Cuisse with Poleyn
Author: Unknown
Origin: Germany
Dating: 15th-16th century
Material: Iron
Dimensions (cm): 45
Weight: 697 g
Inv. no.: PD1090
Cuisse is the name given to the part of the defensive armour that protects the thigh, with a cuisse for the left thigh and another for the right one. The cuisse was connected to the kneepad. Initially, a cuisse was made from a single sheet of metal, but this was subsequently replaced by a set of articulated parts.
Left legs’ set cuisse – poleyn. The cuisse only involves the back part of the thigh and consists of a single plate. It articulates with the kneepad through lateral nailing. On the top – turned outwards – there are seven holes for fixing the lining. The entire rim features a herringbone-type of decoration, accompanied by an embossed line. A thin edge marks the axis of the leg. A few centimetres from the top side there is a lateral rivet to fix a leather strap on each side (the right one still exists) which tied the cuisse to the back of the thigh. The kneepad is made of five overlapping plates joined together by lateral rivets. On the bottom plate there is a hole on each side, perhaps for the articulation of the greave, (which is the name given to the part designed to protect the front of the lower part of the leg). It has a wide wing, decorated in a herringbone-style on the edge and with a slight central depression. The plates have wavy edges and are marked by two incised lines; the middle one (much larger) also has a central rib, embossed and decorated in a herringbone-style.
João Gouveia Monteiro
