| The wearing of chain mail and body armor has been | | | | most prevalent and effective type of body armament. |
| an effective means of protection in combat and war | | | | Maile weighed about the same as full body plate style. |
| for centuries. Its use dates back to the Greeks and | | | | The average weight was about 45 - 55 pounds. |
| early roman empire where warriors and legionnaires | | | | However, a well made suit of plate armour was more |
| donned metal plate and mail armour. The medieval era | | | | comfortable to the wearer because it could be more |
| knights are most remembered for their elaborate | | | | evenly distributed over their body. It was always worn |
| medieval armor and battle shields in brilliant colors. But | | | | with padding and protective clothing to further protect |
| a knight's armour was more than protection. It | | | | and insulate from the heat and cold. The mid fourteen |
| reflected his status and lifestyle. The quality of the | | | | century was the period wear knights wore both type |
| armour was as important and the overall look and the | | | | of body armour. During this time period, it was difficult |
| battle efficiency. Indeed it was a fashion statement | | | | for the warrior to get back up on if knocked down due |
| also. | | | | the combined weight of the plate and the maille. By the |
| The evolution of chain maile and armour through the | | | | early fifteenth century, most all body armament was |
| Maximilian era was a direct response to improvement | | | | plate as the designs and flexibility improved. A mid |
| in weaponry of the time. As weapons became more | | | | sixteenth century knight in full plate armour was |
| sophisticated, so did the thickness of the battle shields | | | | surprisingly agile due to proper fit on the wearer. |
| and the armour of the knight. Most had to not only be | | | | The onset of the modern gun spelled the swan song |
| effective against attack but also flexible and agile. | | | | for full body armament although body armour is worn |
| The period of plate armour runs from about the early | | | | even today in a more modern form such as kevlar |
| 1300's to about the mid to late 1500's. During this | | | | (tm) vests and such. Even still we romanticize this |
| medieval time period the evolution went from a few | | | | period of European history. The medieval knight is well |
| pieces of plate to entire suits of highly crafted works | | | | engrained in our minds and impressions of the medieval |
| of art in metal. Prior to this time, chain mail was the | | | | period. |