Category: Male clothing > arming garments

Bayeux tapestry gambeson

Bayeux tapestry gambeson

Century: XII

CODE	Material	Standard ? × SPES products - technology & methods of manufacturing Machine-made standard - products with visible signs of using modern methods and tools in their production; e.g. visible outside and inside seams in clothing made with the use of a machine. Mixed standard - products with visible signs of using both modern and traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. main, inside seams in clothing are made with the use of a machine while outside stitches and details are sewn by hand. Hand-made standard - goods with visible signs of using only traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. all seams in clothing are sewn by hand. *NOTE. We always use high quality materials and fabrics while making our products - the above standards of their production are not related to the materials used.	Price
PMLR0282	Linen	Hand-made	450.00 EUR
PMLS0281	Linen	Mixed	182.00 EUR

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A model of medieval gambeson based on Bayeux tapestry. It is characterized by diamond shaped stitchings on its whole surface. Our gambeson reaches the knees and has characteristic sleeves reaching the elbow area. The outer layer and the lining of this medieval gambeson are made of linen.

Bayeux tapestry gambeson is put on through the head and tied up with leather strap on the left shoulder. A medieval aketon of this type does not have a collar.

The lower part of this Bayeux tapestry gambeson has a cut-out on both sides - front and back, reaching the groin section. At the end of the cut-out, there is a leather triangle which works as a strengthening. This solution in general makes our medieval aketon more convenient during battles.

Bayeux tapestry aketon’s thickness:
↪ torso - Y2
↪ sleeves - Y1
↪ strengthenings on shoulders - Y2


NOTE - there is an option of modifying the thickness of amortization layers in Bayeux tapestry gambeson. To customize this product, please contact our Sales Department before placing an order. More information on the thickness of quilted garments can be found here.

When you place an order for this aketon from Bayeux tapestry, please choose one of the available colors. Table of colors can be found here!

This padded jack based on Bayeux tapestry is available in standard sizes from XS to XXL or in custom size, fitted to individual measurements for additional 20% charge. To choose the proper size, please follow the chart below:

Size	Chest girth	Waist girth	Hips girth	Height
XS	84-92 cm	72-80 cm	88-96 cm	164-170 cm
S	92-100 cm	80-88 cm	96-104 cm	170-176 cm
M	100-108 cm	88-96 cm	104-112 cm	176-182 cm
L	108-116 cm	96-104 cm	112-120 cm	182-188 cm
XL	116-124 cm	104-112 cm	120-128 cm	188-194 cm
XXL	124-132 cm	112-120 cm	128-136 cm	194-200 cm
Custom	Individual measurements. Price + 20%.

Please type the chosen size in the additional information field when you place an order for the Bayeux tapestry gambeson.

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An aketon inspired by Bayeux tapestry

We found an inspiration to make this model of aketon in the popular Bayeux Tapestry. There are horseback knights of William the Conqueror during the siege of castles of Conan II or during the arrival in Bayeux.
Parts of this hand-embroidered piece of art present knights with visible bevel lines creating rhombuses. We can interpret these elements of tapisserie de Bayeux as stitchings on aketons, with cutouts on front and back.

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Why you should choose Bayeux tapestry gambeson?

↪ it has diamond shaped stitchings on its whole surface
↪ his sleeves are reaching slightly over the elbows
↪ gambeson is put on through the head and does not have a collar
↪ the lower part of this tunic has a cut-out on both sides - front and back for better convenient
↪ there is an option of modifying the thickness of amortization layers
↪ gambeson is available in standard sizes from XS to XXL

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What is Tapisserie de Bayeux?

Bayeux Tapestry or tapisserie de Bayeux is a hand-embroidered canva presenting the besieging of England and the battle of Hastings from 1066. It came to existence shortly after the presented events, at the end of 11th century. The stitched Latin texts have mistakes and Anglo-Saxon names, which is considered to confirm the English origin of tapisserie de Bayeux. Still, these are just assumptions which have not been proven by scientists yet.

Tapisserie de Bayeux has three horizontal straps which go through its all length (68,36 m). The central part presents historical scenes, while upper and lower parts - symbols of animals, monsters and other.

This 11th century Bayeux tapestry was examined for the first time in 18th century by Bernarde de Montfaucon. At the end of 19th century, the fabric was restored and from 1983 it has been stored in Bayeux seminary where everyone can visit the place and see the work.

Bayeux Tapestry is made of linen. It was embroidered with woolen yarn in various colors. Inscriptions and patterns were made with the use of stitch resembling a continuous, unbroken line. Bigger parts were covered with so called joining stitch. There was also a chain stitch used during the process of restoration of tapisserie de Bayeux.

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Quilted tunic in the Middle Ages

Quilted tunic is a very broad term but often used when referring to Early-medieval and later gambesons of loose-cut and put on through the head. It concerns material findings and former iconography. The basic and probably most important source with various depictions of quilted tunics is The Morgan Bible, dated back to 13th century. It was our main source of inspiration during the making of our Early-medieval aketons.
This type of padded armor was worn during battles and medieval tournaments together with other arming garments, e.g. a chain mail. Sometimes, to increase the level of protection, users stitched chain mail pieces into the quilted tunic, between its layers.
Later, gambesons have undergone numerous changes. They started to be more fitted to body shape, closed with buttons or straps. These solution have made the traditional quilted tunic look like a relic of the past but also as a symbol of those times. Among aketons, quilted clothing includes bonnets, hoods, legs, gloves, shin guards, and pants.

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The upgrading of SPES gambesons design

Currently, we are working on implementing to our assortment the upgraded versions of our well-known gambesons. Changes include:
- improving the functionality and mobility of our aketons
- layers’ thickness (check the chart with levels of amortization)
- directions and shape of stitchings
- minor changes in cut (for better fitting)
- and most of all, matching the gambesons to our six-levels size set: XS-XXL (NOTE: you can still order a custom-sized gambeson)

Therefore, you can be sure that upgraded SPES gambesons are even better suited to your needs. And if you have any questions about mentioned changes in any model, contact us - we will dispel the doubts!

To make each gambeson stand out even more, we gave them unique names. From now, TYPE 7 is named Bayeux tapestry gambeson.