Medieval Metal - the Scientia Review

Medieval
Metal
Avri Wyshogrod and Robert Le
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
Introduction
Advent of Armor
Metals, The Backbone of Armor
4.
5.
Iron
Steel
6.
Bronze
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Metallurgy
Decoration
Fashion of the ages – Fourteenth Century– Part 1
Fashion of the ages – Fourteenth Century – Part 2
Fashion of the ages – Fifteenth Century – Part 1
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Fashion of the ages – Fifteenth Century – Part 2
Fashion of the ages – Sixteenth Century – Part 1
Fashion of the ages – Sixteenth Century – Part 2
Adaption to firearms
The end of armor and decorations
Modern Armor
18.
19.
20.
Modern Armor (Continued)
Glossary
About the author
21.
Image References
Introduction
Throughout written history, tales of great wars and battles
exist. For as long as humans have been on this planet, fighting
has been a way of life. In the Middle Ages, heavy metal armor
began to appear on the
battlefields.
This
armor,
protected warriors
swords, spears, and
weapons, evolved
hundreds
of
which
from
other
over
years.
Eventually, it became not
only
functional,
but
beautiful as well. Metallurgists in the medieval times began
developing steel, bronze, copper, and other shiny new metals.
Armor became a form of art. In this book, you will learn
about many different types of metals and their uses through
the rapidly evolving world of hand-to-hand combat.
1
Advent of Armor
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was in turmoil.
The dark ages had set in, a grim period of time dominated by
relatively dormant and quiet lifestyles. For years, small villages
protected by small forts lived simply and peacefully. Over
time, however, the shock of the downfall
of the Roman Empire faded from
memory. Villages grew into cities,
protected by castles rather than forts.
People began to fight, and the need for
defense
became
very
apparent.
Blacksmiths started creating out suit after
suit of steel plate armor. Very rapidly,
armor became a mark of a soldier’s status
in society. Pointy shoes, for example,
signified an upperclassman. Gold and
bronze inlays displayed wealth and high
stature. An entire new era of hand to
hand combat had begun.
Did you know?
Although medieval armor was
extremely heavy, it actually weighed
less than the equipment a modern
soldier carries onto the battlefield!
2
Metal: The Backbone of Armor
When iron was first extracted from the earth’s crust over
6,000 years ago, no one could have guessed how large an
impact it would have on the course of
history. Other metals, such as steel
and bronze, soon followed. These
materials,
characterized
by
great
strength and malleability, transformed
the way people lived, farmed, and
fought. No longer did stones have to
be sharpened to catch the next meal.
In particular, steel played a huge role in the development of
plate armor during the medieval period.
Bronze was used where form was more
important than function. An alloy of
copper and tin, bronze was far more
beautiful than steel in the medieval
period. It was, however, slightly weaker
than steel, so bronze was reserved for
less robust suits of armor.
3
Iron
Iron, Fe, element 26…Whatever you want to call it, this was
the metal that changed the world. In fact, iron is so important
in history that an entire chapter of the ancient world is solely
dedicated to it. The Iron Age, beginning in 1200 BC and
continuing for hundreds of years, symbolized an era of
technological advancement and creativity. Occurring naturally
in the earth’s crust, iron is quite literally everywhere. While
abundant in the
upper crust of our
planet, iron readily
oxidizes
in
the
presence of moisture
and
oxygen.
Therefore, it must be
mined as iron ore
(see picture) and
then chemically separated in a process called reduction. Pure
iron is relatively weak and brittle, but it is one of the strongest
naturally occurring ferromagnetic elements. This means that
it is readily forms a permanent magnetic field around it. Iron
is also the main ingredient in an even more crucial type of
metal, steel.
4
Steel
Take bunch of pure iron ore and add between .1 and 2% pure
carbon. What do you get? …Perhaps the most crucial
constituent of armor in the Middle Ages, steel. Chemically,
steel is very close to iron. Both are shiny
metals with extremely high melting points.
Depending on the carbon content, however,
steel is much more ductile and resilient than
armor. It can withstand much higher impact,
and for this reason it was chosen to be used in
suits of armor. The production of steel begins
with melting the raw iron in huge smelting
pots. The molten metal is refined to remove
any impurities. Then carbon is mixed in at the
right proportions. If the steel being produced
is pure, then the molten metal can now be cast into any shape.
When mixed with other metals, it is further refined. Steel, in its
raw form, is relatively heavy and susceptible to rust. Therefore,
it is commonly painted or otherwise coated to protect its
surface.
Did you know?
About 630 steel cans are
recycled every second!
5
Bronze
For over 3,000 years, humans have been working with bronze,
using it for church bells, bearings, pipes, and other metal
objects. Compared to steel, bronze is slightly softer and weaker.
Compared to copper, however, bronze is much more durable. It
was for this reason that metallurgists
in the early second millennium chose
it as a secondary material in the
construction of armor. Bronze is an
alloy of mainly copper and tin, with
other metals such as manganese and
aluminum occasionally added. One
of the most appealing properties of
bronze, as far as armor is concerned,
is its color. With a dark tint of gold, bronze was the preferred
metal when beautiful armor was needed. Therefore, it was often
the upperclassmen who had bronze suits of armor. Additionally,
bronze is a non-sparking metal. This means that when a sword
hit a warrior, the chances of a spark being produced were greatly
reduced.
6
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a very common type of material science. Dealing
with the structure, chemical makeup, and properties of metals,
it was a crucial field in the Middle Ages. Without
metallurgists, suits of armor could not be designed correctly.
The science of metallurgy identifies a few common properties
of all metals: They are shiny, make good conductors, have
high melting points, and
are very strong. More
commonly than not,
metals are combined to
form alloys through a
process called smelting.
Smelting
chemically
bonds
the
metals
together, creating new
compounds
with
different properties. Metallurgy also allows metals to be
studied at an atomic level, looking at the tiny particles that
make up each piece.
7
Decoration
Throughout history, people have decorated their arms
and armor as a way to
express
social
status.
Whereas
a
soldier
had
common
ordinary
armor, the elite adorned
their
armor
with
numerous decorations. If
a suit of armor has several
ornaments and designs,
the suit was designed for a person of higher status.
Decorations did not rank higher than function, however.
Weapons designed specifically for war tended to be designed
not to be impeded by ornaments. As the years passed, designs
changed, and the elegance of metal decoration is seen in the
fashion of each age. Although each century had different
styles, each was elegant in its own right up until the end of
common use of armor.
8
Fashion of the Ages
Fourteenth Century - 1
Back in the time of fourteenth century, medieval armor
wasn’t as complicated as it was
later.
Because
of
that,
blacksmith with many different
designs. Mail armor was
enhanced to the point that
men were wearing whole suits
of armor. Some people used
fabrics while others went on to
use hardened leather. In the end
it would be metals that won
out over these other materials
Designs of this time often showcased a distinct waistline.
Instead of using a belt, the designs continuously emphasized
the waist. In Britain, the fashion would also include shortening
the surcoat to cover the armor. Thanks to this fashion, there is
much more information. Who knew!?
9
Fashion of the Ages
Fourteenth Century - 2
Regional influence was everywhere in the
world of armor. Historians of this time
period often criticized designs of armor as
having a certain influence from rival
countries. The controversy going on about
shorter skirts on armor was attributed to
Spain and France.
This design eventually came into
fashion. Another element of the fashion of
this time period was a breastplate that restricted movement of
its wearer. Fashion can be a pain sometimes!
Fun-fact
Thought that only knights and lords wore
armor? Think again! Some knights were not
even lords, and those who were did not head
off into battle without a group of soldiers
aiding them in battle.
10
Fashion of the Ages
Fifteenth Century - 1
Ever wanted to be like big-foot? Knights apparently did.
The current fashion for this period involved increasing the
length of the foot of an armor. Furthermore, it was highly
fashionable during this time to
wear a short skirt. The full body
armor finally became completely
used throughout Europe, and the
armor was personalized for the
individual wearing it.
An interesting trend at this
time was civilian usage of armor.
While armor was often used by
higher status individuals, in Italy,
people began wearing armor in the cities and it soon became a
fashionable thing to do during the time. People even felt that
there was an aura of chivalry about wearing this armor. Who
knew that armor was so magical?
11
Fashion of the Ages
Fifteenth Century - 2
By this time, Italy and Germany were the largest
manufacturers of armor. The style of Germany was influenced
by Gothic trends, using many ridges and grooves to decorate
the armors. To adorn the armor with this style, gothic tracery
would be used to make the detailed designs common during
this time period This was the style adopted by England and
France as well.
In
contrast,
Italy
relied
on
making
the
armor
asymmetrical, aiming to protect from attacks which would
most often be from the left of the fighter. Italian metal
workers often worked in Spain, France, and the Netherlands,
and spread the Italian style there as well. In the alpines, a
hybrid of asymmetry and Tothic style was the fashion.
12
Fashion of the Ages
Sixteenth Century –1
During this time, decorations became more focused in
the breastplate area. In the early years of the sixteenth
century, breastplates were round in shape and decorated with
engravints. Eventually the engravings fell out of fashion in
favor of plain armor with ridges.
There would also be a point
known as a tapul where the
rounding would be focused.
This point changed over time to
give the armor a “goose-belly”
look. Talk about a fashion
change!
Remember that pointed
shoe from the fifteenth century?
People realized that giant shoes
makes it more difficult to walk, so the pointed shoe vanished
in favor of a different design. This design was a straight foot
which made it easier for your typical man-at-arms to move.
13
Fashion of the Ages
Sixteenth Century – 2
Has there ever been a time where armor was focused on
elegant etchings? This was a time where artistic decorations
reached its peak throughout Europe. In Italy, the etches and
guilds were the norm for armors. In Germany, a style used
during Emperor Maximillian I led to the “Maximillian Armor”
as it is incorrectly known as being. This style relied on fluting
techniques which covered the
armor with decorations.
Contrary
to
previous
eras of armor where makers
often tried obscuring the less
elegant parts of the human
body,
artists
began
embracing humans as a
whole, and developed a style
which emphasized massive
shape while maintaing a
noticeable waist. Surely, this
time was a period of elegance
for armor
14
The Decline of Armor
Armor faced a new threat at this time: the firearm. The
increased use of gunpowder made killing armored foes much
easier. Blacksmiths now had to test their armor for
effectiveness in protecting against firearms by shooting the
armor before selling it. Looking at suits of armor from this
period, many of them have proof marks to show that it could
protect from bullets.
While lords still wore full body
armor, a common soldier would get a
helmet and protection for the torso.
Soldiers
would
be
completely
defenseless on his arms and legs. On
the bright side? Less weight of course!
Because foot soldiers did not ride
horses, it would be strenuous work to
wear heavy armor into battle.
15
The End of Armor
It was an inevitability that metallic armor would die out when
it could not protect its user from bullets. Fighters soon
dropped their armor because of the lack of protection and its
massive amount of weight . Although some masters of
manufacturing metals continued making high quality armor
for nobility, the practice of wearing armor was phased out due
to ineffectiveness.
Contrary to previous fashions of armor where decoration was
important, the successors of armor today, armor and battle
suits, hardly employ decoration for elegance alone and aim
mainly for protection. Although helmets and suits similar to
breastplates survive to this day, armor has mostly died out
(except at your local armory museum).
16
Modern Armor
These days, we have done away with the heavy metal armor of
the past. Advancements in chemistry and material science
have allowed us to develop many alternative protection
devices. Products such as Lexan, Kevlar, and Spectra keep our
armed forces safe. Used in bulletproof vests and plastic shields,
these materials are light and
flexible, a difference from plate
steel. Reactive armor on some
US tanks actually explodes when
hit with a projectile, destroying
the armor rather than the
occupants of the vehicle. On the
modern battlefield, speed and
agility are much more important
than heavy protection. Modern
armor addresses the needs of the modern soldier, one who
fights in tight city blocks with powerful weapons.
Did you know?
Pound for pound, Kevlar fabric is
over five times stronger than steel!
17
Modern Armor (continued)
Compared to armor of the medieval ages, modern armor is
much more effective in stopping high-speed projectiles such
as bullets and shotgun pellets. Due to the fibrous nature of
the materials, Kevlar and Spectra do not protect against stab
and slice wounds well. However, there is no need for this type
of protection when the modern battle involves pistols,
machine-guns, and long-distance snipers. Bulletproof vests
are rated by their
resistance to certain
types of bullets. The
lowest rating, type I, can
protect against a 2.6
gram bullet moving at
1100 feet per second.
The highest rating, type
IV, will absorb the impact of a 10 gram bullet moving at
3000 feet per second. Personal protection has advanced
greatly in the past few centuries. While a steel plate armor suit
could barely stop a round, lead bullet moving at 500 feet per
second, the armor of today can stop a sharp projectile moving
at nearly three times the speed of sound!
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Glossary
Alloy- A substance composed of two or more metals, or of a metal or metals
with a nonmetal, intimately mixed, as by fusion or electrode position.
Blacksmith- A person who forges objects of iron.
Breastplate – armor covering the torso of the man-at-arms
Compound- Composed of two or more parts, elements, or ingredients.
Ductility- Capable of being hammered out thin, as certain metals; malleable.
Fibrous- Containing, consisting of, or resembling fibers.
Gothic – something from the twelth or sixteenth century
Mail Armor – armor made up of small interconnected rings
Oxidize- To take away hydrogen, as by the action of oxygen; add oxygen or any
nonmetal.
Reactive armor- A type of armor which explodes upon being hit by a projectile.
Reduction- A decrease in positive valence or an increase in negative valence by
the gaining of electrons.
Surcoat - additional clothing worn over the armor
Tapul – largest point where armor bulges
19
About the Authors
Avri Wyshogrod is an aspiring
medieval journalist. He enjoys long
walks through museums and
armories. In his spare time, he
enjoys activities such as biking,
hiking, and weight-lifting. In the
future, Avri would like to pursue a
career in medieval studies.
Robert Le is a high school student
with an interest in suits of armors.
He enjoys trying on the parts of
the suits of armor at the Higgins
Armory Museum and sleeping
whenever he isn’t writing books
on medieval works. Robert would
like to study the science of metals
in the future.
20
Image References
p. 1: taken fromhttp://www.richardiii.net/images/wakefiekd%20battle.jpg
p.2: taken from http://www.aceros-de-hispania.com/image/medievalarmour/medieval-armour-gladius.jpg
p.3: taken from
http://www.aurorahistoryboutique.com/products/R000799_L.jpg
p.3: taken from http://z.hubpages.com/u/393674_f260.jpg
p.4: taken from http://www.industryplayer.com/images/licrespic/ironore-closeup.jpg
p.5: taken from
http://www.masterforge.co.uk/Pictures/Sanmai%20Steel%20Examples/
Sanmai%2032,000%20Layers.png
p.6: taken from http://www.larp.com/hoplite/Walpole.jpg
p.7: taken from
http://www.akersolutions.com/NR/rdonlyres/643F124C-8744-47618749- DFB57165912F/10771/FortalezaFurnace.jpg
p.8: Photo taken by Avri Wyshogrod
p.9: Photo taken by Avri Wyshogrod
p. 10: taken from
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/hb/hb_29.154.3.jpg
p. 11: taken from
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/hb/hb_04.3.232.jpg
p.12: taken from
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/hb/hb_23.141.jpg
p. 13: taken from
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/hb/hb_32.130.6.jpg
21
p. 14: taken from
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/hb/hb_14.25.716.jpg
p. 15: Photo taken by Avri Wyshogrod.
p.17: taken from http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/cmsimages/Vest.jpg
p.18: taken from http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/32740CC1-A05A4E72-87B8-30F3799B5E2B/0/NewSniperSystem2.jpg
22