Gorgets

A gorget originally was a steel or leather collar designed to protect the throat. It was a feature of older types of armour and intended to protect against swords and other non-projectile weapons. Most Medieval versions of gorgets were simple neck protectors that were worn under the breastplate and backplate set. These neck plates supported the weight of the armour worn over it, and many were equipped with straps for attaching the heavier armour plates. Later, Renaissance gorgets were not worn with a breastplate but instead were worn over the clothing. Some gorgets were attached to pauldrons.