it's a jack used separately or it can be worn in conjunction with other armors.
Here's the way I understand it for protection
a jack of 30 layers of linen can stand alone
a jack of 25 layers and a leather shell can also stand alone
a jack of 10 or more layers should have a maille shirt with it
a jack that is several layers of canvas stuffed with raw wool, grass, horse hair or what ever they would've had and used.
From the ordinance of St. Maximin de Treves , published October of 1473.
In the section describing the equipment of members of a lance - specifically the mounted archer "The mounted archer must possess a horse worth not less than six francs, and should wear a visorless sallet, a gorget (This may mean a maille standard or bevor), a brigandine, or a sleeveless mail shirt under a ten layer jack"
From the Ordinances of Louis XI of France (1461-1483)
And first they must have for the said Jacks, 30, or at least 25 folds of cloth and a stag's skin; those of 30, with the stag's skin, being the best cloth that has been worn and rendered flexible, is best for this purpose, and these Jacks should be made in four quarters. The sleeves should be as strong as the body, with the exception of the leather, and the arm-hole of the sleeve must be large, which arm-hole should be placed near the collar, not on the bone of the shoulder, that it may be broad under the armpit and full under the arm, sufficiently ample and large on the sides below. The collar should be like the rest of the Jack, but not too high behind, to allow room for the sallet. This Jack should be laced in front, and under the opening must be a hanging piece [porte piece] of the same strength as the Jack itself. Thus the Jack will be secure and easy, provided that there be a doublet [pourpoint] without sleeves or collar, of two folds of cloth, that shall be only four fingers broad on the shoulder; to which doublet shall be attached the chausses. Thus shall the wearer float, as it were, within his jack and be at his ease; for never have been seen half a dozen men killed by stabs or arrow wounds in such Jacks, particularly if they be troops accustomed to fighting."
1st. Picture Here's a better view of the jack from the side you can see it's thick it has over 15 layers of linen and un-woven raw wool padding to do not have a thread count on it at this time but I'm sure my friend will probably have the thread count.
I haven't started construction on my personal jack my linen was obtained from colonial Williamsburg Virginia is handwoven (so I don't know what the we've count is on it) which I figure it will probably be very much in the ballpark of the proper jack although mine will be with the breastplate and chain mail on basing my armor off of the Hans Memling St Ursula shrine artwork.2nd. Picture
The photo of the Jack was not a arming doublet or a arming pourpoint (the little sleeveless vest designed to attach and hold up the plate leg armor of a harness) those armor undergarments have a lot of eyelets to tie the armor in place late 15th-century armor.
Here's a picture of a blue arming doublet note the chain mill around the shoulders and around arms is used protect where in the parts that the plate armor doesn't fully cover note to laces coming from the shoulder’s social for attaching the polderons basically the metal shoulder pads.3rd. Picture
Here he is in full Milanese armor.4th. Picture
It seems no real evidence exists for the use of padded armor under chain mail during the 11th century Norman conquest and since bows were not regularly used in war for some dark age reason longbows wher used for hunting the time and sense they seen to be commonly used in Wales so what type of game wood they been hunting stags and boars maybe?
What type of terrain wood they been hunting on?
What type of poundage wood you need to hunt that game in that terrain?
Cheers,
Miles
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