medieval knee copsPoleyns appeared around the second half of the 13th century and were the earliest type of plate armor added to a knights armor. Poleyns were worn over chainmail chausses and provided an extra layer of protection for the vulnerable knees. For mounted warriors, the legs were always a weak spot. The development of poleyns coincided with the emergence of the shorter heater or knights shield, which replaced the older, taller kite shields that extended to