pauldron

A pauldron is a piece of plate armor that protects the shoulder joint and upper arm. It is typically a curved plate worn over the shoulder and connected to adjacent components of a suit, such as the rerebrace, by riveted joints and leather straps to permit a limited range of motion. In historical armor, pauldrons were often large and reinforced to deflect blows while allowing flexion at the arm.

Design and variants. A pauldron may be a single plate or consist of several articulated lames that overlap to cover the shoulder and upper arm. The upper edge follows the shoulder line, while the lower edge curves toward the upper arm. In many armor sets a matching pauldron is worn on each shoulder; some historical examples used a reduced or simplified version for specialized roles. Decoration such as fluting, engraving, and heraldic devices was common on pauldrons.

History. Pauldrons appeared in the late Middle Ages and became standard during the 15th and 16th centuries as plate armor matured. They were typically worn with rerebraces and vambraces and attached by hinges or lames to allow arm movement. With the spread of gunpowder weapons, full suits of plate declined in everyday warfare by the 17th century but remained in use for cavalry, tournaments, and ceremonial dress.

Modern usage. Today, pauldrons are produced for reenactment, cosplay, and film, and some historic sets are preserved in museums. In contemporary contexts they serve both protective and display functions, reflecting historical styles while accommodating modern fabrication and performance needs.