During the Middle Ages, knights were heavily armored for battle. Their armor was designed to protect them from the various weapons that were used at the time, such as swords, lances, and arrows.
It was also used to display their wealth and status. The armor of a medieval knight was made up of various parts, each serving a specific purpose in the protection of the knight.
Knight Armor Parts
The armor of a medieval knight consisted of several different parts, each designed to protect a specific area of the body. The most common parts of a knight’s armor included:
- The helmet: This was the most important part of a knight’s armor, as it protected the head, which was the most vulnerable part of the body. Helmets came in various shapes and sizes, with some being more elaborate than others.
- Chain mail: This was a type of armor made up of small metal rings that were connected together to form a protective layer. It was often worn under the plate armor to provide additional protection.
- Plate: This was a type of armor made from large, flat pieces of metal that were fitted together to cover the body. It provided the most protection of any type of armor, but it was also the heaviest and most expensive.
- Shields: Knights often carried a shield to protect their body from attacks. These were typically made from wood or metal and were either round or oval in shape.
Let us explore each part a bit more in detail.
Helmets
There were many different types of helmets used by medieval knights to protect their heads in combat. Some of the most common types included:
- The Great Helm: This was a large, dome-shaped helmet that covered the entire head and had small slits for the eyes and mouth. Some great helms also had a removable face plate that could be worn over the slits for additional protection. The great helm was a very effective piece of armor, as it protected the entire head and face, but it was also very heavy and cumbersome to wear, making it less practical for everyday use.
- The Basinet: This was a more lightweight helmet that was shaped like a bowl. It had a pointed top and was often worn with a visor, which could be raised or lowered to protect the face. The basinet was a popular choice for knights, as it provided good protection while still allowing for good visibility and mobility.
- The Bascinet: This was a helmet that was similar to the basinet, but had a rounded top and a longer, pointed visor. The bascinet was also a popular choice for knights, as it provided good protection and allowed for good visibility and mobility. It was often worn with a chain mail coif or other protective headgear.
Chain Mail
Chain mail, also known as mail or chainmail, was a type of armor that was commonly used by medieval knights. It was made up of small metal rings that were connected together to form a protective layer. The rings were typically made from iron or steel and were linked together using a special technique known as “4-in-1”, in which four rings were interlinked to form a single unit.
Chain mail was often worn under plate armor to provide additional protection. It was effective at protecting against cuts and slashes, as the small metal rings were able to deflect and absorb the impact of these attacks. However, it was not as effective against crushing blows or punctures, as the metal rings could be easily deformed or broken by these types of attacks.
Overall, chain mail was an important piece of armor for medieval knights, as it provided a level of protection against cuts and slashes in combat. It was also relatively lightweight and flexible, making it easier to wear than other types of armor such as plate armor. Despite its limitations, chain mail was an integral part of a medieval knight’s equipment and played a crucial role in protecting knights in battle.
Plate
Plate armor was a type of armor that was used by medieval knights to protect their bodies in combat. It was made from large, flat pieces of metal that were fitted together to cover the body and provide the most protection of any type of armor. However, plate armor was also the heaviest and most expensive type of armor, making it less practical for everyday use.
Plate armor was made up of several different pieces, including the breastplate, which covered the chest; the gauntlets, which protected the hands; the tassets, which covered the thighs; and the greaves, which protected the lower legs. These pieces were worn over chain mail and other padding to provide additional protection.
Plate armor was highly effective at protecting the knight from weapons such as swords and axes, as the flat pieces of metal were able to deflect blows and absorb the impact of attacks. However, it was also very heavy and could be cumbersome to wear, particularly in hot weather or over long periods of time. Despite these drawbacks, plate armor was an important piece of equipment for medieval knights, as it provided them with the highest level of protection available.
Shields
In addition to armor, knights often carried a shield to protect their bodies from attacks. These shields were typically made from wood or metal and were either round or oval in shape. The shield was held in the left hand, leaving the right hand free to wield a weapon such as a sword or an axe.
Some shields were decorated with the knight’s coat of arms or other symbols, while others were plain. The coat of arms was a unique design that represented the knight’s family or lineage, and was often displayed on the knight’s shield and other equipment. The shield could also be adorned with other symbols or designs, such as religious symbols or the knight’s personal motto.
Additional armor
In addition to the main parts of a knight’s armor, there were also various pieces of additional armor that were used to protect other parts of the body. These included:
- Pauldrons: These were pieces of armor that covered the shoulders. They were often made from metal and were worn over the chain mail.
- Vambraces: These were pieces of armor that covered the forearms. They were typically made from metal and were worn over the chain mail.
- Gauntlets: These were pieces of armor that covered the hands. They were typically made from metal and were worn over the chain mail.
- Tassets: These were pieces of armor that covered the thighs. They were typically made from metal and were worn over the chain mail.
- Greaves: These were pieces of armor that covered the lower legs. They were typically made from metal and were worn over the chain mail.
- Gorgets: These were pieces of armor that covered the neck and throat. They were typically made from metal and were worn under the helmet to provide additional protection.
Armor advantages and disadvantages
The armor of a medieval knight had both advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages included:
- Protection: The main advantage of armor was its ability to protect the knight from injury. It provided a barrier between the knight and the enemy’s weapons, which greatly increased the chances of the knight surviving a battle.
- Status: Armor was also a symbol of wealth and status. Knights who could afford expensive armor were able to show off their status and wealth on the battlefield.
- Psychological: Armor also had a psychological advantage. The knight felt more confident and secure when wearing armor, which could give him an edge in battle.
However, there were also several disadvantages to armor:
- Weight: Armor was extremely heavy, which made it difficult for knights to move quickly and easily. This made them more vulnerable to attacks from lighter and faster enemies.
- Heat: Armor also made the knight very hot and uncomfortable. This was especially true in hot weather, when the knight was likely to become dehydrated.
- Cost: Armor was also very expensive, which made it difficult for poorer knights to afford. This meant that they were often at a disadvantage on the battlefield compared to their wealthier counterparts.
Conclusion
Medieval knight armor was an important part of a knight’s equipment. It provided protection on the battlefield and was also a symbol of wealth and status.
While it had its advantages, it also had several disadvantages, including its weight, heat, and cost. However, for many knights, the protection and status it provided were worth the inconvenience.