Full Body Armor

During the medieval period (12th–16th centuries), full-body armor evolved into plate armor, offering maximum protection and mobility for knights and elite warriors. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Helmet (Great Helm to Close Helm)

  • Early Period: Great Helm (12th–14th century)

    • Cylindrical with a flat or rounded top, featuring small eye slits and breathing holes.
    • Provided excellent protection but limited visibility and ventilation.

  • Later Period: Bascinet, Sallet, and Close Helm (14th–16th century)

    • Bascinet: Fitted closer to the head with a hinged visor, better vision, and breathing.
    • Sallet: Sloped backward for deflecting blows, often with a tail covering the neck.
    • Close Helm: Fully enclosed with a visor that lifted, used in jousting and battle.

  • Visor & Faceplate: Some helmets had removable visors for better adaptability in combat.

2. Gorget (Neck Protection)

  • Material: Steel or iron, sometimes leather-lined for comfort.
  • Purpose: Protected the neck and upper chest, reducing vulnerability to sword thrusts.

3. Pauldrons & Spaulders (Shoulder Protection)

  • Pauldrons: Large, curved steel plates covering the shoulders, sometimes extending over the chest and back.
  • Spaulders: Smaller plates covering only the shoulders, allowing greater arm mobility.

4. Breastplate & Backplate (Torso Protection)

  • Material: Steel, sometimes reinforced with additional layers.

  • Breastplate: A single, curved metal plate protecting the chest and upper abdomen.

  • Backplate: Attached with straps or rivets, completing full torso protection.

  • Cuirass: The combined breastplate and backplate, worn over a padded jacket (gambeson).

5. Faulds & Tassets (Lower Torso & Hip Protection)

  • Faulds: Horizontal steel bands attached to the bottom of the breastplate, protecting the waist and hips.
  • Tassets: Hinged or separate thigh plates that extended from the faulds for added coverage.

6. Arms & Hands Protection

  • Rerebraces: Covered the upper arms, attached to the shoulder armor.
  • Elbow Cops (Couters): Rounded metal plates shielding the elbows.
  • Vambraces: Forearm protection, often hinged for flexibility.

Gauntlets (Hand Protection)

  • Mitten Gauntlets: A single plate covering multiple fingers, offering better protection.
  • Fingered Gauntlets: Articulated with individual finger plates, allowing better grip.

7. Leg Armor

  • Cuisses: Thigh protection, often attached to the tassets.
  • Poleyns (Knee Cops): Rounded metal plates covering the knees.
  • Greaves: Shin armor, wrapping around the lower leg.
  • Sabaton (Foot Armor): Plate shoes with pointed or rounded toes, protecting the feet.

8. Chainmail & Undergarments

  • Mail Hauberk: A long coat of interlocking metal rings worn under or with plate armor for extra protection.
  • Gambeson: A quilted padded jacket, providing cushioning and extra defense.
  • Arming Doublet: A fitted jacket worn under armor to help secure the plates.

9. Shield (Not Always Used with Full Plate)

  • Early Knights (12th–14th Century): Kite or Heater Shields were used with partial plate and chainmail.
  • Late Medieval Knights (15th Century Onward): Full plate armor often replaced shields, as the armor itself provided sufficient protection.