Greaves (lower leg armour)

They are somewhat beaten up, but they still work.
My legs, I mean. The greaves are past their best too.
www.LloydianAspects.co.uk

[@adrenochromejunkie]

You might think that there's no need for these in modern life, but the corners of many shin-height coffee tables have proved that these are an absolute necessity.

[@sirBrouwer]

+Mister Babadook there are still in use only now they are made out of mostly plastics or composites. And much lighter.

[@adrenochromejunkie]

sirBrouwer I need to find one then.

[@sirBrouwer]

Mister Babadook just go to your local sports store. Or you could nick them off the feeds of your local SWAT team.

[@adrenochromejunkie]

sirBrouwer The second one sounds much more legal and safe.

[@sirBrouwer]

Exactly who would expect that to happen.

[@BrokenLifeCycle]

Only a real man can literally beat and pound their armor on to fit... This guy definitely fits that category...

[@mirandusings]

Great defense against greave-ous injury.

[@TheDestrab]

+Mirandu Kan That pun was *sheet*

[@HellYeahCorp]

+TheDestrab Your reply, though, was so bad you might need to *leg* it out of the country.

[@TheDestrab]

When I make jokes, I don't *plate* around

[@HellYeahCorp]

Still, it's going to need some *polishing* if you really want to make it *shin*.

[@TheDestrab]

I see, it seems I must use puns more *calf*-fully

[@bobmilaplace3816]

That would had been an awesome Spartan Training "Wanna be a Man?" "We gonna beat your armor on you, snug fitting and custom."

[@PsylomeAlpha]

"now get ready for the codpiece."

[@youlostabetwithsatanandnow8592]

AHA!!! THATS HOW THEY GOT THEIR 8 PACKS INDENTED INTO THEIR ARMOR THIS SOUNDS LIKE A VERY PLAUSABLE EXPLENATION!!! P.S. TO ALL THOSE WHO THINK I'M JOKING- FUQ YOU I'M BEING SERIOUS.

[@sophiejones7727]

haha! they used bronze though, and bronze armor is cast not hammered.

[@PsylomeAlpha]

Actually, Sophie, they cast bronze and hammered it to harden and shape it instead of quenching it because it fractures (somewhat explosively) when its temperature changes that drastically.

[@lukutiss1324]

You hammering your own leg reminded me of this scene from Lawrence of Arabia: -It damn well 'urts! -Certainly it hurts. -Well, what's the trick then? -The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts.

[@yaboybouttaturnisraelintoi7329]

did somebody say jew?

[@CraftQueenJr]

What is this context?

[@yaboybouttaturnisraelintoi7329]

@@CraftQueenJr I'm not sure. Maybe a quote from the movie?

[@TheGoodCrusader]

@@Paulo-py4mm no you

[@blueviper8622]

The movie is Lawrence of Arabia

[@13pen537]

You'd think that many adventurers in Skyrim would benefit from such armor,,,

[@GrandHighGamer]

Skyrim does have greaves. What the hell armour are you wearing that just leaves your character's legs bare?

[@matthew9256]

Gradius Some lighter armours leave the legs bare.

[@nukeclears]

The sentence means getting married but whatever.

[@Kronecraft]

That would be a Poleyn not a greave but whatever...

[@SyntheticFuture]

No spears in Skyrim, so they are not that needed ;)

[@bigbrowntau]

From experience fighting in armour in Australia in 40 degree C (~105 F), yes, you want something between your skin and the hot, Hot, HOT metal that is your armour...ouch, ouch, ouch! You suggested linings in Greek greaves....definitely a good idea. Thanks for sharing this with everyone. Thoroughly enjoy your videos!

[@clonetf141]

+Browntau why wear metal armour we have battle suits

[@bigbrowntau]

+clonetf141 Battle suits... perfect for hostile takeovers. :) ( I'm in a re-enactment society, and 21st century armour is hard to document as being available in the Middle Ages. ) Also, it's hard to get kevlar greaves.

[@firecage7925]

+Browntau .....Kevlar Greaves....that is bloody genius!

[@KyleAnvilSlinger]

Luckily the abos only got to the stone age, and forgot how to make fire.

[@lostsanityreturned]

Charming little critter ain't ya.

[@hunterfindon1018]

You made those at seventeen?! Holy crap! Those look so good! To some people, it's crude appearance hinders the aesthetics of the greave. I however, thinks it's crudeness makes it look realistic and battle worn! It looks so cool!!!

[@youmaus]

A bowshot from her bowered eves A bolt of sunlight pierced the leaves And blazed upon the brazen greaves Of bold Sir Lancelot

[@Soft_Ghost]

, the weeb

[@dIRECTOR259]

Is that how you make helmets too? :D

[@clintcarpentier2424]

+dIRECT0R Nope, that would have been too difficult. They would have had to have an apprentice sit still, while the master helmet maker would beat the metal around his head.

[@dIRECTOR259]

+Clint Carpentier I'm sure Lloyd figured it out, and all by himself too.

[@napornik]

+dIRECT0R Long time ago. xD

[@youlostabetwithsatanandnow8592]

Clint afterwards how would they tear the helmet off that bloody dead corpse? -child

[@migfrarummet1907]

I think he just strapped s piece of sheet metal on his head and then just headbutted a hammer!

[@HaniiPuppy]

"Arm Greaves" - Is that a bit like how the German word for "Glove" translates as "Hand-shoe"?

[@CrusaderDeleters]

Germans are weird.

[@MarxismLilyism]

As a German, I can confirm this

[@SgtKOnyx]

Unterseaboot

[@Transgender-ProphetMohammed]

wuts wrong being weird?

[@MayhemX0X]

+Baron Lynchhausen it's weird. that's what's wrong.

[@jeffreyplum5259]

I'd imagine they would keep random brush from your legs as well. One could not count on fighting on well cleared ground, every time. Modern recreations naturally use modern cleared ground. This leaves out much of the effects of wild terrain.

[@roadhunter72]

Greaves in ancient times were not only a protection against the opponent. But als to protect the calves from your own shield banging against your lower legs while you fought.

[@gordonlawrence3537]

There is also a school of thought that they were also used for kicking but I'm not convinced.

[@roadhunter72]

Gordon Lawrence I agree, seems shin protection would not be the focus when you are trying to kick someone while wearing sandals

[@sword7166]

RoadHunter72 it depends on the style of martial arts as some do use the shin as a contact point, but I do agree that it was unlikely that the greeks were doing it for that purpose

[@rexamillion8446]

HM01 Maybe they just liked to break out into sudden games of football. (We really need to come up with a better name for American Football one of these days x.x)

[@sword7166]

Ben G it would be hilarious if you guys called it soccer

[@CrazyCamo]

wow, I would totally trade my silly ballet school training for some of the experiences senor Lindybeige seems to have had, or not, I don't know. Love these videos.

[@Giddeshan]

I've always wondered why the Greeks never had any kind of armoring for the top of the foot, like a medieval sabaton. I'd think that getting stabbed through the foot would be a pretty debilitating wound.

[@sedoskovelha123]

They need to run.

[@dreconit6156]

Achilles: I thought you could run in full plate, including sabatons.

[@muhamadsayyidabidin3906]

@@dreconit6156 they have in archaic period, but they ditched it along with the rest of limb protection (rerebrace, bracers, and chusses and ankle armor except greaves) in the classical period

[@muhamadsayyidabidin3906]

@Jotaro97 cost, maybe? Or because they change their fighting style from individual duel to formation. In battle formation, you don't need such heavy armor to protect yourself. Your comrades would provide cover for your sides and back. And heavy armor just make you less mobile, which is crucial in formation battle.

[@praetoriantiberius529]

Aren't footballers shin pads just modern greaves?

[@SgtKOnyx]

pretty much

[@GladstnJones]

That title, I wound give to Baseball leg guards ep.yimg.com/ay/sportsunlimited/under-armour-adult-pro-baseball-catcher-s-shin-guards-1.jpg

[@Life4Metalcore]

+GLADHATMAS I assume you mean catcher gear? Those go above the knees and they limit movement quite a bit. I would say shin guards are closer in terms of shape and use

[@TheArbiterSux]

Hockey Shinguards include the knee, but still allow for lots of mobility.

[@praetoriantiberius529]

Arbiter Sux Like the Roman Praetorian guards huh?

[@RolfHartmann]

I remember reading in the Strategikon a recomendation to craft wooden greaves for the infantry if not enough metal ones were available. Clearly a very important piece of armor.

[@lindybeige]

I forget the gauge of metal I used, and have no measuring device, but it is thick enough to do the job. Real armour is mostly quite thin and light. Yes, a spear could penetrate, I'm guessing, with a really good hit at just the right angle, but the spearman would probably spend his time and energy more profitably by attacking me somewhere else.

[@sebastiantapia804]

Been binge watching all things medieval in your channel, very interesting and entretaining. Thanks!

[@5thRing]

I thought vambraces were braces for vampires. Guess not.

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

Lloyd has a bald spot? Evidence that he's a MIDDLE AGED MAN.

[@censorduck]

I'm only 27 and i'm balding :C

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

Aiar Uther You're a middle aged man.

[@VeritasEtAequitas]

Usammity My friend was almost bald when he was about 20.

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

FieroGT42 He's a middle aged man.

[@SpySappingMyKeyboard]

Usammity Bald baby?

[@lindybeige]

Would one on Moghul armour do? It's pretty much the same.

[@XyatuX]

They can't protect you from a well thrown pommel though.

[@eelitanskanen8836]

Nothing can protect you from pommels.

[@XyatuX]

I wonder what would happen if two thrown pommels hit each other mid-air...

[@jakebaumfalk3965]

+XyatuX It would create a rift in space and time, destroying the known universe in 1.4 nanoseconds.

[@arturmizuno]

*END HIM RIGHTLY*

[@arturmizuno]

pommels are the medieval nokias

[@blurglide]

3,300 to 8. Lindy has about the best like/dislike ratio I've seen

[@ottopike737]

Unless you have almost no views.

[@yoitired]

Every time I watch this guy's videos I get the urge to play Stronghold Crusader.

[@seknight2835]

Duke Nukem the pikemen also wear greaves!

[@gpdustin]

Just wanted to say that your arms and armor videos are without a doubt my favorite videos on the whole of youtube. I recommend them to all my friends, and have used them to settle debates more than once. Thanks, and keep it up!

[@ihategooglealot3741]

metal armour was expensive, I suspect LOTS of stout leather coverings, and, as you point out, relatively thin iron pieces would readily rust away. They'd also be very tempting to recycle when, in peacetime, a person needed a pot.

[@JoejoeReference]

I am jealous of this man's skill set

[@utubenoobie01]

He has a particular set of skills!

[@MaZEEZaM]

Thanks for the info, Really nice photo's in the background.

[@maaderllin]

I came back here after seeing Knyght Errant's recent video about greaves' misconception. He had his leg cast before, so the piece would be hammered on a model, not him. That seems less painful XD

[@NathanielNow]

I prefer to use them as weapons. They deal greavous injuries.

[@treeplanter-bv4gw]

fitting those greaves must have been a-greave-ing

[@RuSosan]

So, would a proper set of greaves stop... An arrow to the knee?

[@poopdump2]

yup. woulda been a huge success in skyrim.

[@CptCudlScoops]

Then you could be an adventurer again!

[@marcuseriksson6443]

Hahaha this guy... Such a fucking badass xD

[@lindybeige]

Some yes, and of course many from the later medieval period.

[@MrKmoconne]

I remember finding a pair of WWII American putees when I was a kid. I think maybe I bought them in a garage sale. I put them on and played "army" wearing them. I remember feeling invulnerable to briars and any sort of sharp stuff when I wore them. I guess they are descendants of greaves. I don't think any modern soldier wears them now but I always thought soldiers looked smart wearing puttees.

[@lindybeige]

Place ball of foot in the wide end and move it down. The slit in the back only has to open wide enough to enable you to slide the thinnest part of your foot through, at an angle (a diagonal from behind/under the protruding ankle bone to in front of the heel). Once the foot is through, let go. Very quick.

[@WakarimasenKa]

You are right, it is interesting that greaves apparantly dropped from use until full plate appeared.

[@WritingFighter]

03:40 "That's one of it's principle purposes of course, when you're standing in a line with your spear, and everyone else is poking each other with... sharp pointy things." Lol

[@GigaBoost]

Great videos as usual, informative and funny.

[@kulnitsky]

Your channel might be very useful for ASoIAF readers, thank you.

[@hathiphnath]

Congrats on your 50th weapon/armour/warfare video! Looking forward for the next 50. =)

[@googelplussucksys5889]

I made butterknives and he made greaves, eh.

[@MMODoubter]

I said it before,. and I'll say it again: this guy is on my list of 'most interesting people to invite to a dinner party'. Fascinating stuff.

[@Antoniothe3rd]

It's amazing how little the design has changed over the millenia. Simple and effective. I've got a pair of almost the exact same design except made with modern plastic as protection against snake bites.

[@lindybeige]

I was in the metal workshop on my own when I used my legs as an anvil.

[@MithraisAugustus]

I found your hoplite image as well. Well done, strategos.

[@nuancedhistory]

Greaves found at Kunzig were Iron, dating to the 3rd century AD, they were a different shape than the bronze ones. Ofc all the Greek ones date much earlier. A find at Vindolanda was linen padding for a greave. Dates c. 1st century AD.

[@cobalt49]

Do people really use the term "arm greaves"? That hurts my brain.

[@RogaineForEwoks]

"It's cold out kids. Put your hand socks on!" "Uh, you mean gloves?"

[@NeverisQuiteEnough]

RogaineForEwoks the german word for gloves is Handschuh, literal translation Hand Shoe.

[@haijyvelho]

RogaineForEwoks 10/10, made me laugh.

[@FurryAminal]

Greaveous, isn't it.....

[@KairuHakubi]

The problem is if you say bracers or vambraces or gauntlets you'll get a gaggle of nerds appearing to correct you on your terminology, at least a few of which claiming no such armor ever existed.

[@FurryAminal]

Strange how the ancient world had plate armour but this was lost until the renaissance took it up again with full harness; even though mail is FAR more tricky to make.

[@tiamat2009yt]

I guess it was to counter the weapons used by the ancient aliens

[@89tonstar]

REnaissance? Full plate armor was around at the end of the 14th century and could have been in full use much earlier. PLate armor never went out of style completely. Helmets and shoulder guards are all forms of plate armor. Maille was just a effective at the time as plate armor could have been.

[@lindybeige]

Yes, some did, but we don't know how common they were. We have more finds of other leg armour (thigh and foot) for some places and periods, suggesting that greaves are not the commonest leg armour, and yet they seem to be by far the most common in the art.

[@steppin-razor]

I fuckin love all these videos man.

[@danielowens238]

I'm grieved to watch this

[@reggievonzugbach2609]

As always, very good TYVM

[@theeatifier]

You remind me so much of my awesome uncle - in most ways XD

[@lindybeige]

Just tried that, and I was the second hit! The trousers spoil the look, though, but it was not a warm day.

[@lindybeige]

No snakes at all in Ireland, and only four types in Britain, and only one that it is poisonous (the adder), and it is very rare that anyone dies from its bite, and they are not aggressive. Pretty much the only way to get bitten is to tread on one accidentally.

[@atari67]

I love your channel! Very informative, entertaining, and consistent. I hope that you continue to make videos for some time to come. Can I request a video about the realities of armor in RPG's? I know you've touched on it some, but I would love to see a video dedicated to that.

[@lindybeige]

I may one day do a vid about donning a full panoply. Very easy to and quick to don.

[@ladyred8862]

I have never heard that either. I must hang out with a good crowd since my friends have always called them vambraces...

[@lindybeige]

They are mirror images of each other, so yes, they fit a specific leg.

[@Jyeoi]

You wore your greaves and hammered them to shape lmao!

[@lindybeige]

I had one afternoon to finish them, and I was alone in the metal workshop.

[@UnCivilEngineerIRL]

I can't see these slowing you down any worse than having your leg split open by the enemy :)

[@AndrewIsbell]

thanks for sharing your insight as always im a new subscriber

[@SwordsAndRavens]

Way to be a sport chief!

[@3420undertaker]

That's cool that u got a workshop

[@josephsanti6219]

The entire length of the greaves could had a sheet of leather and the sewn edges at the top/bottom ridge is where it was cuffed over. Would help with cooling and sweat too.

[@lindybeige]

I've forgotten most. One made a copper bowl, another a cast bronze skull, another made parts for his motorcycle...

[@lindybeige]

The mail wouldn't breathe so well, and moisture might get trapped on the inside, and it would be difficult to clean. Mail that doesn't flap around is silent anyway. I think they would rather have had the options of showing off their shiny kit, and mixing and matching layers.

[@lindybeige]

We have just one surviving iron cuirass. In some ways iron is easier to work because pieces of it can be welded together very effectively. On the other hand, it can be hard to get a large 'bloom' of iron for large plates. They managed it often enough with other things when they needed to, though. An absence of evidence is not evidence for absence. Iron greaves were possible, and I wouldn't expect them to survive.

[@lindybeige]

Their shields came very low, and their tactic was to get stuck in quickly, and not hang about prodding with a spear. Auxiliaries on the other hand...

[@TrollDragomir]

There are even findings of bronze foot plates hammered into the shape of an actual foot, with toes and everything.

[@danhodg1]

Great vid! Its awesome that you got to do metalwork at school, I would have loved to do that, but alas I think health and safety had ruined that one for me.

[@aforerunner1773]

It's like listening to a time traveler

[@lindybeige]

I have Lindy hopped in them. There was a reincarnation themed party and I went as Alexander the Great.

[@rubbernecker13]

People sometimes wear snake chaps in the southern swamps here. You've given me an idea to craft some with pvc pipe and a heat gun for briar, poison ivy, and snakes. Weird that more people don't use those more. I don't know if you have pit vipers in the uk but they're no joke. Getting bit once was enough to make me look. They're the natural equivalent of landmines.

[@Wunel]

"I've done all kinds of things in these" Oh Lloyd, you cheeky devil.

[@johnlindsay3647]

Greaves were made of metal and lined with a soft felt padding. ... Ancient Greek and Roman soldiers woregreaves, and they're mentioned in ancient literature, including Homer's Iliad. Medieval European warriors used them too, until some time during the 9th century. The word stems from the Arabic gaurab, "stocking."

[@lindybeige]

I have both heard it and re[a]d it.

[@s1Lence_au]

The fact that they still fit you shows how well you've done in all these years to keep fit and remain at a healthy and consistent weight. I suppose once you reach your 40s you may no longer be so fortunate.

[@s1Lence_au]

Unless you're already in your 40s, in which case you've done an even more amazing job at keeping yourself looking young than I had originally thought. The only giveaway would be the dramatically receding hairline.

[@apigeonunapaloma6379]

You should totally do a video on arm greaves

[@pugsrock3171]

Excellent workmanship. -- and for a seventeen year old ! Thanks for sharing your knowlegde. Pardon my ignorance, and I know this is off topic, but could you do a vid on how bronze age people manufactured 20 foot long spears. I am considering making one , and the thought of using pine dowel from a hardware store makes me sick.

[@CraftQueenJr]

Pugs Rock I want to know too. I find the making things videos to be some of the best.

[@Bygonera]

"Bracer" protects the wrist (from word bracelet), and bracers weren't really used in ancient times, it's a movie thing, since they would've been useless with soldiers using a cuirass but no other arm guards. Shield was used to protect arms. Vambrace (no 'r' at the end) is a part of a late medieval plate armour, which covers all the parts of the body, vambrace covers the forearm, and rerebrace covers the upper arm. Couter protects the elbow, pauldron the shoulder and gauntlet of course the hand.

[@sejembalm]

For a classic antiquity video game, I recommend Gladiator Begins for the Sony PSP handheld. You play as a gladiator slave, entertaining the Roman spectators in the arenas of 180 AD by hacking other slaves (and wild nasty animals) to bits or getting butchered yourself. The trick to the game is to smash away your opponent's armor and/or hit him in areas not protected by armor. That means bashing away his helmet, shield, or arm or leg protectors to get at meat and bone underneath. Loved that game!

[@tennoheika94]

When you type "greaves" into google image search, the fifth picture is you in an epic hoplite armour.

[@PavelDodonov]

Kind of like the leather gaiters I use for fieldwork. Protected me from accidental machete cuts a couple of times! (We use them for protection against the possibility of snake bites)

[@masonrepka2593]

at LARP events, I have slept with grieves on. Easiest armor to keep on in case of nighttime attacks.

[@kaizers2171]

I also made my own greaves (Video response), i did it by: Placing metal on shin and noticing where i had to form it more, forming it on the anvil, back on the leg etc...

[@TheFilipFonky]

This video about the leg vambraces was very interesting! Can you do one on the arm greaves?

[@klyxes]

U made greaves in metal shops in school? Where do you live/school you went to so I can go there?

[@SgtKOnyx]

Jolly old England

[@SgtKOnyx]

Jolly old England

[@anonincognito617]

The school probably had an armoury too.

[@cgaccount3669]

You and I had very different childhoods. I wish I'd have known you

[@Sneipez]

Hey lindybeige, I'm loving your videos. Could you please make a point about shoulderpads/plates? Would quite enjoy seeing that.

[@MrTomte09]

Continue your good work Lindy! In fact it wouldnt hurt if you made your films longer with more information and your thoughts. Greetings from Arvika, Sweden

[@EGCblackknight]

Depends when/where/who you talk to and the particular make up of the part. The names for the various peices differs alot. Greaves are some times called shinbalds,

[@Torome86]

Thanks, you're right, I wasn't sure!

[@WarbananaOfDA]

It depends on whether it is designed with lames (overlapping plates) or not. Some pauldrons are made to cover not only the shoulders, but also part of the chest, whilst still providing excellent freedom of motion. The Armour of Sir Thomas Sackville is a fine example. The issue with movies are that they are always in budget. To create Armour with the same intricacies and laminar design, can cost the entire film budget if they were to put half the main characters in them

[@connorforce01]

I hate how games think that Sabatons, Cuisses and Poleyns are all part of Greaves.

[@Whitefang8128]

Absolutely. You've still got to look #swag on the battlefield though.

[@MiniMackeroni]

Holy crap! You're right!