Key Takeaways
- A pauldron is a specific type of plate armor designed to protect the shoulder and the upper arm.
- They evolved from earlier shoulder guards like spaulders to offer better protection in battle.
- Modern uses for the pauldron include historical reenactment, LARP (Live Action Role-Playing), and cosplay.
- You can make your own pauldron using materials like EVA foam or leather.
- Understanding the difference between a pauldron and a spaulder is key for armor enthusiasts.
Shoulders are important. They help you lift, throw, and swing. Now, imagine you are a knight in the middle of a chaotic battlefield. You need to swing a heavy sword while making sure nobody hits your arm. What do you wear? You wear a pauldron.
This piece of armor is one of the most recognizable parts of a knight’s suit. It isn’t just a simple metal cap; it is a complex piece of engineering designed to save lives. Whether you are a history buff, a cosplayer building a costume from The Mandalorian or Halo, or just curious about medieval warfare, this guide is for you. We are going to explore the history, the design, and the modern life of the pauldron.
What Exactly Is a Pauldron?
When we talk about medieval armor, it can get confusing quickly. There are so many weird words like “greaves,” “vambraces,” and “gorgets.” A pauldron is simply the component of plate armor that covers the shoulder area. It typically attaches to the chest plate (cuirass) and extends down to cover the upper arm and sometimes even part of the chest and back.
The word itself comes from the Middle English word “polderon” and the French word “espalleron,” which relates to the shoulder. While early armor protected the shoulder with chainmail or simple leather pads, the pauldron was the heavy-duty solution. It was usually made of steel and articulated, meaning it had moving parts so the knight could still raise their arm.
A true pauldron is usually larger than its cousin, the spaulder. It often covers the armpit area (the besagew) which was a major weak spot in armor. If a sword or spear got into the armpit, it was game over for the knight. The pauldron fixed this by adding extra plates that flared out or covered that gap.
The Anatomy of Shoulder Armor
To really understand how this works, we need to break it down. A pauldron isn’t just one solid bowl of metal. If it were, you wouldn’t be able to move your arm! It is usually made of several overlapping plates of metal known as “lames.”
- Main Plate: The large piece that sits directly on top of the shoulder joint.
- Upper Lames: Smaller plates that connect the main plate to the neck or chest armor.
- Lower Lames: Plates that slide over each other, extending down the upper arm.
- Besagew: A small round shield sometimes attached to the front to protect the armpit.
These parts are held together with leather straps on the inside or sliding rivets. This construction allows the metal to expand and contract like an armadillo shell when the wearer moves.
The History of the Pauldron
Armor didn’t just appear overnight. It evolved slowly over hundreds of years. The pauldron represents a peak in armor technology, appearing mostly during the 15th century. Before this, knights relied heavily on chainmail hauberks (shirts) which were flexible but heavy and didn’t stop crushing blows very well.
In the 14th century, armorers started adding small plates to reinforce the chainmail. They started with simple caps for the knees and elbows. Eventually, they realized the shoulders needed rigid protection too. The early versions were small, but as weapons got stronger and sharper, the armor had to get bigger. By the mid-1400s, full suits of plate armor were common, and the pauldron was a star player.
From Mail to Plate
The transition was gradual. First came “spaudlers,” which were smaller shoulder plates. But as the Hundred Years’ War raged on and weapons like the longbow and crossbow became more dangerous, knights needed more coverage. The pauldron was developed to cover the gaps that spaulders left exposed.
By the Gothic period of armor (think spiky, shiny German armor), pauldrons became massive. Some were asymmetrical. The left pauldron was often larger than the right one. Why? Because most knights fought right-handed. Their left side faced the enemy and took the most hits, so it needed extra thick plating.
The Decline of Shoulder Armor
Sadly, all good things come to an end. The invention of gunpowder changed warfare forever. A musket ball could punch right through a steel breastplate or a pauldron. As guns became common on the battlefield in the 16th and 17th centuries, heavy plate armor became a burden rather than a protection.
Soldiers stopped wearing full suits to move faster. The pauldron shrank back down or disappeared entirely. By the 1700s, only heavy cavalry units wore any armor, and eventually, it became purely ceremonial. Today, you mostly see them in museums or on the shoulders of the Royal Guards during parades.
Pauldron vs. Spaulder: What’s the Difference?
This is the most common question people ask. To the untrained eye, they look exactly the same. They are both metal things that go on your shoulder, right? Technically yes, but in the world of armor, the distinction matters.
The main difference is size and coverage. A spaulder is generally smaller. It covers the point of the shoulder and stops there. It does not cover the armpit and usually does not extend onto the chest or back. A pauldron is the big brother. It covers the shoulder, the armpit, and wraps around to cover parts of the chest and back plate.
|
Feature |
Spaulder |
Pauldron |
|---|---|---|
|
Size |
Small to Medium |
Large and covering |
|
Armpit Protection |
None or very little |
High (often includes besagews) |
|
Chest Coverage |
Does not overlap chest plate |
Often overlaps chest and back |
|
Mobility |
Very High |
Medium (can be restrictive) |
|
Era |
Early 14th Century & onwards |
Mid-15th Century peak |
If you are building a costume and you want to look like a light, agile scout, you probably want a spaulder. If you want to look like a heavy tank or a juggernaut, you definitely want a pauldron.
Types of Pauldrons Through the Ages
Not all shoulder armor looked the same. Different countries and different time periods had their own styles. The way an Italian armorer made a pauldron was very different from how a German armorer did it.
Italian Style
Italian armor, famous from Milan, was smooth and rounded. The idea was to deflect sword blows. If a sword hit a rounded surface, it would slide off rather than sticking. An Italian pauldron was often very large and asymmetrical, specifically designed for jousting and heavy cavalry charges. They prioritized maximum protection on the left side.
German Gothic Style
German armor was known for “fluting.” These were ridges and grooves hammered into the metal. It looked incredibly cool, but it also served a purpose. The ridges made the metal stronger without adding weight. A German pauldron often had sharp, pointed edges and intricate designs. It was flashy and aggressive, just like the knights who wore it.
The “Grand Guard”
For jousting tournaments, knights would sometimes bolt an extra piece of metal onto their left pauldron and chest. This was called a “Grand Guard.” It essentially locked the left shoulder in place and provided a double layer of steel. It made moving the left arm impossible, but since you only needed your right arm to hold the lance, it was worth it for the safety.
Modern Uses of the Pauldron
You might think shoulder armor is a thing of the past, but look around! It is actually more popular now than it has been for 400 years. We just use it for different reasons. We aren’t dodging arrows; we are dodging foam swords or trying to win a costume contest.
Cosplay and Pop Culture
Video games and movies love a good pauldron. Think about the Space Marines from Warhammer 40,000. Their shoulder pads are comically huge—bigger than their heads! This is a stylistic choice to make them look powerful and imposing.
Characters like the Mandalorian, Master Chief from Halo, and characters from World of Warcraft all sport distinctive shoulder armor. In World of Warcraft, the size of your pauldron often indicates your level. High-level players have shoulders that glow and have spikes, while low-level players have tiny leather patches.
LARP and Reenactment
LARP stands for Live Action Role-Playing. People dress up as their characters and fight with safe, padded weapons. For LARPers, a pauldron is essential gear. It protects the shoulder from accidental hard hits and adds to the immersion of the game.
Historical reenactors take it a step further. Groups like the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) wear real steel armor and fight with rattan sticks. For them, a pauldron isn’t a costume prop; it is safety equipment. They need it to be historically accurate and structurally sound to prevent broken bones.
Materials: What Are They Made Of?
In the 1400s, you had one choice: steel. Maybe iron if you were poor. Today, we have a lot more options depending on what you need the armor for.
Steel (The Real Deal)
If you want authenticity, you go with steel. Mild steel is common for costumes, but hardened spring steel or stainless steel is used for actual combat sports like Buhurt (medieval armored combat). A steel pauldron is heavy. It clanks when you walk. It requires oiling to prevent rust. But nothing beats the feeling of wearing real metal.
Leather
Leather is a popular alternative. Hardened leather can be boiled and shaped to look like plates. A leather pauldron is much lighter than steel and quieter. It is popular in fantasy settings and LARP games where metal might be too dangerous or heavy for a long weekend of camping and fighting.
EVA Foam and Worbla
For cosplayers, weight is the enemy. You can’t walk around a convention center for 8 hours wearing 50 pounds of steel. That is where EVA foam comes in. It is the same stuff gym floor mats are made of. You can heat it, shape it, and paint it to look exactly like a rusty metal pauldron. Worbla is a thermoplastic that you can sculpt for fine details. These materials let artists create impossible shapes that real metal workers couldn’t achieve.
How to Make Your Own Pauldron (DIY Guide)
Are you feeling creative? Making your own shoulder armor is a great weekend project. We will focus on a simple EVA foam build, as it is safe and requires basic tools.
Tools You Need
- EVA Foam (4mm to 6mm thick)
- Sharp craft knife or box cutter
- Contact cement (glue)
- Heat gun
- Plasti Dip (for priming)
- Acrylic paints
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Patterning: First, you need a shape. You can wrap your shoulder in aluminum foil and duct tape to make a template. Draw the shape of the pauldron plates on the tape. Carefully cut it off your shoulder and cut the tape into flat pieces. These are your patterns.
- Cutting: Trace your patterns onto the EVA foam. Remember to label them! “Top Plate,” “Middle Plate,” etc. Cut them out with your knife. Keep your blade sharp for clean edges.
- Shaping: Use the heat gun to warm up the foam. It will become floppy. Press it over a rounded object (like a knee or a mixing bowl) to curve it. Hold it until it cools. Now your flat foam looks like curved metal.
- Assembly: Apply contact cement to the edges where the plates overlap. Let the glue dry until it is tacky (sticky but not wet). Press the parts together. You are building the pauldron layer by layer.
- Painting: Seal the foam with Plasti Dip so the paint doesn’t soak in. Then, paint it silver, gold, or whatever color you like. Use black paint in the cracks to make it look used and oily.
Why Shoulders Are Vulnerable
Why do we go to all this trouble to protect the shoulder? Biologically, the shoulder is a complex joint. It is a ball-and-socket joint that allows a huge range of motion. But this mobility makes it fragile.
In sword fighting, the shoulder is a prime target. A downward strike (a fendente) naturally lands on the shoulder or collarbone. If that bone breaks, the arm becomes useless. You can’t hold a shield or a sword. You are defenseless.
The pauldron acts as a hard shell to absorb that energy. The curved shape is crucial. When a weapon hits the curve, the energy is deflected away from the bone. Even if the armor dents, the padding underneath (called an arming doublet) helps cushion the blow.
Buying Guide: What to Look For
If you aren’t into DIY, you can buy a pauldron online. But be careful! There is a lot of junk out there. Here is how to spot good armor.
- Articulation: Does it move? A cheap pauldron will be one solid piece that prevents you from lifting your arm. Good armor has sliding rivets that let the plates collapse.
- Thickness: If you are buying steel, check the gauge. 18-gauge steel is good for costumes. 16-gauge or 14-gauge is needed for actual fighting. (Remember: lower number = thicker metal).
- Straps: Look at the leather straps. Are they sturdy? Are they riveted on securely? Bad straps will snap the first time you put the armor on.
- Finish: Polished steel requires maintenance. Blackened or painted finishes are lower maintenance but might not look as historical.
Where to Buy
You can find custom armorers on sites like Etsy, or specialized retailers like Kult of Athena or ArmStreet. Always read reviews to see if the pauldron fits comfortably. Armor that doesn’t fit is painful to wear.
Caring for Your Armor
Owning a pauldron is like owning a car; you have to take care of it.
- Rust is the Enemy: If you have steel armor, moisture is dangerous. Even the sweat from your fingerprints can cause rust spots. Always wipe your armor down after touching it.
- Oiling: Coat your steel armor with a light layer of oil or wax. WD-40 is okay for cleaning, but mineral oil or museum wax is better for long-term storage.
- Leather Care: The straps will dry out and crack over time. Use leather conditioner to keep them flexible.
- Storage: Don’t store armor in a damp basement. Keep it in a dry place. If you can, store it on a stand so the straps aren’t under tension.
Famous Pauldrons in Fiction
We mentioned Warhammer and Halo, but let’s look closer at how fiction uses this armor piece. In fantasy design, the bigger the pauldron, the more important the character. This is often called the “Shoulder Pad Rule.”
- Judge Dredd: His uniform features a massive golden eagle on one shoulder. This is a classic example of an asymmetrical pauldron used as a symbol of authority rather than just protection.
- Samus Aran (Metroid): Her Varia Suit features iconic, spherical orange shoulders. These aren’t just armor; they contain equipment and generators for her suit.
- Warcraft Orcs: The visual style of Orcs almost always includes massive, spiked shoulder plates. It emphasizes their brute strength and primal nature.
These designs might not be realistic (they would be impossible to lift your arms in!), but they show how iconic the shape of shoulder armor has become in our culture.
FAQs About Pauldrons
Q: Can you wear a pauldron without a chest plate?
A: Yes, you can! Many adventurers wear a standalone pauldron strapped across their chest with a leather belt. It provides light protection without the weight of a full suit.
Q: How much does a real steel pauldron weigh?
A: It depends on the size and thickness, but a pair of steel pauldrons typically weighs between 4 to 8 pounds. It doesn’t sound like much, but after wearing them all day, your shoulders will feel it!
Q: Did samurais wear pauldrons?
A: Samurai armor (O-yoroi) had large rectangular shoulder shields called sode. While they served the same purpose, they were constructed differently, usually hanging loosely to act as a shield rather than a fitted cup like the European pauldron.
Q: Is it hard to move in them?
A: A well-made pauldron should not restrict your movement much. If it is articulated correctly, you should be able to touch your head and swing a sword. Cheap, poorly made armor is what restricts movement.
Q: Why do some pauldrons have spikes?
A: In history, spikes were rare because they could catch an enemy weapon and guide it toward your neck. In fantasy, spikes are added to look cool and intimidating.
Conclusion
The pauldron is more than just a piece of metal. It is a symbol of knighthood, a marvel of medieval engineering, and a staple of modern fantasy culture. From the battlefields of the 15th century to the convention halls of today, it has stood the test of time.
Whether you are looking to protect yourself in a reenactment battle or just want to look awesome in your next costume, understanding the history and function of the pauldron adds depth to your experience. So next time you see a knight in a movie or a game, take a look at their shoulders. You will know exactly what is keeping them safe.
For more detailed historical context, you can read more about the pauldron on Wikipedia.
