Armour

"Armour is a set of means that provide the warrior with immediate passive protection against the weapons of the enemy"

Armour types

armour made of soft (organic) materials – gambeson or full leather armour
chain armour
plate armour (plate armour, armour made of plates sewn from the bottom to a fabric base (brigandines) and lamellar armour

Development of armour

6th century to 11th century, which smoothly followed the development from the time of migration of people.

conical helmet used

under the helmet, the warrior wore a hood, most often made of fabric or leather

large almond-shaped shield

scale armour

plate (also lamellar) and ring mail armour – made of cut-out rings strung on leather straps

chain armour

12th and 13th centuries, in which novelties appear due to the introduction of the technique of mounted combat.

tall-bell helmets

cylindrical helmet

introduction of helmets with visors and closed helmets

the shield shrinks to protect only the upper half of the body

plate armour

thigh plates, knee guard and shin guard

14th century, "the age of combined armour".

helmet replaced by lighter options

introduction of a movable visor

equestrian shield so-called tartsch

infantry shields, pavises

sleeves were gradually completely replaced by plates

plate protection of the lower limbs

15th and 16th centuries

full-plate armour of Italian and German type

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the craft of plating reached its peak. Not only was battle armour produced, which could also be decently decorated, but ceremonial armour was also produced, which achieved the highest artistic qualities. Such armour was used only on ceremonial occasions. The decoration of such armour often reflected not only the social status but also the personal ideas of the armour owner about the world.