Cuirass

By Crusader1307

Although examples of this type of protective body armor can trace it's origins far back into ancient Rome and Greece, the Cuirass was seen in the mid to late Middle Ages. It was made from a single piece of steel or iron (although there were two piece versions as well). Hard leather versions were also constructed. They could be plain or embellished. The Cuirass was designed to cover the front of the wearers torso initially. It would be affixed to the wearer via leather straps with metal stud connectors or swivels. More extravagant version (made for nobility) would also have a back plate of some kind incorporated as well. It's advantage was that it would protect the front of the body. It's flaw was that was all it could protect! No protection to the underarms or hip and groin area was used. Sometimes seen as "ceremonial pieces", as stated - they were often incorporated with other armor components. They would become very popular among many 16 to 18th Century cavalry units in Europe.