Could Medieval Armor Stop a Bullet? A Closer Look at Firearms and Armor in the Middle Ages
The striking image of knights clad in shining armor raises an intriguing question when paired with the advent of firearms during the Middle Ages: Were those suits of armor capable of stopping a bullet?
The Medieval period, spanning from 500 to 1500 AD, witnessed the introduction of firearms in Europe, beginning in the 14th century after gunpowder was invented in China approximately 1,200 years earlier. During this period, various types of armor evolved, with plate armor becoming the predominant choice in 15th-century Europe, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Encounters between armored knights and firearms were relatively rare throughout the Middle Ages. Jonathan Tavares, a curator at the Art Institute of Chicago, points out that while guns existed from the 13th to the 15th centuries, they were not widely used. However, even these limited confrontations spurred armorers to innovate.
Between 1380 and 1600, a technological competition unfolded between gunsmiths and armorers. As firearms improved in speed, range, and power, armorers responded by developing stronger and more sophisticated protective gear. According to Roger Pauly, a history professor at the University of Central Arkansas, the ability of armor to stop a bullet was contingent on its craftsmanship and the power of the firearm used. Many pistols of the era would struggle to penetrate high-quality armor.
Tests conducted on post-medieval armor support this perspective. In 2017, a Nova TV program recreated a late 16th-century suit of armor that successfully stopped a bullet. However, it is important to note that the firearms from that time were not as fast or effective as modern weaponry.
Today’s body armor functions by decelerating bullets and dispersing their force, utilizing advanced materials and designs that medieval armor lacked. Most armor capable of stopping bullets was developed after the medieval period. Tavares notes that the 16th- and 17th-century European armor designed for infantry and cavalry began to show promise in resisting bullets.
In contrast, Chinese armor followed a different trajectory. Peter Lorges, a history professor at Vanderbilt University, explains that medieval Chinese armies primarily consisted of common soldiers who could not afford bulletproof armor, as its high cost restricted such protection to the wealthy elite, making it impractical for mass armies.
While some late medieval armor may have had the capability to stop certain bullets, the majority of armor from the broader medieval era was not bulletproof. Significant advancements in armor designed to resist firearms largely emerged in the centuries following the Middle Ages.
