Historical Adventuring Gear

The National Park Service provides this remarkable list of the martial gear brought along by Coronado on his ill-fated search for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. It's a fairly random assemblage of antiquated cast-off pieces from the 15th century, plus some native-quality quilted layers. Chain and leather is universally more popular than plate, which makes sense in an environment of low-quality slashing weapons. Only the mounted leaders were toting along full Gothic-style plate armor suits; everyone else got by on breastplates, vests, and jackets. Matchlocks and crossbows were also in short supply.

Perhaps the most horrifying detail, starkly confirmed by the photographic recreation at the top, is that the Conquistadors were avowed sandalsoxers. Cultural genocide was alarming enough when it came from stylish Don Juans in poofed pants and feathered burgonets. But this!? They're history's greatest monsters!