11TH CENTURY FRENCH INFANTRYMAN

An extract from Armies of the Dark Ages 600-1066
by Ian Heath

131. 11TH CENTURY FRENCH INFANTRYMAN

He is typical of the Arriere-Ban and except for the substitution of a kite-shield is little different to his Carolingian counterpart described under 46. Circular shields also continued to be used though they were less common.

The ms. from which he is taken shows tunics mainly red, deep crimson, blue and a neutral colour probably intended as unbleached wool or linen, and trousers red or natural wool. Other sources show yellow, scarlet, green, brown and grey tunics and trousers. Clothing colours were generally much brighter than those of today. The 3-dot pattern of his cloak remained popular well beyond the end of this period.

[Based on the Ten Kings and their Army from the Beatus de Saint-Sever, southern France, before 1072]

See tunics with the 3-dot pattern in Commentaries of Hayman on Ezekiel, Auxerre, France, between 989 & 1010AD
Next: 132 & 133. 11TH CENTURY EUROPEAN HEAVY INFANTRYMEN in Armies of the Dark Ages 600-1066 by Ian Heath