A quick and dirty mind dump from Kerij-e
In the 15th century, there were a number of combinations of breast bands, strap barding, and sheets. In the picture above, the rider on the right has a half sheet caprison and the rider on the left has a breast band. If you combine the two...
We have had the best luck with two layers of fabric: poly-cotton brocades, heavy cottons, or linen. The caparison floats nicely when it has enough weight. Single-ply usually doesn't do it. We've tried it with a silk essence. Not recommended. The horse sweats and the fabric clings in all the wrong places ;-)
Source: Death of Wat Tyler (detail). Jean Froissart,
Chronicles fol. 159v. Flandres, Bruges 15th Century. Bibliothèque National de
France.
http://www.es.flinders.edu.au/~mattom/science+society/lectures/illustrations/lecture13/revolt.html
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