Gothic armour developed during the 1420s to 1440s as European armourers mastered fully articulated plate with functioning joints, giving rise to distinct national styles — the German ‘Gothic’ tradition and its Italian counterpart, Milanese armour. Its defining fluted ridges were not purely decorative: the raised lines added structural strength and helped deflect glancing blows without adding significant extra weight, a principle borrowed directly from the pointed arches and ribbed vaulting of Gothic cathedral architecture. Full harnesses of this kind were worn through the Wars of the Roses, the Burgundian Wars and beyond, and can still be seen today in collections such as the Royal Armouries and the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg. This reproduction recreates the complete system in 18-gauge mild steel, presented on its own display stand.
Gothic Full Plate Armour, with Stand
Gothic plate armour is the German style of full body harness that emerged in the 15th century, its fluted ridges and curved surfaces drawing directly on the pointed forms of Gothic architecture and art of the period. Produced in armouring centres such as Augsburg, Nuremberg and Landshut, it reached its peak in the 1480s, when it was considered among the finest and most technically advanced armour in Europe. This full 18-gauge mild steel harness recreates that complete system of articulated plate, supplied with its own display stand.
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