Books

The bold image of the Landsknechte, with their extravagant clothing and adventurous deeds, has endured to this day. Back then, they were not least regarded as insatiable drunks and fastidious eaters. Officers feared their wrath if food supplies failed to arrive. Their songs tell us of complaints about hunger and cold, but also of dreams of roasted chickens and cool wine.

But what did they have on their plates? In a detailed introduction, this book traces the facts behind the legend. What was the life of the Landsknechte like? How were they fed? What foods did they know and how did they prepare them? Based on sources from the 15th and 16th century, the book offers over 50 recipes that were familiar to the Landsknechte and nourished them in good or lean times.

Over 50 recipes do justice to both historicity and today's tastes. Each original recipe is accompanied by instructions for the preparation in the modern kitchen. All ingredients and basic dishes are described thoroughly, and even beyond that, the cookbook offers detailed information about the way of life of the Landsknechte, such as eating habits and table manners.

To be dressed historically correct as a medieval re-enactor - it could not be simpler. The range of garments that those interested in the Middle Ages can now make themselves stretches from the High to late Middle Ages (1200 to 1500), and from a common beggar to lower gentry. Panels with lifelike, coloured illustrations revive the different medieval classes through their clothing and accessories. Clear, easily understandable pictures lead you through all the processes. Starting with the sewing techniques used in the Middle Ages even the layman learns how to neaten fabric edges, attach sleeves and make cords with metal points.

To be dressed historically correct as a medieval re-enactor - it could not be simpler: the range of garments that those interested in the Middle Ages can now make themselves stretches from High to late Middle Ages (1200 to 1500), and from a simple maid to lower gentry. Panels with lifelike, coloured illustrations revive the different medieval classes through their clothing and accessories. Clear, easily understandable pictures lead you through all the processes. Starting with the sewing techniques used in the Middle Ages even the layman learns how to neaten fabric edges, attach sleeves and make cloth buttons. "The colourful pictures and rich illustrations penned by Rolf Fuhrmann turn looking at this book into a pure treat and add to Wolf Zerkowski's texts perfectly." (Jürgen Ludwig, website landsknechtsportal) "Thus this book is truly a great work, and surely an enrichment for those who seek a fundamental, practical approach to medieval fashion." (Pax Et Gaudium, 2004),

Veil, circlet, coife, bonnet, cap or hood? To give an authentic portrayal of a medieval character, you will need an appropriate period headdress. This carefully researched and richly illustrated book offers a wide variety of head coverings through the ages.

The authors present exemplary historical sources which form the foundation for their interpretations and also give advice on how to wear the headdresses. The sources for the sewing instructions range from early medieval pictures found in the Maciejowski Bible and the Codex Manesse to High Middle Ages archeological findings from London and late Middle Ages findings from Kempten in the Allgaeu, Germany.

The book includes an introduction to the necessary working techniques. Clear and easily comprehensible instructions and pictures lead you through the work process. Even a layman can thus crete patterns, sew different seam types and neaten cut edges. A section on material ensures that you will be able to choose the right fabrics and colours.

Make your own Medieval Clothing – Shoes of the High and Late Middle Ages is a practical guide for anyone good at crafts wishing to try their hand at shoemaking. Master shoemaker Stefan von der Heide provides information on materials and tools used in shoemaking in the Middle Ages in order to enable the reader to make different shoe and boot styles. Alongside different shoe types and various techniques, the author includes a list of recommended materials and useful sources.

Whether you portray a hetman, craftsman, slave, seer or farmer’s wife, Viking Garments offers Viking re-enactors a handbook for the making of detailed clothing for various roles, time periods and regions. This book contains numerous basic patterns for men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in many possible combinations. Extensive additional information on materials and sewing techniques allows even sewing beginners with little experience to make sturdy clothing for winter and summer.

Whether it is for larp, theater production, living history event or other related hobbys, with your own hauberk, coife, trousers or other chain mail objects you are ready for battle. But how do you create a customfit pattern for your own chain mail? What needs to be considered while making chain rings? And what are the best techniques for weaving thousands of rings together? These and other questions will be answered by the author step by step and with fully illustrated instructions. The reader learns the practicalities of how to transform a roll of wire into a chain mail armour.