WEAPONS THAT MADE BRITAIN

PROGRAMME 5: ARMOUR

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

00.00 – 00.39

A general introduction to the series by the presenter, Mike Loades.

00.40 – 03.21

Mike explains the arms race in the medieval period as weapons became more and more effective and so armour had to become elaborate. We are introduced to the Battle of Verneuil and the incredible plate armour used by the French.

03.22 – 06.49

From the Bayeux Tapestry we learn that maille (often called chain mail) was the universal armour before plate armour.

06.50 – 08.29

We learn that a revolution in military tactics, such as the use of cavalry lances, meant that maille no longer afforded effective protection.

08.30 – 10.14

At Pershore Abbey in Worcestershire we see a wooden carving from 1230 that shows early developments in body armour.

10.15 – 12.29

At the Royal Military College of Science Mike tests out the effectiveness of three different body defences against a full speed lance.

12.30 – 14.17

We learn how craftsmen in Germany and Italy used new techniques in steel production to make larger plates that could then be used to make a whole suit of armour to cover a man from head to toe.

14.18 – 16.54

Mike puts on a full set of plates following the instructions shown in a medieval manuscript.

16.55 – 20.27

An introduction to the battle at Verneuil, Northern France, in 1422 and the part played by armour.

20.28 – 23.29

We visit the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow to view a rare example of plate armour from Italy. We learn how it would have been specially made for each individual.

23.30 – 26.35

At the Wallace Collection in London we see a rare medieval helmet called a ‘bascinet’ and we learn how it was used

26.36 – 30.21

Dr Michael Jones, an expert on the Battle of Verneuil, takes us through the next stage of the fighting.

30.22 – 35.09

Mike shows us that full plate armour is not as heavy as people think, and a master armourer makes a breast plate, following authentic techniques.

35.10 – 37.35

At the Royal Miltary College of Science the new breast plate is tested and found to be amazingly strong.

37.36 – 41.06

Back to Verneuil and the last struggle is down to hand-to-hand fighting.

41.07 – 46.05

At The Burrell Collection in Glasgow we see a range of weapons designed to get through steel plate armour.

46.06 – 47.38

The conclusion of the battle at Verneuil sees the English winning against all odds.

47.39 – 48.25

A summary looking back at all the weapons featured in the series.