Armor Type:  Torso Armor

Brief Description:  A cuirass is a piece of protective plate armor that covers the torso. It is made of two primary components: a front breastplate to shield the chest and a backplate to protect the spine. Typically crafted from steel or iron, these plates are fastened together using leather straps, buckles, or sliding rivets.

The term comes from the French word cuir, which originally referenced the thick boiled leather from which these early medieval torso garments were made. Historically, a well-fitted medieval cuirass followed the natural contours of the wearer's body and was worn over a padded garment (such as a gambeson or arming doublet) to cushion impacts and distribute weight.

Key design elements of the medieval cuirass evolved over time, becoming more articulated and protective during the 14th and 15th centuries:

The Tapul: In 15th-century armor, the breastplate often featured a vertical central ridge called a "tapul," which helped deflect slashing and stabbing blows away from the vitals.

Articulation: Cuirasses generally stopped around the midriff or waist, leaving the lower abdomen and hips exposed to ensure proper mobility range when bending or riding a horse.

Faulds and Plackards: To cover the lower stomach, overlapping horizontal metal lames called a fauld or plackart were riveted to the bottom of the breastplate, often paired with a gorget to protect the collar and throat.