Coat-of-Plates
From Cunnan
Jump to navigationJump to search
A Coat-of-Plates, also known as Wisby Coat-of-Plate (after an archaeological find at Wisby in Gotland) or False Coat-of-Plate (a SCAism), is a kind of armor made of overlapping narrow metal strips sewn or riveted to a leather or canvas front dating from the 13th and early 14th Centuries. When worn the plates are completely concealed by the leather covering; the rivets show clearly against the textile and can be quite visually attractive.
This type of armor is popular in the SCA due to ease of construction and comparatively good protection against blunt impact. Also, because the plates are concealed an armorer can use inexpensive (but also less visually appealing) galvanized steel or plastic to make the plates.
