Armor Type:  Shoulder armor

Brief Description:  A spaulder is a specific piece of medieval plate armor designed to protect the shoulder. Unlike larger pauldrons, spaulders typically feature a smaller, more streamlined design covering only the top and sides of the shoulder while leaving the armpit area exposed, allowing for greater mobility.

Key Characteristics and Design:

Anatomy: The term originates from Old French and Middle English terms for "shoulder". They are composed of a single curved plate or multiple overlapping, articulated plates known as lames secured with rivets and leather straps.

History: Spaulders first emerged in the early 14th century as an enhancement to chain mail to provide targeted defense against slashing and piercing strikes.

Armpit Coverage: Because spaulders are compact and don't extend down to guard the armpit, knights frequently paired them with a separate, floating circular metal plate called a besagew (or rondel) to protect this vulnerable gap.

Attachment: These shoulder guards were not worn entirely on their own. They were typically laced directly to a padded gambeson or the top of a plate cuirass, and strapped securely to the upper arm to prevent the plate from slipping.