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Defend Yourself, Good Knight
A.D. 1570

Offense Defense
now that's nice armor!
A joust was a kind of battle game where two knights would fight each other on horseback. This isn't really jousting armor, but it is armor for a man and his horse together. Knights rode horses in jousts and into battle. When mounted on a horse, the knight would usually carry a lance -- a long, thin wooden pole tipped in sharp steel. If a knight like this were coming at you, you would want really good armor to protect you.
heavy, man
This suit will give you all the protection you need. It is made for the joust, with extra protection on its left side, right over your heart. Remember, the other knight is trying to hit you right there. See the extra plate over the left shoulder? More protection. And notice that there aren't any breathing holes in the left side of the helmet? That is to keep your face from being hit by splinters that fly off the wooden lance. Jousting was a very dangerous game indeed!


pole arm The Yellow Knight challenges you to a fight with pole arms across the half-barrier. You need very special armor for that tournament game!

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Field Armor for Man and Horse, North Italy, c. 1575, CMA, Purchase, John L. Severance Fund 1964.88a-z
Tilting Suit (Composed), South Germany, c. 1560-80, CMA, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1502, 1916.1511.a-1


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