Medieval times where hard. Almost everyone was warring with someone, it was dangerous times. Medieval Armor was a necessary contraption to keep a knight and his horse safe. There were only a few types of Medieval Armor available. Here is a short description of each.

Chain Mail

Mail or more popularly known as chain mail was the earliest form of armor available. Celtic people would weave iron rings together to form a vest to shield from harm. Later on, discs, plates and groin caps where added to protect the most tender of areas. Later, skull caps, underarm protectors, leather coats and knee caps where fashioned along with the mail.

Plate Armor

These are the full bodysuits often pictured when thinking of King Arthur and the knights of the round table. As modern weaponry advanced, it became more and more necessary to protect more parts of the body which was the advent of a full suit of steel. As early firearms came into view, more armor was needed and more plating was added.

During a time of war, there was an anything goes policy that was unspoken yet widely known. There were no rules to play by so therefore, the use of battle axes, swords, shields and maces were used to take an opponent out. This caused great damage to most armor and once it had taken such a beating it was rendered useless. Dents and gouges made in armor, especially by a mace or battle axe made the plates and mail completely useless and therefore, you became an open target. Weaponry was important because it was needed to fend off others and make it more of a fair fight. Most medieval weaponry weighed anywhere from twenty to fifty pounds.

Shields

Shields were the last of the Medieval Armor to appear. It became necessary after a while for a larger amount of steel to protect from flying arrows, and battle axes. This was the best form of offensive weaponry, they were usually decorated with jewels and embossed designs. Often times, these could weight anywhere from thirty five to one hundred pounds.

Replica Armor & Shields