Sabatons
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Sabatons were originally
made of chainmaille during the Crusades. But since,
they have taken on this shape, made of Lammes of steel plate.
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Gauntlet
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The Gauntlet is a very
important part of a combatants kit. It protects the
hand from slashes and cuts and plate gauntlets, like what
are displayed here, give good protection from blunt injury.
Like the sabaton, the gauntlet was originally a mitten made
of chainmaille during the Crusades. It evolved into
a fingered chain glove, then metal plates were added making
a lobster-tailed mitten and finally the apex was created to
show what is illustrated here.
The gauntlets have plated segments individually hand-crafted
to fit the precise measurements of its owner. The Gothic
style presents a very slender looking form with the narrow
fluting, the lines raised from the surface. These are
very elegant looking, the very mark of the nobility.
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Knightly Breastplate
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| Just as it implies, the Breastplate covers
the front of the torso. Sometimes Tassets, or extensions
of plate pieces are employed from the hip to the thigh
to cover that vulnerable area. The Knightly Breatplate contains
heavy fluting affording it grace and beauty, but more
than all, a functionality of lightness and strength. |
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Infantry
Breastplate
Knechte Breast and Back
plates
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The Infantry Breastplate might be considered
"Munitions" grade, lacking some the fine details
and fluting of the Knightly plate. This offers solid
no-nonsense protection to a man on the front line that cannot
afford the higher-end productions.
 
 
 
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Backplate
| The
Backplate is rarely used by the 15th century. The increased
use of firearms has begun to make its mark on the use of armour.
As it stands in the 1470's the shot from a handgun might be
powerful enough to puncture the breastplate. However,
it would not be enough to penetrate the Backplate as well,
instead ricocheting off of it and again off of the breastplate,
turning one's insides into minced meat. So it is better
to forego the Backplate to reduce the injury from firearms.
Infantry especially goes without the Backplate,
while some Knights might still prefer the use.
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On
to Holy Roman Empire Impressions page 3 |
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On
to Weapons of the Empire |
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