Armor Type:  Torso Armor

Brief Description:  A coat of plates is made of overlapping iron or steel plates riveted inside a heavy fabric or leather garment. Emerging in the 13th century, it bridged the gap between flexible chainmail and rigid full plate harnesses, offering knights vital protection against crushing blows and piercing weapons.

Key Characteristics:

Construction: The armor consisted of multiple, sometimes larger, metal plates attached to an outer shell (usually canvas, linen, or leather) and a comfortable lining, often worn over chainmail and a padded gambeson.

Tactical Advantage: Overlapping plates allowed for crucial flexibility and mobility while significantly dispersing the force of incoming strikes.

Evolution: Early versions featured vertical metal splints or smaller plates attached to long surcoats. As it evolved into the 14th century, it became shorter and utilized larger, anatomically curved steel plates over the chest.

Brigandine distinction: While closely related, the coat of plates typically used fewer, larger barrel-shaped plates, whereas the later brigandine used a larger number of smaller plates riveted through the center.