2 CHAIN MAIL Armor is the most recognizable element of a knight s appearance. Throughout the middle ages there were many changes in both the armor and the weapons used by knights. In the early part of the middle ages, armor consisted of chain mail, also known as ring mail and chain armor. Chain mail was made up of thousands and thousands of small metal rings individually riveted together to form mesh. For comfort, pads (called gambesons or doublets) were worn under the armor. There were many benefits to wearing chainmail for protection: it was flexible, easy to fix, easy to make, and surprisingly effective in protecting against cuts and slashes. Although it was very heavy (55 to 60 pounds) and difficult to wear, chainmail remained popular until around the 15th century. At that time, improvements in the design of the crossbow meant an increase in its use. While chainmail protected against the cut of the sword, it did not protect against the piercing of an arrow. Knights had an immediate need for solid protection. © Lessons Learned by Heart 5 2 PLATE ARMOR Plate armor became popular in the late middle ages, around 1420. This type of protection consisted of solid pieces of iron or steel covering the chest, arms, legs, and back. Plate armor offered protection against swords, spears, and arrows and weighed about 45 pounds. Gauntlets or armored gloves became popular around the same time. Helmets were used by knights beginning in the early middle ages. Initially, the most basic helmet called a helm - gave no protection to the knights face. Eventually, an enclosed helmet was developed which better protected a knight s head and face; however, there were a few disadvantages. These helmets greatly reduced the knight s ability to see and the lack of fresh air made breathing difficult. In time, jointed helmets were invented which allowed the knight to keep the visor open until just before battle. Even with the visor down, the jointed helmet provided greater visibility and better air flow. Medieval shields were used for protection on the battlefield and in tournaments. The shapes of shields changed throughout the middle ages with each change improving on the previous design. Some shields were used only for protection; some were also used as weapons. Shields were made of wood or metal and bore a coat of arms which identified the knight or the kingdom for which he fought. © Lessons Learned by Heart 6 2 CHAIN MAIL AND PLATE ARMOR 1. What is chain mail? 2. What are two other names for chain mail? a. b. 3. What were the pads called that knights wore under their chain mail? a. b. 4. What were four benefits of using chain mail as protection? a. b. c. d. 5. What was the main reason that chain mail lost its popularity? a. Chain mail was too heavy to wear in battle. b. Chain mail did not protect against the cut of a sword. c. Chain mail did not include a visor. d. Chain mail could not protect against the piercing of an arrow. 6. What were two disadvantages of the earliest enclosed helmets? (Circle two) a. The knight s ability to see was greatly reduced. b. There was no protection for the knight s face. c. The helmet was extremely heavy. d. It was difficult for the knight to breathe. e. It did not protect against the piercing of an arrow. True False Some shields could be used both as protection and as weapons. True False Plate armor was made up of thousands of small metal rings. True False Chain mail was used for tournaments; plate armor was used in battle. © Lessons Learned by Heart 7 .