If you were in the Middle Ages and had to face a knight in heavy armor, what would you do to take him down?
Think back to the times you’ve seen in movies or games set in the Middle Ages, where a formidable enemy stands before you clad in armor so thick it looks unbearably hot.
Then, these foes are quickly dispatched by the “protagonist” with stabbing or slashing blows from swords. But is that truly how our ancestors tackled armored opponents?
How to take down knights wearing such heavy armor?
When it comes to armor, we need to recognize that there are many types of armor from different periods. In Asia, armor is often quite light, primarily consisting of small interlocking plates. Meanwhile, in Europe, chainmail and plate armor were very popular, with plate armor being a staple.
Knights in thick steel plates were like mobile tanks in the Middle Ages.
This article will focus on how to take down a knight in plate armor. Of course, both opponents will be standing on the ground and looking for any handheld weapons available.
What is Plate Armor?
First, we need to briefly discuss plate armor that we will be referring to in this article. The armor in question is the plate armor worn by nobles and knights around the 15th century. This can be considered the most effective armor design for protecting the wearer, not only in terms of aesthetics but also in how the wearer layers the plates on top of each other.
The type of plate armor referred to in this article.
To wear this armor, one must first don a padded undergarment, followed by the plates in an upward fashion. In some cases, the wearer might add chainmail in the gaps of the armor for additional protection.
The plates are generally rounded to deflect attacks from various weapons. Additionally, the edges of the armor are flared to prevent sharp weapons from sliding into the wearer’s joints or neck.
How to Take Down Someone in Plate Armor?
First, consider a few things about this type of armor. If you’re planning to attack with a sharp weapon, keep in mind that sharp weapons cannot penetrate thick armor. No matter how forcefully you strike, the rounded plates will redirect your force.
If you attempt to stab at the gaps, there’s still a chance the knight could be wearing chainmail, and of course, the tip of your weapon won’t go very far before getting stuck. You might wield a spear and thrust with all your strength, but your force may not be enough to deliver a fatal blow.
Your spear might penetrate the armor by 1 to 2 centimeters, but that’s still not enough to reach the wearer’s skin. You could potentially pierce the armor if you were riding a horse and charging at 50 km/h, but that’s not the scenario we are discussing. We are assuming an attack situation on foot where both are standing upright.
Slashing Won’t Work, and Stabbing is Useless! How About Bludgeoning?
When you can’t inflict a wound directly, it’s time to resort to indirect methods, which ironically is the most common approach to face armored foes. Using a heavy weapon to strike the armored opponent won’t immediately puncture the armor, but it will definitely daze him.
Striking hard against the armor can cause significant shock to the wearer, which is why the plates are often designed to bulge outward to absorb direct impacts. However, there’s no way to mitigate the shock when hitting the head. Most helmets fit closely to the head and are lined with fabric or padding, which is clearly insufficient to absorb all the impact.
This is why blunt weapons such as maces or war hammers became popular. You don’t need to worry too much about the angle of attack, just aim for the head and swing with all your might. If you’re concerned about distance, you can use a shield or opt for a poleaxe.
Blunt weapons become the nemesis of armor.
Essentially, a poleaxe is a weapon that combines three different types: axe, spear, and hammer. This is why the poleaxe is considered an ideal weapon against armored opponents. It can bludgeon and slash with just a flick of the wrist.
The poleaxe or halberd becomes the ultimate weapon to confront knights.
From the 14th to the 16th century, the poleaxe was the recommended weapon for royal military forces. Even in modern times, a variant of the poleaxe known as the halberd has been used as a primary weapon by the Vatican’s guards.
So what’s the best way to fight a fully armored knight? Just take a hammer and strike him hard in the head.
