Full Plate Mail

Most people do not realize what a set of full plate mail really is. Full plate armor is a complex piece of equipment. It covers almost every square inch of a soldier's body with iron plate that was carefully grooved for maximum strength. Some important parts of plate armor were the breastplate, gauntlets, couter, cod piece, gorget and the greave. The breastplate protected the entire chest and stomach area of the warrior with a large plate of metal. Plate gauntlets, unlike the chain mail ones, were very complex works of metalworking that covered the hands with iron plates while allowing free movement of the fingers. The couter was a metal joint that protected the elbows. The cod piece...if you don't know, it what protects the groin area from some really nasty attacks. The gorget was the equivalent of a neckguard. Finally the greave was simply an iron shin guard.

Now does that brief description make any sense? Hopefully it does as we move on. Because this particular suit of armor comes with almost everything a person would need. The only additional pieces of armor one may wear with full plate are a shield of their choice, a helm of their choice, a set of boots that fit with the greaves and a cloak or cape.