Complete Medieval Armors
A complete armor, also known as plate armor, harness, or white armor, is a type of armor that began to be used in the Late Middle Ages.
Complete medieval armors were constructed from various pieces of steel or iron, which were joined together by straps and rivets.
A complete armor could have up to 250 pieces. The weight of this protective suit was very high, between 25 and 45 kg. Knowing this, it is surprising that it was possible to make any movement while wearing it, but thanks to the large number of articulated pieces and the good distribution of weight throughout the body, the complete armor did not restrict the movement capacity of the knight wearing it as much as it might seem at first glance.
Complete medieval armors were often used in conjunction with a chainmail or a gambeson, to ensure additional protection and thus cushion blows, as well as to protect the body from infections that could be caused by chafing with the metal pieces. The harness, being rigid, protected much better against blunt blows than flexible armor. In addition, the curved shape of the armor pieces deflected blows and even protected against arquebus bullets. In fact, at first it was used as bulletproof armor until they were perfected and armors ceased to be an effective defense.
The complete armors were a complex and very expensive construction, which had to be custom-made. Their manufacture not only took a lot of time and effort, but also a lot of money. Only knights and feudal lords could afford to have a complete plate armor.
Complete medieval armors could be made of different types of metal and styles, some more decorative than others. In short, they were heavy, uncomfortable, and very expensive, but it was what there was to survive in medieval wars.
In this category, we invite you to immerse yourself in the enigmatic time of the Middle Ages and discover our wide selection of complete armors for the most passionate history lovers.