Anatomical splinted bracers

Here is anatomical splinted bracers, the very same which were popular in the XIV century in German lands. The most famous knights of the Holy Roman Empire, from Stralsund to Nice, from Luxembourg to Vienna were strutting around in similar steel bracers. This German medieval armor was so good that knight had been even buried in them, pictured on the gravestones and effigies.

Effigy of Otto von Orlamünde, 1340, Kloster Himmelkron, Himmelkron, Bavaria, Germany

Effigy of Ritter Burkhard von Steinberg (oh. 1379). St. Martin's Church, Hildesheim

Effigy of Kaiser Günther von Schwarzburg, 1349, Saint Bartholomeus' Cathedral, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany

As you see, even Kaiser did not have an aversion to wear it, even though it was a “Kaiser for a year”.

History of this forearm protection is quite interesting. This medieval arm armor is a historical milestone between early plates’ medieval armor and steel plate armor. Epoch of brigandine armor originated dozens of various arm protection and this simple but robust variant was among them.

Bracers consist of lengthwise strips (splints), riveted to the leather base. Then and now, such design allows good arm protecting; at the same time, it is quite light, good fitting and does not restrict arm movements during the fight. In time, leather in bracers’ construction will be represented by belts only. Splinted brigandine protection will be forgotten, as new battle fashion – “white” plate armor – requires that. Still, in the middle of the XIV century, just this functional medieval armor protects forearms of the knights of the Holy Roman Empire and we remodeled this one in particular.

You can use this handcrafted splinted bracers for:

• SCA
• HEMA
• Larp
• Stage performances
• Medieval festivals
• Reenactment events