Why Armor Did Not Make Knights (Fully) Invulnerable...

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A common question that people ask when seeing the effectiveness of armor in tests is "how did anyone even die in battles?". Which is perfectly understandable, so let's dig into some ways in which knights in a full suit of armor might meet their demise.

My playlist of armor videos, including tests on a various helmets and a breastplate:

ARROWS vs ARMOUR - Medieval Myth Busting by Tod's Workshop:

Longbow versus breastplate - which will win? by Lindybeige

Warbow / English Longbow Vs Plate, Chain Maille and Gambeson by Thegn Thrand

Breaking Shafts by Tod's Workshop

*** Sources ***

Battle of Agincourt

Battle of Hemmingstedt

Battle of Towton

Historical manuscripts on armored dueling

Armor thickness

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*** Music ***

Intro song:
"Illuminate" by Vindsvept

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records

#historicalarmor #knight #armoredcombat

[danieledwards]

As armour improved, people found ways to propel pommels at it faster and faster, eventually shooting small pommels out of pipes with the expansion of gas from an explosive or fast burning substance ignited behind them.

[xqogltp]

"commoners were far more disposable"

That bit didn't change at all

[xqogltp]

Jokes aside, let's just appreciate for a moment the fact that we are living in such a time when majority of people never have been bludgeoned and have to wonder why people were hurt with such a good armor

[Sklzky]

Why crush the shell if you can kill the snail inside - knight edition

[sirdeakia]

I love it when he makes a noticeable pun and goes: HEAD ON, HUH HUH

[joshuahunt]

Fun fact: Woodpeckers have adaptations that help secure their brains well enough to avoid giving themselves concussions.

Because humans do not, medieval armor doesn’t help humans much against blunt force trauma to the head.

[ArcticK]

I'm glad you brought up ransoming, because that was fairly commonplace between knights. The captors were usually pretty hospitable and respectful to their captives as well, giving them good food and making them comfortable until they were paid off. After all, you wouldn't want to be a dick and then end up having to fight alongside them in a future war in which you'd be allies.

Something I think was somewhat overlooked in this video, however, is exhaustion. Fully armored fights would often be much longer and result in one fighter suffering too much exhaustion from physical exertion and blood loss and passing out, after which the victor would take them captive. I'd speculate having your chestplate dented in might make it harder to breathe as well.

[John-doe]

Statement: Why Armor Did Not Make Knights (Fully) Invulnerable...

Answer: Big Hitty Stick Or Speedy Pointy Stick Make Knight Go Ouch.

Other Possible Answer Include, But Are Not Limited To:

-Long Smoky Stick(Goes Boom Boom)

-Too Big Gulp Of Water

-Fall Down, Can’t Get Up.(Need Help)

-Giant Rock Go Down Slanty Boi.

-Boop Head Real Fast, Knight Go Night(aka getting Month Pythoned).

-Metal Boi in Sun Get Baked Like Crab.

[RickardLejonhjarta]

I for one find Skalls evolution rather interesting
it started with "dude that sword is pretty cool" and ends with detailed information on soft tissue trauma caused by rotational inertia

[pizzasoldeir]

The fact the "onion armor" from Dark Souls is perfectly high-tier armor is amazing

[netenes]

I thought being knight was like having premium account in a pay to win game

[kevinnorwood]

Moral of this story: Armor is very effective, but it's not unbeatable.

[harviebirdman]

See the thing I got from this video is this:

Don't get hit in the head.
Don't get hit in the Head!
Under any circumstances, don't get hit in the head.

[TheBitingBat]

I mean from personal experience the armor may have kept you alive but it still hurt like hell getting hit. I broke a few ribs even in full plate armor and that wasn't even in serious combat

[ArtoriusRex]

1:32 a two hour video of Skall talking armour is EXACTLY what i need

[skipmage]

And remember; if you have enough men you can grapple the knight to immobility and take all the time you need to kill him.
You will loose men to this technique.

[afremrf]

First few mins reminded me of a time when I heard that German Ferdinand tank destroyers in ww2 would take immense artillery and cannon fire, but sometimes nothing would penetrate the tank itself. Later the crew would be found dead inside with blood from their nose, mouth and ears because the concussion from many rounds hitting the tank caused their internal organs to rupture.

[ZyTelevan]

3:33 Props for mentioning stretching as the cause of concussions!
A very common misconception is that concussions happen because the brain "bounces around" inside the skull.

[lazyconnoisseur]

Now i want to see a cavalry charge against armor showcase

[Hin_Håle]

That elbow push and slide is still used in grappling techniques today. A sneaky way to try for a headlock on your opponent.