Medieval Knights ArmorThe History of the Medieval Knights Armor
The History and different types of protection was developed to protect them from any new, and even more lethal, weapons that were introduced during the Medieval era. The history of the Medieval Knights Armor progressed as follows through the Medieval era: - A padded garment known as an Aketon, Arming coat, Doublet, Gambeson, Hacketon. A quilted arming coat, either sewn or stuffed with linen or even grass. This served as a complete form of armor or as padding for additional armour worn over the top
- A Hauberk was worn over the Aketon. The Hauberk was a mail shirt which extended down to defend the legs. The hauberk was the main defence for both body and legs until the late 13th century
- Chainmail or Mail was made of interwoven links of iron wire riveted together to form a kind of defensive metal cloth
- Plate Armour was first introduced during the late 13th century, first as reinforcing for mail defenses and later as defenses on their own.
- Full Plate Armour was introduced during the 15th century full and weighed approximately 50 lbs which was strong enough to protect the Medieval Knights but light enough to allow quick movement on the battlefield.
A Medieval Knights Armor
Dressing a Medieval Knight for Battle in the 13th Century was a lengthy affair. Young, apprentice Knights called Squires accompanied the Knights to the Battlefield to assist with dressing the Knight in their armor. A Medieval Knights Armor was a complex series of garments, chain mail and iron plate. The elements of a 13th century Medieval Knights Armor are as follows: - Under Clothes - Linen Under-shirt and under-pants. Woollen stockings. Underclothes were important as they prevented the armor from chafing the Knights skin
- Sabatons - these were the first armor to be put on. Sabatons was armor for the foot and consisted of riveted iron plates on the boots
- The Aketon - arming doublet
- Arms - Layer of chain mail over the arms of the Medieval Knights
- Arm Armor
- Besagues which were small round 'shields' laced to the mail at the shoulder to defend the armpit
- Rerebrace for the defence of the upper arm
- Vambrace for the defence of the lower arm
- Leg Armor
- Greaves - Plate armor which protected the calf and ankles
- Poleyns - Plate armor which protected the knee cap
- Cuisses - Plate armor which protected the thigh
- Chest Armor - Breast Plate
- Back Armor - The Backplate
- Faulds were rings of armour which were attached to the breast plate and protected the hips, abdomen and lower back of the Medieval Knights
- Head and Neck armor - the 13th Century helmet was called the Bascinet which had a skirt of mail called an aventail to protect the neck
- Face protection - A Visor was a detachable piece of armor which protected the face and eyes
- Hand Armor - The Knights gloves were called Gauntlets and had ringed metal plates over the fingers. Spikes called Gadlings on the knuckles could deal a painful blow!
- Spurs - Spurs were attached to the heel by straps and used to 'spur' the Knights horse on in battle. The spurs became a symbol of knighthood
- Surcoat: A robe, with a belt around the waist, was placed over the body armor. The surcoat was emblazoned with the cote of arms or device of the Medieval Knights in order for identification purposes
- Weapons - A Dagger and Sword were attached to the Knights belt
- Shield - Carried in defence and displaying the Knights heraldic blazon
Medieval Knights Armor
The above description provides a detailed view with facts and information about of the different items which protected the men of the Middle Ages. |
