Pauldron (sometimes spelled pouldron or powldron) is a component of the plate armour that developed in the 15th century from the older spaulders. Like spaulders, pauldrons cover the shoulder, but they're typically larger and offer extra protection for the armpit and sometimes parts of the back and chest.
A typical pauldron consists of a large, dome-shaped piece that covers the shoulder (the so-called cop), to which multiple lamellae are attached to defend the arm and the upper part of the shoulder. On some armours, especially those of Italian manufacture, the pauldrons were asymmetrical: one pauldron offered less coverage for greater freedom of movement and had a cutout to provide space for a lance rest.
The pauldron also played an important role during tournaments and jousts. Although most points were scored by unhorsing the opponent or striking them with the lance, a hit on the pauldron could also earn points, though these were fewer than those awarded for a proper strike.
Many pauldron styles were fitted with a lance rest, so the knight could set the lance for more powerful strikes. The pauldron was often shortened to make this support possible without limiting the arm's mobility or the rider's protection. Usually only the right pauldron was modified, since this was the lance arm of the knights participating in the joust.
On tournament armours, the pauldron was often lined with padded fabric to minimize injuries from an opponent's lance and to prevent the metal of the pauldron from sliding against the cuirass.
This padding typically protruded about a couple of centimetres above the rolled edge of the armour and was secured with rivets. In combat, this padding couldn't be too thick, as it would restrict the arm's mobility. In tournament conditions, however, heavier padding was used, which sometimes made the knights appear "broader than high" compared to modern depictions of jousting armour.
Internal links
- Spaulders: metal shoulder protection in medieval armour
- Rerebrace: upper arm protection in medieval armour
- The cuirass: medieval chest and back armour
- Besagews & roundels: protection of armpits and openings
- Gorget: metal collar for neck and upper chest
