Lichfield District Council
Breast Plate and Helmet from Suit of Armour - Italian Origin - Late 16th Century
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession number: 1983.66.2 (Armour No. 1)
This suit of Italian style plate armour, is believed to have been manufactured in northern Italy during the late 16th century.
The suit is a composite piece, consisting of original 16th century pieces in addition to Victorian reproduction pieces. It is likely that the upper half of the suit, consisting of helmet, torso and arm guards date from the late 16th century. Whilst the leg sections, buckles and straps were added in the Victorian period in order to make a complete suit of armour.
During the later 16th century, northern Italy and southern Germany were the centres of European armour production. Armour produced in these regions was exported across Europe. This particular suit, is believed to have been manufactured in the northern Italian regions, before eventually finding its way to Lichfield.
The suit of armour is constructed of interlocking steel plates, held together by leather straps with brass buckles. Each plate is decorated with a floral engraved design, alongside etchings of St George, a coat of arms and crosses. This etching is believed to date from the Victorian period.
The suit comprises of the following individual pieces:
A Close Helm with two thin eye slits. The helm has a split visor, the upper visor has a projecting lifting peg, enabling it to be moved independently of the projecting lower visor or 'Ventail.' A tall crest runs along the top of the helmet;.
A Bevor is attached to the base of the helmet (protecting the neck).
A Gorget, protecting the neck and shoulders;
A Cuirass with breastplate and backplate (protecting the torso) The breastplate has a protruding point over the stomach and features etchings of St George and the Dragon beneath coats of arms.
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 long, articulated Cuisse (thigh and upper leg guard), Poleyn (knee guard), Greave (lower leg and calf guard) and articulated Sabatons (foot guards).
Breast Plate and Helmet from Suit of Armour - Italian Origin - Late 16th Century
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession number: 1983.66.2 (Armour No. 1)
This suit of Italian style plate armour, is believed to have been manufactured in northern Italy during the late 16th century.
The suit is a composite piece, consisting of original 16th century pieces in addition to Victorian reproduction pieces. It is likely that the upper half of the suit, consisting of helmet, torso and arm guards date from the late 16th century. Whilst the leg sections, buckles and straps were added in the Victorian period in order to make a complete suit of armour.
During the later 16th century, northern Italy and southern Germany were the centres of European armour production. Armour produced in these regions was exported across Europe. This particular suit, is believed to have been manufactured in the northern Italian regions, before eventually finding its way to Lichfield.
The suit of armour is constructed of interlocking steel plates, held together by leather straps with brass buckles. Each plate is decorated with a floral engraved design, alongside etchings of St George, a coat of arms and crosses. This etching is believed to date from the Victorian period.
The suit comprises of the following individual pieces:
A Close Helm with two thin eye slits. The helm has a split visor, the upper visor has a projecting lifting peg, enabling it to be moved independently of the projecting lower visor or 'Ventail.' A tall crest runs along the top of the helmet;.
A Bevor is attached to the base of the helmet (protecting the neck).
A Gorget, protecting the neck and shoulders;
A Cuirass with breastplate and backplate (protecting the torso) The breastplate has a protruding point over the stomach and features etchings of St George and the Dragon beneath coats of arms.
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 long, articulated Cuisse (thigh and upper leg guard), Poleyn (knee guard), Greave (lower leg and calf guard) and articulated Sabatons (foot guards).