Functional Armor
Posted by Sword N Armory on May 14th 2019
At Sword N Armory, you can grab all of the authentic armor that you need in order to complete your collection of period-accurate medieval weaponry and armory. Whether you’re preparing for a reenactment or you’re just an avid collector, Sword N Armory has everything that you need to completely outfit yourself as a warrior from the middle ages.
As you probably know, medieval armor has a fascinating history, and throughout the middle ages, the armor that was used to defend soldiers experienced quite an evolution. At Sword N Armory, you can find appropriate pieces from each era of the middle ages to create a look that’s absolutely true to the time.
Functional Armor at Sword N Armory
Sword N Armory’s functional armor is manufactured using techniques that are true to the era during which the pieces were being used for combat-related purposes. This means that your armor will be as historically accurate as can be. More importantly, the items are produced using period-accurate materials which means that not only will they be authentic, but they’ll also be resilient and durable enough to last you for a very long time.
As you browse through the collection of functional armor at Sword N Armory, you’ll find a massive range of items that cover every part of the body. You’ll be able to choose from a wide array of designs and materials in order to customize your look according to your unique needs. You’ll also find armor from every era so that if you’re trying to achieve a look that’s true to a very specific time period, you’ll be able to grab everything that you need to look and feel the part perfectly.
No armor outfit is complete without a shield, as this crucial piece of protection was all that warriors had to block the harsh blows of their opponents’ weapons. Shields did vary in design throughout the middle ages, but they always stayed true to the original, basic structural engineering. Generally, a shield must be of a certain size so that it can protect as much of the body as possible. It must also be made with materials that can withstand heavy, fast blows from a variety of weapons. Lastly, it must be heavy enough to be strong but light enough to be easily maneuvered in moments of sudden danger.
A variety of shield designs existed, including kite shields, buckler shields, bouche shields and heater shields. Most shields featured some type of emblem that distinguished one warrior from another. Because he would have been covered from head to toe in armor, a symbol of his status or background was crucial.
Because a blow to the head could be deadly, helmets were necessary. Medieval helmets first started appearing during the 12th century, and they continued to evolve throughout the following centuries. Helmets could be ornate or simple in design, mostly depending on the status of the wearer. But, primarily, they were designed to protect the head of the wearer, and therefore must have been made with a strong enough material to defend against a variety of weapons.
Early on, helmets were cylindrical and did not cover the entire face. They wrapped around the top of the skull and extended down along the nose. Then, chainmail was worn around the lower portion of the face to cover the remaining vulnerable surface area.
However, as time went on, helmets became more robust in design and began to cover the entire head, using a sliding mechanism to expose the eyes. Ventails were developed to allow the wearer to comfortably breathe. Throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, helmets with flat tops were fashionable.
By the late 14th century, styles were changing, as were the needs for protection among soldiers. Bascinets, with their domed tops, became the style of choice. They often featured decorative holes in the front that acted as ventilators while showing off the status of the wearer.
The hauberk was an early form of armor that served to protect the torso. Made from heavy chainmail, it was worn like a long shirt and it covered the arms. As time went on, other forms of armor were developed to be worn on top of it.
The popularity of the Hauberk peaked during the 13th century. It was usually accompanied by a coif, gloves and a helmet. However, by the 15th century, the hauberk fell out of fashion as it was replaced with more solid pieces of armor that offered more promising protection.
The coif came about sometime during the 10th century and was used as a way to protect the neck and throat of the wearer. Made from chainmail, the coif is a cap that’s long enough to fully cover the collar and neck. By the 15th century, the coif was replaced by the aventail, which, while similar in design, was structurally different in that it was made to attach directly to the helmet.
To complete the chainmail look of the early part of the middle ages, leggings were created. These leggings were made from chainmail and covered the legs in order to protect them.
Leg Plates
Chainmail slowly fell out of fashion during the later part of the middle ages while sheets of metal, known as plate armor, became the more popular and efficient way for a soldier to defend himself. Leg plates began to take over chainmail leggings. They typically fastened at the knee and contained heavy, thick sheets that covered the shins and thighs.
Gloves were an essential part of armor throughout the middle ages. Glove designs evolved as armor changed throughout the centuries. The earliest gloves were made from chainmail and were incredibly heavy. As armor began to evolve, gloves started being made from individual sheets of metal that were fastened to each other in a way that allowed the hands to remain perfectly mobile. This was crucial as the soldier needed to be able to move his hands quickly so that he could grab his sword or his shield.
Breast Plates
When plate armor took over in the late 15th century, breast plates became an essential piece of apparel. Typically made from iron or steel, breast plates were fastened around the upper half of the torso, protecting the chest. Plate armor remained popular until the middle of the 17th century when combat evolved beyond the use of broadswords.
Shoulder Pads
Shoulder pads were worn, as the name implies, on the shoulders, and often consisted of multiple layers of steel that overlapped.
Elbow Plates
Elbow plates were a form of plate armor that covered the elbows. It was crucial that the elbows remained flexible and mobile, so elbow plates had to utilize hinges so that the wearer could easily move them. If the elbows were not mobile enough, the wearer would not be able to draw his sword quickly or use it efficiently.
Standing Tall in Your Armor
Now that you know the amazing history of medieval armor, it’s time to outfit yourself with the most period-accurate pieces that you can find. At Sword N Armory, you can pick and choose which items to add to your collection, knowing that what you’re getting is perfectly true to the period and made with highly resilient materials.
