Iv'e noticed that cuirass armor that was worn during ancient europe tended to be worn only by nobles, very wealthy soldiers, and generals. I haven't heard anyone talk about why it was like this, but logically it seems it would be expensive because it needs to fit the wearer and would be harder thus to create and require better smiths? However I have seen many Greek red-figure pottery depicting every soldier using a cuirass, but I don't think they are reliable kinda like the depictions of roman legionaries on Trajan's column. I tend to see ancient Mediterranean militaries use the linothorax armor or scale armor because it doesn't need to fit the wearer as much because its not so rigid. This would help explain why when empires like the Romans started 'mass-producing' armor for every single solider they favored chain maille because of many reasons but also because it doesn't have to mold the shape of the solider unlike a cuirass. if you have any thoughts or information let me know

There's a common meme in internet circles that the only affordable metal weapons for common people in early medieval times were spears and knives. That idea seems highly suspect to me, because I thought axes were common sidearms in part because they were also affordable.

If nothing else, a hatchet or hand axe would've been a needed tool for any household (EG to chop firewood,) I'm skeptical that anyone short of homeless people or slaves couldn't get their hands on a hatchet for a sidearm/EDC even if a "proper" battleaxe was outside their means.

Was in London earlier this week. Amazing collection of arms and armor on the first floor including both European and an extensive collection of Indian arms in particular. In addition to the knightly armor was cool to see that of a Manchu Bannerman in the collection. The fine art on the upper floors also was amazing. The permanent exhibitions were FREE to enter with an added charge for the special exhibition (currently about a Sikh warrior - guru). Like the British Museum, a good place to have afternoon tea with the family. If you visit be sure to budget a good amount of for the books on sale. I have the first "Armor of the English Knight" book by Professor Capwell and picked up the second and third there.

Is there any info on them

Location england

Time 1300s-1400s

About anything within the mediaeval or renaissance period (it can be before then too, whatever you're interested in). I think this would be great for people to learn more things about history in the subreddit. I like learning about this stuff as well, so I'm keen to learn.

I really like the period of transitional armour and the idea behind the coats of plates and layered protection, but I really dislike them aesthetically. I tried to convince myself to try and find them attractive and looked into depictions of uncovered coats of plates, as I find bare metal somehow more visually pleasing. Is it just me or maybe the modern reconstructions have bad tayloring? It is a very niche subject anyway. Would love your input!

I was talking to a friend and we were playing some medieval fighting game and he was complaining that the polearms were broken. I responded with "Yeah, that's kinda the point. They were broken compared to most other melee weapons." But it made me wonder just how broken they were, Were there any clear historical examples of them outperforming other weapons, or is this just a wives tale I've swallowed without much thought?

What are these weird rectangular chestpieces, could they be a varangian bra?

So I know of some types of mail, like dome rivet, wedge rivet, round rings, flat rings, and different parts like a coif, skirt, hauberk, sleeves, or avantail, but I don't know much about the differences in the mail between specific time periods.

For example, would there be specific differences in the construction of mail between the early 14th century and the mid 15th century? Was a specific style of chainmail ring preferred in one time, and another style later on?

I am mainly interested in the specifics of chainmail in the early to mid 15th century as I am planning on putting together a basic kit. One similar to the image above. I was wondering about the exact kind of mail I should be looking for, so I don't end up getting an inaccurate piece for the time period.

Especially English and French infantry men references, it’s for my low-fantasy setting.

Hello! I’m focusing my research for my history major on arms and armor in the Balkans, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe from 1345-1500. What are good sources that cover these areas? Asking for recommendations.

I am aware of the boots and will be replacing them soon. I am going for merc/sellsword would I be in the ballpark or am I way off? (Not my horse as much as I wish it was.)

Seriously, I need to know, how big does a dagger have to be before its a one handed sword and vice versa

Further, if someome were trained in dagger combat would they be similarly competent with an arming sword

I've been cracking out some worldbuilding lately and i've been trying to think up ways the local militaries of the worlds would be using in their own context.

But I also wanted to make a discussion that you peeps can input on. If you had your own military to create in a fantasy world, how would you go about it? Strengths and weaknesses and all.

Classic spear and shield? Skirmisher Cavalry? Or super heavy infantry. I want us to think up some interesting possibilities if that is alright.

Take the recent Alexander docuseries on Netflix, the Persians are beyond awful and the Macedonians are only better by a slight margin.

We live in an age where we have a wealth of information at our very fingertips, a wealth of very knowledgeable people online who are very deeply invested into the proper portrayals of arms/armour/clothing, you have it.

Now I'm no historical expert but I did go to uni for history and have been extensively interested in arms and armour from a young age, to the point now I can very easily identify periodic medieval arms/armour (just not country specific).

However, when it comes to videogames, movies and TV, it's still overwhelmingly popular to see leather, butted mail, poorly fitting mail, dirty, unfit clothing, or even worse, just straight up leather, everywhere. Vikings is cardinal for this. Or thick metal rims on shields. There's just so many things I gripe about when it comes to the portrayals of armour.

We know so much about the appearance of medieval people, and their armies, there's boundless sources from across the centuries. Sure if you go lower than the 9th century there's scant amounts of information, but there's not just, black or grey dirty leather. Where's the gambeson, where's the fitting mail? There's a multitude of manuscripts and sources from most times and places across the medieval age yet we're still portraying the medieval world like a place full of people who don't wash or bathe and have armour that can be sliced like butter because it's just cheap leather or flimsy mail.

Cmon filmmakers.... They already did it right in the 40s-70s! Look at Macbeth and compare it to say "The Last Duel."

Sure it's dated, but the armour and weaponry and fighting is a cut above, and that's not even saying that much.

It's depressing.

Does anyone know where or what website that I can buy a damaged or rusted medieval or any damaged helmet on? I tried Facebook and OfferUp and eBay but no luck

I was wondering if polearms or any of the more specific variety of it carry symbolic meaning outside of just being a weapon, like its reputation and symbolic value in its appearance alone?

So there is this tree decoration on my armor (pic related), and id like some guidance as to how i should remove it. It is held on by nits i think its called?

In my area the bus is no longer allowing us bring more than a backpack on board. I am curious what kind of trailer sets do people have on their bicycles that allows them to carry armor and weapon? I know a car is better, but I cannot drive nor do I have a car anyway. Ideally this would allow me to have my 13lb whippet Chihuahua on the trailer as well, but if I can only fit swords around 48 inches in a rifle bag I can mitigate this by having my backpack carrier I use to bring my boy on the bus.