Armor Type: 

Brief Description:  A shaffron (or chanfron) is a piece of medieval horse armor designed to protect the animal's face, eyes, and nose. Typically forged from steel or hardened leather, it featured projecting eye-guards and cutouts to maintain the horse's vision and breathing, and was often elaborately decorated or fitted with spikes.

Design and Construction:

A standard shaffron was a complex, form-fitting plate contoured to follow the lines of a warhorse's skull. Key components included:

Main Plate: A large, rigid plate covering the horse's forehead and nose, frequently reinforced with a central raised ridge (medial keel) for structural strength.

Eye Domes: Highly embossed, outward-curving domes positioned over the eyes. These often featured pierced holes or guards to deflect weapons while allowing the horse to see.

Ear Defences (Crêpine): Tubular or shaped steel guards attached to the top of the shaffron to protect the horse's ears.

Nose Section: The bottom flared out over the muzzle and included breathing holes (breaths).