Worcester Art Museum

Workshop of Jan Brueghel the Elder, "Venus at the Forge of Vulcan," 1606–1623, oil on oak panel, The John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection, 2014.101

How Was Armor Made?

With the slides and the video about this pollaxe, think about the form and function of this weapon.

The Pollaxe

German, after Albrecht Dürer, Knight, Death and the Devil, 1500s, engraving on cream laid paper, Gift of Robert F. Johnson, 1994.300

The Development of Medieval Armor Over Time Part 1

We can learn from looking at arms and armor objects from the past. There are a limited number of full sets of armor left from the past. Look at the slides of these armor pieces and watch the video about the Teuffenbach Field Armor (Higgins Armory Collection, 2014.80). The video and slides show that the Teuffenbach Field Armor is a unique artifact of the past. 

The Armor Left Behind

French, Ceremonial Half-Armor with "Repoussé" Decoration, about 1580-1610, steel with traces of gilding, leather, The John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection, 2014.70

The Development of Armor Over Time Part 2

The knight in shining armor conjures hundreds of images. While the Middle Ages lasted roughly one thousand years (500-1500 CE), the steel plate armor associated with the knight was only in use from 1350 CE onwards. Why did knights change from using mail armor to plate armor? How did the armors work?  Learn about the development of armor and its usefulness during a time of changing battle techniques.

The Development of Medieval Armor Over Time

World History

Social Studies

Reading: History/Social Studies

English Language Arts

Closer Looking - The Armor for Field and Tilt, of Count Franz von Teuffenbach

video - The Teuffenbach Armor

video - Mail Armor

A very robust mail coat of high quality. Alternates riveted and punched links; heavy links on torso, lighter on sleeves and shirt. Brass links at collar and neck opening. Square cut slit front and back for riding, probably a Sudanic modification.

Egyptian/Ottoman, Persian, Mail Coat, 1500s, with later alterations, iron and brass, The John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection, 20014.9

Plate armor was like wearing a shield or helmet all over the body.

German, Composite Maximilian" Field armor, 1500–1525, steel, iron, brass and modern leather with modern restorations, The John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection, 2014.1159

This fine armor is homogenous, with each piece original and made for the suit, and we actually know who made it, when, and for whom. The letters S and R on the nape of the helmet are for Stefan Rormoser of Innsbruck, who finished the armor in 1554 according to the date on the breastplate center. His client was the distinguished Austrian nobleman, Franz von Teuffenbach of Styria. 

Teuffenbach is represented on the breastplate by the armored man kneeling before a crucifix, but this image is found on many armors of the period, and is not necessarily a portrait of the owner. Under the front of the left shoulder is etched the diamond-shaped image of the Berberorden (“Order of the Berbers”), commemorating Teuffenbach’s service against the Algerian Berbers in 1535. He also campaigned against the French in 1536, the Ottoman Turks in 1543, and served in various governmental functions in the Holy Roman Empire.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

The Development of Medieval Armor Over Time

The Armor Left Behind

Background Knowledge

Mail Coat