One historian said that armor made the knights the equivalent of a medieval tank. They could wade through the battlefield dealing death without worrying too much about what was to come. Armor is complicated and full of French names that Americans may find difficult to remember and pronounce. Fortunately, when you need a suit of armor, the Armor Venue has got your back and everything else covered.
The Head
Everyone is familiar with some sort of medieval knight helmet. Depending on the era, there were helmets, mail coifs, and cervellieres. Of course, the three elements could be combined, and helmets came in many styles. Some styles provided full coverage, others allowed for easier breathing but less protection. The style that you might choose will depend on your comfort level and what age you want to represent with your suit of armor.
Accessories for the Well-Heeled Knight
Knights carried huge swords because they knew they would have to cleave through armor. They also added medieval shields to their armor to provide an extra layer of protection that could be used directly against an impending blow. These shields were often decorated with the knight’s colors. They also provide a beautiful way to show the knight’s influence.
The Body
The medieval suit of armor was made to cover every part of the knight because even a small wound could result in infection, amputation, and sometimes death. A gorget or aventail may cover the neck and shoulders. A hauberk was made of chain mail and extended down to the knight’s knees. The chest may be covered with a cuirass while the belly could get an extra layer of protection with the plackart. Faulds protected the hips. The arms had their own protections that extended to the gauntlet. The legs were covered with cuisses, greaves and sabatons. All of the components were put together to allow maximum movement while also giving maximum protection.
