3/4 Greaves -- myArmoury.com

D. X. de Paulo · Posted: Fri 02 Oct, 2020 12:16 pm Post subject: 3/4 Greaves

Hi,

Does anybody know when 3/4 greaves were first introduced? More specifically, were they used in the late 14th century?

Thank you,

D. X. de Paulo

Philip Renne · Posted: Fri 02 Oct, 2020 8:36 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure what 3/4 greaves are to be honest, do you have a pictorial depiction of what you're referring to?

Anthony Clipsom · Posted: Sat 03 Oct, 2020 1:06 am Post subject:

Wearing a cuisse and poleyn but not greave and sabaton, perhaps? Certainly a style seen in the later 15th century.

D. X. de Paulo · Posted: Sat 03 Oct, 2020 3:48 am Post subject:

I'm referring to greaves that cover about three quarters for the shin. I've seen it worn by reenactors and sold by armourers. I wonder if they were actually used historically and if so, would like to see some period artwork, effigy, or extant pieces.

Daniel Sullivan · Posted: Sat 03 Oct, 2020 7:02 am Post subject: 3/4 greaves

Have seen 3/4 greaves on a mounted suit of Italian armour in Kansas City, Mo. If memory serves, the museum is the Nelson Gallery of Art and the armour dates from around 1570(?). Two armours are on display, one with matching bard, the other (3/4 greaves) is mounted in a standing position on the floor. Several year ago there were two other complete armours on display, but I assume they were composite as were since dismantled. Think some pieces of the latter two figures are still on display.

IMO, composite armour is acceptable, if tastefully done and the public is aware of of it. Armour has been around for for a long time, but the purists among us ..... well, they just come and go.

And to all who read this, please do your utmost to support this site, as it it is a unique and valuable resource!

Regards,
Dan

Graham Shearlaw · Posted: Tue 06 Oct, 2020 12:00 pm Post subject:

The first greaves are mostly leather an shaped like shin guards and ideally worn over mail, there found from the 1250's an on in art.

The 3/4 greave or lower-leg type II system in Matthias Goll's great study is quite rare theres a hand full of existent originals.
[Linky](https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/17203/)

But its a quite logical adaption, the calf muscle has a lot of anatomical differences and is one of the more complex shapes to make solid armour for.