Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1 of 4
http://www.legionxxiv.org/newsteadenlrg/
4/6/2015 8:28 PM
2 of 4
http://www.legionxxiv.org/newsteadenlrg/
A reconstruction, by Matt Amt of Legion XX, of a collar section showing the enlarged hinges now thought
to have been used on the Newstead type lorica, based on the recent finds at Carlisle, England.
The "Newstead" was probably less comfortable to wear as it had fewer; but, larger plates; thus being
less flexible and less conforming on the wearer. Loop fasteners riveted to the front and back girdle
plates, as used on the Corbridge lorica, are replaced by simpler flat loops of bronze secured like paper
clips; their ends being inserted through slots in the ends of the girdle plates and bent outwards against
the backsides, as shown in the small detail at the left center of the diagram above.
4/6/2015 8:28 PM
3 of 4
http://www.legionxxiv.org/newsteadenlrg/
Front (above) and top rear (below) views of the Commander's "updated" Newstead Lorica assembled by
Joe Piela of Lonely Mountain Forge. Note the angled inner rear hinges which differ from the Matt Amt
recreation above. This version is based on the plans of M.C. Bishop in his JRMES Monograph No. 1
"Lorica Segmentata Vol. 1".
4/6/2015 8:28 PM
4 of 4
http://www.legionxxiv.org/newsteadenlrg/
As in our current times; when there where large numbers of soldiers to be out-fitted; simpler, easier,
cheaper and quicker ways were found to manufacture the equipment they needed or required. Ancient
Rome was no different when faced with providing equipment for its thousands of legionaries. The
"Newstead" was the final form of this "laminated" type armor; which fell out of favor in the early
Third Century AD, when the Roman Army returned to the use of the earlier Lorica Hamata "ring"
maile armor.
4/6/2015 8:28 PM