haarniskan

Haarniskan is a term used in some Scandinavian languages to denote the cuirass, the torso protection of a suit of plate armor. The haarniskan protects the chest and back and is typically made from two main metal plates—the breastplate and the backplate—connected by straps, hinges, or internal fittings. It may also include a neck guard (gorget) and can be combined with other elements such as pauldrons for shoulder protection, a fauld or tassets to protect the hips, and a skirt or plate extensions to guard the abdomen.

Construction and design varied across periods. During the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, cuirasses ranged from simple, broad plates to more form-fitting, contoured designs intended to improve mobility and redirect blows. Materials were primarily steel or hardened iron; earlier versions could use laminated plates or multiple components, while later examples favored single-piece or riveted plates with integrated features.

The haarniskan was widely used by European infantry and cavalry and became a central component of full plate armor by the 15th and 16th centuries. Its prominence declined with the rise of firearms and changing battlefield tactics, reducing the practical use of heavy torso protection. Some haarniskan elements persisted in ceremonial or parade armor into the early modern period, illustrating both the functional and symbolic roles of armor in European military culture.