Table of Contents
Was plate armor expensive?
According to open sources, a US Army corporal earns about $30,000 a year, which gives us a monthly wage of $2,500. Now, this means that depending on the type, quality, place of manufacture, and finishing, a set of XV century plate armor would cost from $8,000 to $40,000 or more.
Who invented plate armor?
Full plate steel armour developed in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, especially in the context of the Hundred Years’ War, from the coat of plates worn over mail suits during the 14th century. In Europe, plate armour reached its peak in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
When did people start wearing plate armor?
Europeans started augmenting their mail armour with coats of plate worn on top during the late 12th or early 13th century. As time wore on the plates used to make these got larger, fewer in number and better shaped. The backing material also ceased being used toward the close of the 14th century.
What happened to full plate armor in the Renaissance?
After arrival of gunpowder, full plate armor became obsolete, but that did not mean end for all types of plated armor. Chest protection remained popular for a long time, with most of the Renaissance soldiers wore cuirass breastplates with some additional lighter protection for other parts of their body.
Why is there no Asian armor similar to European plate armor?
The answer is probably because they only need the cuirass design, because than what they use, but the other parts work close enough to European plate armor. Of course, a large part of why there are no Asian armor that is completely similar in design to European is due to artistic preferences. This is how the Japanese would create plate arm armor.
What type of armor was used for jousting?
Special type of plate armor set was created specifically for jousting. Plate armors remained in use until 18th century, mostly in specific cavalry military units. Some isolated uses were also present during World War 1 with soldiers using plate cuirass armors to protect their vital organs against shrapnel.