Full Suit of Armor Duke of Burgundy

Crossbows, longbows and lances were - in a quite literal sense -the most piercing arguments for further developing plate armor. From the high Middle Ages onwards people began to reinforce the mail shirts of noblemen with metal plates which in the 14th century finally culminated in the full suit of armor. The centers of production were Italy and Germany.

Armorers had to have an extensive knowledge of the human anatomy in order to produce suits of armor with maximum flexibility. Contrary to common belief it was possible to run, lie down, rise and even mount a horse unaided when wearing a full suit of armor.

Our suit of armor is based on the one worn by Charles the Bold, the last duke of Burgundy. He is often referred to as the last ruler who had a deep connection with the essence of the feudal system and whose most prominent feature was his outstanding valor. In the battle of Nancy he confronted an army of Swiss mercenaries and Lorraine forces ten times stronger than his own force of merely 2000 men- and died, aged 43. (His mutilated frozen body partly eaten by wolves were found a few days after the battle in a pond..)

The suit of armor which is replicated with attention to historical accuracy recaptures the spirit of the late medieval era. It is based on a mid-15th century Italian model which has more rounded sections. It consists of a hounskull helmet with visor and bevor, breast and backplate, arm and leg armor ( including greaves, sabatons, armored gauntlets, elbow and knee plates and shoulder armor) and a base with a wooden stand.