The Esford Armoury ‘Knights Templar’ Range

The Esford Armoury ‘Knights Templar’ Range

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This website advertises a range of Knights Templar garb and weaponry that has been designed with the guidance of ‘The Knights Templar’, a Brisbane-based re-enactment society. The Knights Templar formed what was arguably the most powerful and well-known of the Christian military orders in the medieval period. The order was endorsed by the Catholic Church in the early twelfth century and was particularly active during the Crusades. The clothing adopted by the Templar Knights was distinctive, consisting of a white surcoat with a red cross. Most of this ‘war gear’ is visually self-explanatory, thanks to films such as The Kingdom of Heaven (2003), which depicts crusading knights playing politics and fighting Saladin in the Holy Land. The Esford online catalogue promotes their version of the Templar sword, dagger, helmet, gambeson, surcoat, and hooded cloak. The purpose of the surcoat was initially to protect the wearer from the sun, although the practice was quickly adopted elsewhere, even in the northern lands where the climate did not warrant such precautions (See Mark Cruse, ‘Material Culture’ in Albrecht Classen, ed. Handbook of Medieval Studies: Terms, Methods, Trends, Vol. 1., Berlin, De Gruyter, 2010, p.841). Curiously, there are two essential items missing from the Templar’s equipment: a mail coat and a red cross emblazoned triangular shield.

Esford Swords and Armoury, Brisbane

November, 2011

Esford Swords and Armoury, 2011

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