Brigandine Armor

From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source

Brigandine armor, also called brigantine is a flexible, composite material body armor made of large numbers of metal plates or scales riveted (sometimes sewn) to the inside of a cloth covering. Often, this cloth covering was just a top coat or jacket, and in such cases the ensemble was referred to as a jack. Entire suits of brigandine armor were not uncommon, though. Brigandine armor allowed relatively great freedom of movement while providing the wearer significant protection against blows and slashes.

While used extensively in combat during the early middle ages, by the late middle ages brigandine was more popular as a ceremonial armor. Elaborate patterns of jewels and precious metals would be attached to the outer material of a brigandine suit in such ceremonial armor; combined in a pattern with the rivets protruding through the material, the armor took on the look of a work of art. The jacket pictured below is actually inside out so you can see how the plates were arranged.

With the plates and scales attached to the inside of a cloth covering, the armor gave the appearance of a normal garment at a distance. For this reason it was a popular affectation of thieves and brigands who would waylay unsuspecting travelers. The term brigandine derives directly from this popularity of the armor style among brigands.