breastplates

A breastplate is a piece of body armor that protects the chest and forms the front portion of a torso defense called a cuirass. It is designed to deflect blows from swords, spears, and arrows while allowing mobility. In many suits, the breastplate is paired with a back plate, and the two are connected by straps or hinges to form a single unit.

Construction and materials: Early breastplates were forged from bronze or iron; later European examples used steel shaped by forging, trimming, and riveting. The front plate could be a single piece or assembled from multiple lames. Some designs included a neck guard or a back plate, and many sets exchanged mail or other components to form a complete harness. Modern replicas vary in material and finish.

History and regional use: Breast protection appears in many cultures. In Europe, the breastplate became common with plate armor for knights and cavalry during the 15th to 17th centuries. Similar chest defenses appeared in East Asian armors and other traditions. The rise of firearms reduced the practical use of full plate armor, though breastplates persisted in ceremonial roles and as status symbols.

Modern context: Today breastplates survive as artifacts and in ceremonial armor, reenactments, film, and stage productions. Modern armor for protection uses ballistic plates made of ceramic or composite materials, not historical breastplates. The term remains primarily associated with historical armor and decorative pieces.