How was medieval armor cleaned?
Plate armor was made in sections, or plates, so it was quite easy to walk in, but very hot to wear. When the fighting was over, they cleaned his armor with a mixture of sand and urine to stop it from getting rusty! A suit of plate armor could weigh more than 55lb (25kg), about the same as a seven-year-old child.
Was medieval armor expensive?
Overall, expenses needed to equip a medieval European knight could go up to $500,000. Some researchers and medieval bloggers even say numbers go up to $3,500,000, but we could not find sources or historical examples of such an expensive armor. Nevertheless, we consider it possible.
How often did medieval knights bathe?
Knights would bathe as often as they could, at least washing their face, hands and arms, pits and groin with a rag if better facilities weren’t available. Remember that they were minor nobility besides their combat role, and leaders do have to maintain a cleanliness.
Why was armor important in the Middle Ages?
This was a very important process, since completed armor should have no gaps, should be comfortable to wear, unrestrictive, and articulated. And the most essential for the knight of the Middle Ages – his armor should protect him as much as possible during the numerous medieval wars.
What happened to plates in the Middle Ages?
Plate armor slowly fell out of use and was relegated to the history books and our popular imagination. Although plate armor is the armor associated with the knights of Medieval Europe , it was in fact created only during the last phase of the Middle Ages, i.e. the Late Middle Ages. Prior to this period, knights relied on the hauberk for protection.
What did they do with old weapons in the Middle Ages?
Quality weapons could be repaired and re-sharpened, cracks in armor patched and mended. Recycling was a necessary part of life in the Middle Ages, and little could go to waste. These things would trade hands, whether it was scavenged off a corpse or passed down as an heirloom.
How did armor change over the years?
The makers of weapons and armor were in a constant struggle to keep up with the advances in each field; an advance in armor was offset by an advance in weaponry. This struggle dictated the evolution of armor from a soft outer garment to the knight’s full metal suit.