Have you ever wondered what medieval soldiers actually wore? The First Barons' War period (1215-1217) predates the widespread use of uniforms in warfare. While heraldry was emerging, it wasn't yet codified, and the concept of livery (distinctive clothing worn by retainers) wasn't yet established. With no single answer to how soldiers dressed, it offers exciting freedom for painters like yourself.

Heraldry in its Infancy

Heraldry was still in its early stages during this period. The concept of using specific colours and emblems to identify individuals and allegiances wasn't fully established. While wealthy lords might outfit their troops in similar colours of cloth, it wasn't done with the intention of creating a uniform for identification purposes.

Sergeants and Uniforms

The idea of sergeants wearing their lord's colours as a uniform simply wasn't a reality. They might receive clothing or fabric as an annual gift, but it wasn't standardised. Long-serving soldiers might wear a mix of clothes, some possibly in their lord's colours, but it wouldn't resemble a modern uniform in any way. Ultimately, these were trained troops who prioritised acquiring high-quality equipment first.

Knights and Heraldry

Only knights had the privilege of displaying heraldry. Each knight should ideally possess a unique heraldry, adhering to specific heraldic rules regarding colour combinations. However, the period in question witnessed the very establishment of these rules, allowing for some creative interpretation. If your young knight belongs to the same family as your retinue leader, consider incorporating the same heraldic elements with slight variations.

Here are examples of heraldry we have used in The Barons War publications drawn by Steve Beckett.

The Rule of Cool

While there's no concrete evidence of standardised uniforms in this era, there's room for artistic interpretation. For small elite forces like household troops, their clothing and shields might reflect their lord's colours to some extent. Ultimately, the "rule of cool" applies – feel free to paint your figures with individual flair!

Beyond the Uniform

Remember, many soldiers were mercenaries responsible for providing their equipment. Wealthier lords might have a small bodyguard of sergeants who wore some elements of their lord's colours, but evidence is scarce. The most powerful lords might have had younger knights as part of their household guard, who could potentially share some colour association, but again, concrete proof is limited.

Painting Your Figures

Here are some key takeaways for painting your figures:

Knights: Each knight should have their unique heraldry. Consider variations within a family lineage.

Sergeants: They were professional soldiers who often had better quality equipment than poorer knights.

Levy: These were ordinary people from the lord's land, called upon in times of need. They would wear whatever they had, with any uniform elements being a costly addition.

Colour Considerations

While historically accurate colour choices are always commendable, remember that vibrant hues were often associated with expensive dyes. Opting for more muted tones and incorporating faded or lighter shades for lower-ranking figures can enhance the realism of your figures. Browns, tans, greens, muted blues, yellows, reds, and orangey-browns are all excellent choices. Deep blacks and purples should be avoided, except for light bluish-purple tones.

The beauty of this period lies in the lack of definitive answers. Embrace the freedom to paint your figures creatively within the boundaries of your artistic vision. Remember, there's no right or wrong way – enjoy the historical journey!

Helpful References

Heraldry

Early Blazon: Site dealing with an early coat of arms from their onset to the end of the Crusades. Lots of helpful information here for heraldry: http://earlyblazon.com/

Wikipedia: I don't usually recommend Wikipedia as a good source; however, this list of nobles and magnates of England in the 13th century has proved to be helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nobles_and_magnates_of_England_in_the_13th_century

English Heritage, Beginners Guide to Heraldry: Useful for anyone starting from scratch or with a basic knowledge: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/guide-to-heraldry

Colours

Medieval Dyestuffs, Dyeing & Colour Names by Rosalie Gilbert: A brief overview of dyeing and dyestuffs in medieval England and Europe: https://rosaliegilbert.com/dyesandcolours.html

Medieval Dyes PDF: Shared in The Barons' War Facebook Group by Lawrence Coxon and can be downloaded below.