Suit of Armor

In the Middle Ages armor was very expensive. Common soldiers did not wear heavy armor. They wore steel caps and shirts of mail. Knights with horses were the only ones who could afford to wear a full body suit of armor. This armor was so complicated that it took two men to dress a knight. A full body suit was made up of an assortment of steel plates that were attached by hooks and buckles.

Armor was used up to the seventeenth century. As military tactics changed, armor became more of a hinderance then a protection. Helmets and bulletproof vests are the modern version of the armor invented in our early military history.

Boys of noble birth went through many years of training before becoming knights. For seven years or more, a boy lived at the castle as a page, helping the ladies of the castle and training for warfare. Next, he became a squire, or devoted attendant to his lord. The squire, who was preparing for knighthood, polished armor, helped care for the horses, and carried shields and weapons for tournaments and into battle.

Parts of the Armor

1. Helmet: a head covering

2. Visor: the moveable part of the

helmet in front of the eyes

3. Gorget: a collar of metal to protect

the throat

4. Shoulder Piece: metal that

covered the shoulders

5. Cuirass: a breast plate from the

neck to the waist. The first model

of the present day bullet proof vest

6. Brassard: armor that protects the

arm

7. Tasset: overlapping plates that

form a short skirt around the hips

8. Gauntlet: a glove

9. Coat of Mail: Mesh or net made of

metal rings or links worn under the

armor, chain mail

10. Cuisse: a piece of steel that covers

the thigh

11. Elbow Piece: metal covering the

knee and allowing for movement of

the leg

12. Greave: armor from the ankle to

the knee

13. Sabaton: armor that covers the

foot