\Clay"more`\, n. [Gael. claidheamhmor a broadsword; Gael. claidheamh sword + mor great, large. Cf. Claymore.] A large two-handed sword used formerly by the Scottish Highlanders.

\Sling"er\, n. One who slings

Medieval swords

The Rapier

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The wearing of medieval armor was an effective means of protection in war and combat for centuries. The object of medieval armour was to protect the wearer from attack from the most powerful weapons of the period. The importance of the craft of medieval armor manufacture in the Middle Ages can hardly be underestimated. Armor use dates back to the Greek and early Roman empire. Medieval era knights are most remembered for their elaborate armor. A knight's armor was more that protection, it reflected his status and lifestyle. The quality of the armor was as important and the overall look and the battle efficiency.Indeed it was also fashion statement.

All our armor is hand-made by artisans and craftsmen and is fully articulated with the finest detail. They all ship complete as shown in the pictures including stands if shown. Throughout the centuries, Italian armor was highly prized for incredible detailing and superior style! Our superb reproduction armor is crafted in the styling tradition of those master craftsman who created the originals for Kings and Knights throughout Europe. Consider our Italian made full suits of armor if you want to make a real statement in a entrance way or foyer. Nothing is more impressive than a full suit of knights medieval armour guarding the entrance of your castle, home or business.

Protecting oneself in battle has always been a concern for any soldier, and medieval knights were no exception. In fact, it was their protective armor that helped define them as a military unit and social class. Armoring oneself during the Middle Ages was a great expense that only the wealthy could afford.

 

Among the earliest metallic armor to be worn by medieval knights was chainmail armor, consisting of tens of thousands of interlocking rings woven painstakingly by hand to form a shirt, coif, or leggings. Because of the mild steel produced in medieval times each ring had to be riveted to keep all the rings from spreading and opening under the weight of the piece. Underneath the metal armor the knight would wear a padded garment known variously as an "aketon", or "gambeson". To this defensive equipment he added a shield, usually made of leather-covered wood, and a helmet. As the medieval arms race progressed and new, more powerful weapons were developed (such as the longbow and crossbow), chainmail became ineffective on its own.

Late in the Middle Ages plate armor began to appear (ca. late 13th/early 14th century), first as reinforcements to vital areas such as the chest and shoulders, and finally as a complete suit (ca. early 15th century). The medieval "knight in shining armor" that most people think of when the subject of knights comes up, is the fully plate-armored knight. Chainmail armor was now relegated to protecting smaller vital areas that could not be covered with plate armor, such as the groin and under the arms. The shield became smaller, or disappeared altogether as it became unnecessary and redundant

A fully plate-armored knight

Ironically it was soon after the development of the full suit of plate armor that the medieval knight's advantage in battle began to wane. With the effective use of gunpowder weapons (ca. 15th/16th century) not even plate armor could protect the knight, and the cumbersome armor gradually became ineffective and impractical.