Bronze Plate Mail Armor

This is softest of the true plate mail armors. It is made of heavy metal plates fixed to a layer of brigandine, or layers of metal scales, and leather or padded armor.

It is more common in areas where copper and tin are abundant, but iron is not. This armor is usually made to be lighter and more flexible than normal plate mail. Thus, armorers use leather and padding under the bronze plates, instead of the heavier chain mail. Also, there are no plates attached to the moveable joints. This reduces the weight of the armor.

A large bronze breastplate and greaves are usually the only difference between bronze plate mail, bronze scale, and brigandine armor. It offers better protection than normal brigandine or chain mail, and a lower price tag than standard plate mail.

Since bronze plate is usually backed with stiff layered armor, rather than loose chain mail, it isn't as flexible as banded, splint, or plate mail. Primarily, it is a ceremonial armor as steel has replaced bronze as the common metal for armor and weapons.

Steel tends to be easier to work with, and making repairs. Therefor, it was only natural that it replace bronze wherever possible.