Coat of plates

A coat of plates is a form of segmented torso armour consisting of overlapping metal plates riveted inside a cloth or leather garment. The coat of plates is considered part of the era of transitional armour and was normally worn as part of a full knightly harness. The coat saw its introduction in Europe among the warring elite in the 1180s or 1220s and was well established by the 1250s.^[1] It was in very common usage by the 1290s.^[2] By the 1350s it was universal among infantry militias as well.^[1] After about 1340, the plates covering the chest were combined to form an early breastplate, replacing the coat of plates.^[3] After 1370, the breastplate covered the entire torso.^[3] Different forms of the coat of plates, known as the brigandine and jack of plates, remained in use until the late 16th century.^[2]