Roman Shoulder Armour

The Roman Shoulder Armour - or manicula - is an armoured epaulette for deflecting blows away from the shoulder and head. It is made from deep brown, vegetable-tanned full-grain leather and heavy cotton. The piece consists of a heavy spauldron overlaying a smaller leather and canvas plate that protects the joint and upper arm. The manicula is reinforced with extra leather and stitches around the edges - preventing the leather from deforming with long use - and decorated with a braided strap adorned with brass studs. Along the outer rim, the manicula is decorated with slim leather straps overhanging longer straps of heavy canvas. It is fitted onto existing armour with strong leather cords. The Roman Shoulder Armour can be favourably paired with a darkened chainmail to achieve the lorica hamata of republican- and imperial line- and auxiliary infantry and most of the post-Constantine legions, but it will also make a fine stand-along armour that can be combined freely with other Epic Armoury leather and steel protections to create the exact costume you want.

You strike your sword against your Oval Scutum Shield, shouting alongside your legionaries outside the gates of Syracuse. Inside, their people are filled with terror, deafened by your army’s trumpets and noise. Arrows rain down and you and your fellow soldiers form a barrier with your shields.

There is nothing that can stop you. The design of your shield allows you to stand in close formation, advancing on their defenders and dispatching them quickly.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Wood Oval Scutum Shield is an oval latex shield inspired by Ancient Roman soldiers. Laser cut details and hand painted embellishments on this shield are sure to impress your fellow warriors on the battlefield. Its featured dark wood body, aged iron rim and shield boss, and winged sigil will give you a true aesthetic edge.

Featuring a reliable and comfortable punch-grip, feel confident that this hard EVA foam and latex shield will withstand the continued abuse of a LARP with regular latex maintenance. Defend against your enemies and make this Oval Scutum Shield a part of your epic fighting style.

HISTORY

• Iron rim was sometimes used as a way to reinforce the shield
• Used the Shield Boss--the round, convex piece of material at the centre of the shield--to deflect blows
• Scutum is the Latin term used by the Romans and means shield

The Roman Tunic is a little like the medieval variant but is far more decadent and smug. I think that was the Roman Empire in a nutshell. Nothing beats it for casually engaging in the high politics of the Senate or crushing slave rebellions in comfort.

You are a citizen of the Roman Empire, and a professional heavy infantryman of the Roman Army. You enlisted in your legion for twenty-five years of service, and you are both relieved and anxious to know you have only a few years left.

As you double-check that your military-issued Roman Belt and other armour is secure, you feel prepared alongside your fellow soldiers to go into battle. You just hope that your training will continue to serve you well. At the very least, you have confidence in the sharpness of your weapon.

The massive heat feels like a cyclopean wave shrouding and suffocating every soldier standing on the arid ground outside the city of Etakia. “Stand your ground! Hold the formation!” your captain screams. You notice how the fellow standing close to your left is clenching his spear as one single drop of sweat trickles down your nose and vanishes into the dusty swarm of feet. In a flash of a second the enemy will slam against the front shields, and you and your fellow soldiers will do as you have been trained to. Moving forward slowly as one entity, as a living machine. Sweating and panting. Pushing. Bashing. Killing.

DETAILS

Very few things offer greater protective qualities than steel, when it comes to historical armour. But with steel also comes disadvantages like weight, inflexibility and the need for constant maintenance to protect against rust. Nevertheless, in this day and age, unless you are on the re-enactment or SCA battlefield, you simply don’t need the level of protection that steel affords.
We here at Epic Armoury would like to present our Light Kit Edition Armours. Light Kit Armours are armours made out of Polyurethane, meant to resemble authentic metallic armours. Created with weight, comfort and utility in mind, Light Kit edition armours are for those people, who want to look like they are wearing authentic metallic armours while being comfortable.
To the untrained eye, these polyurethane armours are difficult to distinguish from their metallic counterparts.They are, however, more comfortable to wear and can be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. Indeed, the flexible nature of this armour means that it can bend to the contours of your body in a way that rigid steel will not. Each part is typically a quarter of the weight of their steel equivalent, allowing for faster movement with less fatigue. Each piece is hand painted with a durable acrylic finish and is detailed to look as realistic as possible. The maintenance free finish will not rust like steel does and can be worn in all kinds of weather. Adjustable leather straps and the flexible nature of the armour allows it to be comfortably worn.The Spartan Light Kit Musculata is inspired by Ancient Greek body idealized armour and Hoplite soldiers.

This armour is perfect for a variety of uses such as LARP, Cosplay, Costume Parties or Theatre.

Polyurethane armour is a new project collaboration between Epic Armoury and The Knight Shop International designing under the brand names "Red Dragon Armoury" and "Light Kit".

This item has been discontinued. If it is out of stock please check with us regarding availability

You are a citizen of the Roman Empire, and a professional heavy infantryman of the Roman Army. You enlisted in your legion for twenty-five years of service, and you are both relieved and anxious to know you have only a few years left.

As you double-check that your military-issued Roman Sword and dagger are securely in their holders, you feel prepared alongside your fellow soldiers to go into battle. You just hope that your training will continue to serve you well. At the very least, you have confidence in the sharpness of your weapon.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Roman Sword is a classic latex weapon inspired by the Ancient Roman legionnaires. The 65 cm double-edged blade has a central ridge and narrows toward the crescent-shaped crossguard. Sculpted and handpainted, the detailed crossguard protects the 13 cm split-leather handle. A fish-tail pommel caps this sword, painted to match the crossguard.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your Roman-inspired kit.

Available in Gold, Copper, and Silver.

HISTORY

• The spatha was discovered by the Roman legions and adopted as their own weapons
• Exported to barbarous lands and used by such heroes as Siegfried, Beowulf, and Caradoc

The perfect accompaniment to any Toga Party

You strike your sword against your rounded shield, shouting alongside your legionaries outside the gates of Syracuse. Inside, their people are filled with terror, deafened by your army’s trumpets and noise. Arrows rain down and you and your fellow soldiers form a barrier with your shields.

There is nothing that can stop you. The design of your shield allows you to stand in close formation, advancing on their defenders and dispatching them quickly. Even if an arrow should find its way through the cracks, your Roman Legion armour will keep you entirely protected.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Roman Legion is a flexible plate cuirass inspired by the lorica segmentata worn by the Ancient Roman infantry. The Roman Legion protects the torso and abdomen with overlapping, vertical lamellae. Large pauldrons protect the shoulders and upper arms while providing additional protection to the armpits and upper breast.

Secure the Roman Legion armour by tightening the leather strap across the chest and lacing the leather cord through brass fittings up the front abdomen. Made of polished 1 mm thick mild steel and top-grain leather straps, this armour piece is built to withstand the abuse of a LARP or reenactment with regular leather and metal armour care.

Available in sizes Medium and Large.

Note: The potblacking on the inside of the armour can rub off due to the segmented nature of the plates. This is unavoidable due to the segmented design, and the customer may wish to touch up the potblacking as part of ongoing maintenance. 

The best made armour is crafted by the most skilled smiths, the leather worked with such precision and care that the wearer can move unhindered, but still protected on the battlefield.

You have commissioned a leather crafter to create a pair of Samurai Bracers for you. Before she is paid you want to be certain it is properly made armour, and so you conduct a test. With the bracers properly tied to your arm, you perform a series of sword drills, faster than the eye can properly see.

The bracers are perfect.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Samurai Bracers are a set of leather vambraces designed to protect the forearms and hands in combat. Made from full-grain leather, these bracers have been sculpted to comfortably follow the shape of the arms. The leather has been hardened and the edges curved to add structural strength that will ensure added protection and longevity.

Comfortably secure the Samurai Bracers by lacing the leather cords on the underside and tightly wrap the heavy cotton fabric around the wrist. Attach the handguard by gripping the cotton cord around the knuckles. Inspired by Asian traditional armour, these bracers are perfectly matched with other products from Epic Armoury’s Asian Universe.

HISTORY

• Hand and arm protection are one of the oldest forms of armour, due to its importance in combat
• This particular style might also be referred to as a demi-gauntlet, due to its limited finger protection

Adjusting the armour tight over your gambeson, your fingers are a little shaky. It’s your first time leaving home on your own, and while you saved up your money to buy this Ready for Battle Bracers, you aren’t certain you’re ready for the adventuring life.

As you make your final adjustments, admiring how secure and sturdy your bracers feel, your mother fusses over your hair. She finally hands you a bag full of a packed lunch. Tearfully, she tells you not to die out there--to come home to their little cottage!--before you set out on the road.

DETAILS

These bestselling Ready For Battle Bracers are a set of armour pieces designed to protect the forearm against weapons and bowstrings. Made from a single piece of chrome-tanned leather and stitched to improve the structural stability and to prevent it from deforming when wet or worn, these bracers are an affordable solution to your costuming needs. Secure the bracers to the arms by lacing its split-leather cord tight through its rows of eyelets.

The Ready For Battle Bracers are a good starting point for a roleplaying career, as they are fully compatible with all Epic Armoury’s leather and metal armours. The style is simple, allowing the bracers to be used with almost any character or setting.

Available in Medium and Large.

HISTORY

• Unlike popular belief, arm protection was only called a “bracer” if it was meant to protect the forearm of an archer.
• Forearm protection not intended for an archer would have been called a “vambrace” or “forearm guard”

The forest is serene this morning as you head out along the trails. Birds are singing and the weather is crisp, perfect for working without breaking too much of a sweat. But as you approach the dead tree you’d marked the day before, you believe you hear something in the underbrush.

Your calloused, strong hand wraps around the handle of your axe hanging from your X Belt. The edge is freshly sharpened, and you’re ready to defend yourself from any beast that you might find--relieved as a neighbor’s dog comes bounding out from a bush, instead.

Back to work.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s X Belt is a long leather belt made from full-grain buffalo leather. Strong and durable, this belt is also stylish with its stitched X-shaped accents. With a 70 cm belt-tongue and 16 holes, adjust this belt to a large range of sizes to fit your unique body. Secure the belt using its rounded, steel belt buckle.

The X Belt is handsome and clean, making it a perfect fit for almost any character in any setting you care to play.

Available in colours Black, Blue, Brown, Green, and Red; and in One Size.

HISTORY

• Belts have been documented for male clothing since the Bronze Age between 3200–600 B.C.
• More commonly a male fashion item, with the exception of the Middle Ages

One belt not holding up your chainmail pants?

TRY TWO!

The street is a hard place to conduct business, but it’s a way of life you’ve become very good at keeping. Two coppers jingle in the pouch hanging from your Twin Belt, but by the end of the day you’re determined to increase the lot to a gold or two. A good card game and a poor ol’ sap is all it takes.

On your way to your regular spot you pass a lovely lady in a fine dress. You may be a ruffian, but with your candid smile you give the lady a tip of your fanciful top hat. She looks flattered, which is a good distraction...because now you’ve got a silver to add to the copper in your pouch.

DETAILS

This bestselling Epic Armoury Twin Belt is a stylish and durable leather belt fashioned from two slimmer belts merged into one. Made from two buffalo-leather straps and stitched together by leather braces in an ornate pattern, this belt has a truly medieval look.

The two braces are fitted with brass D-rings for attaching or suspending bags and other equipment. Usable by a large variety of shapes and sizes due to its long 40 cm belt-tongues and nine punched holes, this belt is a perfect solution for anyone’s kit. With its simple style and rings, the belt is both functional and stylish, and can be used by lords or peasants--no matter race or culture.

Available in Brown, Black, Red, Blue, and Green. One size fits all.

HISTORY

• Historically made from cut lengths of leather sewn together
• Belts have been documented for male clothing since the Bronze Age between 3200–600 B.C.
• More commonly a male fashion item, with the exception of the Middle Ages