STUDIA I MATERIAŁY – STUDIES AND MATERIALS
Acta Militaria Mediaevalia XII
Kraków – Sanok – Wrocław 2016, s. 35-50
Paulius Bugys
A STUDY OF LAMELLAR ARMOUR PLATES
FROM THE LOWER CASTLE OF VILNIUS
Abstract:
P. Bugys 2016, A study of lamellar armour plates from the Lower Castle of Vilnius, AMM XII: 35-50
The article deals with the lamellar armour plates from the grounds of the Lower Castle of Vilnius, found in the cultural layers
dated to the 2nd half of the 14th – beginning of the 15th c. Exceptional attention is given to the structural analysis of the studied
artefacts. Structural analysis of the lamellar armour discovered on this territory is based on the clusters of interlinked plates
and on individual elements. The text distinguishes subtypes and variations of the plates that are both, scientifically known
and have no analogues.
Key words: Lithuania, Vilnius, Middle Ages, Lamellar armour
The grounds of the castles of Vilnius cover by the rivers, walls and towers. The storage of
the area of several hectares and are situated at weaponry, the arsenal, and the mews were also
the confluence of the rivers of Neris and Vilnia. located on the castle grounds. The castle was
These rivers meet at the center of the current city a kind of a separate city, the centre of the political,
of Vilnius – what is currently considered as the economic, cultural life of the Grand Duchy of
northern part of the Old Town. The Upper Castle Lithuania (hereinafter the GDL). In the course of
of Vilnius was an integral part of the overall the battles in the 2nd half of the 17th c. most of the
defensive structures at the time, which in the 14th c. castle buildings burned down and were eventually
comprised three castles built around hills situated demolished (Lietuvos... 2010, 11-14).
around Vilnia River. The Upper Castle was built Due to its rich history and significance the
at the top of one of the hills – contemporary known area of the Lower Castle of Vilnius (hereinafter
as Gediminas hill – while the Lower Castle was the LCV) has been under constant exploration
nestled against the same hill. The nearby hill since 1988 yielding abundance of findings. Owing
supported the wooden Crooked Castle located at to the wide chronology and beneficial natural
the right bank of the eastern bed of the Vilnia environment, the archaeological complex is a rare
River, which survived until 1390. This complex and very important site for the research of cultural
of castles was under active construction between and natural development. The layers of the castle
the 2nd half of the 13th – beginning of the 14th c. of the 14th-15th c. are rich in unique materials
(Vilniaus... 2003, 11; Kitkauskas 2009, 51; Pukienė and have served as a significant complement to
2009, 88-89; Pukienė, Ožalas 2011, 150-153). the span of knowledge of the personal armament,
The year 1323, when, supposedly, Grand Duke in particular the armour of warriors of Lithuania and
Gediminas (1316-1341) moved the capital of entire Europe of those times. The archaeological
Lithuania to Vilnius, should be considered the materials from the excavations of the LCV and
outset of prosperity of the city. Subsequently, the the Royal Palace provide a preliminary image of
palace of the Grand Duke of Lithuania, then of the armour used in the GDL over the entire period
the Bishop of Vilnius, the Cathedral, the first of existence of the castle and of the Royal Palace.
Lithuanian school, the dwellings of the Chapter As a result, extremely broad variety of the armour
members and noblemen were situated in the lower elements discovered underlines the impressive
part of the castle, in the Lower Castle, protected cultural period and its archaeological footprint
36 Paulius Bugys
-1
-2
0 20 m
-3
Fig. 1. Vilnius Lover Castle. Findings of the lamellar armour: 1 – castle in the 14th c.; 2 – single plate; 3 – groups of plates. Drawing by
R. Abramauskienė.
Ryc. 1. Dolny Zamek w Wilnie. Miejsca odkrycia elementów pancerzy lamelkowych: 1 – zamek w XIV w.; 2 – pojedyncze zbrojniki;
3 – liczniejsze znaleziska zbrojników. Ryc. R. Abramauskienė.
formed over a long and intensive period of warriors of the Visby mass grave, was published
existence of the castle and of the Royal Palace. (Thordeman 1939; 1940). Only after some time,
The archaeological materials from the LCV enable this work and iconographic sources of the site
distinguishing three types of the armour made of gave start to the identification of this armour type
small metal plates, namely the lamellar armour, in the archaeological materials from Vilnius. The
the scale armour and the brigantine (Bugys 2011; plate from the Upper Castle is not unique. It may
Бугис 2013). Over time, certain types replaced be identified as one of the elements of the “narrow
others or coexisted side by side. In addition, some ordinary” lamellar armour which comprise the
types of armour may be divided into subtypes. bulk of the armour. In terms of the shape, the size
Some of these are unique and have no analogues and the number of the holes it resembles some
in the neighbouring or even far away countries. of the previously described plates and is analogous
The purpose of this article is to dwell exclusively to the majority of the lamellar elements discovered
on the first armour type which is found in large in Rus.
quantities in the cultural layers of the Lower Larger quantity of armour plates was
Castle dated to the 14th-15th c. (Fig. 1). discovered in 1997 during the exploration of the
The first element of the lamellar armour area by the south-eastern corner of the Royal
was discovered on the castle grounds during the Palace (Steponavičienė 1998, 200). Before the
archaeological excavations of the Upper Castle study of this considerably large set, some nuances
as early as in 1940.1 To tell the truth, at that time of fastening together the lamellar armour plates
the narrow plate was not identified as an element and the sequence thereof require explanation. The
of the armour. In the same year the monograph plates of this type of armour are known to be
of B. Thordeman dedicated to the armour of the fastened together by means of lacing the rows of
1 Research material of Helena and Włodzimierz Hołubowicz preserved at the National Museum of Lithuania.
A study of lamellar armour plates from the Lower Castle of Vilnius 37
a
b
b
0 3 cm
a
c Fig. 3. Lateral plates (b) and narrow plates with a jagged edge (a).
d
Photo by V. Abramauskas.
Ryc. 3. Boczne zbrojniki (b) i wąskie zbrojniki z ząbkowaną kra-
wędzią (a). Fot. V. Abramauskas.
f
e 0 3 cm area, but separately from the first two ones.
Namely, the rectangular plate was discovered
Fig. 2. Lateral interlinked narrow plates. Photo by V. Abramauskas. together with another set of lamellar elements. As
Ryc. 2. Boczne, złączone ze sobą, wąskie zbrojniki. Fot. V. Abramauskas. may be seen, the narrow plates discovered next
to the lateral plates are similar, thus it may not
be argued that two sets of the armour elements
plates. Till now, the differences and lack of clarity belonged to two different lamellar armours.
as to the ways of fastening the plates together However, considering the bend of these plates,
aggravate the identification of their lacing sequence their compatibility raises some doubts, although
in the process of the armour production. It is not the length variation is not great (71 mm of the first
clear which was the first, either lacing of the rows two plates, 70 mm of the third one). Interestingly,
of plates which were afterwards fastened to each the width difference of the first two is 6 mm.
other horizontally, or fastening of a single plate Although this variation of the plate width has no
at the same time to the horizontal row and to the significant impact on the production of the lamellar
upper or lower plates that had already been fastened armour by means of lacing, the production is seen
together. Leaving aside these structural issues, rather as adapting to the lacing system than keeping
attention should be given to the beginning and the to the uniform matrix (i.e. if the lacing method
end of the rows of plates. The set of the Novgorod demanded the correction of the element’s length
lamellar plates (a fragment of the armour) is due to the position of the holes, the width of the
composed of two bands of narrow plates with large neighbouring plates or the client’s body shape).
plates at the ends of the rows, which are a kind of The study of the lamellar lacing system is
finish (Арциховский 1956, 34, Fig. 16; Колчин greatly facilitated by the discovery of a few
1956, 70). Armour No. 25 from the Visby mass interlinked plates. Namely, one of the described
grave also has similar lateral plates (Thordeman plates was discovered interlinked with two narrow
1940, Figs. 142-143). Although they are different plates (Fig. 2:b). As can be seen, the inner side of
in terms of shape and size, if compared with the lateral plate is covered by the narrow plate
the Novgorod lateral elements, yet, considering the on the outside, which in turn is covered by an
position of the holes, they were similar by both, analogous plate. Thus, unlike in the lamellar set
the function and the way of fastening. It may thus from Novgorod or in the armour no. 25 from Visby,
be noted that regardless of explicit differences the lateral plate is covered by the narrow plate. Its
between lacing of the plates of those two armour covered side has a lacing hole which supposedly
sets, the rows were finished in a similar way. Three confirms this fastening system. As illustrated by
such plates (Fig. 2:a-c) were also discovered the example of the above-described plate, both,
during the above-mentioned research in Vilnius. the wider and the lateral plate may cover or be
The first two have rounded outer corners, while covered by neighbouring plates on one or the other
the third is almost rectangular. It should be noted side. The further study of other sets of plates from
that the last lateral plate was discovered in the same the LCV shows some variation in the form, the
38 Paulius Bugys
protuberance, the number of the holes or the of the holes. The holes in the lamellar plates
position of the lamellar plates, which, in addition may provide a considerably greater amount of
to enabling the response to some questions on the information than it seems at first glance. Proper
lamellar evolution and structure, makes the puzzle analysis of the number and the position of the holes
related to this type of armour, which has already may theoretically disclose the method of fastening
been complicated enough, even more complex. the plates of this type of armour, which may be
The analysis of these interlinked plates brings into a very important factor for the identification of
focus the ornament of spots on the narrow lamellae. the outspread and the development of the lamellar
More similarly decorated elements were found variations, possibly including the revision of the
on other fragments of individual plates and on chronology. The method of the plate fastening as
the interlinked elements. Due to the process of such may also pose a number of questions that may
corrosion, at the time of their discovery these not be limited to the issues of the lacing methods.
plates were arranged on top of each other, which The armour plates that only have the holes are most
is not surprising as such plates usually overlapped frequently attributed by researchers to the lamellar
to enhance the durability of the armour. The type (excluding some eastern variations of the
fragments of other interlinked armour plates scale armour or later plated mail – Pl. – “bechter”;
are decorated with the same pattern. One of Ru. – “бехтерец”) plates which are fastened by
the fragments (Fig. 2:f) is composed of two means of iron rings inserted through the holes).
ornamented with small spots plates placed side Yet, this established opinion may be somewhat
by side and the ordinary narrow plates without erroneous. The lacing method of lamellar plates
ornaments are fastened to the ornamented elements. still proposed by B. Thordeman for this type of
This would supposedly confirm to an even greater armour from the mass grave of Visby (Thordeman
extent the decorative function of the row of 1939, 218, Fig. 199) was chosen as an example of
dots, because the insertion of ordinary elements lacing of similar narrow and lateral plates from
of the armour presumably points at the existence the Eastern Slavic lands. Nevertheless, some of the
of some common ornament of a lamellar cuirass narrow lamellar plates discovered on the Eastern
made of the plates positioned in different places. Slavic territories or in Lithuania, regardless of their
The analysis of the interlinked plates of the same resemblance to the elements of the Visby armour
set almost universally brings into focus the rule of no. 25, appear to be much narrower. The study of
double overlapping of the neighbouring plate. lamellar plates included cooperation with various
Regardless of the displacement of the plates to one groups of the reenactors of the living history and
or the other side in some places, the general trend experimental archaeologists that are involved in
remains the same: a narrow plate overlaps the the armour production. The armour produced in
next plate exactly by half. It should be noted that the attempts to recreate the lamellar armour made
the system of plates overlapping by half is valid of narrow plates lacked the strength. The plates
only for the narrow ordinary plates, regardless of would get distorted and would withstand shocks
their ornamentation or the number of the fastening poorly. It might be explained by the incompetence
holes, which may vary from one to two or, rarely, of the experimenters in charge of the armour
to three holes in the sides. The number of holes recreation, but the frequency of such observations
in the sides of a respective plate may not be the gives an impression that something is missing for
same. There are plates with one hole in one side the correct reconstruction. The fastening of the
and two holes in the other, or with a single hole rows of plates most likely requires an additional
each. The studied assemblage showed the most element which could very well be leather. Starting
frequent occurrence of the plates – each side with with the reference to the earliest sources which
two holes or with a single hole. Also, the narrow depicted the lamellar armour (e. g., the sculpture
lamellar plates most frequently have a single hole of Mars of Todi2 or the Divine Triad of Palmyra)3
in the centre, hidden by the overlapping plate. For and ending with the iconographic representations
analysis of the number and the position of the holes of the Ruthenians, the lacing of the plates of this
in the lamellar armour, it should be noted that the type of armour may be noted as not visible. It
position of the holes in a plate is directly associated is covered by continuous horizontal lines which
with the method of fastening and with the position could be the material reinforcing the sides of the
of the nearby plates (to the left, to the right, above plate rows. The reconstructed armour made in this
and below), as well as the number and the position way is highly resistant to intensive wear and blows.
2 The Gregorian Etruscan Museum, cat. 13886.
3 The Louvre Museum, AO 19801.
A study of lamellar armour plates from the Lower Castle of Vilnius 39
b
a 0 3 cm 0 3 cm
Fig. 4. L-shaped lateral plates. Photo by V. Abramauskas. Fig. 5. Riveted wide connecting plates. Photo by V. Abramauskas.
Ryc. 4. L-kształtne boczne zbrojniki. Fot. V. Abramauskas. Ryc. 5. Znitowane pośrednie szerokie zbrojniki. Fot. V. Abramauskas.
Thus, at the beginning of the armour production, vectors of older armour of this type or developed
lamellar plates were probably laced into one row, independently and thus acquired peculiar attributes.
which was then laced to the upper and lower rows Study of the position of the fastening holes
as a separate and stable fragment of the armour. in the plates requires pointing at irregularities of
This method of fastening lamellar rows enables some elements. Some narrow plates have one hole
a different approach to and understanding of made on the side of each plate, while others have
the depicted long eastern robes. It points at an two vertical or horizontal holes. Such positioning
explicit role of the bands as both, an integral and should have been caused by the lacing method,
an independent element of the armour. A very the number of plates, as well as by the positioning
interesting matter, for some reason forgotten of those plates and of the neighbouring elements
by researchers, is mentioned in the article from (on all four sides). A closer examination of the
1956 dedicated to archaeological excavations in size and shape of the holes and the peculiarities
Novgorod. In his description of the above-mentioned of metal bent around the opening brings evidence
fragment of the armour, Russian archaeologist of a later hammering of such holes in some plates.
B. Kolchin says that it was discovered on a leather Most likely those are the auxiliary openings which
base (?) (на кожаном фартуке) (Колчин 1956, 70). were made during the fastening. If compared to
This statement enables a different understanding of the majority of ordinary holes in the plates of the
the structure and even of the development of armour, the latter are somewhat larger, sometimes
this type of the armour. It is universally known of a slightly different shape from the holes in
and common to have the lamellar armour plates the nearby plates and have slightly deformed
fastened together by means of leather straps/strings. (curved) edges. All this is the evidence of their
In most cases the rows of plates could have been later hammering by means of a different tool and
additionally reinforced by means of additional method in comparison to others. Those holes were
leather strap bent on both sides. In the case of most probably simply chiselled in the lamellar
Novgorod, the situation with the armour type plates in a rough way. The chiselling of additional
identification is a little bit different, since the holes may point at their multiple use, and the
leather base is not a typical element of the lamellar issues of the fastening (lacing) of the plates which
armour. It is highly probable that such plates were emerged in the process of the armour production.
simply stitched to the leather base. However, The probability of the recycling of the plates does
in this case they should rather be studied as the not undermine the chronology of the cultural layer,
scale armour and not the lamellar one. Yet, the namely, the end of the 14th and the beginning of
same method of lacing may apply regardless the 15th c., as this period of the armour getting
of whether the leather base is available or not. considerably heavier and being under continuous
Thus, attributing these armour elements to the improvement started turning the lamellar into
scale armour would not be correct. Further a kind of anachronism. The wide connecting
archaeological research will hopefully provide plate has the most interesting hole (Fig. 2:c). Its
more data on the fastening system of this type diameter reaches even 5 mm and the edges are
of lamellar plates which would facilitate better slightly deformed, while the hole is positioned
understanding of the lamellar armour development almost in the centre of the plate instead of the
and the ways of its outspread, i.e. it would side. This opening most likely appeared in the
enable the understanding whether local variations process of riveting the armour element to some
emerged under the impact of the outspread base (probably made of leather).
40 Paulius Bugys
All elements were the narrow connecting plates.
The most interesting feature distinguishing them
from the previously discovered lamellar armour
plates is the scalloped design of the overlapping
edge which is characteristic of all elements in this
set. Thus, a bold statement may be made that
originally they could have belonged to the same
a armour. The overlapping of the fragment (Fig. 3:a)
made of four plates is analogous to that of
0 3 cm the ordinary narrow plates. The scalloped edge
probably had a decorative function, because in
b terms of all other attributes these elements are no
different from the narrow non-scalloped plates.
The plates show the variation in length from 68
to 70 mm and the in width from 16 to 18 mm. The
scalloped edge of the plates had to cover the
plate underneath thus forming the ornament. The
c
lamellar armour of such subtype may also be found
in iconography. Scalloped plates are depicted on
Fig. 6. Lateral plate (a), ornamented lateral semicircle-shaped plate (b) a silver cup dated to the 6th c. and preserved in
and wide connecting plate with a rivet (c). Photo by V. Abramauskas. the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. It has
Ryc. 6. Boczny zbrojnik (a), zdobiony boczny, zaokrąglony zbrojnik
the engraving of Sassanid warriors wearing the
(b) i szeroki pośredni zbrojnik z nitem (c). Fot. V. Abramauskas. knee-length armour made of profiled plates
(Thordeman 1939, 268, Fig. 257). However, it is
the armour depicted as worn by St. Theodore
In 2002 some lamellae were also discovered (Феодор) Stratelates in the Evangel of Theodore
during the exploration of the northern part of the (Добровольская, Гнедовский 1981, 24, fig. 5)
Royal Palace in a layer dated to the 2nd half of the dated to the 1st half of the 14th c. that seems to be
14th and the beginning of the 15th c. (Juškaitis, the most similar to the scalloped lamellar elements
Kurila, Rackevičius 2003, 94-95). Two of them discovered in the territory of the Vilnius castles.
are lateral and have two rounded corners (Fig. 3:b). Just like the described elements they have
These elements are almost analogous to the above- additional holes with a little bit larger diameter
described lateral plates in terms of their shape while their sides are slightly bent along the
and positioning of the holes. However, the wide hammering direction. Interestingly, most of the
inner side slightly crumbled off due to corrosion, plates have single holes in the narrow ends, while
thus the presence of the central hole is hard to the additional holes are pierced vertically, at
confirm. On the basis of the comparison of these different distances from the first holes. As a rule,
plates to the lateral elements from the Eastern the additional holes should be made as close as
Slavic lands we may presume that a larger number possible to the prior ones, which is why it is hard
of these holes may be missing. It may thus be stated to say whether the greater than usual distance is
that their fastening method was different from due to the inaccuracy of the master or, because
that of the former in terms of the direction of of a considerably larger diameter of these holes
overlapping. The lateral plate covered the nearby (about 4-5 mm) in comparison to the ordinary
connecting element with the wide side. Thus, ones, or if it is the evidence of the riveting of the
the direction of overlapping of the lamellar band plate. Thus, it may only be stated that the additional
was from the side to the centre. The plates could holes were used for additional lacing during the
have been fastened in an analogous manner from repairs of the lamellar armour.
the other side to the centre. Otherwise, armour Unique form of lamella was discovered on
elements in the band could have been fastened the territory of the LCV in 2002 (Ožalas 2003, 225).
from one side to the other in one direction and The element of the unusual shape (Fig. 4:a),
thus covered the lateral plate which had the central resembling the unnaturally narrow and long lateral
hole and was positioned on the other side (as e.g., plate, was originally a little bit different. Sometime
Fig. 2:a). One smaller set of lamellar elements later, a similar, but almost undamaged plate was
comprising nine separate and two interlinked plate discovered nearby (Fig. 4:b) and the possible shape
fragments was discovered in the same layer as of the first object came to light. It was an L-shaped
the aforementioned lateral plates, close to them. plate previously unknown to science. According
A study of lamellar armour plates from the Lower Castle of Vilnius 41
0 15 cm
Fig. 7. Set of lamellar plates. Photo by V. Abramauskas.
Ryc. 7. Zbiór zbrojników pancerza lamelkowego. Fot. V. Abramauskas.
to the assumed method of lamellar lacing it may be which shows that it was the last overlapping
stated that the lower part of these plates was longer plate of the lamellar row. The other feature
(i.e. with a protrusion). Thus, presumably the shape distinguishing this plate from similar lateral
of these specific reference plates was specially plates is the number of the fastening holes. The
fitted to cover that part of the armour which had upper and the lower sides have only three holes
to secure the greatest freedom of movement; the cut each, thus it may be stated that this element was not
in the plates was made to facilitate the movement of fastened around the entire perimeter. This shows
the arm, while the plate was positioned under that the rounded end of the plate did not have to
the armpit. The aforementioned unique plates are tightly fit the body of the warrior or the plate
thus probably the lateral plates of the left upper could have been pressed down by the upper and the
part of the chest. By the way, the lateral side of lower rows. An interesting conclusion concerning
the second unique element has an ornament of the position of such plates in the armour was made
small dots, reminding the overlapping side of the by O. Makushnikov and Y. Lupinenko. In their
narrow plates discovered in 1997. opinion, the plates of that shape may have been
In the same area two wide connecting plates fastened mostly as the bordering elements of the
were discovered next to each other, one of which is lamellar armour (Макушников, Лупиненко 2004,
composed of two elements (ibid., 259). Corrosion 213-225; Лупиненко, Макушников 2008, 140-154),
is not the only reason for the latter plate being laced both to the end of the plate rows and
stuck to the nearby plate. The interlinked elements perpendicularly to the plate rows.
are fastened by means of a rivet (Fig. 5). The Numerous elements of the lamellar armour
rivet in the plate was most likely nailed in to were discovered during the excavations of the
connect those two lamellar plates together rather exterior of the north-eastern part of the Royal
than to attach the plates to the base (or, at least, Palace (Blaževičius, Bugys 2012). The assemblage
not only for t hat purpose). is exceptional because of its size and the wide
One more lateral plate with two rounded variety of the plates. It includes one object of great
corners was discovered (Fig. 6:a) (ibid., 260), interest. The wide connecting element (Fig. 6:c)
together with the denarii of Jogaila (pol. – (ibid., 212), in addition to its characteristic shape
Władysław Jagiełło), during the exploration of and positioning of the holes, has a rivet hammered
the same area. The plate has no central hole into the straight overlapping side which is a unique
42 Paulius Bugys
shorter than the other and possibly without any
additional band for the holes. By the way, to begin
the analysis of the plates decorated with embossed
hemispheres it should be noted that in 2004
the experimental archaeological laboratory of
Novosibirsk University carried out the project of
evaluating the vulnerability of various types of
armour. The impacts of the different strength and
the use of the variety of weapons demonstrated that
the armour with the hemispherical protuberances
embossed on their elements ensured more efficient
protection from injury. Due to the shape of those
protuberant elements the armours could withstand
the shock better than the one without them
(Петренко, Петренко 2004, 110-111).
Fig. 8. Part of the set of lamellar armour elements in situ. Photo by The largest number of lamellae (80 individual
V. Abramauskas.
and 11 stuck together in pairs or rows) was
Ryc. 8. Część zestawu elementów pancerza lamelkowego in situ. discovered in 2007 during the exploration of the
Fot. V. Abramauskas.
exterior of the north-eastern part of the Royal
Palace (Blaževičius, Bugys 2012, 241-249). It was
feature for the studied type of armour. On the same the first discovery of that size in Lithuania (Fig. 7).
side, next to the rivet, there is a hole of 4 mm in The armour elements under study were found
diameter. It is larger than ordinary lacing holes scattered over a small area (Fig. 8), and some of
and fits the cross-section of the rivet, thus, almost them were stuck together owing to corrosion.
undoubtedly, the overlapping side of this plate Some combinations of the interlinked plates show
originally had two rivets. Surely, this calls into the original pattern of the armour elements while
question whether this side of the plate was other combinations are random. The lamellar
designed to cover the nearby plate. The case may elements from this findspot are quite different
be that the element under analysis, just like the and may give insight into a number of lamellar
aforementioned plates with larger holes in atypical subtypes and versions. Some plates have ornament,
places and the two plates joined by the rivet, were and some have not, others are rough, simpler
fastened to some base. The described element from products and have no ornament. The analysis of
the exterior of the Royal Castle may not be called their lacing method shows that it had to be the
the “wide connecting” plate because its straight same for all the elements. It is known, however,
side is unfit to cover the adjacent plate and it was that in some cases the lamellar armour was made
probably intended to play the role of the lateral from other types of plates, which is why it is
plate. However, the shape and the positioning difficult to determine the type when only a single
of the lacing holes show that it was made as plate is found (Жуков 2003, 84).
a connecting plate and may have been used later Getting back to the analysis of the above-
as the lateral plate, which is the evidence for the mentioned assemblage, the first thing to notice is
above-mentioned recycling of the lamellar plates. that some armour elements are almost analogous
In the same area, deeper than the above-described to those discovered in the previous years during
plate, another impressive and unique plate was the research of the territory of Vilnius castles
discovered (Fig. 6:b). It resembles a semicircle (Steponavičienė 1998, 200; Juškaitis, Kurila,
with a metal band with fastening for lace, which Rackevičius 2003, 389; Ožalas 2003, 225, 262).
is very much like the narrow side of the narrow The narrow plates and the wider lateral plates
connecting plates. The plate is ornamented in the are of almost identical shape, but upon closer
centre with two embossed hemispheres with two examination, unique attributes are noticeable, such
rows of punctures on the outside. There are another as ornamental details.
two rows of specks along the semi-circular edge, For the purpose of preserving the positioning
larger on the outside and smaller on the inside. of the plates, the decision was made to keep
One end of the plate is broken off at the inner row together the sets of four stuck rows which could
of the fastening holes, which makes impossible have been dismantled at least partially. The rest of
to determine the original length of the element. the plates were individual or stuck accidentally.
However, the position of those partly visible holes Thus the analysis of all armour elements discovered
enables a guess that this side of the plate was outside the north-eastern part of the Royal Palace
A study of lamellar armour plates from the Lower Castle of Vilnius 43
a b c
0 3 cm
d e f
Fig. 9. Ornamented lamellar plates. Drawing by M. Mieliauskas.
Ryc. 9. Zdobione zbrojniki pancerza lamelkowego. Ryc. M. Mieliauskas.
should start with the lateral plates with rounded hemispheres on lamellar elements starts at the
sides (Fig. 9:c), six which were discovered in this bottom and extends in the direction of the upper
area, and one of them was stuck to one of the edge. This forms basis for a presumption that
ordinary wider plates designed for the unbending the ornament of the rounded lateral elements will
part of the armour. All rounded lateral plates are also be positioned in the lower part. Altogether
well preserved and are undamaged or slightly it appears that we have three right and three left
damaged, and their size is almost the same (65 x elements. Thus it may be stated that three pairs
71 mm). All plates have a protuberant heart-shaped of ornamented lateral plates with rounded ends
ornament rotated by 90 degrees (i.e. a heart lying are available.
on the side). The ornament is composed of 10 The set under description includes also two
hemispheres embossed from the flip-side. In very interesting armour elements, which because
addition, each hemisphere is surrounded by a row of the shape may be defined as the L-shape plates
of spots embossed on the upside. A dense row (Fig. 9:a, 10:a). These plates correspond with the
of spots inside and outside the heart serves to above-described six lateral plates in terms of
highlight the shape of the ornament. These rows similarities of their shape and the style of the
were embossed on the upside. The identification ornament. At first glance this ornament resembles
of the side of the armour (left or right) by fastening the heart ornament on the lateral plates, but a closer
of the lateral plates requires the search for similar observation reveals a triangle formed of eight
plates each with two rows of holes above those hemispheres and rows of punctures engraved on
discovered in the same findspot. Some plates, the inside. Such ornament might have been chosen
somewhat wider than the narrow plates (from 27 to because the smaller surface was not sufficient for
32 mm wide), with a similar ornament of embossed the execution of the hearts. Identical technique
semicircles and a scalloped edge (Fig. 9:d) were of ornamentation allows no doubt that this is
also discovered. These lamellar elements have an the work of the same master. These plates could
embossed ornament of eight protuberant hemispheres likely cover the part of the armour under the
each with an embossed row of spots on the outside, armpit.
as well an engraved dense row of punctures along the Rectangular plates, as one more variation of
entire scalloped edge. The ornament of protuberant lateral armour plates, appear among the plates
44 Paulius Bugys
a
0 3 cm
0 3 cm
Fig. 11. Cluster of stuck together plates. Photo by V. Abramauskas.
Ryc. 11. Zestaw zespolonych ze sobą zbrojników. Fot. V. Abramauskas.
above. The main distinctive feature of these
b
octagonal plates is the concavity of the profile in
mid-height. These attributes together with the
Fig. 10. L-shaped lateral plates (a) and undefined lateral plate (b).
Photo by V. Abramauskas. holes in the centre of the bent parts show that other
elements had to be fastened to such plates on both
Ryc. 10. L-kształtne boczne zbrojniki (a) i nieokreślony boczny sides. Thus these plates are elements of the central
zbrojnik (b). Fot. V. Abramauskas.
lamellar band. However, no analogous specimens
were found, even in the Eastern Slavic lands where
discovered in this location. One of the plates the central plates were found in large quantities.
of this type was already discovered during the Central plates of similar shape were discovered
archaeological excavations in 1997 (Steponavičienė only during the excavations of the famous mass
1998, 252). However, the elements unearthed in grave at Visby. The complete lamellar armour
this area are different from the 1997 specimen discovered there has three central plates in the first
in terms of ornamentation which, in the case of three lamellar rows from the top and in three lower
the former, is somewhat similar to the above rows. The central plates of the upper row are placed
described decor of the plates with rounded ends. in the central part of the row, while the three lower
Altogether, four units of rectangular ornamented central plates are positioned differently. They are
lateral plates were discovered in this area fastened close to the ends of the rows and in various
(Fig. 9:f). In addition to the size (55 x 57 mm) places, rather than one above the other (Thordeman
and shape they have identical ornament of six 1940, Fig. 145). Such positioning of central plates
protuberant hemispheres. The diameter of these
hemispheres is larger than on the above described
plates, but these variations of the ornament seem
to be linked by the rows of engraved punctures
surrounding the protuberant hemispheres, only
in this case two rows of punctures surround the
hemispheres.
Octagonal ornamented lamellae stand out in
the assemblage of the lamellar plates analysed
above (Fig. 9:e). A similar plate is also visible
in another assemblage of plates (Fig. 11). The
ornament on these plates corresponds to the
ornament of the above-mentioned lateral plates 0 3 cm
with rounded corners and of the L-shaped
elements. This is the same ornament of protuberant
Fig. 12. Cluster of stuck together plates. Photo by V. Abramauskas.
hemispheres surrounded by spots, thus it would
be correct to relate the octagonal plates with the Ryc. 12. Zestaw zespolonych ze sobą zbrojników. Fot. V. Abramauskas.
A study of lamellar armour plates from the Lower Castle of Vilnius 45
0 3 cm
Fig. 13. Rectangular plates. Photo by V. Abramauskas.
Ryc. 13. Prostokątne zbrojniki. Fot. V. Abramauskas.
has no functional purpose since in this place of Wide, ornamented connecting plates with
the armour there is no need for the “transition” the scalloped edge (Fig. 9:b) include a very
made of central plates, thus there is no certainty interesting find. Altogether there were eight plates
why these plates are fastened in such a way. in assemblage, including five left plates and three
Possibly the issue of shortage of the plates was right plates. In addition to being the only wide
resolved this way. In any case, it is an indication connecting plates discovered on the territory of the
that the plates under analysis could also be used LCV, these plates stand out because of a different
otherwise than in the central part of the armour. ornament. The ornament of the plates comprises
The analysis of the ornamented lamellar two horizontal rows of protuberant hemispheres
plates with protuberant hemispheres would not be (four in a row), while the overlapping side is
complete without the connecting medium plates scalloped. The hemispheres embossed from the
(Fig. 9:d). Such a plate is probably a part of one of inner side are grouped in pairs and surrounded by
the sets of plates that are stuck together (Fig. 11) a rectangle of spots on the outside and surrounding
next to the central plate. These plates have each pair of hemispheres. The sets of stuck plates
a scalloped edge and an ornament analogous to demonstrate that these decorated plates can be
that of the central plates. B. Thordeman’s method associated with non-ornamented narrow ordinary
of plate lacing implies that there are four right plates by the scalloped overlapping edge. However,
plates and one left plate. one set of plates (Fig. 12) has a stuck element
46 Paulius Bugys
a
b
0 3 cm 0 3 cm
Fig. 14. Undefined plate with an equilateral cross on the flip-side. Fig. 15. Gold-plated lateral plate (a) and narrow, copper alloy plate (b).
Drawing by M. Mieliauskas. Photo by V. Abramauskas.
Ryc. 14. Nieokreślony zbrojnik z wyobrażeniem równobocznego Ryc. 15. Platerowany złotem boczny zbrojnik (a) i wąski, miedziany
krzyża na wewnętrznej powierzchni. Ryc. M. Mieliauskas. zbrojnik (b). Fot. V. Abramauskas.
without the scalloped edge, thus the option that are well preserved and each of the sides has only
these plates were joined with the scalloped-edge one hole. These are possibly the plates of the
plates cannot be excluded. lower lamellar row, since this lacing method (based
One more lateral plate of an interesting shape on the number of holes) may hardly apply to fasten
(Fig. 10:b) was discovered on the territory of the intermediate rows.
LCV. In terms of rounding, this element stands Lamellar elements of a totally different subtype
out among all lamellar plates discovered on the were discovered together with the above noted
grounds of the Vilnius castles. Instead of typically plates (Fig 12). These are the rectangular ordinary
rounded sides, the plate has one, almost pointed, connecting plates, which have no widening in the
rounded side. The other side of the plate was central part, characteristic for other plates (Fig. 13).
broken off, which prevents measuring its width Some plates have only one row of holes on the
and more precise attribution of this plate to any sides, thus on accidental discovery, such a single
cluster of plates. plate may at first glance be mistaken for plated
The set also includes a cluster of non- mail (Pl. – “bechter”) type of armour plates used
ornamented narrow plates with an overlapping in the later period. Lateral plates of this armour
scalloped edge. They vary slightly in width, but type are almost rectangular with a slightly slanting
they are very likely the plates of the similar perforated side. Lateral plates of similar shape are
type, associated with the above-mentioned wide also available in Visby armour no. 25 where these
connecting plates. plates, in addition to completing lamellar rows,
Two elements with two holes in the centre also connect the suspenders of the armour cuirass
stand out among all plates with one characteristic with the main part of the armour (Thordeman 1940,
hole. One of them is a part of the set of plates Fig. 145).
which are stuck together (Fig. 11-12) In this case Separate armour elements include also an
the holes in the plate are rather important attribute. interesting single plate (Fig. 14). It may be
The number of holes in the lamellar armour plates a partially decomposed wide connecting plate.
usually varies depending on the lamellar lacing Due to poorly preserved sides of the plate, central
method. The number and positioning of the holes holes or the second row of holes in one of the
in the central part of a plate is an important factor for sides are impossible to discern. Two concurrent
identification of the lacing method of the lamellar rows of spots forming an equilateral cross are
type under study. Thus, the method of lacing of embossed on the flip-side. The rest of the lamellar
this element should be similar to that used for plates discovered in the LCV are fragmentary,
armour no. 25 from Visby mass grave. provide limited information and are mostly the
Another variation of the lamellae are the remains of the narrow ordinary plates.
non-ornamented narrow ordinary plates. Altogether, For the completion of the analysis of the
seven individual, two interlinked and five stuck lamellar plates from the LCV, two plates unique
together plates were discovered in one cluster because of the composition of metal should be
(Fig. 12). However, only two out of the separate discussed. The first plate is a lateral plate with
plates are almost undamaged, whereof one is slightly rounded sides (Fig. 15:a). The ornament of these
damaged in the centre. Narrow sides of both plates plates looks similar to the ornaments of other
A study of lamellar armour plates from the Lower Castle of Vilnius 47
lateral elements with rounded sides in terms of organised a huge march to Vilnius; the castles
embossed hemispheres. However, a closer look at suffered, but were not taken (Vygandas Marburgietis
the ornament reveals that this plate should not be 1999, 208). The knights of the Order, under
associated with other plates of similar style from the command of Grand Komtur Wilhelm von
the exploration of the exterior of the north-eastern Helfenstein together with Švitrigaila attacked
part of the castle. In the case of the two above- Vilnius again in 1402 (Gudavičius 1999, 205)
mentioned elements the protuberant semicircles All the above described attacks failed and
are surrounded by a line composed of small spots the castles, excluding the Crooked Castle, were
snaking between the protuberant pattern, instead of not occupied.
the largest spots. In addition to the ornamentation The period of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
differences, among all lamellar plates known so under the study has poor iconographic evidence.
far, this plate stands out due to the traces of gold This huge gap is to a certain extent filled by the
coating.4 The ornament and the gold coating are data of sigillography. The only source which may
the evidence of this plate being a part of some give insight into the attributes of lamellar armour is
particularly expensive armour which makes this the seal of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Kęstutis of
plate distinguished from other lamellar plates of 1379. It depicts a standing warrior with a sword in
the LCV. On the territory of the Vilnius castles his right hand and a pavise shield in the left hand.
one more plate of the unique composition was Based on that seal, attempts had already been
discovered. It is a narrow ordinary lamellar element made to recreate the armour of warriors of that
(which has an ornament of a line of punctures, time (Bumblauskas 2007, 84-88). Without going
just like described above). This plate is made of into fine details of this reconstruction, attention
the copper alloy (Fig. 15:b). Since it has no should be paid to the representation of the lamellar
analogues either, a guess may only be made that armour, the subject of this study, in iconography.
such lamellar elements were inserted between In the description of Visby’s armour no. 25,
ordinary iron elements to create the image of B. Thordeman provided specifically this seal as
wealth. The armour full of copper plates is difficult one of the examples of iconography and described
to imagine due to impractical softness and the the depicted armour as lamellar (Thordeman 1939,
weight greater than usual. The scarcity and the 270, 272). Namely, such way of depicting the
use exclusively for decoration purposes of such lamellar armour is also known from some sources
plates are probably confirmed by the uniqueness other than the seal. The armour of this type was
of this find. Yet, considering even a low probability depicted in a similar way in both, the earliest and
of finding gold coated or copper lamellar elements, the latest iconographic materials (Кирпичников
the future armour researchers should look for 1976, 37; Горелик 1987, 166). The iconographic
unidentified armour elements among non-ferrous material dated to the middle of the 14th c. includes
metal artefacts, and not only the iron ones. the seals of Siemowit II and Trojden, the dukes of
The situation in Vilnius between the 2nd half Masovia. In 1279 Gaudemunda, daughter of the
of the 14th and the 1st half of the 15th c. is known Grand Duke of Lithuania Traidenis married Duke
as rather stressful, since the castles were attacked Boleslaw II of Masovia (Gudavičius 1999, 73).
frequently. Even in 1365 crusaders attacked under The warriors depicted on the seals of Boleslaw II
the command of Grand Master Winrich von and the sons of Gaudemunda, wear the lamellar
Kniprode together with Butautas, a son of Kęstutis, armour and hold shields of the same type as on
Grand Duke of Lithuania, and set Vilnius on fire the seal of Kęstutis, while their heads are covered
(Vygandas Marburgietis 1999, 131). Vilnius was by similar helmets. Amazingly, elements of the
also attacked in 1375, 1377 and 1382. Later on, lamellar armour dated to the end of the 14th –
during the fights between Vytautas and Jogaila, beginning of the 15th c. were also discovered on the
Vilnius was attacked in 1387. As referred to, at territory of the Vilnius castles. In this case, direct
that time there was the Lithuanian garrison in the association of archaeological finds (the lamellar
Lower Castle, while the Polish garrison stationed plates) with this seal is noticeable. Furthermore,
in the Upper Castle (Vijūkas-Kojelavičius 1988, a better look at the armour of the warrior depicted
306). In 1390 Vytautas with Samogitians, crusaders on the seal of Siemowit II discloses a few more
and their guests invaded Vilnius again. After five peculiarities of the lamellar armour which are
weeks of the siege the Crooked Castle was burnt also reflected in the archaeological materials of
down. In 1394 the knights of the Teutonic Order the Vilnius castles. These are the elements with
4 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) was performed at the Faculty of
Chemistry of Vilnius University.
48 Paulius Bugys
rounded sides from the central and the upper part – Lateral plates may be divided into four
of the armour, near the sleeves of the vest. In the variations according to the shape: with a rounded
14th c. the lamellar armour could be known also edge, L-shaped, rectangular and narrow rectangular;
to the warriors of the Teutonic Order. In the opinion also, two variations are possible according
of A. Nowakowski, a Polish researcher, they could to the ornament: heart-shaped and protuberant
come to Prussia from the Eastern Slavic lands hemispheres;
through the mediation of the Balts (Nowakowski – Only three central plates were discovered
1994, 177). This may be evidenced by eight that are alike: octagonal with an ornament of
lamellar plates from the exploration of Altene eight protuberant hemispheres;
(Latvia) castle (Graudonis 1983, 67). Almost all – Ordinary plates may be divided into five
of them have analogies among the elements variations according to the shape: ornamented
discovered on the territory of the LCV. wide plates with a scalloped edge, ornamented
plates of average width with a scalloped
Conclusions edge, narrow plates and narrow plates with
The increasing popularity of the lamellar a scalloped edge and rectangular plates; two
armour is to be associated with a gradually variations according to ornaments may be
increasing expansion of the GDL to the Eastern distinguished: small and large with eight
Slavic lands. The armour of this type could have protuberant hemispheres;
been worn by both, Lithuanian and Slavic warriors – The use of the lamellar on the territory of
or in some cases even by the warriors of the the Vilnius castles may be dated back to the 14th
Teutonic Order. Subtypes, sets and variants of and the beginning of the 15th c.;
the plentiful variety of lamellar plates may be – The uniqueness of some armour plates
distinguished. The plates discovered on the suggests the existence of lamellar variations of
territory of the LCV resemble each other and the local production.
include some plates analogous to the armour
plates discovered on the Eastern Slavic lands. Paulius Bugys
The analysis of lamellar plates from the The General Jonas Žemaitis Military
territory of Lithuania disclosed the following: Academy of Lithuania
– Lamellar elements may be divided into Centre of Military History
three subtypes: lateral, central and ordinary; Vilnius
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50 Paulius Bugys
Paulius Bugys
STUDIA NAD ZBROJNIKAMI PANCERZA LAMELKOWEGO
Z DOLNEGO ZAMKU W WILNIE
Streszczenie
Teren Dolnego Zamku w Wilnie, objęty systema- – zbrojniki pancerza lamelkowego można podzielić na
tycznymi badaniami od 1988 r., obfituje w zaskakujące trzy podtypy: boczne, centralne i pozostałe;
znaleziska. XIV- i XV-wieczne warstwy kulturowe – zbrojniki boczne można podzielić dodatkowo na
zamku bogate są w unikalne zabytki związane z uzbro- cztery warianty, w zależności od ich kształtu: z za-
jeniem, które służą istotnemu uzupełnieniu wiedzy okrągloną krawędzią, w kształcie litery L, prosto-
o wyposażeniu militarnym litewskich i europejskich kątne i wąskie prostokątne; można też wydzielić
zbrojnych doby średniowiecza. Znaleziska archeo- dwa warianty w zależności od zdobiącego je orna-
logiczne odkryte w trakcie badań Dolnego Zamku, mentu: w kształcie serca i złożone z wypukłych
a także Pałacu Królewskiego, pozwoliły na wstępne punktów;
zaprezentowanie uzbrojenia ochronnego używanego – odkryto jedynie trzy takie same centralne zbrojniki;
na obszarze Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego w całym – ośmiokątne z ornamentem złożonym z ośmiu wy-
okresie funkcjonowania warowni. Wśród zbrojników pukłych punktów;
występujących na terenie Dolnego Zamku wyróżnio- – pozostałe zbrojniki można podzielić na pięć warian-
no trzy główne typy odpowiadające pancerzom la- tów, w zależności od ich kształtu: zdobione szerokie
melkowym i łuskowym oraz brygantynie, które wraz zbrojniki z ząbkowaną krawędzią, zdobione średnio
z biegiem czasu ewoluują, ale też często współistnieją szerokie zbrojniki z ząbkowaną krawędzią, wąskie
obok siebie. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest próba wy- zbrojniki i wąskie zbrojniki z ząbkowaną krawędzią;
dzielenia zbrojników pancerza lamelkowego, których dwa warianty ze względu na zdobienie można podzie-
znaczną liczbę odkryto w nawarstwieniach kulturo- lić na małe i duże z ośmioma półkoliście wystającymi
wych Dolnego Zamku, datowanych na XIV i XV w. punktami;
Zbrojniki odkryte na terenie Dolnego Zamku są – używanie pancerza lamelkowego na terenie Wilna
do siebie bardzo podobne i znajdują się wśród nich można odnieść do XIV i początków XV stulecia.
zabytki mające analogie wśród płytek pancerzy zna- Wyjątkowość niektórych zbrojników sugeruje
nych z terenu Słowiańszczyzny Wschodniej. Ich ana- istnienie lokalnych warsztatów je wytwarzających.
liza, poparta znajomością tego typu zbrojników z te-
renu Litwy, wskazuje, że: Tłumaczył Piotr N. Kotowicz
