A breastplate is a type of protective armor that was commonly worn by knights in the late medieval and early modern eras. Breastplates were typically made of leather, metal, or even chain mail, depending on the knight’s financial resources. There are many variations of breastplates, but they all served the same purpose: to protect the knight’s torso during battle. In addition to providing armor, breastplates also served as a place to store items like daggers and other weapons. A breastplate could also be used to improve balance while riding a horse by placing items like a metal-tipped lance inside the breastplate. In the early modern era, breastplates were sometimes made of iron and worn by infantrymen as well as knights. Breastplates are an example of a piece of protective armor that has remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. They are still a part of the uniforms of modern-day military organizations, including the British Army, the French Foreign Legion, and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Types of Breastplates

There are many different types of breastplates, depending on when they were created and what they were designed to protect against. Medieval breastplates were often made of chain mail, which was a type of armor made of iron rings that were connected to each other. Chain mail offered very little protection to the knight’s torso, but it was very effective against attacks from the legs and arms. Medieval breastplates were also usually made of leather, which offered very little protection but was much cheaper than chain mail. Some breastplates were even made of metal, which offered more protection than leather but was still not very effective. Breastplates from this period were designed to protect the knight from attacks by other knights. Later breastplates were designed to protect the knight from attacks by mounted knights. Breastplates from this period were often made of iron or steel and had long spikes that were designed to penetrate the horse’s hooves.

How to Wear a Breastplate

The breastplate was designed to be worn over the chest, so the knight would normally fasten it by lacing the front sides together. The breastplate could be laced on the left or right side, depending on the position of the knight during battle. Breastplates were designed to be very tight, to prevent an enemy’s blade from slipping between the breastplate and the knight’s torso. Breastplates were also designed to be very thick, to protect the knight against attacks from above. The breastplate could be laced in such a way that it could be removed quickly in the event of an injury.

Function of Breastplates

The breastplate was designed to protect the knight’s torso during battle. The breastplate could be worn over a coat of mail, or it could be worn alone. The breastplate was usually made of metal, though some were made of leather. The breastplate was designed to protect the knight against attacks from the legs and arms, but it was not very effective against attacks from above. The breastplate could be laced in such a way that it could be removed quickly in the event of an injury. The breastplate could also be worn underneath a coat of mail to provide extra protection.

The End of the Breastplate Era

The end of the breastplate era came about as a result of the invention of the pike. Pikes were long metal shafts that could be used as a type of pole weapon. Pikes were often used in the infantry, since they could be used to attack from a distance. The breastplate was not designed to protect against attacks from a distance, so knights began to remove their breastplates when they began to use pikes. The breastplate was still used by knights when they were on horseback, but it was no longer necessary when they were on foot. When firearms were invented, the breastplate was no longer necessary for protection against attacks from a distance. Breastplates were still used by knights as part of their uniforms, but they were no longer necessary for protection.

Conclusion

The breastplate is a type of protective armor that has remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. Breastplates were commonly made of leather, metal, or even chain mail, depending on the knight’s financial resources. There are many variations of breastplates, but they all served the same purpose: to protect the knight’s torso during battle. In the early modern era, breastplates were sometimes made of iron and worn by infantrymen as well as knights. Breastplates are an example of a piece of protective armor that has remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. They are still a part of the uniforms of modern-day military organizations, including the British Army, the French Foreign Legion, and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Frequently Asked Question

Horse Tack is a piece of equipment that is fitted to a horse or pony, to assist with the riding of a horse or pony.  The term tacking up is used to describe the process of placing the equipment on the horse or pony. Often Horse Tack is kept in a "Tack Room". A room normally in a stable block, where the horse riding equipment is stored ready for use.

 

 

The 5 most important parts of a horse's tack are 
  1. The Saddle
  2. The Girth
  3. The Saddle Pad
  4. The Bridle
  5. The headcollar
If you are leading your horse in from the field or tying it up outside the stable block, the first piece of tack that goes on a horse is the head collar or halter. Once your horse is secure, you can then swap the headcollar for the bridle and once the bridle is in place, you can then proceed with the saddle pad, saddle and finally the girth to secure the saddle and saddle pad in place.
This is purely a tradition thing. Historically soldiers would mount a horse from the left, to stop their swords from hitting the horse. As a result, horses were tacked up on the left and it is a tradition that has just stuck. However, there is no reason why you can tack up on the right and also mount your horse on the right-hand side. In fact it is good practice to get your horse used to both sides.