A FLEMISH COMPOSITE ARMOR C.1570-80

This fine armor was intended to be equally suitable for war or the tournament.  For the tournament, it is designed for foot combat in which two adversaries fought armed with poleax or broadsword.  The rules for combat confined attack to the upper body.  It could be used as well for mounted events with boot stirrups and accessory pieces as needed.  The armor is designed to deflect rather than absorb blows and has as strong central ridge from the crest of the helmet to the waist.  The pauldrons are equipped with removable haute pieces which deflect an upward glancing body blow away from the upper chest and neck which are particularly vulnerable owing to the articulation of the protective elements.  This armor was made for a knight in especially good physical condition which is reflected in the relative proportions of the elements which indicate a muscular yet lean physique.  Flemish armor was produced at Brussels. Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent and Tournai and, as with German armor, was extensively exported as well as used domestically.  It was particularly popular in England which still relied heavily upon imported armor at the time.

Height excluding the stand:  70

GC.444