History

• According to the Knights and Armor website, plate armor did not exist until the late 13th century. Before that, knights and other combatants wore a combination of chainmail and leather. The advent of full-plated suits did not come about until the 15th century. They became obsolete with the invention of firearms about 100 years later.
  
  

Function

• The purpose of medieval armor---whether chainmail, leather padding or full plate---was to protect the wearer from incoming missiles (arrows or spears) and the heavy blows of sharp-edged axes or swords.
  
  

Types

• There were three main types of medieval armor. The first and least protective was a thick leather padding that allowed the wearer a minimum of protection in combat. The second was chainmail, which often consisted of thousands of small metallic rings that had to be painstakingly constructed to produce a comprehensive piece. Plate armor suits offered the best protection, but could be prohibitively expensive.
  
  

Benefits

• The protection of metallic armor vs. leather or simple wooden shields and helmets gave knights and other combatants who could afford it a significant advantage. Armor could more easily deflect the blows of arrows and blades in battle.
  
  

Misconceptions

• According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, armor wasn't uniformly expensive and could be purchased by soldiers of lesser status or income. Although suits of armor could be heavy, the weight was usually distributed evenly enough so that the wearer could maneuver successfully and safely in battle.