Chain Mail

• When facing cutting weapons, knights would wear the comparably lightweight chainmail. Made of thousands of interlocking metal rings, this could protect the wearer from the sharp edges of weapons, but were susceptible to piercing attacks, such as arrows, that could go between the rings.
  
  

Breastplate

• The addition of a breastplate prevented arrows from penetrating the chest. Made of a solid but thin section of metal covering the torso, the breastplate was often complemented with chain mail over the extremities.
  
  

Full Plate

• Full plate mail was developed for use primarily by mounted knights. The metal plates over much of the body made most movement laborious, requiring most knights to need the help of a squire for most complex actions. However, these knights were almost unstoppable, and resistant to both bladed weapons and piercing arrows.
  
  

Jousting Mail

• Knights in jousting competitions had specific armor made to defend against chest and neck blows. An especially thick plate was added to the vulnerable left shoulder. Holes for the eyes were also decreased in size to prevent splinters from blinding the rider.
  
  

Firearms and Armor

• Toward the start of the 17th century, firearms became more common, making the thin metal of a full plate nearly useless. Instead, thick mail that could stop gunfire was worn over the chest and head. Covering the arms and legs would have added too much weight, so those features were removed.