| Abstract [eng] |
Vilnius’ castle territory presents a unique opportunity to study our past. Archeological research in this previously undescribed area has unearthed unprecedented amounts of body armor used by the Lithuanian armies from the second part of the XIV century to the end of the XVII century. As a result, these findings highlight the darkest aspects surrounding the history of Middle Ages and Renaissance armament in Lithuania. In this paper we present detailed analysis of these body armor pieces. Serving as a mediator of east and west Lithuanian armory design incorporates influences of two temporally distinct trends. The earliest design influence came from the Eastern Slavic land, while the latest came from the Western Europe. In both cases, hired armies of mercenaries where the carriers of these design influences. This is particularly true in the case of mercenaries emanating from Europe. The scope of these influences is remarkable. Castle’s armory reflects practically all of the changes that were taking place among European armory designs at the time. Overall, discovered armory pieces can be divided into five distinct types of body armor: chain mail, lamellar, scale armor, plate armor and brigandine. Use of brigandine in particular seems to coincide with its use in the Western Europe providing a direct link between the influences of the Western Europe on the development of armory in Lithuania. In the end of XIV and beginning of XVI century armory underwent a noticeable Russian influence that appeared because of Grand Duchy of Lithuania expansion into the East Slavic lands. In contrast, no XV century characteristics of “white armour” or “gothic armour” designs were incorporated into Lithuanian armory design at the time. Furthermore, plate armory features of Maximilian type were found in armory pieces corresponding to XVI century. Lastly, based on XVII century findings, the biggest part of castle’s garrison must have consisted of typical kind of army at the time - pikemen. The work that we present herein takes a significant step towards understanding the influence of surrounding states on Lithuanian armory design. However much more needs to be learned. It is of paramount importance to further our analysis by comparing various body armor pieces excavated from other Vilnius’ caste garrisons in order to understand the events that influenced armory design and the significance of these influences in the context of European events. Since Lithuanian researchers have not published findings describing aspects of Lithuanian armory, in its analysis of Lithuanian armory, this paper heavily relies on published accounts by international experts. |
