Gothic plate armour
Encyclopedia
Gothic plate armour is a type of plate armour
of steel
made in the regions of Germany
and the Holy Roman Empire
during the late Middle Ages
(15th century). The armour provided full-body protection to the knight
who wore it. "Suits of armour" were common during the 15th century in central Europe and influenced Italian and English plate armour
.
Gothic armour, especially suits made under Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
, were modelled with curves, flutings and ridges in order to enhance the strength of the armour and deflect arrow
s. Such armour was made during the 15th century and reached its peak in the 1480s, when it was considered the best in Europe. Its structure featured points and ridges influenced by Gothic architecture
and Gothic art
. In addition to steel plates it included mail
to protect under the bevor
, joints and crotch
.
Gothic armour was often combined with a Gothic sallet
, which included long and sharp rear-plate that protected the back of the neck and head. A bevor protected the chin.
During the 16th century, under Italian influence, Gothic armour evolved into Maximilian armour
. This new armour was fashioned rounder and more curved and the ridges were narrower, parallel to each other and covered the entire armour.
Plate armour
Plate armour is a historical type of personal armour made from iron or steel plates.While there are early predecessors such the Roman-era lorica segmentata, full plate armour developed in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, especially in the context of the Hundred Years' War, from the coat of...
of steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
made in the regions of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
during the late Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
(15th century). The armour provided full-body protection to the knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
who wore it. "Suits of armour" were common during the 15th century in central Europe and influenced Italian and English plate armour
Plate armour
Plate armour is a historical type of personal armour made from iron or steel plates.While there are early predecessors such the Roman-era lorica segmentata, full plate armour developed in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, especially in the context of the Hundred Years' War, from the coat of...
.
Gothic armour, especially suits made under Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I , the son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor and Eleanor of Portugal, was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death, though he was never in fact crowned by the Pope, the journey to Rome always being too risky...
, were modelled with curves, flutings and ridges in order to enhance the strength of the armour and deflect arrow
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
s. Such armour was made during the 15th century and reached its peak in the 1480s, when it was considered the best in Europe. Its structure featured points and ridges influenced by Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
and Gothic art
Gothic art
Gothic art was a Medieval art movement that developed in France out of Romanesque art in the mid-12th century, led by the concurrent development of Gothic architecture. It spread to all of Western Europe, but took over art more completely north of the Alps, never quite effacing more classical...
. In addition to steel plates it included mail
Mail (armour)
Mail is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.-History:Mail was a highly successful type of armour and was used by nearly every metalworking culture....
to protect under the bevor
Bevor
A bevor is a piece of plate armour designed to protect the neck, much like a gorget. A bevor can be made of a single solid piece or multiple articulated lamés around the neck and chin. The bevor was typically worn in conjunction with a sallet, and later with a burgonet, in a form known as a...
, joints and crotch
Crotch
The term crotch may be used to describe the region of an object where it splits into two or more limbs. This can include trees, animals, buildings, in wiring diagrams, etc....
.
Gothic armour was often combined with a Gothic sallet
Sallet
The sallet was a war helmet that replaced the bascinet in northern Europe and Hungary during the mid-15th century. Some sallets were close fitting except at the back of the head where they extended and formed a pointed tail. Some Italian ones followed the shape of the neck, and had an additional...
, which included long and sharp rear-plate that protected the back of the neck and head. A bevor protected the chin.
During the 16th century, under Italian influence, Gothic armour evolved into Maximilian armour
Maximilian armour
Maximilian armour is a modern term applied to the style of early 16th-century German plate armour apparently first made for the Emperor Maximilian I...
. This new armour was fashioned rounder and more curved and the ridges were narrower, parallel to each other and covered the entire armour.