This course introduces you to the skills required to size and make a working a shoulder plate and is suitable for beginners as well as those with some basic metal working skills.

The shoulder plate you will be making was the product of approximately 150 years of near constant European warfare and represents, for many, a design that has never been bettered. Made from three or four interlocking plates that do not interfere with human movement, it offers near complete protection.

It offers the opportunity to make something truly historical and aesthetically wonderful that once represented the very pinnacle of science and military research. An expert in the field of Medieval Armoury will also give a presentation on the first evening with your tutor.

You will start with looking at pictures of some original armour and a pair of gauntlets made by the instructor. You will then learn how to properly size patterns, shape, planish, clean and fix the plates, creating an articulated, working piece of sculpture.

You will be able to finish at least one complete shoulder plate. Any time left over will be used to start another shoulder plate.

To allow for the required skill for the course and to ensure that there is enough time left, your tutor will cut the steel templates prior to the course starting. Some parts of the build involving hand tools like power shears and grinders may be done by the tutor.

The idea is that over several courses, you will be able to make a full suit of armour in this and subsequent courses should you wish.

Included

All fuel costs, leather and metal required for the project are provided.

What students need to bring

You will need clothing suitable for workshop use, together with steel toe capped boots. Please note that cotton or woollen clothing is preferable to nylon or other synthetics. A pair of cotton jeans is far more protective than a pair of nylon trousers.

For your safety, it is mandatory to wear steel toe capped safety boots when undertaking a course in the Forge. You must provide your own footwear and bring it with you to wear on the course. If you fail to bring suitable footwear, you will not be able to take part in the course. Safety boots can be purchased from most tool hire shops and builders’ merchants, as well as online.

Protective clothing supplied:

• Leather aprons, work gloves, safety spectacles and ear defenders are provided in the Forge, and suitable protective clothing must be worn

You may wish to bring any of the above, if you have them. If, for example, you have particularly large or small hands, your own work gloves are likely to be a better fit.

Available to buy

Available from shop: A good variety of art and craft materials.

Additional information

Please note: This course will be in the Forge which is a 10-minute walk from the main house through the walled garden or can be accessed by car. As this course is held in the Forge, morning coffee and afternoon tea will be held in the nearby Carrington Studio. You will return to the main house for lunch.

Please note that tutor supervision is always required when you are working in the Forge.

You must be able to repetitively use light hammers and hold metal tongs in the other hand while standing at an anvil height and at a higher worktop.

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes safety boots.

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am

Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required

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