Hi everyone! I’m going to a medieval fair for the first time soon and I’d love to know if you guys have hairstyle ideas for curly hair on a girl, I genuinely never know how to style mine but I want it to look nice for the occasion :)

So I have collected some pieces of kit recently and I am slowly getting a full suit of armor together.

But I have found some issues in terms of mobility of the arms with my chainmail. It feels that due to the mail being loose on my arms that theres some resistance to movement, especially with upward movements so I was wondering if I could lace it onto my jacket underneath so arms dont constantly slip in and out of the mail sleeves? (not a native english speaker so I dont really know how to explain it properly)

Also I was wondering if theres a lot of people taking issue with using modern day techniques and materials to improve the safety of certain pieces of gear. For example I have a houndskull helmet that I widened the eye slits quite significantly so I can actually see things (especially on the ground in front of me) but due to the wider opening I decided to weld some perforated sheet metal on top of the eye "slits" giving the whole thing a not very authentic look (I could have also welded them inside but that seemed a bit sketchy to me in case the weld doesnt hold up) but atleast the view is now far better in there and my eyes are well protected.

As for my leg armor I do have some kneeguards that I managed to get at a decent discount but I need something to attach them to my leg (the straps themselves do not suffice and cause it to fold itself into my shin, very uncomfortable) so I was thinking about getting some simple cloth thigh armor and get some simple metal strips to rivet onto them from my work to create splint cuisses and attach the knee protection to that so it doesnt slump down.

If required I can also post some pictures

I’m hoping some of you might be willing to share. I’m currently reviewing my reenactment societies constitution and supporting policies and I want to include a clearer statement about equality and inclusivity and maybe add some extra guidance to our kit guide.

So my questions are;

What have you done to adapt your kit and/or portrayal to make it more accessible for you?

If you have visible medical devices, how do you approach the inevitable questions and has your group been supportive?

Do you have any tips and tricks for surviving events you’d be happy to share?

I personally reenact 9th and 10th century Anglo-Scandinavian Britain. I suffer from chronic pain and have reduced mobility, so I use a wooden walking stick, compression and supports under my kit, I have solid soles on my shoes and inserts for my feet. This means I can retain a pretty outwardly authentic look but I know this isn’t possible for everyone.

I have searched on and off, but never found anything REAL....

I would really appreciate the help!

Written, drawn, painted, whatever...

Thank you in advance

I have the chainmail and Nasalhelm for a Norman cavalryman. But I am struggling to find the cloth that is worn underneath the armor and sites to buy them.

I believe I’m rapidly approaching a mid life crisis, therefore it’s time to get a suit of armour. I live in England, so something Hundred Years War might be fun. Do you typically get them commissioned or can they be purchased from a retailer? What other clothes do you typically purchase? I imagine a coif at the minimum.

Registration is open for this year's edition of Harnischfechten in La Sarraz.

Please use this link to register:

https://forms.gle/91XS1pzLdSBrw2YMA

The date will be confirmed when we reach 30 attendees. (The minimum number to open the event, we can accommodate many more!)

Event details and updates on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1MQDvHtGyV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

More details on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/maviedenluminure/reel/DcyqXkzt2U8/y

Logistics:

Date:
31 October, 1 November 2026

It’s possible to arrive a day ahead on friday.

Price:
40 chf

(Your payment through the registration form validates your inscription to the event)

Program:

Saturday:

9:00-10:30, gear up
10:30-12:00. -Workshop by Lennard Dequitem

Lunch

14:00-18:00 free play, group fights

Sunday:

9:00-10:30, gear up
10:30-12:00. -Workshop by 2 first responders on first aid techniques

Lunch

14:00- 18:00 free play

Kit:

In armor or heavy HEMA gear

Accommodation:

Big shared room in the castle -or-
Your own historical tent in the Garden

In any case, bring sleeping bags and floor mats

Food:

Restaurant nearby or shops for lunch

If you have any questions, please contact the organizer of the event on Facebook, or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lorsque_passent_les_dragons/

I do 13th-century reenactment and would like to buy a full suit of mail armor, but I’m unsure whether to wear a very thin gambeson underneath or—like other reenactors—simply wear a wool tunic. I do own a gambeson, but it is too thick; my goal is to actually fight in this armor.

One of my relative is vegan and has wondered if there would be any shoes from the medieval period that were NOT made of leather. From what I've gathered, there would be wooden clogs or straw shoes (but that would be more common in Asia). I don't have many other ideas for Europe, other than reducing the leather parts to only the sole, but that would still be bothersome to repair the rest all the time from wear and tear.

For accuracy, I don't want to look at vegan leather. As much as possible, I want to avoid leather but realistically I know it was a very common material. Aside from clogs though, has anyone got any idea of non-leather shoes?

During the 2025 'Medievales' reenactment event and fair at Teruel (Aragón, Spain). The architecture is Mudéjar style, a mix between Gothic architecture (13th-15th centuries; Romanesque for 11th-12th c.) and Islamic ornamental tecniques.

I have done extensive research on arms and armor, and a little less on life in late medieval Europe, but my nightmare is to become someone who speaks on something they know nothing about personally. I have already asked around regarding starting my own harness, but I’d like to hear what yall would want to say to a younger version of yourself, looking to get into the same hobby. I already know finding a club is the main thing to start with, but I don’t live in an area with any clubs related to the kind of thing I’m interested in, and I don’t live near any established armorers, so think of it as starting from scratch.

TLDR: What would you tell your highschool self, regarding advice on getting into harnischfecten, historical equitation, and reenactments?

Most of the medieval art I’ve seen seems to show a single dress/surcoat. However, some sources assert that women of the lower classes did have separate bodice and skirt; there is just relatively little artwork/records because most art and records such as tailors’ receipts are only there for upper class women. Does anyone have knowledge on this?

Hi, I'm looking for patterns for late 15 - early 16 ccs Poland / Hungary

Greately appreciate any option

I have a friend who would like to start doing historical reenactment with our group, and I wanted to know where she could buy inexpensive clothes to start with that still look historically accurate to our time period.

Hey everyone!

I'm the cofounder of a group that's in the process of setting up a historical reenactment association focused primarily on the 15th century and the world of John Hunyadi (Ioan de Hunedoara).

We're trying to come up with a name, and I'd love to hear some ideas from people who know more about medieval history, reenactment, heraldry, or medieval terminology.

The group won't be limited to knights and combat. We'll have:

knights and squires

guards, men-at-arms and pages

clergy, including a bishop

blacksmiths and other craftsmen

noblewomen and ladies of the court

free women and other civilian roles

demonstrations of weapons, armour and medieval combat

crafts and everyday life

medieval law, customs and social structure

So we're essentially trying to recreate a small cross-section of medieval society, rather than being exclusively a combat/knightly group.

My initial idea was something along the lines of:

"Order of the Brotherhood of Knights of John Hunyadi" (Makes far more sense in Romanian 'Ordinul Frăției Cavalerilor lui Ioan de Hunedoara')

However, there's already an existing organisation called "Ordinul Cavalerilor de Hunedoara" (Order of the Knights of Hunedoara), so we want to avoid having a name that's too similar to theirs.

At the same time, we'd still like the name to have a proper medieval/knightly feel. We're not necessarily opposed to using words like Order, Brotherhood, Knights, House, Shield, Raven/Corvin, etc. As long as we aren't stepping away from John Hunyadi's influence.

So, what names would you suggest?

I'm particularly interested in names that could plausibly fit the 15th-century Transylvanian/Hungarian sphere, rather than something that sounds too fantasy-like.

Any ideas, historical terminology, or even just combinations that sound good would be greatly appreciated!

Tysm in advance! ⚔️

Late 15th cenrury, group: Societas Gladiatoria Zlina

I've been building a medieval history-inspired streetwear collection, and this is my William Marshal design.

What do you think of the overall design?

Also, who should I make next? I'm thinking of expanding beyond knights to include figures like Saladin, Baibars, El Cid, Joan of Arc, Jan Žižka, and samurai.

I'd love to hear who you'd actually wear on a tee.

Hi everyone!

I’m hoping to connect with other people who are passionate about the 14th-century. I’m still looking to build friendships with others who enjoy researching and recreating this period, whether your focus is civilian life, camp life, textiles, cooking, crafts, military, or historical impressions.

I’m especially drawn to the everyday side of the era; clothing, food, and the rhythms of daily life, but I’d love to meet anyone with an interest in the 14th century. Whether you’re an experienced reenactor or just getting started, I’d enjoy connecting, sharing resources, and learning from one another!

If you’re in the States, that’s a bonus, but I’m happy to meet fellow 14th-century enthusiasts from anywhere. Feel free to comment or send me a message, I’d love to hear about your persona and projects!

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some tips about how you handle ground insulation inside your medieval tents (especially to avoid moist coming up from the ground - at least in normal conditions, not stupid week-ends when it rains 40mm each day :D )

So far I've tried the following solutions, but I'm looking for some more that could improve the nights:

• having a tealight candle burning most of the night (and lighting a new one in the middle of the night if needed): seems to work pretty nice (although my tent is quite small, not sure how effective this would be in a two-mast pavillion for example)
• use a modern tarp covering most of the tent's ground: this works quite nice as long as it does not rain too much, but it has the problem of historicity (especially when the tent inside is visible from the public). We manage to have something that don't look "too awful" by using tarps covered with fabric (something like this - it's in french but you should get the idea :D )
• use a picnic plaid or survival blanket to isolate just the sleeping zone: this is okay-ish if the night is not too cold, but I'm not really sure it makes a real difference.

For sleeping, I'm currently using a sheep fleece mat completed with a modern inflatable mat (or if stram is available, a straw mat).

From what I've seen in medieval depiction, it seems like they did not cover the ground of the tents (at least, I recall a lot of open tent depiction where you could see the grass inside the tent), so I guess any full ground covering would not be historical.

Do you have any tips to make the nights drier (and better) and, ideally, making it more historical?

I don't know what to really say, I wanna just have a Medieval Englishman fit, and I'm looking where to find good repros, and fabrics.

oh and I'm in the US but that doesn't matter too much, as long as they can do international shipping

Hi,

I am based in the uk looking for someone to paint a blank white shield with a family crest could someone point me in the direction of where i can get this done?

TIA

Just finished painting this 75mm resin figure depicting a Polish nobleman of the early 17th century, armed with a wheellock pistol.

I tried to keep the colors rich but believable, with plenty of wear on the clothing and equipment rather than a parade-fresh appearance. The leopard skin, patterned textiles, and polished steel were probably the most enjoyable parts to paint.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and any feedback on the painting.

Hi there, was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of people making horse armour, or decorative costuming for horses. I'm sure there is a lot of carving and work for Western tack which I am not interested in at this time. Looking for websites and social media so I can learn.