Kitsune wrote:I am using the modern term and I also understand there is likely almost infinite variation.
Still, I am trying to get a handle on the standard messing gear each soldier / mercenary might carry as far as messing (eating) gear?
Of specific importance is what material would they be made from?
Could you be a little more specific?
Early , High or Late middle ages would help.
Like which country/culture/etc.
Since you didn't mention anything about region, I'm guessing europe since that is usually what we talk about when mentioning the middle ages, but europe is huge and usually at the end had overseas territories to boot.
The result would be very different if you are talking about norsemen in byzans, landsknecht in Denmark or eastern roman auxiliary.
Large company, individuals etc also matters. Footmen or riders, etc etc etc.
Common items, in falling order.
1) Wooden bowl(s) - almost universal. In some regions where wood was scarce this would be clay bowl. But clay isn't good for travelling.
2) Eating knife - almost universal. Size and material changing depending on culture and era. Please note that unlike stated above, not all would be of iron. Lesser metals was much more common during Early and High in lots of regions. In some parts/eras this would even be wooden knives.
3) Spoonlike utensil - often in the form of a smaller bowl with a hole in the side, but also full ones with a shaft and detailed carving etc. Same as above for clay substituting wood in some locations.
4) Water skin - almost universal. The contents though would preferably be somewhat alcoholic for obvious reasons.
5) Firestarter - Early, this would usually be an ember carrying bone container, Late you'd see all kinds of gear. This would of course also include kindle.
6) Salt container - usually a wooden flask. If you are going to be marching a lot, you need your own salt supply. Some regions put seasoning directly in the salt for a combined effect.
7) Oil skin - especially in the medditeranean region.
small hatchet - in north europe, during some eras/cultures it was more common to have a metal hatchet than a metal knife.
Couple of common things if you were supposed to cook as well. Sometimes/usually carried by the followers and not the mercenary.
1) Cooking pot - sometimes each had one, sometimes a shared of better quality, usually a combo of thos, having a wooden/clay pot for own use, and iron/bronze for shared use.
2) pottery - and lots of it
3) Barrels - everywhere you'd see casks and barrels. There are lots and lots of smaller ones for daily use.
4) vinegar - loads of it for obvious reasons.
5) pestle - many food sources needs grinding to be cooked/eaten. So carrying a pestle/cudgeon was very common. The mortar is much later and only among followers.
6) fire wood - obvious
7) wooden shovel - almost universal in camps, not so much on individuals. usually goes on the pack animal/oxen cart.