Display of Barding Styles Part 3- Blanket Barding

Blanket type barding
from medieval manuscript

The blanket barding projects are based on examples found in the sources: Wagner, Drobna, and Durdik's Medieval Costume, Armor and Weapons^[1] and Tournaments: Jousts, Chivalry and Pageants in the Middle Ages, by Richard Barber and Juliet Barker.^[2] As with previous styles, blanket barding was found throughout Europe and England, throughout the later Middle Ages.

The Miniature:

This type of barding was more commonly used and depicted on horses being used for travel. The purpose was primary one of decoration and display of station in life; the more wealthy nobles wearing more elaborate barding, usually constructed of velvet cloth. The miniature which was displayed is a replica of actual barding worn by the Æthelmearc King's Equestrian Champion. It was designed by Lady Rhiannon filia Catell and the full sized piece discussed in greater detail below. The full sized piece is made from material chosen to represent velvet without the expense due to the fact it would be used on a horse, requiring frequent cleaning. The miniature example is made of linen, the material commonly used in lieu of velvet. Due to the fact the piece is not being used in battle or tournament, durability issues were not as critical. Likewise, for these reasons, the embroidery is done with silk thread. Like the full barding example, I chose sewing and embroidery stitches that would afford greater strength and durability. Thus the sewing stitches are primarily back-stitch, over-cast and whip-stitch, while the embroidery stitches are back-stitch, split stitch, satin stitch and lazy-daisy.  I used whip and over-cast stitches in particular on the hem to protect the edges as well as secure the hem. The fringe trim is in keeping with common embellishments of this type of barding, which frequently included trim and elaborate fringing.  The model used for this display represents the warhorse type.
 

King and Queen's Equestrian Champions
on their horses using the blanket barding.

Full Size Piece:

As noted, the full sized version of blanket barding was completed by Lady Rhiannon. It is included here for information and comparison purposes only as it was not completed by this author. As noted, the material was chosen to represent velvet, in keeping with its purpose - to be displayed by the King's Equestrian Champion. Use of real velvet for the project was deemed too expensive and impractical as it would be difficult to keep clean due to the exposure to the horse's sweat and the dirt from the arena. It would also be too hot for the horse, especially in light of the fact most events occur during warmer weather. The heraldic charges were appliqued as opposed to embroidered for greater durability and strength. This method of attachment was used throughout the period for heraldic display. Eventually, a second one was made by Lady Rhiannon for the Queen's Equestrian Champion.

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1. Wagner, Drobna, and Durdik.  Medieval Costume, Armor and Weapons. (Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, Inc, 2000) Plate 13.
2. Richard Barber  & Juliet Barker.  Tournaments: Jousts, Chivalry and Pageants in the Middle Ages. (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, 2000.) 126.

Sources:

Barber , Richard & Juliet Barker.  Tournaments: Jousts, Chivalry and Pageants in the Middle Ages, Woodbridge: The Boydell Press,2000.
Dent,  Anthony Austen. The Horse Through Fifty Centuries of Civilization. NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1974.
Devries, Doughtery, Dickie, Jestice and Jorgensen.  Battles of the Medieval World, 1000‑1500.  NY: Amber Books, Ltd, 2006.
Hopkins, Andrea.  A Chronicle History of Knights. NY: Barnes and Nobles Books, 2004.
LaCroix,  Paul and Walter Clifford Meller. The Medieval Warrior. NY: CL Press/Book Creation, LLC, 2002.
Wagner, Drobna, and Durdik.  Medieval Costume, Armor and Weapons. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, Inc, 2000.
Website: Atlantian MOAS site (links), Jan 2009, <http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=56>
Website Barding article, Jan 2009, <http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/overviewbards.html>.
Website on  Period stitches, Jan 2009,<http://jauncourt.i8.com/stitches.htm>
( referenced information on running Stitch, back stitch, and over‑stitched or over‑sewn, as well as Hem treatments includingCrunning, whip stitch)
Website on Split stitching, Jan 2009, <http://www.bayrose.org/wkneedle/Articles/split_stitch.html>
Website, AHeraldic Embroidery@ by Senhora Rafaella d'Allemtejo, GdS, Feb 2009,
<http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=56>.