How did soldiers attack plate mail armour
Attacking plate mail armor was a significant challenge for medieval soldiers, as it provided excellent protection against slashing and piercing attacks. Here are some ways soldiers attempted to breach plate mail armor:
- Arrow fire: Archers and crossbowmen targeted the joints and seams of the armor, where the plates overlapped or the armor was less robust. Arrows and bolts could get stuck in the gaps, causing discomfort and potentially weakening the armor.
- Maces and war hammers: These blunt instruments were designed to crush and shatter armor. A well-placed blow could dent or crack the armor, creating an opening for subsequent attacks.
- Axes and poleaxes: Axes and poleaxes were used to strike the armor with a powerful, angled blow. This could help to crack or split the armor, creating a weak point.
- Swords and daggers: Soldiers used various sword and dagger techniques to target the armor's weak points, such as the joints, seams, and edges. They might aim for the gaps between the plates, the armpits, or the neck opening.
- Fire and heat: In some cases, soldiers used fire or heat to weaken or destroy armor. For example, they might pour hot oil or tar on the armor, or use a torch to heat up the metal and make it more pliable.
- Undermining: Soldiers might try to undermine the armor by striking the ground beneath the knight's feet, causing them to lose balance or become stuck in the mud.
- Targeting the head and neck: Since the head and neck were not as heavily armored as the torso, soldiers would often target these areas with arrows, crossbow bolts, or sword strikes.
- Using specialized weapons: Some soldiers used specialized weapons, such as the "fauchard" (a curved sword with a hook) or the "guisarme" (a polearm with a hook), to target the armor's weak points.
- Teamwork: In some cases, soldiers would work together to attack a heavily armored opponent. For example, one soldier might distract the knight while another attacked from behind or from the side.
- Exploiting weaknesses: Armor was not invincible, and soldiers would often look for weaknesses in the armor's construction, such as poorly fitted plates or weak joints. They might target these areas to gain an advantage.
It's worth noting that even with these tactics, breaching plate mail armor was not always easy or successful. Heavily armored knights were formidable opponents, and soldiers often had to use a combination of these tactics to overcome them.