The suit of armor came into use at the beginning of the 15th Century. The suit of armor was worn over regular underclothes and was attached to the wearer using leather straps and buckles. Chainmail was used to protect areas that could not be protected with plate armor. Suit of armor usually consists of the helm, breastplate and backplate (cuirass with often attached faulds and tassets), gauntlets, pauldrons (or spaulders), vambraces, couters, sabatons (foot armor), greaves (to protect shins) and gorget, sometimes called a neckguard. The cost of the suit of armor varied by the historical periods, coverage it provided and articulation. It was usually afforded only by the nobility or professional soldiers as one full suit of armor’s cost could equal to cost of a small farm. Soldiers of lower rank usually wore less plate armor and more chainmail. A good suit of armor was comparable to today’s tank. A knight wearing a suit of armor was practically resistant to sword attack, arrows and other weapons. Swords could not penetrate even a thin suit of armor. Only arrows or bolts from bows or crossbows were able to penetrate plates of suit of armors sometimes and only if fired at very close range. Later, advancement in suit of armor production made even that feat very difficult. The only way to defeat a knight was to use weapons such as halberds or polearms. Weapons such as war hammers or maces were also used against knights in suits of armor as those weapons could transfer force through suit of armor and cause various injuries such as broken bones, internal organ bleeding or concussions and other head injuries. The other way to attack a knight in suit of armor was to aim at the weak points, especially at joints and any other small armor openings.

Armor had various uses. They were used in battle, on parades and during tournaments. Suits of armor used in battle were the real deal whereas suits of armor used in parades were lighter and were adorned with ornaments. Tournament (or sporting armor) suits of armor differed in their shape (especially breastplates and helmets) to deflect lances, pikes and polearms. They were also a lot thicker and heavier. Knights wearing suits of armor were training in them since their teens to develop techniques and endurance. The weight of armor was comparable to the weight of gear carried by today’s soldiers. While a suits of armor look heavy, knights wearing suits of armor were able to easily mount or dismount a horse, run, jump and crawl. A well-made suit of armor crafted from tempered steel could weigh only 45 lbs.

Suits of armor were real masterpieces. The most famous designs came from Germany, Italy, England and Serbia and each design had its own style that varied from others. In the 15th Century most of the armor was plain; however, by 16th Century with the introduction of the Maximilian style, suit of armor became more articulated and decorated with fluting and etching. In the same period the use of closed helmets was more prevalent compared to earlier open designs such as barbutes and sallets.

With the development of firearms usage of armor became diminished as it was not as useful against bullets, especially if fired at close range. Later only heavier cuirass, helmets and gauntlets were still in use. Some infantrymen and mercenaries used so called munition armor that consisted of layers of tempered steel to protect against bullets.

Decorative and Wearable Suit of Armor from Italy.
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Suit of armor made in Italy features superb detail and styling. We are proud to offer suits of armor reproductions that look just like those made in the medieval times and worn by knights and kings. Our suits of armor are made using the same methods as they were used during the medieval period. We offer suit or armor in two versions. The first version is decorative one and features armour that is made of aluminum which requires no maitenance. We also offer suits of armor that are made of steel and are wearable. Those suits of armour are fully detailed and articulated and fit an average person.