Can spears go through armor?
The effectiveness of armor against spears has long been a topic of discussion among historians, archaeologists, and martial artists. The answer, however, is not a simple yes or no. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of ancient armor and spear warfare to answer this question.
Plate Armor: A Strong, yet Vulnerable, Wall
Plate armor, widely used during the Middle Ages, was a formidable obstacle for spears. Plates made of metal, specifically steel, iron, and bronze, provided excellent protection against slashing and piercing weapons. However, they weren’t invincible. In fact, they had vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
Vulnerabilities and Weak Points
- Joints and hinges: The connections between metal plates, including joints, hinges, and rivets, were vulnerable to failure under intense impact. Stronger spears could rupture these connections, rendering the armor ineffective.
- Gaps and open areas: Although plate armor covered the majority of the body, it left vital areas exposed. The area between the breastplate and the helmet, as well as the openings for legs and arms, provided channels for spears to slip through.
- Thinning or weak plate areas: Areas where plate armor was thin or particularly weak, such as shoulder guards or chest plates, could be exploited by faster, more powerful spears.
Mail and other Types of Armor
Another type of armor, often used in combination with plate armor, is mail or chainmail. This comprised interlocking iron rings linked together to create a fabric-like armor. Mail could provide additional protection against point-blank shots, while plate armor took care of slashing and hacking attacks. However, its effectiveness in repelling spear attacks depends on the thickness and size of the mail links as well as the angle and force of the spear blow.
Specialized Warfare and Tactics
Spearmen employed various tactics and techniques to counter armor and penetrate the protective barrier of plate armor:
- Thrusting rather than slashing: Spear forces often focused on thrusting rather than slashing, maximizing the impact on armor points of weakness. This enabled them to drive the point through gaps or thin sections of armor.
- Pivoting or spinning: Experienced spear-men could pivot or spin with their spear to create confusion and disorientation, before striking at a vulnerable part of the armor.
- Feint and false attacks: Spears occasionally used feint attacks (fake strikes) to simulate a slashing blow, and then quickly redirected their stroke to target the armor points of weakness.
- Multi-man tactics: In some cases, multiple warriors armed with spears may have worked together to swarm an armored target, surrounding it and limiting its field of vision before striking.
Table: Armor Penetrability by Spear
The table below demonstrates the degree of penetration of different armors by various spearhead types:
| Spear Head | Plate Armor (up to 12 mm thickness) | Mail ( chainmail) |
|---|---|---|
| Dagger-head: | ( partial, 1/3–1/2 penetration ) | ( minor penetration only ) |
| Blunt spear head: | ( partial, 2/3 penetration ) | ( moderate penetration ) |
| Pike-head: | ( full, 8/8 penetration ) | ( full penetration ) |
Please note that these representations are simplified and based on general accounts, as it’s hard to accurately reconstruct historical penetrability due to various unknown factors.
Conclusion: Spears can penetrate armor under the right conditions
Despite the effectiveness of armor against slashing and slashing-blurting attacks, spears could still breach armor under various circumstances:
- By focusing on thrusting rather than slashing
- Targeting areas of weakness or opening
- Utilizing combined arms tactics (spearmen working with other unit types)
- Employing feinting, pivot, or spin techniques
- Countering with sufficient force and penetration power
- Utilizing specific materials or designs of spearhead (e.g., blade-sharp edges or chisel-like heads)
Given the historical accounts and experimental methods used to date, spearheads designed specifically for pierce and penetration can (and did) successfully defeat plate armor and other protection measures. It is worth noting that different armor construction techniques, sizes, thickness, and overall quality made the armor less or more resistant to spears attacks.