A cheaper way to protect the arms was with "archers chains" or arm chains. This consisted of
two plates one covering the outside of the forearm and the other protecting the upper arm, with both attached to either a metal ring
or smaller round plate at the elbow and shoulder. The whole piece was then pointed to the jack. This allowed freedom of movement and
was good at stopping sideways or slashing attacks, but from forward thrusts or stabbing attacks they were quite ineffective.
Archer's chains are not sufficient hand protection on our battlefields today.
Gauntlets were the last pieces of armour to be put on, along with the
helmet. There are two main types of Gauntlets - “mitten” style or “fingered”. The mittens are clumsier to wear, but allow more
protection as the big plates of metal disperse the force of a blow better. Whereas, fingered gauntlets offer greater dexterity but
give less protection from the bones being broken under a smashing blow - due to the smaller fingerplates.
