Project Number: JLS 0048 The Classic Suit of Armor An Interactive Qualifying Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science by _________________ Justin Mattern _________________ Gregory Labonte _________________ Christopher Parker _________________ William Aust _________________ Katrina Van de Berg Date: March 3, 2005 Approved By: ______________________ Jeffery L. Forgeng, Advisor 1 Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. 5 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 6 RESEARCH ON ARMOR: ......................................................................................................................... 9 ARMOR MANUFACTURING ......................................................................................................................... 9 Armor and the Context of Production ................................................................................................... 9 Metallurgy ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Shaping Techniques ............................................................................................................................ 15 Armor Decoration ............................................................................................................................... 19 GENERAL TYPES OF COMPLETE HARNESSES ............................................................................................ 22 Heavy Cavalry .................................................................................................................................... 22 Light Cavalry ...................................................................................................................................... 25 Infantry ............................................................................................................................................... 28 Tournament ......................................................................................................................................... 31 General Tourney Torso Armor ........................................................................................................................ 31 Jousting Armor by Style .................................................................................................................................. 31 Foot Combat (1450 – 1650) ................................................................................................................ 33 TORSO ARMOR ......................................................................................................................................... 35 Breastplate: ......................................................................................................................................... 35 Italian 1450 - 1600 .......................................................................................................................................... 35 German 1450 - 1600 ....................................................................................................................................... 37 Maximilian 1500 - 1530 .................................................................................................................................. 41 Jacobean Period: 1600-1650 .......................................................................................................................... 42 Backplate: ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Germany 1450-1600 ....................................................................................................................................... 43 Jacobian Period 1600-1650 ............................................................................................................................. 43 Tassets: ............................................................................................................................................... 44 Germany: ........................................................................................................................................................ 44 Italy: ................................................................................................................................................................ 44 Culet: .................................................................................................................................................. 45 Tonlet / Tonnlet: .................................................................................................................................. 46 Lance Rest / Lance Arrest: .................................................................................................................. 47 Queue: ................................................................................................................................................. 48 Plackart / Placart / Placard / Placate/ Plaquet: ................................................................................. 48 Stop Rib: ............................................................................................................................................. 48 Attachment Methods: .......................................................................................................................... 49 Brigandine: ......................................................................................................................................... 50 Anime: ................................................................................................................................................. 51 Waistcoat Cuirass: .............................................................................................................................. 52 HELMS ...................................................................................................................................................... 53 Open Faced Helms .............................................................................................................................. 53 Barbut (aka. Barbute, Barbuta) 1430-1520: .................................................................................................... 53 Bascinets 1220-1460. ...................................................................................................................................... 54 Burgonet (early 16th century – 1675) .............................................................................................................. 54 Cabasset and Morion 1500-1600. .................................................................................................................... 55 Kettle Hat 1180-1480. ..................................................................................................................................... 56 Sallet 1430-1520. ............................................................................................................................................ 57 Zischaegge (late 16th – 17th century) ............................................................................................................... 58 Closed Helms ...................................................................................................................................... 59 Armet (15th century – 1510) ............................................................................................................................ 59 2 Closed Helm (1510 – post 1650) ..................................................................................................................... 60 Tournament Helms .............................................................................................................................. 61 Great Bascinet (1350 – late 16th Century) ....................................................................................................... 62 Frog-Mouthed Jousting Helm (Mid 15th century – Early 17th century) ........................................................... 63 Foot Combat Helm .......................................................................................................................................... 64 Decorative Helms................................................................................................................................ 65 Parade/Ceremonial Helm ................................................................................................................... 65 MISCELLANEOUS ARMOR ......................................................................................................................... 66 Shoulder Armor (1400-1630) .............................................................................................................. 66 Besagew c.1400- c.1570 ................................................................................................................................. 66 Spaulder c.1300- c.1560 .................................................................................................................................