Is this bounder wearing football socks?

[Techno]

I really think fsn's original comment about the Victorian restoration being creative, is probably the nearest we'll get to the truth.
It just doesn't make any sense to me at all.
I'll go and slap a load green stuff on the bits I think are wrong.
Cheers - Phil.

[Hertsblue]

Haven't you noticed the little label that says "armour by Janet Reager"? 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Well, he's got to wear something to keep his feet warm! 

[Druzhina]

Are they attached to a strap around the instep or is that for the spurs?

Sir William Boydell (1275), St Wilfrid's Church, Grappenhall, Cheshire, at effigiesandbrasses.com

large picture from http://www.themcs.org/armour/14th%20century%20armour.htm

Effigy in chancel (north side) of Sir William Boydell, died 1275, found in churchyard and placed in church 1874, restored. http://gohistoric.com/sites/church-st-wilfred-grappenhall-thelwall


Druzhina
Illustrations of Soldiers

[fsn]

Thank you Techno, Druzhina et Al for your helpful responses. 

It seems to me that it remains a mystery. I don't think it's painted armour, and I can't find any references to overstocking in the period for say, ceremonial purposes. I may just have to revist to have a better look.

[DHautpol]

The patterning makes me think it might be cuir bouilli, apart from the fact that they appear to wrap around the back of the knee.

He has the Crusader crossed legs so it might be something adopted as a local measure due to the heat.

[Hertsblue]

Nobody's thought that it might be just the whim of a jobbing sculptor? He'd hardly have carved the efigy from life (or death), would he?

[kustenjaeger]

Greetings

Nobody's thought that it might be just the whim of a jobbing sculptor? He'd hardly have carved the efigy from life (or death), would he?

You can just imagine the argument over the sculptor's bill ...

'What have you put on his legs ...?  How do you mean you thought it looked fashionable?"

Regards

Edward

[kustenjaeger]

Greetings

More seriously.

I note that the reference in the church is supposed to be:

'Within the walls of this church rests the body of Sir William Fitz William le Boydell who died about Anno Domini MCCLXXV. This, his monumantal effigy was restored and placed here Anno Domini MDCCCLXXV'.   http://www.boydellfamilyhistory.com/id15.html

I suspect Victorian restoration is indeed the culprit and this would just have been mail. 

FYI there are other effigies that can be seen at http://www.themcs.org/armour/14th%20century%20armour.htm

Regards

Edward

[FierceKitty]

A padded textile protection over the knee would be about right, would it not?

[Hertsblue]

But surely anything flexible enough to permit free movement would provide precious little protection?

[fsn]

The "stocking" is folded over above the knee - hence the "football socks" comparison. I don't think the stocking be anything too stiff like cuir bouilli.

They may be something from the Crusades, but I think those of you who know about these things (Crusades not one of my interests) would have spotted that one straight away.

Anything material worn all the way around the leg would have been worn away by the mail beneath.

Bloody Victorians.

[Hertsblue]

Yep. Anything "improved" by the Victorians has to be suspect by definition. 

[morrigan]

Perhaps he is a transvest-knight.

[Techno]

Clap that man in irons !! 
(Says someone who wishes he'd thought of that first.)
Cheers - Phil