Spaulders are parts of plate armour that protect the shoulder. They usually consist of a single plate or multiple lamellae, attached with leather belts or rivets.
From around 1450, spaulders were often attached to the upper cannon or rerebrace, a development that continued into the 16th century.
Early medieval images, such as the Barberini ivory, show that Roman officers wore individual spaulders with pteruges attached to protect the upper arms and shoulders.
The wider application of spaulders in Western Europe developed in the 14th century and became increasingly common in the 1300s.
Unlike pauldrons, spaulders do not cover the armpits. The openings could be closed with besagews, or simply left open, with the maille haubergeon or voider visible underneath.
Internal links
- Pauldrons: shoulder protection in medieval armour
- Rerebrace: upper arm protection in medieval armour
- The cuirass: medieval chest and back armour
- Besagews & roundels: protection of armpits and openings
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Gorget: metal collar for neck and upper chest
