The medieval armour-smith fashioned armour from metal plates or sheets – the cuirass, various pieces for the legs and arms, helmets and gauntlets. Specialists in chainmail armour were called byrniers, and an ironclad would need both types of armour - the chainmail went underneath, the plate armour on top. A common soldier would have only partial armour (the breastplate, helmet and gauntlets) - a complete suit of armour was beyond his means. Ornate or tailor-made armour was the prerogative of the rich nobility. Plate armour-smiths were assisted by polishers, who polished or buffed up the armour.