Lichfield District Council
Leg Guards from Child's Suit of Armour - Circa 1890
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession number: Armour No.4
This suit of armour, which measures just over a metre in height has been designed to be worn by a child.
In Medieval Europe, education in the techniques of warfare started early, and introducing a child to the weight and feel of armour was considered an invaluable part of this training.
However, far from being the armour of a Medieval Prince, this suit of plate armour is a Victorian reproduction piece, dating from roughly 1890.
Gothic revival was one of the prevailing design styles during the Victorian period. This style stressed Medieval designs and themes, and suits of armour became a key component of fashionable interior design. The problem for fashionable Victorians though was that there simply wasn't enough authentic, medieval armour to go around. The answer was to produce imitation pieces such as this child's suit of armour.
The suit of armour is constructed of interlocking steel plates, held together by leather straps with brass buckles. Each section has been decorated with a floral etched design. This floral design is held within bands which run vertically down each section of armour.
The suit lacks a helmet and set of gauntlets but is otherwise complete. It consists of:
A Gorget, protecting the neck.
A Cuirass with breastplate and backplate (protecting the torso), with attached Faulds and left and right articulated Tassets to protect the hips and upper thighs.
Each arm is made up of four pieces of armour: A Pouldron (shoulder guard), articulated Rerebrace (upper arm guard), Couter (elbow guard) and Vambrace (lower arm guard).
Each leg is made up of four pieces of armour: A cuisse (upper leg guard), articulated Poleyn (knee guard), Greave (lower leg and calf guard) and articulated Sabatons (foot guards).
Leg Guards from Child's Suit of Armour - Circa 1890
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession number: Armour No.4
This suit of armour, which measures just over a metre in height has been designed to be worn by a child.
In Medieval Europe, education in the techniques of warfare started early, and introducing a child to the weight and feel of armour was considered an invaluable part of this training.
However, far from being the armour of a Medieval Prince, this suit of plate armour is a Victorian reproduction piece, dating from roughly 1890.
Gothic revival was one of the prevailing design styles during the Victorian period. This style stressed Medieval designs and themes, and suits of armour became a key component of fashionable interior design. The problem for fashionable Victorians though was that there simply wasn't enough authentic, medieval armour to go around. The answer was to produce imitation pieces such as this child's suit of armour.
The suit of armour is constructed of interlocking steel plates, held together by leather straps with brass buckles. Each section has been decorated with a floral etched design. This floral design is held within bands which run vertically down each section of armour.
The suit lacks a helmet and set of gauntlets but is otherwise complete. It consists of:
A Gorget, protecting the neck.
A Cuirass with breastplate and backplate (protecting the torso), with attached Faulds and left and right articulated Tassets to protect the hips and upper thighs.
Each arm is made up of four pieces of armour: A Pouldron (shoulder guard), articulated Rerebrace (upper arm guard), Couter (elbow guard) and Vambrace (lower arm guard).
Each leg is made up of four pieces of armour: A cuisse (upper leg guard), articulated Poleyn (knee guard), Greave (lower leg and calf guard) and articulated Sabatons (foot guards).