Last time, we discussed the effectiveness of armor and the efforts of weapons makers to overcome the advantages armor provided. However, we need to guard against assuming universal effectiveness. Just because a point could penetrate an inch or two past the armor didn’t mean the wound would be lethal or incapacitating, though it may have sapped the will of the soldier to continue fighting.

For example, an arrow that penetrated the outer armor and remained wedged in place would cause considerable irritation. The sharp point would continue to scratch and cut the skin every time the warrior moved. The action of riding a horse and fighting could cause considerable pain, so much so that a knight or warrior might dismount in the midst of battle and pull off his armor.^[1] We also have evidence from primary sources as to the effectiveness of piercing weapons against armor. In chapter 53 of Egils Saga we read of Thorolf:

“After that he lunged with his halberd at the earl’s breast, driving it right through mail-coat and body, so that it came out at the shoulders; and he lifted him up on the halberd over his head, and planted the butt-end in the ground.”^[2]

In chapter 37 of Laxdæla Saga, we read:

“Eldgrim now wanted to part, and gave the whip to his horse, and when Hrut saw that, he raised up his halberd and struck Eldgrim through the back between the shoulders so that the coat of mail was torn open and the halberd flew out through the chest, and Eldgrim fell dead off his horse, as was only natural.^“[3]

We also have accounts that demonstrate the effectiveness of armor against arrows by wealthy horsemen wearing plated mail who were specifically placed on the battlefield to disrupt archers. One such account from Geoffrey le Baker of the Battle of Poitiers on September 19, 1356, reveals how archers could get around the challenge of piercing plate and mail in combat.

“Our bowmen of the vanguard stood safely in the marsh, lest the horsemen should attack them, yet, even so, those did prevail there somewhat. For the horsemen, as has been said, had the special purpose of overrunning the archers, and of protecting their army from the arrows. Standing near their own men, they faced the archers with their chests so solidly protected with plated mail and leather shields, that the arrows were either fended off directly or broken in pieces by the hard objects or were diverted upwards, to fall down for the indifferent destruction of friend or enemy.

“Perceiving this, the Earl of Oxford left the prince, and leading the archers with him to one side, ordered them to shoot at the hind parts of the horses. When this was done, the wounded horses kicked and reared, and threw their riders, and then turning back upon them, wrought great slaughter on their own masters, who had thought to have another end. Since the horsemen were thus beaten back, the archers, retiring to the place from which they had come, pierced the fighting flanks of the French with direct shots.”^[4]

The Mongol armies also used armor effectively.

“The heavy cavalry wore a coat of mail with a cuirass [breastplate and backplate] made of oxhide or iron scales covered in leather, and the light cavalry wore either a cuirass of lacquered leather strips or else a quilted kalat [tunic] and no armour at all. Next to his skin, every soldier was required to wear a long, loose undershirt made from raw silk. An arrow might pierce his armour and penetrate his body, but it would usually fail to cut through the silk and would instead carry the silk into the wound. An arrow spins and turns as it enters the body and since pulling it straight out always doubled the size of the wound it was often safer to push the arrow through the other side. But by gently lifting the twisted silk around the wound, the Mongols could draw the arrow out, turning its head along the same route as the one by which it had entered, and thus leave the hole as neat as possible.^“[5]

[Next time, we will discuss the arms race between weapon makers and armorers.]

^[1]. Moffat, The Reivers, 109.

^[2]. Green, The Story of Egil Skallagrimsson, Chapter 46.

^[3]. Laxdæla saga, Chapter 37.

^[4]. le Baker, “The Battle of Poitiers,” 102-112.

^[5]. Chambers, The Devil’s Horsemen, 55-56.