The reader will notice the round plates at the elbows and knees, which are the first visible introduction of plate armour--breastplates, worn under the hauberk, had been occasionally used from Saxon times.
Early examples of these two pieces of plate armour will be seen in the later illustrations of our last chapter, for they were introduced a little before the end of the thirteenth century.
In truth, from the Norman Conquest down to the introduction of plate armour at the close of the thirteenth century, there was wonderfully little alteration in the knightly armour and costume.
A quilted coat was worn beneath the mail, if not a second one between the mail and plate armour.
It is a safe assertion to make that a full suit of plate armour at its finest period--the fifteenth century--is the most perfect work of craftsmanship that exists.
With regard to the thickness of plate armour, we should remember that it was forged from the solid ingot, and was not rolled in sheets as is the material of to-day from which so many forgeries are manufactured.
But we find, on careful examination of plate armour, that there are other considerations which are of equal, if not greater importance.
At the bottom is a figure of Beton, in plate armour, lying dead upon a pallet, his hands by his side and his head resting on a pillow.
In the same transept is a recumbent effigy in plate armour, over which is a tablet of remarkable character, bearing a family pedigree.
Over the side, lowered by stout ropes, came the figure of a man fully clad in plate armour--the dreaded Luigi Spinola himself.
Suddenly a figure clad from head to foot in plate armour--a form of defensive mail only just coming into use--appeared in the window.
There are a few examples of knights clothed entirely in plate armour, with the exception of the basinet and camail, and this is therefore called the Transition Period leading to the time of the complete adoption of plate armour.
The companions-in-arms of Jaime el Conquistador are nearly always represented wearing a considerable weight of plate armour.
The legs are protected by greaves of plate armour, with ornamental lengths up the middle.
The above list will hopefully provide you with a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "plate armour" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this group of words.
