Medieval armour and shields were essential for survival on the battlefield, reflecting both technological advancement and social status. From the early use of chainmail and wooden round shields to the later development of plate armor and intricately designed heater shields, medieval warriors relied on sophisticated protection. Armour evolved to counter new weapons and tactics, while shields became more than just defense—they displayed heraldry and identity. This section explores the development, types, and significance of armour and shields throughout the medieval period, offering a deep dive into how warriors defended themselves in the brutal world of medieval warfare.
Who Made Medieval Armor?
Armorers were a specialist form of a blacksmith that created armor during the medieval period, within this specialized class of smiths’ could also be further specialization such as armorers who only made maille armor *helmets or gauntlets for example.
Armorers were usually individuals or small companies but as the medieval period progressed larger and more sophisticated armorers appeared to meet demand, in particular, Italy and Germany were well respected for the mass-produced armor that was shipped around Europe in large quantities.
Sallet Helmets became popular throughout medieval Europe, especially in Italy (Milan) and Germany (Augsburg and Nuremberg) where the helmets were made by the Great Armor manufacturers of the time.
Anglo Saxon Armour c.450 – c.1066
Anglo Saxon Chainmail
Historical images depict Anglo-Saxon warriors wearing chainmail and this is confirmed by the findings at an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Sutton Hoo in Suffolk
A Famous Helmet *The Sutton Hoo believed to belong to an elite Anglo-Saxon Warrior was also discovered.
Anglo Saxon warriors would have worn chainmail armor in battle *mailcoats *coats of mail but not plate armor. Chainmail armor did help reduce the impact of enemy blows, however it was heavy and restricted movement, so the wearer had some advantages over his opponent but there were also some disadvantages.
Anglo Saxon Helmets
Anglo Saxons warriors were not that well protected in battle as they only wore chainmail this also slowed them down and made them an easier target, and they did not wear helmets in earlier medieval periods, in fact it wasn’t until around the 11th century that the Anglo-Saxon helmet became more commonplace.
It was the Great Anglo Saxon leader ‘Cnut the Great’ who made a ruling that all soldiers must possess a helmet in 1008 *Anglo- Saxon King ‘Aethelred the Unready’ also ordered helmets to be manufactured for Anglo-Saxon armies.
Anglo Saxon Shields
Anglo Saxon shields were made from different types of wood from material that was abundantly available in Britain Ash, oak, maple, alder, willow, and poplar wood were among the most commonly used types of wood in shield construction.
The basic design of an Anglo-Saxon shield is comprised of multiple wooden planks packed in a circular shape and held together using some adhesive material.
In some cases, the wooden structure was then covered with an extra layer of leather to reinforce the shield and make it stronger.
Richer Anglo-Saxons of the noble class would occasionally cover the wooden shield structure with a metal like bronze, making it a lot stronger.
Viking Armour c.750 – c.1100
Viking Armour
Like the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings wore little body armor but used their shields effectively as a strong defense. Vikings wore part or full chain mail shirts *longer chainmail shirts with long sleeves are commonly described as a ‘Hauberk’.
Chainmail was very expensive and difficult to make and most likely worn by elite Vikings or professional Viking armies *Great Heathen Armies! – Historical evidence suggests that undergarments of some kind underneath the chainmail may have also been worn.
Viking Helmets
Surprisingly many historians believe that the horned helmet of the Viking warrior depicted in popular mythology was more likely to have been used in rituals rather than for fighting!
Viking Shields
Viking round shields were usually 30 to 36 inches in diameter although the specific size of a shield varied according to the warrior wielding it.
Viking Shields as large as 48 inches in diameter were also used. The most common material used in the construction of the round viking shield was linden wood. Other types of wood were also commonly used such as poplar, fir and alder wood.
Multiple planks of wood were glued together and cut into a circular shape for the basic structure of a round shield. The rim of the shield was then fitted with additional bindings such as those of iron to reinforce the structure.
Leather and different kinds of fibrous materials were used on the front of the shield to make the shield more durable and prevent enemy blades from cutting too deep.
Norman Armour c.1060 – c.1200
Norman mounted warriors wore a chainmail shirt that fell to their knees. The mail shirt, called a ‘hauberk’, was quite effective on the battlefield, especially when complemented with other types of armor.
Norman Helm Helmet
A vital part of a Norman warrior’s battlefield armor was the steel helm that he wore on his head. The Norman helm was conical in shape. It could be one of the two types in terms of its manufacture.
One type of Norman helm comprised of one-piece construction which was harder and more expensive but also proved to be far sturdier on the battlefield.
Norman Shield
The shield provided Norman warriors with a good defense when wielding a weapon with the other hand. The shape of the Norman shields was typically like a kite.
This shape replaced the round-shaped shield which was common among the Norman towards the end of the 10th century. The kite-shaped shield was made from wood and often covered with leather which, in turn, was painted in different patterns.
Knights Armour
Tournament Armour
Knights Shield
Medieval Armour Parts – Chain Mail – Plate Armour
Chainmail
The most practical form of medieval armor used in the early medieval ages was chain-mail armor which consisted of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.
When mail armor first appeared it was expensive and very time-consuming to make *for this reason after a battle dead soldiers could be looted for their mail armor.
During the start of the medieval period soldiers usually did not have much head protection as they usually only wore a Mail Coif and a Hauberk. The Coif and the Hauberk were made from this chain-mail and the interlocking loops of metal were woven into some type of suitable fabric.
Medieval Knights Armour
Medieval Armour Parts
- Helmet (Sallet) *protected Head
- Stop Rib *protected Shoulder
- Breast Plate *Protected Chest
- Lance Rest *Secured Lance
- Gorget – would protect the neck
- Cuirass – protected the breast area
- Plackart – designed to add more armor to the front Faulds – protected the waist and hips
- Cowter – protected elbows
- Spaulders and Pauldrons – protected shoulders and everything in that area
- Vambraces – used to protect the arms
- Gauntlets – protected the hands
- Poleyn – protected knees – later attached to the Chausses and Tasset to protect the upper leg area
- Greaves – protected the lower area of the leg
- Cuisse – protected the sides of the legs
- Sabaton – covered the foot.
Helmet (Sallet) Protected Knights Head
Parts that did not have plates protecting them were usually covered by mail called Gousset and an additional padded cloth called Doublet or Double doublet was worn under a harness.
Full Plate Medieval Armor
It is believed that the first forms of plate armor were developed in the Middle East which were then adopted by other countries in the medieval world.
In the later parts of the medieval period armor became more sophisticated and was designed to protect every part of the body. Items that were introduced and made the most impact were full plate armor and helmets in different shapes and sizes.
During the 14th century, new forms of weapons were being developed *high powered crossbows which were able to penetrate early chain-mail armor and armorers had to create better plate armor that covered the entire body*
What materials were medieval armour and shields made from?
Medieval armour was primarily crafted from iron, steel, leather, and chainmail, while shields were often made of wood reinforced with leather, rawhide, or metal.
How effective was medieval armour in battle?
Medieval armour offered strong protection against swords, arrows, and blunt force. Plate armour, in particular, could deflect blows and minimize injury from powerful strikes.
What types of shields were used in medieval warfare?
Common shield types included the kite shield, round shield, and the later heater shield. Each was designed for specific combat styles and levels of mobility.
Did all knights wear full plate armour?
Not all warriors had access to full plate armour. It was expensive and typically reserved for wealthier knights, while others used chainmail or partial armour for protection.
How did armour affect a soldier’s mobility?
Well-crafted armour was surprisingly flexible. Knights trained to move, fight, and even mount horses while fully armoured, although it still limited endurance over time.
Were shields used alongside swords or other weapons?
Yes, shields were often paired with swords, axes, or maces. They provided crucial defense in close combat and were also used to push, block, or bash opponents.
What role did armour and shields play in medieval tactics?
Armour and shields were vital for both offense and defense. They influenced formations, duels, and siege strategies by allowing troops to sustain longer combat engagements.
How did armour evolve over the medieval period?
Early medieval armour relied heavily on chainmail and leather. Over time, advances in metallurgy led to the development of articulated plate armour for better coverage and durability.
Why were shields phased out over time?
As full-body plate armour became more widespread, the need for shields diminished, especially on horseback. Firearms also changed battlefield dynamics, reducing shield effectiveness.
Are there surviving examples of medieval armour and shields today?
Yes, many museums and private collections around the world preserve authentic medieval armour and shields, offering insight into the craftsmanship and design of the period.
Learn More about Medieval Armor with the Great Resources!
Learn More about Chainmail at Wikipedia
Learn More about Plate Armor at Wikipedia
Learn More about Armor Parts at Wikipedia
