Bractea. Medieval camp equipment

Tents

Tent is a basic camp equipment which allows to organize field event – even without spectators, just only re-enacting for re-enacting. Medieval tents iconography is not especially rich. The main problem is that details of construction are poor visible, often we can only guess some solutions without being sure for 100 percent. But of course on the basement of illuminations from period and examples of later tents (e.g. tent from Basel) we can try to reconstruct medieval tent. And we do.

T01. Tent, 14-15th century

A hand sewed tent, done from narrow strips of linen. It has two poles, ropes are attached to the border of roof with hammered hooks. Additional "storm" ropes reinforce tent in windy days. Walls can be separated and removed from the roof (there can stay only roof with poles). Tent equipment can contents two chandeliers, wooden or steel pegs and pins, waxed covers for the poles bases (to prevent their devastating by the wet dirt), transport bags.

The main basement for this reconstruction was the fresco of Guidoricco Da Fogliano done by Simone Martini in about 1328, preserved in internals of Palazzo Pubblico in Siena (first photo in last row below). The sewing methods, ropes attaching and material used are inspirited by the tent from Basel (see the photos in last row below). This preserved tent probably becomes from the beginning of the XVII century, but it looks almost similar to the late medieval tents from iconographic sources – we can assume, that technically tent from Basel is very close to medieval tents of this type.

Sizes:
ground level - about 3 x 5.5m,
height to the top of the roof - 3.1m,
walls height - 2m.

Price: 3800 EUR

Simone Martini, 1328 Basel Basel Basel

T02. Tent, 14th century

Two-poles, full hand sewed tent. Replica is on the base of XIV century iconography. Canvas is the impregnated cotton with colour elements. Inside layer is red, the roof is red and blue. The wooden balls on the top of poles have brass decorations. The decorated opening is covered by the piece of canvas that can be rolled up and attached to the wall above the 'doors'. Pegs and pins are made from hammered steel.

Sizes:
ground level - about 4 x 7m,
height of the poles - 3.6m,

Price: 5200 EUR

T03. Tent, 14th century

This reconstruction was done on the base of design of preserved original tent from Basel. One-pole tent with separated walls, coloured canvas strips are covering main seams. The pole have a wooden, brass decorated ball on top. Pegs and pins are wooden. Entrance slit is covered with additional piece of canvas that normally is rolled up, but in the case of rain can cover and secure opening.

Sizes:
ground level diameter - about 6.1m,
height - 5.2m,

Price: 4000 EUR