greaves

Greave, plural greaves, is a piece of leg armor designed to protect the shin and calf from knee to ankle. It is used as part of a suit of plate armor or mail, and may be made of metal, leather, or composite materials. It is typically fastened with leather straps or points to the leg and often curves to follow the contours of the shin.

Historically, greaves were common in antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages. In ancient Greece and Rome, greaves were made of bronze or sheet metal and worn over the leg to shield against blows. By the High Middle Ages, greaves remained part of armor sets, and in late medieval and early modern Europe plate greaves were standard on cavalry and infantry, connected to cuisses and poleyns to form articulated leg protection.

Construction and types include a range from a single molded plate to more elaborate versions using multiple lames or bands (splinted greaves). Some examples were shaped to imitate calf muscles (muscle greaves). Leather or composite greaves offered lighter protection. They were typically strapped on the front or sides with buckles and laces, sometimes as part of a full leg harness.

Decline and modern usage: The widespread adoption of lighter armor and changes in warfare led to the gradual decline of greaves after the 16th century. They survive in museum collections and are used by reenactors. In some sports or regional language traditions, shin protection may be referred to as greaves, though modern equipment differs.