Case for a book, with fittings for a carrying-cord, 15th century. The coat of arms (on the other side) suggests it was made for a bishop.
Boiled leather, often referred to by its French translation, cuir bouilli (French:[kɥiʁbuji]), was a historical material common in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period and used for various purposes. It was leather that had been treated so that it became tough and rigid, as well as able to hold moulded decoration. It was the usual material for the robust carrying-cases that were made for important pieces of metalwork, instruments such as astrolabes, personal sets of cutlery, books, pens and the like.[1] It was used for some armour, being both much cheaper and much lighter than plate armour, but could not withstand a direct blow from a blade, nor a gunshot.[2]
Alternative names are "moulded leather" and "hardened leather". In the course of making the material it becomes very soft, and can be impressed into a mould to give it the desired shape and decoration, which most surviving examples have. Pieces such as chests and coffers also usually have a wooden inner core.[3]
Various recipes for making cuir bouilli survive, and do not agree with each other; probably there were a range of recipes, partly reflecting different final uses. Vegetable-tanned leather is generally specified. Scholars have debated the subject at length and attempted to recreate the historical material. Many, but not all, sources agree that the process involved immersion of the leather in water, but not actual boiling.[4]
Boiledleather, often referred to by its French translation, cuir bouilli (French: [kɥiʁ buji]), was a historical material common in the Middle Ages and...
and eventually brittle. Boiledleather is an example of this, where the leather has been hardened by being immersed in boiling water, or in wax or similar...
originates in the early 14th century. They were made from either boiledleather or steel. Leather vambraces were sometimes reinforced with longitudinal strips...
stiff material such as boiledleather, or in plate armour, steel. In the modern era, similar clothing pieces are worn in the leather subculture, and in performance...
5th and 4th centuries BC. Originally made from hammered bronze plate, boiledleather also came to be used.[citation needed] It is commonly depicted in Greek...
during World War I. The German Army began to replace the traditional boiledleather Pickelhaube ('spiked helmet') with the Stahlhelm in 1916. The Stahlhelm...
between 1881 and 1902. The basic Pickelhaube was made of hardened (boiled) leather, given a glossy-black finish, and reinforced with metal trim (usually...
linen or metal wrapping tied with leather thongs). On his left leg he wore an ocrea (a greave made of boiledleather or metal). He also carried a scutum...
have been metal plates riveted to leather or in some cases cuir bouilli armour (which is boiled or treated leather sealed with beeswax or the like). They...
"A primitive type of Japanese harness, the single laminae being of boiledleather, cut and beaten into pieces shaped like fish-scales." Kadazan people...
the 15th century, when it was provided with a decorated stiff case in boiledleather with a lid, which includes the Christian IHS; this no doubt helped it...
ethical reasons. Several kinds of synthetic leather have been invented during the 20th century. Boiledleather Bota bag Buckskin Colambre Goatskin (material)...
body protection consisting of five separate pieces, made from either boiledleather or scale armor. Some asbaran units such as mercenaries may have worn...
Empire. They typically had large rectangular wickerwood or wood shields, boiledleather caps, and various weapons, typically spears or agricultural tools. However...
said: "Their arms consisted only of a bow and arrows, a buckler of boiledleather and the club. They wore no breech clouts, their bodies were tattooed...
England, Norman cavalry was well equipped with maces, axes, swords and boiledleather armours. Western Europe by this time had already reached a level of...
poorest might have worn padded coats, the wealthier might have worn boiledleather armour called cuir bouilli, and the wealthiest might have had access...
kept the old "Emsdorf helmets" until at least 1789. While brass and boiledleather helmets were incapable of deflecting bullets they were sufficient enough...
Paygan were lightly armed with short light wood or wickerwork shields, boiledleather cap and short spears. Some of the Paygan would have, however, had to...
Russia leather (Russian: юфть or yuft) is a particular form of bark-tanned cow leather. It is distinguished from other types of leather by a processing...
drying). In the Medieval era, linseed oil was boiled with lead oxide (litharge) to give a product called boiled linseed oil.[page needed] The lead oxide forms...
mail hauberk, an open-faced helmet with a nasal (nose protection), and boiledleather armour about the arms and legs. Blows with sufficient force are judged...
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