SHOWCASE 22. EUROPEAN ARMS AND ARMOUR OF THE 15TH - 16TH CENTURIES

The collection contains specimens of field and tournament armour, defensive and offensive arms by European makers. It enables to reveal the main stages of development of armature in Europe during several centuries. 

In the 16th century, a new type of plated armour was invented to perfect the protection of its wearer. Full plate armour made the wearer virtually impervious to sword blows as well as providing significant protection against arrows, bludgeons and even early firearms. For the elite full-body plate armour was custom-made for an individual and was formed of different parts, fastened together with straps and rivets. Form of the armours changed in keeping with new fashion in dress. Tournament armour was heavier than field armour and was adorned with chasing, engraving and gilding. During the 15th-16th centuries, an armour was being developed to satisfy the defence requirements for lightweight protective covering of mobile suitable forms.

The 16th-century arming of rider and infantryman contains articles of cold steel, i.e. two-handled swords, pikes, halberds and battle-axes. 

Although suits of plated armour were not used in Russia according to their intended purpose, they were kept as foreign curiosities.