Authentic Rope

[Bobfrance]

Could anyone help with the type of rope which would have been used in 15th Century. I have feeling it would be hemp.

Also what would be acceptable for re-enactment purposes. I've seen some Hempex, Sisal and Jute rope used?

Any view appreciated
Bob

[Grymm]

Cable laid hemp's yer man. Jute is 19thCas is sisal.

I just thought, jute is what's used to make hessian. Does that mean that jute rope is invisible too?

[John Waller]

Almost certainly hemp. Jute and sisal are not native to europe and were not imported until much later. Cordage might also be made from flax, nettle, horse hair or leather.

[chrisanson]

Cable laid hemp's yer man. Jute is 19thCas is sisal.

I just thought, jute is what's used to make hessian. Does that mean that jute rope is invisible too?

duno, never seen any

[John Waller]

Cable laid hemp's yer man. Jute is 19thCas is sisal.

I just thought, jute is what's used to make hessian. Does that mean that jute rope is invisible too?

duno, never seen any

I have. It makes great match cord. But then it disapears in smoke.

[Alan E]

Cable laid hemp's yer man. Jute is 19thCas is sisal.

I just thought, jute is what's used to make hessian. Does that mean that jute rope is invisible too?

That would explain all the self-supporting tents in illustrations? The guy ropes are all invisible Jute rope made by magical foreigners!

[timbobarnacle]

natural/manila hemp is still available, and the best way to buy it of you need a fair amount it is by the roll - 220metres that is, avaIlable in 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, but the size is variable due to the nature of construction - try http://www.ropesdirect.co.uk/.
I have used natural hemp for guy ropes, as this looks the most authentic. However, there are issues with stretching, and rotting if wet, so you will need to tend your ropes more often, and make sure they are dry before being packed away. there are records of the tents used in the 1513 french campaign being assessed 20 years later and found to be in poor condition.
If you want guy rope reliability, then I would go with Hempex - it still looks the part, can be spliced easily and does not stretch/rot.
Most illustrations of round pavilion tents show a crows foot arrangement going to one guy (see previous threads on guying and cartwheel authenticity)

[Type16]

We have always used hemp. It looks and works well.
Sisal never.
Hempex - to my eye - sometimes has a slight shine, especially when well used & artificial fibres come to the surface.

Not yet had an issue with rotting.
Only thing is to use spliced eyes tather than knots. Knots become difficult to release when rope is wet. My solution is one that we used on trawlers - use a stack of Italian Hitches. Strong and easy release every time
See google images for single & double Italian Hitches.

Traditionally, we in the UK have used 3 strand - the 4 strand is 'foreign'.

[Langley]

Invisible jute guy ropes should be banned. I have fallen over far too many on the way back from the beer tent...

[Sir_John_Thomas]

I too have noticed that anything that gets covered in hessian magically disappears! Although it's still visible by every body else, but the owner of said hessian covered item can no longer see it. spooky

[Foxe]

Some, most, or possibly all of the rope recovered from the Newport ship is not laid rope, but plaited.

Hemp is also a darn site less prone to rot than sisal, jute, or manilla but still needs to be dried carefully.

[Bobfrance]

Really grateful for all of the advice and help

Bob

[Grymm]

natural/manila hemp is still available

If you want awfentick don't bother with manila hemp. Manila hemp is not even related to hemp but actually closer relation to the bananananana, and it doesn't go into major production until the 20thC.