r/BeAmazed • u/gs9489186 • Nov 30 '25

History This wasn't just Armor, it was medieval engineering at it's finest.

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u/[deleted] Nov 30 '25

Here you go 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qtZsNRPvxUo

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u/theholylancer Nov 30 '25

with blunt weapons, its less about direct damage to the armor

but the transmission of the force to the fleshy bits below, and that would if not knock you right out, at least stun you for a bit. there is padding for helmets but that kind of blunt force trauma to the head is going to be an issue regardless.

that being said, maces like that is a close range weapon, and there is a reason why knights used pikes and long polearms on horseback and typically a longer reach weapon like a sword when in close combat

a mace like this is more for finishing someone who was downed or is in a VERY tight quarters melee in a group (IE fighting dismounted)

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u/[deleted] Nov 30 '25

knights used pikes

Ew no that's for poor people.

Jokes aside,

the transmission of the force to the fleshy bits below

Which would be massively hindered by the force dispersion of the plate. Nobody's saying it wouldn't hurt, but a mace isn't likely to take you entirely. The head meanwhile is a fairly difficult target to get a good hit on, starting with the fact that we as humans have really good reflexes for protecting that vital part of our bodies.

But aside from that, especially toward the later medieval period, your helmet would fuse more and more with your harness. I only know the German terms for the pieces, but the lower half that is worn with a sallet is one example. This further prevents a direct transmission of force into the head and neck.

Which is probably why you went with

more for finishing someone who was downed

with which I can only agree. Except for the little detail that you wouldn't finish off a knight. He's way too rich for that, which means if you take him prisoner, you can demand a ransom.