A poleyn, also called a genouillere in French, is a part of a knight's armour that protects the knee. During the transition from chain mail protection to plate armour, the poleyn was one of the first components to be made from plate steel.
The first poleyns appeared around 1230 and remained in use until approximately 1650, when the use of firearms made traditional armour largely obsolete.
Construction and development
Initially, poleyns were worn with straps over the chain mail chausses. In the 14th century and early 15th century, they were usually attached to padded leg pieces or to cuisses of plate armour.
During the 15th century, the poleyn evolved further into a hinged design, where it was attached to the cuisses and to schynbalds or greaves.
This made it possible for the knee to move better without losing protection. A characteristic of late 15th-century Gothic armour was a protruding edge on the side of the poleyn, which offered extra protection to the side of the knee against lateral attacks.
