During medieval warfare, one’s limbs were often a vulnerable target so protecting them was of paramount importance. A severe blow to the sword hand could render even the fiercest knights obsolete. Similarly, injured arms could prevent a warrior from wielding a sword or shield. Meanwhile, severe leg damage could spell doom on the battlefield. Therefore, protecting these parts of the body are equally as important as safeguarding one’s core or donning a helmet for head protection.
Safeguarding Arms and Hands
Arm guards and gauntlets were critical companions for any knight during the Middle Ages, especially when considering the physical demands of wielding heavy weapons. These weapons required strength and endurance to be wielded effectively, yet the arms were also vulnerable to serious injury. A missed strike or insufficient parry often led to direct hits, rendering a fighter unable to defend. Thus, protecting one’s arms became a primary concern. From simple leather bracers for archers to the evolution of metal arm guards, the protection of arms progressed over time, eventually incorporating plate armor that extended from the wrist to the upper arm, offering comprehensive protection while maintaining mobility.
The importance of a knight's hand in the Middle Ages was paramount. The phrase "hand and foot" originated from a knight's necessity to wield a sword while keeping balance on a horse. Medieval gloves evolved from rudimentary bag-like coverings to finger gloves made of leather, serving as a crucial defense against injuries from weapons and extreme weather. Symbolically significant, gloves were used in ritual acts and continue to hold meaning in linguistic expressions, such as challenging to a duel by smacking someone with a glove or throwing down/picking up gloves to initiate or accept a feud.
Knights progressed from coarse leather gloves to more sophisticated armor, such as chain mittens and eventually, plate gloves during the High and Late Middle Ages. These plate gloves, along with other arm protectors, formed a unified defense for the entire arm. They advanced from rough plate mittens to intricate fingered gloves, with individually moveable fingers in the late Middle Ages.
Leg Armor
Leg protection evolved from simple wrappings to more advanced designs such as greaves made of metal plates attached to leather stockings. These designs progressed into three-piece greaves, eventually developing into more sophisticated plate legs that covered thighs and knees. With the spread of plate armor in the late Middle Ages, leg gear became more perfected, including knee protection and beaked metal shoes. In modern times, leg protection remains an essential part of equipment for LARP, reenactment, or show combat, providing an authentic and powerful appearance, whether combined with chainmail, other armor pieces, or worn over basic garments.
Throughout history, the evolution of leg gear from simple wrappings to sophisticated plate legs underscores the crucial role of leg protection for soldiers during warfare, a necessity that remains relevant in contemporary reenactments and combat displays.
