Reinforcing Breastplate Bevor, and Grandguard for the Joust

By the sixteenth century, armorers devised this steel reinforcement as replacement for wooden shields or targes used in the joust. The section covering the shoulder, known as a grandguard, was bolted down firmly over the left side together with a reinforcing (second) breastplate. The grandguard served as a target and was often fitted with a trellis pattern to grapple the lance head after impact. The helmet was bolted to the upper section (bevor) for added thickness and protection, replacing the heavy jousting helm of the past.