Capes in combat

[Babelfish]

We see a plenty of caped figures from ancients to the early modern period depicted wearing capes in fighting poses. It's not something that I used to give too much thought to but it's something I've become more sceptical of over time.

Is there any actual evidence/record of soldiers going into battle caped? Because I'd imagine that having one of those things flapping around your person would be more of a hindrance in the melee of battle, while offering next to nothing in terms of protection. So I can imagine you'd probably feel inclined to ditch it before wading in with your blades flailing.

Capes in non-combat situations I have no issue with (warmth, status of rank etc.)

Thoughts?

- Steve

 

[mike bush]

British Regiments in the Crimean war wore capes at the Battle of Inkerman.

Mike

 

[DEL]

It's something I've wondered about.
There's a few considerations but mainly would they be a hinderance in an edged weapons fight? You'd think yes but what if they were wrapped around the free arm, would they possibly provide additional protection?
I think from an action modelling perspective, when well done, enhance a sense of movement.
Basically they add a bit of costume drama.
Derek

 

[lightbob]

Hi All,
Reference Babelfish's point about capes in combat I served with a very experienced corporal in the mortar platoon who could take the British Army cape and by using the studs "tailor" a fitted rain coat that he wore under his webbing. This was in the 1980's early 90's.
Online there are examples of WW2 German soldiers doing something similar with their Zeltbahnen.

 

[Helm]

There is certainly a duelling style using a cape/cloak, see below, which would transfer to a degree on the battlefield. Most edged weapon fights also take place in a close formation, so there's not much room for the cape to flap about etc. Hoplites certainly wore them as did some knights etc, but they were fairly short items, not the floor length style type. It could be argued that those would act as a distraction to the opponent and also to a degree "camouflage" you by hiding both your actual body and your weapon. The final thing is that no soldier carries anything that isn't functional after a few days on campaign if they can help it. The one thing I suspect is unlikely is cavalry wearing long cloaks in combat, that's just providing a hand hold for the PBI.
Steve

 

[valiant]

British Regiments in the Crimean war wore capes at the Battle of Inkerman.

Mike

Not really a full cape, more of a storm collar on the greatcoat......

 

[Bundook]

Is there any actual evidence/record of soldiers going into battle caped?

There are only a few instances I can think of off the top of my head without digging.

The Roman soldiers who were killed in the mine at Dura Europos when it collapsed during the siege in 255 CE were definitely wearing cloaks in combat. We know that because their cloak brooches survived and because the Sassanid enemies they were fighting at the time were killed along with them.

Roman generals definitely wore them, but then they'd not exactly be up at the sharp end trading blows with the enemy (unless res ad triarios rediit I suppose).

Thracians were famous for wearing their patterned cloaks in action.

Some mounted samurai wore a cloak that was designed as a defence against arrows.

Caesar writes about men in a pinch wrapping a cloak around an arm to fend off blows. This was a known earlier Greek practice too. There are also paintings of Macedonian youths fending off wild lions with their cloaks. That isn't quite the same thing as intentionally wearing a cloak into battle, though.

 

[Bundook]

Hi All,
Reference Babelfish's point about capes in combat I served with a very experienced corporal in the mortar platoon who could take the British Army cape and by using the studs "tailor" a fitted rain coat that he wore under his webbing. This was in the 1980's early 90's.

Those old ponchos were great. They'd stop anything; rain, wind, sleet, snow, bullets, nuclear fallout, nerve gas... In the 1950s, the poncho was intended to be worn, along with wellies and a pair of Marigolds, as NBC protection (until they realised it was just a handy way to pre-wrap NBC casualties for burial and got British industry to design a proper noddy suit).