Art
This steel suit protected an officer during England's civil wars in the 1620s. Made by master craftsmen in Greenwich, it was expensive, heavy, and a mark of rank—only officers could afford such fine armor. For the man who wore it, this was his workplace uniform and insurance policy combined.
Art · Full story
You fasten the brass buckles across your chest, feeling the weight settle on your shoulders. Steel cups cover your elbows and knees. The leather straps smell of oil and horse sweat. In an hour you'll be riding into a skirmish, and this suit—seven pounds of precisely hammered metal—is the only thing standing between you and a pike thrust.
Reflect
What do you wear today that marks your job or rank? How does it make you feel?