Authentic Medieval Arming Points – Long and Waxed for use with Plate Armour

Traditionally made waxed (100% beeswax) linen thread arming points – sold in pairs.  They vary in length between 53 and 57cm including the brass aglet (the slight variation in lengths reflects the hand-made nature of these items). They are longer generally than most on the market, which from our experience, is more practical for attaching armour parts to your arming doublet.   

All of our medieval points are hand-made and braided from three strands of linen on a Lucet (an early tool used from the Viking period onwards).  These waxed linen thread points are our most authentic option and the most hard wearing. They come in a range of colours, white (looks cream when the wax is applied), fawn (light brown), or black.  Please check our other listings for the colour you require.   As standard, all points have rolled sheet brass aglets crimped over on each end.

These are a hard-wearing type of point which we suggest is best suited for attaching metal plate armour to an arming doublet.  They are not really suitable for wearing with finer clothing items on account of the thickly applied beeswax coating.   An arming doublet would typically require 12 such arming points to attach arm / shoulder armour.  We sell 2 points in a pack.  If more are required, please select more pairs at check out - also please see our other listings. 

Arming points are the laces or ties that attach pieces of armour to your arming garments or to other pieces of armour. They function in a way similar to points and laces used in regular clothing of the middle-ages and renaissance. In archaic English, a “point” referred to both, or either, the location where the cord attached to the garment or the string itself. The act of pointing refers to making the attachment or tying the pieces together with a knot.

In the mid-fifteenth century essay on “How a Man Shall be Armed” (Morgan Library, MS M.775 ff122v-123v), arming points are described in detail as being made of fine cord, such as that used for crossbow strings, then pulled through a wax mixture and tipped with metal aglets. The essay mentions that these points should neither break easily nor stretch. The wax is meant to hold the fibres of a thread together and preserve the thread.  Our points have been dipped in a 100% beeswax.  The tipped metal aglets, which are made from rolled sheet brass, serve the same function as the tips of modern shoelaces: they make it easier to thread them through the holes and keep the ends nice and neat. In addition, these aglets often served as decorations themselves.

We hope you will get good use from our handmade products.  They are made for us in Switzerland.  Should you wish to have any custom-made points, please contact us.

Please note these are stock photos.  All items dispatched are of similar quality.