In the 14th century manufacturing capabilities grew to include the forging of stronger, often combined armour. Plate armour was developed thanks to improved steel-making techniques and the ability to beat out larger sheets of metal at forging mills. The soldier’s head was protected by a helmet: e.g. the kettle helm (‘kettle hat’), the sallet or the great helm.
Armour was crafted by plate-smiths and helmers, often from one piece of tempered sheet metal (skullcaps, sallets) or riveted together from several smaller pieces (kettle helms, great helms). The best armour of the early 15th century was considered to be that made in Germany and Italy. 'Combination’ armour was used by heavy cavalry – it was based around chain-mail, supplemented by plate armour on the limbs and a simpler version of the cuirass or plackart, or just a gambeson (quilted breastcoat). Some cuirasses and breastplates were equipped with a hook to support the knight’s spear or lance in combat. If the armour lacked a hook, the spear or lance was lodged in the bouche, a notch in the shield, which covered the left arm controlling the reins and the lower part of the helmet. A very common helmet type was the bascinet, with its distinctly shaped 'klappvisor', giving rise to the name 'hounskull'. In addition, pictorial sources frequently show iron hats, often with one or two viewports. The shoulders were protect either by chain-mail sleeves or pauldrons. An essential part of the armour was the shield.
In the 14th century manufacturing capabilities grew to include the forging of stronger, often combined armour. Plate armour was developed thanks to improved steel-making techniques and the ability to beat out larger sheets of metal at forging mills. The soldier’s head was protected by a helmet: e.g. the kettle helm (‘kettle hat’), the sallet or the great helm.
Armour was crafted by plate-smiths and helmers, often from one piece of tempered sheet metal (skullcaps, sallets) or riveted together from several smaller pieces (kettle helms, great helms). The best armour of the early 15th century was considered to be that made in Germany and Italy. 'Combination’ armour was used by heavy cavalry – it was based around chain-mail, supplemented by plate armour on the limbs and a simpler version of the cuirass or plackart, or just a gambeson (quilted breastcoat). Some cuirasses and breastplates were equipped with a hook to support the knight’s spear or lance in combat. If the armour lacked a hook, the spear or lance was lodged in the bouche, a notch in the shield, which covered the left arm controlling the reins and the lower part of the helmet. A very common helmet type was the bascinet, with its distinctly shaped 'klappvisor', giving rise to the name 'hounskull'. In addition, pictorial sources frequently show iron hats, often with one or two viewports. The shoulders were protect either by chain-mail sleeves or pauldrons. An essential part of the armour was the shield.