A Squared Armory Blog

Plate armor is very similar to an insect’s exoskeleton. It protects the bones and inner organs from crushing and cutting. Different styles of medieval armor was designed for different purposes. Some styles were better for protection again swords, while others offer better protection against projectiles such as crossbow bolts.

There are many pieces of plate armor that can be used together to protect the entire body, not just the chest and back. Medieval gauntlets were used to protect the hands and wrists from being severed by a sharp sword or axe. They had to be strong enough to withstand that kind of pressure, while still be mobile enough to allow a level of dexterity on the part of the knight. Without the ability to make a fist, a knight could not hold a sword.

Just like the Black Knight of Monty Python fame, all knights were at a risk of losing a limb from a well placed sword blow. That’s why some knights used leg armor to protect themselves. If you lost a limb, heck, if you even got a cut in the Middle Ages, you were at risk for infection and death. Protecting one’s limbs was the safest way to avoid such a demise, especially if one was engaging in battle.

The most famous of all plate armor (and the most important) was the breastplate or cuirass. The breastplate served a multitude of purposes. If a knight was not in battle, he would still often wear a cuirass when out and about. It still provided protection against dissenters and thieves, and it also could be used to show off the family’s Heraldry. An excellent example of this is the Richard the Lionhearted breastplate. If a knight showed that he was part of an influential family, thieves might think twice before attacking him.

Come to A Squared Armory to browse our collection of replica and wearable medieval plate armor! We have great pieces for the Renaissance Faire!

Filed under: Medieval Products