Armor has been used for thousands of years by civilizations around the world. Much can be learned about a certain people group by studying their armor.
Determining the strongest or most functional armor in history is somewhat subjective. While the point of armor is protection, many armies throughout world history sacrificed complete armor coverage for a good deal of mobility.
When deciding which armor was the strongest and most effective armor in history, three main categories of armor come to mind for most people: samurai-style, lorica segmentata/laminar, and medieval/Renaissance plate.
Eastern armors like that of the samurai fall into the "mobile" category. The armor of the samurai, for example, is quite effective but also moves with the body. This allowed fighters to perform a wide range of actions on the battlefield.
Laminar armor types such as Roman lorica segmentata provided similar advantages and disadvantages during battle.
European plate armor of the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods is generally considered the strongest armor in history. This is due to its ability to withstand sword blows, arrows, and other threats and provide near complete coverage from head to toe.
While plate armor is commonly thought to render its wearer immobile, many experiments have proven this theory to be false. In reality, European plate armor of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance periods were extremely well made, with both functionality and maneuverability at the forefront of designs.
The following is a discussion of the top three types of plate armor available during the peak of plate armor production in the 15th and 16th centuries.
These categories are considered the strongest types of armor in world history.
Milan was a major center of armor production throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. The Italian city was home to world-class craftsmen who were innovators in their field.
Milanese plate armor production reached its peak during the 1400s and into the early 1500s. This style is considered one of the strongest in history due to its close attention to the human form.
Soldiers outfitted in Milanese plate had suits made to their measurements. Milanese armorers crafted with simplicity and form in mind.
Italian armor is distinguished by its simple and rounded shapes that accentuated and fully protected a soldier.
Milanese plate armor of the Renaissance period became more elaborately decorated, but no less functional. Armorers of the Holy Roman Empire (modern Germany) and Britain copied Milanese styles.
Italian armorers also emigrated to these countries to work in royal armories and share their knowledge with other craftsmen.
Gothic plate armor is another category of the strongest armor in history. Like Milanese armor, the Gothic style balanced form and function.
The Gothic style originated in the Holy Roman Empire with early styles being developed between 1420 and 1450. This category of plate armor is characterized by its fully protective plates and moveable joints.
The cities of Augsburg and Nuremberg were centers of Gothic armor production. Like their Milanese counterparts, designers of Gothic armor traveled to neighboring countries to share their knowledge and gain new skills.
Much of the Gothic style developed from Milanese armor. There was a good deal of "borrowing" between Germany and Italy during the late Middle Ages due to the countries' shared border.
By the early 1500s, certain regional styles of plate armor took hold. "White armor" is one example of regional armor that proved highly effective.
A more popular style was Maximilian armor, named for Emperor Maximilian I. This type of armor was developed between 1515 and 1525 and is considered some of the most effective armor in history.
Maximilian plate armor made the best use of metal. The rounded curves and fluting designs of this style maximized its protective capabilities and allowed for a fully customizable fit.
While beautiful, these design elements also provided extra protection and maneuverability. The ability of a soldier to move should not be underestimated. Being able to make quick and sure movements allowed soldiers to defend themselves and escape from dangerous situations.
Like Milanese armor, the combination of full body protection and maneuverability makes Gothic armor of Germany some of the best plate armor in history.
The final major category of late medieval and Renaissance plate armor is Greenwich armor of England. This style is named for the Royal Armoury at Greenwich in London.
Established by King Henry VIII in 1511, the Armoury was the center of English armor production until the Civil War in the 17th century.
Henry VIII hired many German or "Almain" armorers to craft his one-of-a-kind suits of plate. The Almain Armourers' Album is one of the best sources we have that documents the armor produced from 1557 to 1587 at the Armoury. The album features 29 illustrated designs.
Most of the armor created at Greenwich was fully customizable for different scenarios. These "garnitures" included full cavalry sets with interchangeable light cavalry, infantry, and jousting pieces.
Garnitures made at Greenwich could cost a nobleman upwards of £500.
During the reign of Henry VIII, armor was characterized by its extremely ornate design elements. Armorers used gilding, etching, "bluing," and inlay to create unique and beautiful armor. The king hired celebrated artists like Hans Holbein to design decorative elements.
One of the most extraordinary examples of Greenwich armor is the foot combat armor of Henry VIII. This suit of armor completely covered the king from head to toe with not one chink. The highly innovative suit featured turning joints that linked the plates together perfectly.
The suit of armor was also fully articulated at the joints and buttocks for maneuverability. This rare example of armor proved completely impenetrable and fit for a king.
By the time Henry's daughter Queen Elizabeth I took the throne, Greenwich's armor styles were again changing.
The extremely ornate details of her father's reign were replaced with slightly simpler designs that mimicked everyday clothing styles.
The above illustration features a late 16th century cuirass that resembles a man's doublet.
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