Visby Lamellar Armor Plate Set

Description

A coat of plates is a form of segmented torso armor made by riveting overlapping metal plates inside a sturdy cloth or leather garment. This style of armor was a practical solution for protecting the wearer’s body while allowing for flexibility and movement on the battlefield. One of the most remarkable discoveries of such armor comes from the mass graves at the Battle of Visby, where archaeologists uncovered coats featuring anywhere from a handful to several hundred individual plates sewn or riveted onto their backing.

The plates in these Visby coats varied in size and arrangement, reflecting the craftsmanship and resources available to the warriors of that time. The Visby Lamellar Armor Plate Set replicates this historic design by providing 100 steel plates, each measuring approximately 3.5 by 2 inches, fashioned from 20-gauge steel. These plates are pre-oiled to help protect against rust, much like how medieval smiths would treat their metal to extend its lifespan.

Fun fact: The Battle of Visby coats often contained hundreds of plates carefully riveted to leather or heavy cloth, providing a layered defense that was surprisingly effective against the weapons of the 14th century.