Product description
Poleyns appeared around the second half of the 13th century and were the earliest type of plate armor added to a knight’s armor. Poleyns were worn over chainmail chausses and provided an extra layer of protection for the vulnerable knees. For mounted warriors, the legs were always a weak spot. The development of poleyns coincided with the emergence of the shorter heater or knight’s shield, which replaced the older, taller kite shields that extended to protect the rider’s legs. Heavy shields were cumbersome in battle, making the introduction of poleyns together with the heater shield a major innovation. Poleyns remained in use even into the 16th century. These poleyns feature leather flaps for attaching them to chainmail chausses or other garments.
These poleyns are modeled on various examples from the 13th and 14th centuries. They are made of 1.6 mm thick steel and come with a linen lining and a leather strap for securing them to the knee. They also feature a leather upper edge, allowing them to be fastened to a hauberk, gambeson leg protection, or trousers.
