Did Knights Wear Full Plate Armor?

Plate armor, a quintessential element of medieval knights' attire, underwent significant developments in western Europe, particularly in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. During this period, knights began to adopt intricate and robust armor designs, which evolved in complexity and material throughout different eras.

The Development of Plate Armor

The advent of plate armor for knights' bodies can be traced back to the thirteenth century and progressed throughout the subsequent century. Initially, armor was crafted using steel, and in some cases, leather was also employed, which was hardened through processes such as boiling in wax or oil. A core component of a knight's attire was the hauberk, a knee-length tunic made from metal rings that were tightly linked to offer comprehensive body protection. This simple hauberk was often accompanied by a simple conical helm for head protection.

Evolution of Armor Components

The nature and extent of armor worn by knights varied depending on the time, place, and circumstances. The concept of "Medieval Europe" spans over 1000 years, with the Middle Ages typically starting with the fall of Rome in 476 CE and ending around 1650. Throughout this period, mail (chainmail) remained the primary form of armor for the majority of medieval knights.

Mail chausses, or pants, mufflers (gloves), and coifs (hoods) were added to the hauberk, providing full head-to-toe protection by the mid-1100s. For additional protection, knights often wore a great helm over the mail coif. The transition from mail to plate armor began in the early 1300s with the augmentation of mail with small plates on vulnerable joints such as the shoulders, knees, and elbows.

Transition to Full Plate Armor

Around 1400, was still in use, with mail serving as the foundation for the armor, but increasingly incorporating larger plates. By the late 1400s to early 1500s, true articulated suits of plate began to emerge, and mail was relegated to filling gaps in the joints.

The Italian plate armor, such as that used around 1450, further solidified the use of full plate armor in the mid to late 1500s. At this stage, knights would often purchase their armor as a garniture, a collection of interchangeable components. A full garniture might include pieces specifically designed for jousting and other battle scenarios.

Practical Considerations

Adopting full plate armor was not a constant practice among knights. Even with the advent of full plate armor, knights did not necessarily wear all their armor at all times. Comfort and mobility were often considered alongside protection. In peacetime or during campaigns, knights would often choose to be lightly armored unless specific circumstances called for full protection. Armor was always a trade-off between comfort, mobility, and protection.