Gauntlets “Black prince”

Description

Mittens covered with steel plates started to appear back in the early 13th century.  But even at the beginning of the 14th century mail gauntlets were still in use, being the extension of the mail sleeve. But in the middle of 14th century European armor acquired significant improvements. It is quite noticeable by the wrist protection as first versions of plate gauntlets appeared.

Hourglass gauntlets usually have big cuff which covers the wrist and the base of the thumb. Also, the cuff could be widened giving the gauntlets specific shape of the hourglass.

The most preserved hourglass gauntlets are kept in the Canterbury Cathedral, they belonged to Edward of Woodstock, known as «the Black Prince».

Plates which protect the fingers usually remained lost. But on the Black Prince gauntlets, they were perfectly preserved, which adds up to their historical value.

The specific feature of the hourglass gauntlets is sharpened plates on the knuckles and ribs on the edges of the nails – geldings.

Another specific feature of this type of gauntlets was a knuckle-rider. It is an additional movable plate on the knuckles.

It is attached to the cuff by the rivets, and leather straps for fingers are riveted onto it. Such construction adds up to movability while holding a fist.

On the edges of the steel detail, leather was riveted for sewing the fabric padding. Leather finger straps were sewn as well.

Despite such gauntlet’s functionality in the medieval times, they are not to be used in sports in modern times. Currently, the pressure of the crushing hits on the armor is quite bigger, so it is easy to break your fingers.