Armor of the Knights of the Middle Ages: photo and description

The armor of the Knights of the Middle Ages, photos and descriptions of which are presented in the article, went through a complex evolutionary path. They can be observed in weapons museums. This is a real work of art.
They surprise not only their protective properties, but also luxury, greatness. However, very few people know that the monolithic iron armor of the Knights of the Middle Ages is dated by the late period of that era. This was not protection, but traditional clothing, which emphasized the high social position of the owner. This is a kind of analogue of modern expensive business suits. On them it was possible to judge the situation in society. More on this, we'll talk further, imagine the photo of the knights in the armor of the Middle Ages. But first about where they came from.

First Armor

The arms and armor of the Knights of the Middle Ages developed together. This is understandable. The improvement of lethal means necessarily leads to the development of defensive means. Even in prehistoric times, a man tried to protect his body. The first armor was animal skins. She defended well against the sharp tools: sledge hammers, primitive axes, etc. Perfection in this reached the ancient Celts. Their protective skins sometimes stood even sharp spears and arrows. Surprisingly, the main emphasis in defense was on the back. The logic was this: in a frontal attack it was possible to hide from shells. Strikes in the back can not be seen. Flight and retreat were part of the combat tactics of these peoples.

Cloth Armor

Few people know, but the armor of the knights of the Middle Ages in the early period were of matter. They were difficult to distinguish from civilian civilian clothes. The only difference is that they were glued together from several layers of matter (up to 30 layers). These were light, from 2 to 6 kg, inexpensive armor. In the era of mass battles and the primitiveness of chopping tools - an ideal option. Any militiaman could afford such protection. Surprisingly, such armor stood even arrows with stone tips, which easily pierced the iron. This was due to depreciation of the fabric. The more prosperous instead of them used quilted caftans, stuffed with horsehair, cotton, hemp.

The peoples of the Caucasus up to the 19th century used such protection. Their felted wool of a burka was seldom cut by a saber, it could withstand not only an arrow, but also bullets from smooth-bore guns from 100 meters. Recall, such weapons were in our army until the Crimean War of 1955-1956, when our soldiers were killed by rifled European rifles.

Leather Armor

In place of the cloth came the armor of the Knights of the Middle Ages from the skin. They also spread widely in Rus. Masters on the skin were widely appreciated at the time.

In Europe, they were poorly developed, since the use of crossbows and bows is a favorite tactic of Europeans during the entire Middle Ages. Leather protection was used by archers and crossbowmen. She defended against light cavalry, as well as from brothers in arms of the opposite side. From long distances they could withstand bolts and arrows.

Especially valued buffalo skin. It was almost impossible to get it. Only the richest could afford it. There were relatively light leather armor of the Knights of the Middle Ages. The weight was from 4 to 15 kg.

Evolution of the Armor: Lamellar Armor

Then there is an evolution - the manufacture of armor of knights of the Middle Ages from metal begins. One of the varieties is lamellar armor. The first mention of such technology is observed in the Mesopotamia. The armor was made of copper there. In the Middle Ages, such a protective technology began to be used from metal. Lamelier armor is a scaly armor. They proved to be the most reliable. They fought only with bullets. Their main disadvantage is weight up to 25 kg. It is impossible to wear it alone. In addition, if the knight fell from the horse, it was completely rendered harmless. It was impossible to rise.

Mail

The armor of the knights of the Middle Ages in the form of chain mail was the most common. Already in the 12th century they became widespread. Ring armor weighed relatively little: 8-10 kg. A complete set, including stockings, a helmet, gloves, reached up to 40 kg. The main advantage - the armor did not constrain movement. Only the most prosperous aristocrats could afford them. Distribution among the middle class occurs only in the 14th century, when rich aristocrats donned armor. They will be discussed further on.

Lats

Plate armor is the apex of evolution. Only with the development of technology forging metal could create such a work of art. Plate armor of the Knights of the Middle Ages with their own hands is almost impossible. It was a single monolithic shell. Only the richest aristocrats could afford such protection. Their distribution is in the Late Middle Ages. Knight in armor on the battlefield is a real armored tank. It was impossible to strike him. One such warrior among the troops tipped the scales in the direction of victory. Italy is the birthplace of such protection. It was this country that was famous for its craftsmen.

The desire to have a heavy defense is due to the tactics of the battle of the medieval cavalry. Firstly, it caused a powerful rapid impact in close rows. As a rule, after a single strike by the wedge against the infantry, the battle ended in victory. Therefore, in the forefront were the most privileged aristocrats, among whom was the king himself. Knights in armor almost did not die. It was impossible to kill him in battle, and after the battle the captive aristocrats were not executed, as everyone knew each other. Yesterday's enemy was turning into a friend. In addition, the exchange and sale of captive aristocrats were at times the main goal of battles. In fact, the medieval battles were like knight tournaments. They rarely die "best people", but in real battles it still happened. Therefore, the need for improvement constantly arose.

"Peaceful Battle"

In 1439 in Italy, in the homeland of the best masters of blacksmithing, there was a battle near the town of Anghiari. Several thousand knights took part in it. After four hours of battle, only one soldier was killed. He fell from his horse and fell under his hooves.

End of the era of combat armor

England put an end to "peaceful" wars. In one of the battles, the British, led by Henry XIII, who were ten times smaller, used powerful Welsh bows against French aristocrats in lats. Marching confidently, they felt safe. Imagine their surprise when arrows began to pour from above. The shock was that before that they had never hit knights from above. Against the frontal defeat, shields were used. The closed system of them reliably defended against bows and crossbows. However, Welsh weapons could pierce the armor from above. This defeat at the dawn of the Middle Ages, where the "best people" of France died, put an end to such battles.

Armor is a symbol of aristocracy

Armor at all times was a symbol of aristocracy, not only in Europe, but throughout the world. Even the development of firearms did not put an end to their use. The armor was always depicted emblem, they were a dress uniform. They wore them for holidays, celebrations, official meetings. Of course, the front armor was made in a lightweight version. The last time their military use was in Japan already in the 19th century, during the times of the Samurai uprisings. However, firearms showed that any peasant with a rifle is much more effective than a professional warrior with a cold cannon, clad in heavy armor.

Armor of the Knight of the Middle Ages: a description

So, the classic set of the average knight consisted of the following things:

• Helmet. In the 10th-13th century, a Norman rondash was used, open, conical or egg-shaped. A nasal lock was attached to the front, a metal plate. Much later, among large aristocrats, the practice of a closed individual helmet was common. It was a real work of art. On it it was possible to determine the owner.
• Armor. A long chain mail to the knees with sleeves and a coyphone, a metal hood. She had cuts from both sides on the hem for easy movement and riding a horse. Under her, the knights wore a gambeson - an analog of cloth armor. He shocked the blows on the iron, the arrows stuck in it.
• Chausses are chain stockings.
• Rondas is a shield. It was a defense against arrows, also found wide application against one-handed sabers during the Crusades. It had a round or oval shape. However, the rundach of the pointed form of the lower part for the protection of the left leg was widely used.

Weapons and armor were not uniform throughout the history of the Middle Ages, since they performed two functions. The first is protection. The second - armor was a distinctive attribute of a high social status. One complex helmet could cost whole villages with serfs. Not everyone could afford it. This also applies to complex armor. Therefore, it was impossible to find two identical sets. Feudal armor is not a unified form of recruit soldiers in later eras. They differ in their individuality.