Page 65 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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Spike protruded from spur,
worn on the heel by the knight KNIGHTS’

▲ LANCE HEAD Long lances were used as shock ▶ CUISSE AND POLEYN ▲ PRICK SPUR
Date 12th–13th century weapons after a charge in combat Date 16th century Date 11th century
or in a tournament. Metal
Origin Europe Origin Europe Origin Europe
combat lance heads, such as this
Weight 3oz (90g) one, could pierce gaps in plate Material Steel Material Iron
1
Length 7 ⁄2in (19.4cm) armor, leaving terrible wounds.
The cuisse was a plate that The prick spur had a single iron spike
protected the lower thigh, to guide the horse by prodding its
fastened in place with buckles. It flank. It was the most common form
first became common in the 14th of spur until the introduction of the
century and was sometimes made rowel spur in the late 13th century,
of two separate plates, which which featured multiple points.
Gothic-style allowed for greater flexibility. ARMOR AND WEAPONS
mounted The poleyn protected the knee.
knight’s armor
Straps for
attaching to leg
Segmented
plate criniere
to protect neck

Leaf-shaped
top spike
Lower part attaches
above knee joint

Spike protruding
from roundel

Diamond-section
protruding pick at
the back
Shaffron to
protect face
Flat
▶ WAR-HAMMER diamond-
Date c.1490 shaped
Origin Europe hammer
face
Weight 3 ⁄4lb (1.51kg)
1
1
Length 27 ⁄4in (69.5cm)
War-hammers appeared around
1250, and were especially popular
during the Hundred Years’ War
(1337–1453). They typically
comprised a blunt hammer head
or set of claws at the front with
Crinet plate a sharp pick at the back.
for neck

Peytral to ◀ BARDING ◀ BRONZE MACE
protect chest Date c.1480 Date 14th century
Origin Northern Europe Origin Europe
1
Material Steel Length (Head) 3 ⁄4in (8cm)
Barding, or horse armor, was The mace was a clublike weapon
little used before the 13th century. with a metal head. This simple
Initially, it consisted of a simple mace consists of a circular bronze
shaffron of mail to protect the head—with vertical ridges or
horse’s face. Later, plates of flanges—and a thick wooden
“cuir-bouilli” (hardened leather) shaft. After around 1470, the shafts
or metal appeared as peytrals for were also made of metal. Like
the chest, and flanchards for the the war-hammer, maces were
flanks. This is an elaborately popular with cavalrymen.
decorated Gothic-style barding.