They'll take the courtyard over my dead body - Chivalry 2

Medieval Britain saw the development of various types of armor as warfare evolved between the 5th and 15th centuries. The types of armor were influenced by advances in weaponry, social status, and the region’s political climate. Here’s an overview of the key stages and types of armor used during medieval Britain:
Early Medieval Period (5th-11th century)
In the early medieval period, after the fall of the Roman Empire, armor was relatively simple and based largely on practicality.
1. Chainmail (Mail)
• Construction: Made from interlocking metal rings, chainmail (often called just “mail”) was common from the Anglo-Saxon period onwards.
• Usage: It provided flexibility and decent protection, particularly for the wealthy elite. Warriors wore a mail shirt, known as a hauberk, which extended to about knee-length.
• Helmet: Helmets were simple, often a conical shape with a nose guard (nasal helmet). Notable examples include the Sutton Hoo helmet, found in an Anglo-Saxon ship burial, which dates to the 7th century.
High Medieval Period (11th-13th century)
The Norman Conquest of 1066 brought new styles and heavier armor to Britain.
1. Norman Chainmail
• Hauberk with Coif: The hauberk was still the primary defense, but it often included an integrated hood (called a coif) to protect the neck and head.
• Kite Shield: This was an essential part of Norman armor, protecting both the body and legs while mounted on horseback.
2. Helmets:
• By the 12th century, helmets evolved into great helms, which were fully enclosed, offering better facial protection during combat, especially in jousting tournaments.
3. Gambeson:
• A quilted, padded jacket worn under or over the mail armor to provide extra protection and cushion from blows.
Late Medieval Period (14th-15th century)
This period saw major advancements in armor technology, with plate armor coming into widespread use.
1. Transition to Plate Armor:
• By the 14th century, warriors began wearing individual pieces of plate armor over mail, covering key areas like the chest (cuirass), arms, and legs. This partial plate armor was sometimes called a “coat of plates.”
2. Full Plate Armor:
• By the 15th century, full plate armor had been developed, which covered the entire body in metal plates. This armor was expensive and reserved for the wealthiest knights and nobles.
• It included intricate pieces like the breastplate, gauntlets, greaves (for legs), and pauldrons (for shoulders), designed to balance flexibility and protection.
3. Helmets:
• Bascinet Helm: A more streamlined helmet often equipped with a visor for better vision and breathing.
• Sallet Helm: Another late-medieval design that offered improved protection while maintaining visibility.
4. Horse Armor (Barding):
• Knights in this period also protected their warhorses with armor, known as barding, made of both plate and mail, which helped guard against attacks on their mounts.
Weapon Advancements and Decline of Armor
The rise of new weapons, especially longbows and crossbows, significantly impacted armor design. The English longbow, used effectively in battles like Agincourt (1415), was particularly deadly, as its arrows could penetrate mail and some forms of plate armor. By the end of the medieval period, the development of gunpowder and firearms began to render traditional armor less effective.
Heraldry and Armor
By the late medieval period, armor became not just functional but also symbolic. Knights often decorated their armor and shields with heraldic symbols that identified their lineage, making armor an essential part of their identity and status.
Summary
Medieval British armor evolved from simple chainmail hauberks and nasal helmets in the early medieval period to full plate armor in the late medieval era. This development reflected the shifting demands of warfare, the rising influence of mounted knights, and improvements in metallurgy and craftsmanship. Though effective, plate armor began to decline with the introduction of gunpowder weapons in the late 15th century.

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