Quilted Coat of Plates with 46 Steel Plates

Joinville’s Quilted 13th-Century Coat of Plates

A Coat Of Plates From The Age Of The Crusades

The historical inspiration for this armour is the coat of plates, an important form of European body defence that became increasingly prominent during the 13th century. It represents a significant stage between the predominantly mail armour of the High Middle Ages and the increasingly extensive plate defences of later centuries. Metal plates were riveted to the inside of a strong textile or leather carrier, leaving the rows of rivet heads as one of the most obvious external features.

Products of this general construction are also frequently marketed as brigandine armour. For a design inspired specifically by the 13th century, however, coat of plates is the more precise term. Later medieval brigandines generally employed a greater number of smaller overlapping plates. This garment should therefore be regarded as a modern, historically inspired coat of plates rather than an exact reconstruction of one particular archaeological find.

Made In Honour Of Jean De Joinville

This coat of plates is named in honour of Jean de Joinville, the French knight, Lord of Joinville and Seneschal of Champagne who lived from 1224 to 1317. He accompanied King Louis IX on the Seventh Crusade and later became renowned for his chronicle of the king’s life. His career connects the knightly culture, warfare and crusading world of the second half of the 13th century, making him a fitting namesake for this historically inspired armour.

Quilted Fabric With 46 Concealed Steel Plates

The outer shell is made from sturdy cotton canvas with pronounced diamond quilting. The exact percentage fibre composition has not been specified. Beneath the textile layer are 46 mild steel plates, secured to the fabric foundation with metal rivets. Their round heads remain visible across the chest, back, sleeves and skirt, creating the characteristic studded appearance associated with this style of armour.

The short sleeves cover the shoulders and upper arms without unnecessarily restricting arm movement. Narrow leather adjustment straps are fitted near their lower edges. Additional leather side straps with metal buckles allow the torso circumference to be adjusted to suit your build and the clothing or armour layers worn underneath.

Front and rear skirt splits make walking, sitting and other movements easier. The coat of plates is available in black and dark brown. Minor differences in quilting, rivet positioning and the shade of the textile or leather may occur between individual pieces.

How To Wear The Coat Of Plates

Loosen the side and sleeve straps before putting the armour on. Pull it over your head and settle the shoulder sections evenly before gradually tightening the side straps on both sides. Do not overtighten them: you should be able to breathe freely and move your chest naturally.

For a convincing 13th-century armour combination, we recommend wearing a linen or cotton undertunic, a light aketon or gambeson and mail underneath. When choosing your size, take the bulk of every layer you intend to wear beneath the coat of plates into account.

Once dressed, raise your arms, bend forwards and carefully sit down. Pay particular attention to the armpits, shoulders and hips. No plate, rivet or buckle should cause painful pressure or catch on neighbouring pieces of equipment.

Suitable Uses

• LARP and fantasy costumes,
• medieval fairs and historical festivals,
• 13th-century reenactment and equipment demonstrations without hard-contact fighting,
• cosplay and film- or game-inspired characters,
• theatre, film and photographic productions,
• armour collections, exhibitions and display mannequins.

Technical Specifications

Size Chart

Chest width A is measured flat from armpit to armpit. Double this measurement to obtain the approximate circumference of the garment. The leather side straps provide additional adjustment. Before ordering, measure yourself over every tunic, gambeson or layer of mail that you actually intend to wear beneath the armour.

Care And Safe Use

• Do not machine-wash the coat of plates or immerse the whole garment in water.
• Remove dust with a soft brush and carefully clean local marks with a slightly damp cloth.
• After use, allow the armour to dry completely in a dry, well-ventilated place.
• Do not dry it directly on a radiator, beside an open fire or with another intense heat source.
• Moisture trapped inside the garment may cause corrosion of the steel plates and damage to the textile.
• Accessible steel components may be protected with a very thin coating of suitable conservation oil or wax.
• Inspect the leather straps regularly and condition them when necessary with a product intended for smooth leather.
• Check the rivets, plates, buckles and straps before every use.
• Stop using the armour if a plate becomes loose, cracks or develops a dangerously sharp edge.
• This is not certified protective armour for buhurt, Battle of the Nations, full-contact HEMA or comparable forms of hard-contact combat.
• Do not rely on it for protection against sharp weapons, live projectiles or other genuinely dangerous impacts.

Recommended Accessories

For a kit inspired by the 13th century, we recommend a linen or cotton undertunic, an aketon or gambeson, a mail shirt or separate mail sleeves, a mail coif, padded arming hood, kettle hat or another suitable High Medieval helmet, a plain leather belt and a period-appropriate sword with scabbard. The helmet, mail armour, padded neck protection, belt, weapons, trousers and other accessories shown in the photographs are not included.