Category: Male clothing > arming garments

Rhombus aketon from Maciejowski Bible

Rhombus aketon from Maciejowski Bible

Century: XIII

CODE	Material	Standard ? × SPES products - technology & methods of manufacturing Machine-made standard - products with visible signs of using modern methods and tools in their production; e.g. visible outside and inside seams in clothing made with the use of a machine. Mixed standard - products with visible signs of using both modern and traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. main, inside seams in clothing are made with the use of a machine while outside stitches and details are sewn by hand. Hand-made standard - goods with visible signs of using only traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. all seams in clothing are sewn by hand. *NOTE. We always use high quality materials and fabrics while making our products - the above standards of their production are not related to the materials used.	Price
PMLR1199	Linen	Hand-made	450.00 EUR
PMLS0805	Linen	Mixed	230.00 EUR

Lowest price in the last 30 days

See how to place an order for several people

This 13th century medieval gambeson is characterized by universality. Our Maciejowski Bible aketon will be perfect for early-medieval period reenactors. It is put on through head and closed with tin buttons. Both outer and inner layers in this gambeson were made of linen.

This rhombus-quilted aketon inspired by Maciejowski Bible has a high collar reaching the chin. It is closed on the top of the shoulder, next to the neck.

Our aketon reaches knees and is characterized by rhombus stitchings on chest. Sleeves in this gambeson, its back and lower part have vertical stitchings.

What is more, aketon inspired by Maciejowski Bible has a cutout at the bottom - at the front and at the back. The base of the cutout is strengthened with a leather triangle to prevent tearing. This medieval clothing does not hinder the movement during fights.

Particular areas in this 13th century aketon have different thickness:
↪ torso - Y2
↪ sleeves - Y1
↪ strengthening on shoulders and elbows - Y2
↪ collar - Y1

You can change the level of thickness (amortization layers) in our Maciejowski Bible aketon. If you are interested in such option, please contact our Sales Department before placing the order. More information here.

You can also choose one of various colors available for our aketon from Maciejowski Bible. The color chart can be found here!

This aketon is available in standard size set - XS to XXL. For an extra charge (20% of the price) you can order a customized piece of clothing matching your individual measurements. To choose your size, follow the chart below:

Size	Chest girth	Waist girth	Hips girth	Height
XS	84-92 cm	72-80 cm	88-96 cm	164-170 cm
S	92-100 cm	80-88 cm	96-104 cm	170-176 cm
M	100-108 cm	88-96 cm	104-112 cm	176-182 cm
L	108-116 cm	96-104 cm	112-120 cm	182-188 cm
XL	116-124 cm	104-112 cm	120-128 cm	188-194 cm
XXL	124-132 cm	112-120 cm	128-136 cm	194-200 cm
Custom	Individual measurements. Price + 20%.

Please write the chosen size in the additional information box while placing your order.

---

Maciejowski Bible - the inspiration for our rhombus aketon

While designing this medieval gambeson, we were inspired by depicturing of the knights from Maciejowski Bible (also referred to as: Morgan Bible). This aketon with its shape, the closure of the collar, length, and cutouts resembles models from the pages of the famous codex.
In comparison to the source, sleeves in our aketon are slightly simplified. Quilting on the torso section is also a bit different. Still, it is worth to remember that rhomboidal stitchings were quite popular in the 12th and 13th centuries. This is why we decided to make this modification. You can also find an aketon with vertical quilting in our assortment here!

---

Why you should choose our aketon from Maciejowski Bible?

↪ universal type of gambeson
↪ it is put on through head and has high collar
↪ gambeson has rhombus stitchings on chest
↪ this aketon has a cutout at the bottom - at the front and at the back
↪ it is available in standard size set - XS to XXL
↪ you can change the level of tunic's thickness

---

What is a Maciejowski Bible?

A unique work which makes a great source for the research on civil clothing and aketons of the 13th century. This richly illustrated codex presents biblical events from Genesis to Book of Kings and to the time of David’s reigns.

283 illustrations document numerous examples of medieval clothing, both of civil and arming design. Among them we can find gambesons. An interesting fact is that fighting scenes are clearer and more precisely illuminated than scenes from everyday routine.

Illustrations in Maciejowski Bible are arranged in fours on each page in a thoughtful way. It is aimed to intensify the didactic role of the manuscript - struggle of good against evil, of what should and should not be done. It was a quite popular way of presenting a story in former biblical codices.

The manuscript has a few titles which can be used synonymously. We use Maciejewski Bible, but you can also call it Shah ‘Abbas Bible, the Crusader Bible or The Morgan Bible. This unique codex was created for Louis IX of France at the end of 13th century. Source is stored in New York, in Morgan Library and Museum.

---

Quilted tunic in the Middle Ages

Quilted tunic is a very broad term but often used with Early-medieval and later gambesons of loose-cut and put on through the head. It applies to material findings and former iconography.
The basic and probably most important source with various depictions of quilted tunics is The Morgan Bible, dated back to 13th century. It was our main inspiration while making the Early-medieval aketons.
This type of aketon was worn during battles and medieval tournaments together with other arming garments, e.g. a chain mail. Sometimes, to increase the level of protection, users stitched chain mail pieces between the layers of quilted tunics.
Later, long aketons have undergone numerous changes. They started to be more fitted to body shape, closed with buttons or straps. These solution have made a traditional quilted tunic look like a relic of the past but also as a symbol of past times. Among aketons, quilted clothing includes bonnets, hoods, legs, gloves, shin guards, and pants.

---

The upgrading of SPES gambesons design

Currently, we are working on implementing to our assortment the upgraded versions of our well-known gambesons. Changes include:
- improving the functionality and mobility of our aketons
- layers’ thickness (check the chart with levels of amortization)
- directions and shape of stitchings
- minor changes in cut (for better fitting)
- and most of all, matching the gambesons to our six-levels size set: XS-XXL (NOTE: you can still order a custom-sized gambeson)

Therefore, you can be sure that upgraded SPES gambesons are even better suited to your needs. And if you have any questions about mentioned changes in any model, contact us - we will dispel the doubts!

To make each gambeson stand out even more, we gave them unique names. From now, TYPE 5 is named Rhombus aketon from Maciejowski Bible.