PROJECT LEWES

A happy coincidence is Jason Kingsley's latest posting on YouTube of his experiment with the proto-great helm. This constitutes another valuable piece of experimental analysis  in broadening our understanding of armour in the high middle ages. A take-away for me is an appreciation of how mounted commanders of foot soldiers are more likely to have been armoured. Leading a body of spearmen (for example) a commander has an advantage on horse back - to gain a greater view and appreciation of the tactical environment from the height advantage. The soldiers would be looking to the leader for commands and direction and he is more easily seen - his gestures and voice being elevated above the ranks. Conversely, a commander of foot cannot see nearly as well from behind or within a great helm. He also cannot hear or be heard as well. The sensory deprivation and impact on communication seems likely to me to have seen adoption of a great helm in this role as a last resort under extreme circumst...

As I predicted earlier, it's been an age since I've posted on this blog. In the meantime I stumbled across this recent video posted on YouTube which is a snappy account of the battle. Like most short videos on historical subjects, the narrative is condensed to the point where is becomes inaccurate at times through a lack of context, sweeping and simplified statements and misleading through what it doesn't include as much as what it does. Nevertheless, I generally handy little synopsis and as good a starting point as any you could expect for a 10 minute investment of your time. I've not attempted to link video content to this blog before now so will include a link to the YouTube channel in case it can't be viewed properly. I do want to get back to this project as I'm close to finishing the Baronial army and need to start on the royalists but predict this won't be happening until late in the year. BazBattles: The Battle of Lewes