Footman's armour

Workshop of Hanns Prenner, Graz, c.1620

Soldiers in the infantry did not wear complete suits of armour in battle but just a breast and backplate, a neck collar, leg tassets that were pushed up several times and an open burgonet helmet. Generals and members of the nobility also wore this type of protective clothing in the field; the clothing did, however, differ in terms of quality and artistic finish.

Around 1530 the curved armour breast became flat again and a peak created in the middle of the breast; this was called a tapul. This tapul became flatter again over the course of time and until 1570 – following the fashion from Spain – it took on the shape of the peascod.