Medieval Armaments and Armor Vocabulary

Flail

A weapon consisting of a spiked ball attached to a handle by a chain. Example: "The knight swung the flail, the spiked ball whistling through the air towards his opponent."

Halberd

A long pole weapon that combines a spear point, an axe blade, and a hook. Example: "The guard stood watch with his halberd, its gleaming blade ready to strike."

Scimitar

A curved, single-edged sword often used in Eastern settings, known for its sharp cutting edge and swift handling. Example: "The desert warrior brandished his scimitar, the curved blade reflecting the harsh sunlight."

Sling

A strap used to hurl stones or lead projectiles at enemies, requiring skill and practice to aim effectively. Example: "David loaded his sling with a smooth stone, ready to face Goliath."

Javelin

A lightweight spear designed primarily for throwing, used for ranged attacks before engaging in close combat. Example: "The hunter hurled his javelin, the spear flying straight and true towards its mark."

Armor

Cuirass

A piece of armor designed to cover the torso, both the front and back, providing protection against blows to the chest and back. Example: "The knight donned his polished cuirass before heading into battle."

Brigandine

A cloth or leather vest that is reinforced with metal plates, offering flexible but substantial protection. Example: "The mercenary wore a brigandine, its metal plates glinting under his worn cloak."

Gambeson

A padded defensive jacket, which could be worn alone or under armor to provide cushioning and impact absorption. Example: "Beneath his armor, the soldier wore a gambeson to soften the blows of battle."

Sallet

A smooth, rounded helmet featuring a long tail for neck protection, a common design in the late medieval period. Example: "The knight's sallet protected his head and neck as he rode into the fray."

Barbute

An open-faced helmet reminiscent of ancient Greek designs, offering less coverage but good visibility. Example: "The gladiator chose a barbute for its wide field of vision in the arena."

Coif

A close-fitting chainmail hood designed to protect the head and neck, often worn under a helmet for added defense. Example: "The knight pulled on his coif, the chainmail hood providing a layer of defense under his helmet."

Vambrace

Forearm armor, frequently a component of a full suit of plate armor, its purpose is to defend the forearm from blows. Example: "The knight raised his vambraced arm to block the incoming sword strike."

Sabatons

Metal shoes or foot coverings, integral to a full suit of plate armor, protecting the feet from attack. Example: "The fully armored knight's sabatons crunched on the stone floor of the castle."

Bevor

A piece of armor specifically designed to protect the neck and lower face, often articulated for comfort and mobility. Example: "The knight secured his bevor, safeguarding his neck and jaw from enemy attacks."

Fauld

Horizontal armor plates that hang from a cuirass with the purpose of protecting the waist and hips while allowing movement. Example: "The fauld allowed the knight to move more freely while still protecting his waist and hips."

Poleyn

Armor specifically designed for the knee, typically articulated as part of a full plate armor set, allows bending of the knee. Example: "The articulated poleyn allowed the knight to kneel without compromising his defenses."

Tassets

Armor plates that hang from the waist with the purpose of protecting the upper thighs, often designed to integrate with the fauld. Example: "The tassets swayed as the knight rode, protecting his upper thighs from attack."

Spangenhelm

A helmet constructed from segments of metal held together by a frame, an early medieval design offering basic head protection. Example: "The Viking raider wore a Spangenhelm, its metal segments riveted together for protection."

Bascinet

A medieval open-faced helmet often used in conjunction with an aventail (mail curtain) to protect the neck and shoulders. Example: "The knight donned his bascinet, the open face allowing for good vision while the aventail guarded his neck."

Aventail

A chainmail curtain that is attached to a helmet to guard the neck and shoulders, providing flexible protection. Example: "The aventail protected the knight's neck from arrows and sword blows."

Weapon Accessories

Scabbard

A sheath specifically designed for holding a sword or other bladed weapon, protecting the blade and the wearer. Example: "He slid his sword back into its scabbard, the leather worn smooth from years of use."

Pommel

The rounded knob located at the base of a sword's hilt, often serving as a counterweight to improve balance. Example: "The swordsman gripped the pommel tightly, feeling the balance of the blade in his hand."

Hilt

The handle of a sword, which includes the grip, guard, and pommel, fundamental for wielding the weapon. Example: "The hilt of the sword was intricately carved, providing a secure grip for its wielder."

Rondel Dagger

A stiff, pointed dagger specifically designed to penetrate gaps in chainmail, favored by assassins and duelists. Example: "The assassin drew his rondel dagger, its point aimed for the gap in his target's armor."

Heater Shield

A triangular shield commonly used by knights, offering substantial protection for the body and easily displaying heraldic symbols. Example: "The knight raised his heater shield, emblazoned with his family's crest, to deflect the incoming blow."

Glaive

A polearm weapon featuring a single-edged blade affixed to the end of a pole, effective for both slashing and thrusting attacks. Example: "The city guard wielded a glaive, its long blade able to keep enemies at bay."

Adjectives

Tempered

Describes metal that has undergone heat treatment to enhance its strength and durability. Example: "a finely tempered blade capable of holding a razor-sharp edge"

Runed

Inscribed with magical or arcane symbols, often seen in fantasy settings. Example: "a runed cuirass glowing faintly in the dark, imbued with ancient power"

Weathered

Worn down or aged through use and exposure, lending realism or historical context. Example: "a weathered brigandine with dented rivets, telling tales of battles fought and won"

Gleaming

Shining brightly, typically used to describe polished or enchanted metal surfaces. Example: "gleaming sabatons that caught the torchlight, reflecting the opulence of the royal court"

Scarred

Marked by battle damage, age, or prior enchantments, implying a rich and storied history. Example: “a scarred shield bearing the sigil of a fallen king, a testament to his valor and sacrifice”

Jagged

Possessing sharp, uneven edges, commonly employed to describe brutal or savage weapons. Example: “a jagged scimitar forged in the wild lands, its edge capable of rending flesh and bone”

Tarnished

Dull or discolored due to age, neglect, or battle, evoking a sense of decay or wear. Example: “a tarnished helm once worn by a paladin, now a relic of a bygone era of glory"