A cuirass was a coat or jerkin worn by soldiers as protection against pistol-shot and sword cuts. Varieties include the chain-mail and metal studded leather coats of the Middle Ages through to the corselet worn by the British Life Guards on ceremonial parades. The cuirass was in common use throughout Europe in the 14th century. In England it fell into disuse in the time of Charles II, and in France a little later. It was reintroduced by Napoleon I, and the achievements of his cuirassiers led to its adoption for regiments of heavy cavalry in most European armies. In the British army only the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and Royal Horse Blue wear the cuirass. Research Cuirass
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Abbreviations
Warfare
Research Cuirass
