7 Surprising Materials Used in Medieval Armor

In the heart of medieval battles, knights clad in full body armor were a symbol of fortitude. We envision them encased in gleaming metal suits, impenetrable fortresses against the chaos of war. But the truth about medieval body armor is far more intriguing – and surprisingly diverse.

While plate armor remains the iconic image, medieval ingenuity wasn't confined to the clang of the forge. Knights and soldiers relied on a fascinating array of materials for their armor suits. Boiled leather, hardened to an unexpected resilience, offered surprisingly effective protection. Layers upon layers of thick fabric, meticulously stitched together, could deflect blows with surprising efficiency.

So, prepare to shed your preconceptions about knight's body armor! This article will delve into the captivating world of unconventional materials used in medieval full body armor.

1. Leather: A Supple Shield

Leather, a natural and readily available material, played a surprisingly significant role in body armor. Unlike the rigid image of metal armor, leather armor offered a unique combination of flexibility and protection.

There were two main types of leather used:

• Boiled Leather (Cuir Bouilli): This fascinating technique involved soaking thick leather in water, then boiling it with waxes and oils. The process transformed the leather into a remarkably tough material, capable of deflecting slashing attacks and offering some blunt force protection.
• Hardened Leather: Thick hides were treated with natural tannins and hardening agents, creating a more rigid form of leather. While not as tough as boiled leather, it provided a good balance between weight and protection, often used for components like greaves (leg armor) and bracers (arm armor).

The advantages of leather armor were clear. It was significantly lighter than metal, allowing for greater mobility on the battlefield.

Additionally, its flexibility offered a degree of comfort unlike the often cumbersome metal alternatives. Leather was also readily available and relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of forged metal armor.

2. Padded Armor: A Fabric Bulwark Against Blunt Force

Beyond the metallic clatter of a knight's full body armor suit, another surprising material played a crucial role in medieval warfare –  padded armor. Unlike the image of a knight encased in rigid metal, padded armor offered a quieter, yet no less vital, form of protection for the body.

Constructed from layers of thick textiles, such as linen or wool, padded armor was essentially a wearable quilt. These layers were meticulously stitched together and often stuffed with various padding materials like wool, rags, or even horsehair. The thickness and density of the padding could be varied depending on the desired level of protection for the wearer's body.

Padded Armor had its advantages:

• Shock Absorption: Thick padding effectively absorbs the impact of blows from swords, maces, and even falls, mitigating blunt force trauma.
• Comfort: Acts as a comfortable undergarment, preventing chafing and overheating – a major concern when wearing heavy metal armor.
• Blunt Force Protection: Particularly valuable for mitigating injuries sustained in battles or jousting tournaments.

There were disadvantages too:

• Limited Defense Against Sharp Weapons: Not designed to withstand piercing attacks from arrows, lances, or sharp swords.
• Ineffective on its Own: Primarily functions as a buffer worn beneath metal armor like chainmail or plate for comprehensive protection.

3. Textile Armor: The Woven Shield

Moving beyond leather and padding, medieval warriors surprisingly found protection in another readily available material – textiles. Thick, densely woven fabrics played a crucial role in the development of body armor, particularly in the form of the gambeson.

The gambeson was a quilted jacket, typically constructed from layers of linen or wool tightly stitched together. The density of the weave and the number of layers determined the level of protection offered. While not as sophisticated as metal armor, gambesons proved surprisingly effective against slashing attacks from swords or axes. The thick fabric layers could blunt the blade's force, reducing the severity of wounds.

So what were the advantages of Textile Armor?:

• Affordability: Relatively inexpensive compared to metal armor, making it accessible to a wider range of soldiers.
• Slashing Defense: Effective against slashing attacks from swords or axes, due to the dense weave and multiple layers.

And the disadvantages?:

• Limited Piercing Protection: Vulnerable to piercing attacks from arrows, lances, or sharp swords.
• Weight: Thickly padded gambesons could be heavy, potentially hindering mobility.
• Vulnerability to Fire: Natural fibers used in the fabric could easily ignite, posing a serious danger.

4. Horn: Nature's Unexpected Armor

Yes, horns from formidable beasts like rhinos and buffaloes found a place in the medieval warrior's arsenal.

But why horn? Unlike the readily available materials discussed earlier, horn offered a unique combination of surprising strength and natural defense properties. The dense, keratinous structure of horn made it remarkably tough, capable of deflecting blows and absorbing impacts. It was also surprisingly lightweight when compared to metal, offering protection without sacrificing agility.

Advantages of Horn Armor:

• Surprising Strength: Dense keratinous structure offered remarkable toughness, deflecting blows and absorbing impacts.
• Lightweight: Lighter than metal, providing protection without hindering mobility.

Disadvantages of Horn Armor:

• Rarity: Obtaining large horns required hunting dangerous animals.
• Difficulty of Use: Shaping and working with horn was a complex process requiring skilled craftsmanship.
• Limited Use: Primarily used for decorative elements due to rarity and complexity of use.

5. Wood: A Natural Shield for the Body

Our journey through surprising materials in medieval body armor takes another unexpected turn– wood! Yes, wood, the seemingly ordinary material, played a crucial role in protecting medieval warriors. Treated wood, particularly boiled or laminated wood, found use in various components of a knight's full body armor suit.

Shields, the iconic symbol of defense, were most commonly constructed from wood. By treating wood with processes like boiling or laminating multiple layers together, armorers could create surprisingly sturdy and lightweight shields.

This offered several advantages:

• Lightweight: Compared to metal, wood offered significant weight savings, allowing for greater mobility on the battlefield.
• Readily Available: Wood was a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, making it a practical choice for soldiers of all ranks.
• Shock Absorption: Treated wood possessed good shock absorption properties, helping to mitigate the impact of blows and blunt force trauma.

However, wood also had limitations that restricted its use in full body armor:

• Vulnerability to Moisture: Wood can warp and crack when exposed to moisture, reducing its effectiveness over time.
• Susceptibility to Fire: Wood is highly flammable, posing a serious risk in situations where fire was used as a weapon.
• Limited Protection Against Strong Blows: While effective against some attacks, wood could be shattered by strong blows from weapons like axes or hammers.

Therefore, wood was primarily used for shields and leg guards (greaves) in medieval body armor. These components offered valuable protection without the weight and cost of metal, making them a practical choice for many medieval warriors.

6. Animal Hides

While leather, discussed earlier, offered a degree of protection, knights and soldiers also utilized the thick hides of specific animals for specialized armor components.

Imagine a warrior clad in the hide of a walrus or hippopotamus! These incredibly thick hides, boasting a natural, tough structure, provided exceptional protection against slashing attacks.

The dense fibers and thick layers of fat within the hide effectively blunted the force of swords and axes, making it a formidable barrier on the battlefield.

However, this remarkable protection came at a cost:

• Weight: Animal hides, particularly those of large creatures like walruses and hippopotamuses, were incredibly heavy. This significantly limited the wearer's mobility and agility in combat.
• Difficulty of Movement: The stiffness and bulk of animal hides made it difficult to move freely. Performing complex maneuvers or fighting for extended periods could be exhausting when wearing such cumbersome armor.

Therefore, animal hides were used for specific applications where exceptional protection against slashing attacks was paramount.

7. Beyond the Expected: A Testament to Medieval Ingenuity

Our exploration of unconventional materials in medieval body armor has revealed a fascinating array of choices beyond the expected clanging of metal. From the surprising strength of horn to the remarkable defense offered by animal hides, medieval warriors weren't limited by convention.

This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning a few even less common, yet ingenious, materials used in specific situations.

Boiled fish skin, for example, offered a surprisingly effective defense against slashing attacks when properly treated.

Additionally, hardened wicker, woven from specific types of reeds or branches, could provide surprisingly good protection for the legs or arms, particularly for lightly armored skirmishers.

But unlike those warriors, you don't have to settle for boiled leather or fish skin! At Swordsswords, we offer a wide selection of historical body armor

Buy comfortable, high-quality functional medieval armor that lets you experience the thrill of history without the sweat (or the stench of boiled fish skin). Head over to Swords & Swords today and suit up for your own medieval adventure!