Brilliant Minds Neded: a Multi Barrel Illustration of 1511

Matchlock · 18th May 2009, 03:19 PM

I can read the Gothic print type quite well but to me, as in many contemporary books, it seems a bit bewildering and does not give any clue to the illustrations. Also, the text states that the book is about knighthood and the virtues of noble personalities whereas the illustrations depict mercenaries at siege work and fantabulous devices of variuos kind. It is true that some of them wear parts of knightly armor but none is shown to wear a suit of armor. We know from many contemporary illustrative sources that that was the usual Landsknechts' mixed wear: parts of armor or a mail shirt combined with the "buntes Wams", the traditional colorful mercenaries' clothing and the feathered beret.

In the late Middle Ages, colorful clothing was a strict privilege of the nobility and the clergy, while brown and grey clothes were allocated to mercenaries and peasants. At the middle of the 15th century an interesting kind of cultural revolution was started, combined with a radically new aplomb of the mercenaries. They became aware of the fact that wars and land could only be won by their social group, the commons, and that the nobility were reliant on them.

That understanding led to a completely new self confidence of the mercenaries. As free lancers, they could choose for themelves what war lord to serve. Their weapons and clothes were their own property and the more skillful they were in the use of their weapons the higher was their pay. The war booty being part of their pay, many of them used parts of armor and better weapons to improve their own defense and increase their value when bargaining with another war lord for their next pay.

All in all, I do not think that an actual understanding of the text is necessary. In my opinion it is the close study of the illustrations that is most important.

Michael

Matchlock · 19th May 2009, 05:47 PM

Another variant of well known devices but some new additions as well.

Michael

Matchlock · 19th May 2009, 05:50 PM

More.

fernando · 19th May 2009, 07:17 PM

Great drawings, Michael

.
Fertile imagination ... the main source for inventions of efective stuff.
I feel pity for the guys that had all the work to build that continuous movement apparatus for the flooding of the castle (tower); the smart Knight will easily get away by using such a brilliant a inflatable vest

.
Fernando

BTW, multi barrel devices are always contemplated

.

Matchlock · 20th May 2009, 02:27 PM

Very well put, Fernando,

Thank you so much,
Michael

18th May 2009, 03:19 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The Text I can read the Gothic print type quite well but to me, as in many contemporary books, it seems a bit bewildering and does not give any clue to the illustrations. Also, the text states that the book is about knighthood and the virtues of noble personalities whereas the illustrations depict mercenaries at siege work and fantabulous devices of variuos kind. It is true that some of them wear parts of knightly armor but none is shown to wear a suit of armor. We know from many contemporary illustrative sources that that was the usual Landsknechts' mixed wear: parts of armor or a mail shirt combined with the "buntes Wams", the traditional colorful mercenaries' clothing and the feathered beret. In the late Middle Ages, colorful clothing was a strict privilege of the nobility and the clergy, while brown and grey clothes were allocated to mercenaries and peasants. At the middle of the 15th century an interesting kind of cultural revolution was started, combined with a radically new aplomb of the mercenaries. They became aware of the fact that wars and land could only be won by their social group, the commons, and that the nobility were reliant on them. That understanding led to a completely new self confidence of the mercenaries. As free lancers, they could choose for themelves what war lord to serve. Their weapons and clothes were their own property and the more skillful they were in the use of their weapons the higher was their pay. The war booty being part of their pay, many of them used parts of armor and better weapons to improve their own defense and increase their value when bargaining with another war lord for their next pay. All in all, I do not think that an actual understanding of the text is necessary. In my opinion it is the close study of the illustrations that is most important. Michael

19th May 2009, 05:47 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	From a Book on Warfare by Philip Mönch, 1496 Another variant of well known devices but some new additions as well. Michael Attached Images

19th May 2009, 05:50 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More. Attached Images

19th May 2009, 07:17 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Great drawings, Michael . Fertile imagination ... the main source for inventions of efective stuff. I feel pity for the guys that had all the work to build that continuous movement apparatus for the flooding of the castle (tower); the smart Knight will easily get away by using such a brilliant a inflatable vest . Fernando BTW, multi barrel devices are always contemplated .

20th May 2009, 02:27 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Very well put, Fernando, Thank you so much, Michael