articulatingPauldron

Articulating pauldron is a plate armor component designed to protect the shoulder and part of the upper arm while allowing significant freedom of movement. The construction typically involves a central rigid plate or lames that are connected to the wearer’s cuirass or collarbone armor with hinges or lacing, enabling the articulated plate to bend with the body during arm motions. The articulated structure often uses small, overlapping plates or lames that are riveted together, sometimes sewn to leather or chainmail backing to provide additional absorption of blows.

These pauldrons first appear in European armor fragments from the 13th and 14th centuries, particularly in the arms of knights fighting at the Battle of Agincourt and the Hussite Wars. Their design helped balance the need for armor protection with the mobility required for mounted combat and fencing. Articulated pauldrons were usually crafted from steel or, later, homogeneous mail steel, and sometimes featured decorative cusps or crestwork for heraldic identification.

In modern historical reenactment and film, articulated pauldrons are replicated using a combination of metal plates or high‑strength polymer cross‑pieces that mimic the original hinges, providing authenticity while allowing performers to move comfortably. The principle of articulating shoulder armor continues in contemporary protective gear for sports and occupational safety, where segmented plates provide impact resistance without sacrificing mobility.