Body Guard (Brigandine)

c. 1500–1525
Overall: 56.5 x 47.6 cm (22 1/4 x 18 3/4 in.)
Weight: 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs.)
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Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

This vest only weighs about five and a half pounds, considerably lighter than plate armor.

Description

The brigandine is a light, vest-like body defense popular with both knights and infantry from the 1400s through about 1550. It is constructed of multiple small plates attached to a cloth covering. Finer examples, like this one, are faced in velvet or fabric made of gold thread. The lightweight brigandine provided protection from the weather, and was extremely flexible.
Body Guard (Brigandine)

Body Guard (Brigandine)

c. 1500–1525

Italy (?), early 16th Century

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