Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-25356210-20150729015648/@comment-26149161-20150731195940

The lore only mentions any sort of plate once, Imrahil's vambrace. All of the other armor references include mail. From councilofelrond.com:

The works of JRR Tolkien have inspired people to study the various aspects of the world he created. One of the aspects that is of great interest to me is the armor and weapons used by the warriors and armies of Middle Earth through It’s long history. Here follows a study of this equipment.

The “flavor” that Tolkien has depicted in his books is that of an Ancient World similar in many ways to what historians call “The Dark Ages” or “The Viking Age” in Earth’s more recent history. Note that this is only a broad comparison; Middle Earth was not a “carbon copy” of those times ranging between 500-1100 AD, but was a unique creation unto itself. Since the topic at hand is armor and weapons, it can be here noted that in this matter the First to Third Ages of Middle Earth had a parallel to those later Ages. The predominant type of body armor was a coat of chain mail with a light helm (either conical or round). Vambraces and greaves could also be added, and/or a coif of chainmail to the head and hose for the legs and feet. The average warrior’s equipment was completed with a sword, axe or spear, and usually a shield.



