1. There is no armor against fate
James Shirley, The Contention Of Ajax and Ulysses (1659)

2. The Knight in “Shining” Armor
The quality and design of armor was a very visible sign of social status and of wealth.

3. During Late Middle-ages and the Renaissance
Armor was a man’s most valued and most stately garment
Important status symbol
Commissioned new armor for important events

4. The Need to protect:
Drove the development of armor to remarkable technological and artistic heights by the end of the Medieval Period.

5. Foot Soldiers and property owners maintained arms
Lowest-ranked foot soldiers
Men of land and/or property owners
Service to protect their lords and wore some type of armor

6. The Armorer's technical challenges
1. Protection from wide variety of weapons.
2. Freedom of movement to wield weapons while on foot or mounted
3. Comfort: Maintain minimum weight of armor to increase mobility and reduce fatigue. (weighed about 50 to 60 pounds)

7. Armored Caskets

8. Armorer’s aesthetic and artistic challenges
“Coats of Plates” were added to reinforce the mail and protect vulnerable points
Exposed rivet heads were often arranged in decorative patterns
Edges were decorated and gilded and engraved with floral patterns or inscriptions.

9. Maximilian Armor 1490 Slender “Gothic” lines emphasizing the figure
Vertical and pointed decorations
Engraved gilded trim and rivets
Groups of flaring and raised ridges

10. “Classical Fluted or Maximilian 1505-10

11. Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor

12. Maximilian I ( ) and his family, Maximilian left, his first wife Maria of Burgundy right, their son Philip the Fair in the center; foreground: 2 grand children, Ferdinand I, Charles V, and Ludwig II of Hungary, grandson-in-law.

13. Lorenz Helmschmid One of the greatest masters of armor-making.
Served the Habsburg court for more than 3 decades.
Appointed court armorer to Maximilian in 1491

14. Thun Sketchbook: Collection of sketches from the Helmschmid workshop

15. Helmschmid= Helmet Smith
Europe's foremost family of Armorers
Lorenz Helmschmied(active 1467, died 1515)
Kolman Helmschmied(1471–1532)
Desiderius Kolman Helmschmied (1513–1579)

16. Desiderius Kolman Helmschmied (1513–1579

17. Ceremonial armor: Composite Grotesque

18. Muscled Cuirasses

19. Concept of the Tournaments
Artful Armies
Concept of the Tournaments

20. Peace time Tournaments: Events and fashion flair
Stimulated the practice of warfare
Offered peacetime exercise of the military
Influenced combat fashion

21. Hand-to-hand fighting on Foot
Dashing Outfits
Slashed Sleeves
Leggings
Fancy footwear
Worn by the Landsknecht Infantry of Maximillian's Army.

22. Walking and Mounted Groups in Full Armor
Tournament Jousting: Joust of Peace, Joust of War
Colorful heraldic coat of arms
Gaudy Plumes

23. Tournaments Confirmed:
A Soldier’s:
Prowess
Potential as a high-born nobleman before his peers
Ended with prizes, feasting, singing and dancing.

24. Triumph of Maximilian