Armour

 

Contents:

The development of armour, from very basic to world war two. 

When did leather armour get invented? Popularised? Who used it? 

When did platemail get invented? Popularised? Who used it?

When did chainmail get invented? Popularised? Who used it? 

What other forms of armour exist or existed? When and who? 

Armour

The development of armor spans thousands of years, evolving alongside weaponry, technology, and societal needs. Below is a chronological breakdown of the major types of armor:

1. Leather Armor

Invention:

• Likely one of the earliest forms of armor, dating back to the Bronze Age (circa 3000 BCE) or earlier.

• Early leather armor involved hardened hides, boiled leather (cuir bouilli), or layered and treated leather.

Popularization:

• Common among cultures worldwide due to its accessibility, flexibility, and affordability compared to metal.

• Worn by Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Indigenous peoples across the Americas and Africa.

Who Used It:

• Leather armor was especially popular among lighter infantry, archers, and lower-status warriors who couldn’t afford metal armor.

• Leather was also used for padding beneath other types of armor, such as chainmail and plate armor.

2. Chainmail (Mail Armor)

Invention:

• Invented around 300–500 BCE, likely by the Celts in Europe.

• Made of interlinked metal rings, chainmail provided flexibility and decent protection against slashes.

Popularization:

• Spread across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East by the Roman Empire, Vikings, and later Crusaders.

• Used extensively during the Medieval period (5th to 15th century) by knights and soldiers.

Who Used It:

• Knights, cavalry, and infantry wore chainmail, often combined with padded garments (gambesons).

• Notable users include Viking warriors, Samurai (who used a variant called kusari), and Mamluk soldiers.

3. Plate Armor

Invention:

• The earliest partial plate armor dates to the 13th century, with full suits of plate armor emerging in the 15th century during the late Middle Ages.

• Plate armor evolved from earlier steel breastplates and limb defenses.

Popularization:

• Reached its peak in the Renaissance (15th–16th century).

• Widely used by European knights, especially in jousting and battle.

Who Used It:

• Elite warriors and knights of medieval Europe.

• Plate armor was often worn over chainmail and gambesons for maximum protection.

Decline:

• Became less practical with the advent of gunpowder and firearms in the 16th century.

4. Other Forms of Armor

• Scale Armor:

• Dates back to 2000 BCE. Consisted of overlapping scales made of metal, leather, or bone.

• Used by Assyrians, Egyptians, and later the Romans (lorica squamata).

• Lamellar Armor:

• Made of small, rectangular plates laced together.

• Popular among East Asian (e.g., Samurai), Central Asian, and Byzantine armies.

• Brigandine:

• 14th–16th century. Consisted of small steel plates riveted to a cloth or leather base.

• Common among late medieval infantry and mercenaries.

• Cloth Armor (Gambeson/Arming Doublet):

• Padded or quilted fabric armor, often worn alone or under metal armor.

• Widely used by both wealthy and lower-class soldiers from the 11th century onward.

• Bone and Wood Armor:

• Found among Indigenous peoples, including Inuit, Pacific Islanders, and Native American tribes, where metal was unavailable.

World War II Armor

Armor during WWII evolved to protect against shrapnel and small arms fire:

• Body Armor:

• Early flak jackets developed for aircrew to protect against shrapnel.

• Often made of heavy fabric and steel plates.

• Tank Armor:

• Tanks were heavily armored with steel and later composite materials to protect against anti-tank weaponry.

• Helmet Evolution:

• Helmets like the M1 helmet (USA) and Stahlhelm (Germany) were designed for head protection and became standard for infantry.

Summary of Trends

• Early armor (leather, bone) prioritized accessibility and mobility.

• As metallurgy advanced, armor shifted toward heavier and more protective designs (chainmail, plate).

• Gunpowder weapons led to a decline in traditional armor and a focus on lightweight, specialized protection.