Arming point in the context of Hose (clothing)

⭐ Core Definition: Arming point

Arming points are reinforced sections of a gambeson or arming doublet where pieces of body armor were laced on.

During the Medieval and Renaissance periods of European history, arming points allowed heavy armor to be fastened securely to a cloth undergarment via cloth or leather laces. These fastenings evolved from civilian clothing, which used similar tresses to attach sleeves and hose to a doublet, and to hold heavy coats together. The concept itself predated the Middle Ages, as both Greeks and Romans "used larger pieces of bronze and, later, iron fastened together with internal leathers..." The popularization of full plate armour, however, required specially-made gambesons or arming doublets that could support heavy pieces of armour.

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Arming point in the context of Gambeson

A gambeson (also known as, or similar to where historic or modern distinctions are made, the acton, aketon, padded jack, pourpoint, paltock, haustement, or arming doublet) is a padded defensive jacket, worn as armour separately, or combined with mail or plate armour. Gambesons were produced with a sewing technique called quilting or pourpointing that produced a padded cloth. They were usually constructed of linen or wool; the stuffing varied, and could be, for example, scrap cloth or horse hair.

An arming doublet worn under armour, particularly plate armour of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Europe, contains arming points for attaching plates. Fifteenth-century examples may include mail goussets sewn into the elbows and armpits, to protect the wearer in locations not covered by plate. German gothic armour arming doublets were generally shorter than Italian white armour doublets, which could extend to the upper thigh. In late fifteenth-century Italy, this also became a civilian fashion. Men who were not knights wore arming doublets, probably because the garment suggested status and chivalry.

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