ARMOR

ARMOR, or Armour, a defensive habit, wherewith to cover and secure the Body from the attacks of an enemy.

See ARMS.

Such are the Buckler, Cuirass, Helmet, Coat of Mail, Gauntlet, etc. See BUCKLER, CUIRASS, HELMET, etc.

A complete Armor anciently consisted of a Casque or Helm, a Gorget, Cuirass, Gauntlets, Tassets, Brassets, Cuisses, and Covers for the Legs, to which the Spurs were fastened.—This they called Armour Cap-a-pie; and was the wear of the Cavaliers, and Men at Arms.



The Infantry had only part of it, viz. a Pot or Head-Piece, a Cuirass, and Tassets; but all light.—Lastly, the Horses themselves had their Armour, wherewith to cover the Head and Neck.

Of all this furniture of War, scarcely anything is now retained.

The gallantry of going to the Battle naked, without any defensive Armour, prevailed so far, that the French, during the Reign of Louis XIV, were obliged to be continually issuing Ordinances to restrain it; in consequence of which, the General Officers, and those of the Cavalry, were obliged to resume the Cuirass.—Coat-Armour, is the Escutcheon of any Person, or Family, with its several Charges, and other Furniture, as Mantling, Crest, Supporters, Motto, etc. See ESCUTCHEON, CHARGES, CREST, MANTLING, SUPPORTER, MOTTO, etc.

Thus we say, a Gentleman of Coat-Armour; meaning one who bears Arms. See COAT, ARMS, GENTLEMAN, etc.

ARMOR