When Did Warriors Dress Like That? Armour Through Six Centuries

A visual chronology of suits of armor across the ages.

The image of a medieval suit of armor standing silently in an castle is one that perhaps best embodies the modern perception of the Middle Ages. But this print, issued in a 1930’s British encyclopedia, shows that there were significant developments in the style and function of armor between the 11th and 17th centuries.

Variations in material, level of protection, and mobility all fluctuated based on the contemporary battle techniques, available resources, and metalsmithing technology. Thirty-eight separate illustrations highlight these changes from the mail tunics of William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion troops to the relatively simple breastplates in use around 1650. Accompanying text at the bottom of the page provides a brief, high-level summary of the notable changes.