Components of medieval armour
This table identifies various pieces of body armour worn from the medieval to early modern period in the Western world, mostly plate but some mail armour, arranged by the part of body that is protected and roughly by date. No attempt has been made to identify fastening components or various appendages such as lance rests or plumeholders or clothing such as tabards or surcoats which were often worn over a harness. The slot in the helmet is called an occularium.
There are a variety of alternative names and spellings which often reflect a word introduced from the French. Generally, the English spelling has been preferred.The following components of Japanese armour roughly match the position and function of certain components of occidental armour:
