[Sam Arwas]

I'm seeking to get a better understanding of what the early forms of plate augmentation for the arms and legs that developed in Europe in the late 13th century looked like. What are some good manuscript illustrations or surviving peices to get a sense of what of early "partial plate" armour looked like?

[Mart Shearer]

Plate leg defenses appear earlier. One of the earliest references for enclosed greaves appears in the 1302 Inventory of Raoul de Nesle, the Constable of France killed at the Battle of Courtrai.
Item ii harnas de gaumbes fourbis de coi les greves sont closes cs.
Item, 2 leg harness polished with enclosed greaves. 100 s
Item unes autres demie greves fourbies iiiil.
Item, one other half-greaves, polished. 4 l.

Unfortunately the words used to describe these defenses (schynbalds, jambiers, trumelières, etc.) don't explain their appearance.

[Mart Shearer]

A rare example of some possible forearm and shoulder plates.
http://manuscriptminiatures.com/4345/18978/


Effigy formerly attributed to Sir William Longespée the Younger, (+1250 Battle of Mansourah), Salisbury Cathedral. Sometimes dated 1250-1270, now listed as an "Unknown 14th century warrior" due to "recent research".


Simple roundels or cups over the elbow are usually the most plate on the upper limbs found in thirteenth century art.

Supplemental leather defenses over the mail should also be considered.
http://armourinart.com/169/261/

[Sam Arwas]

[Matthew Amt]

Plate-lined surcoats were also appearing mid-13th century.

Matthew

[Pedro Paulo Gaião]