware that this disgusting practice is still visited on poor people in this country to this day.

When the Border Reivers extorted money from small holders and farmers the term 'blackmail' was used for this eventually becoming common usage for extortion.



Derek

You should be careful Derek, sharing that much historical information on this site could offend a few people and get you into trouble mate.

 

[DEL]

You should be careful Derek, sharing that much historical information on this site could offend a few people and get you into trouble mate.

Bad man