D - G

Early Middle Ages
A period in the history of Europe following the fall of the Western Roman Empire and spanning roughly five centuries from 500 AD to 1000 AD. The Early Middle Ages were followed by the High Middle Ages.

Etching
The process of using strong acid to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a recessed design in the metal.

Fauld
A piece of plate armour worn below a breastplate to protect the abdomen and hips. It takes the form of bands of metal surrounding the hips in a form similar to a very short skirt.

Flanchard
Elements of the bard suspended from under the saddle in order to protect the flanks of a horse between the peytral and crupper.

Formation
The tactical, physical deployment of military forces.

Gambeson
A padded defensive jacket, worn as armour separately or combined with (chain)mail and typically worn over the mail.

Gauntlet
Name used for several different styles of glove. A gauntlet covers the wrist, hand, fingers and forearms. Gauntlets exist in many forms ranging from flexible fabric and leather gloves to (chain)mail and fully-articulated plate armour.

Gilding
The art of applying a thin layer of gold to a surface.

Gilt
Covered with a thin layer of gold.

Glaive
A polearm consisting of a single-edged blade on the end of a pole.

Gorget
A steel collar designed to protect the throat. Later, particularly from the 18th century onwards, the gorget became primarily ornamental, serving only as a symbolic accessory on military uniforms.

Gothic armour
Originally referring to German armour from about the late 1460's to the 1490's, it has come to be a term often used for 15th c. armour in general.

Goussets
Sections of mail that covered parts of the body that were not protected by steel plates.

Great bascinet, grand bacinet
A large and very protective helm that rested entirely on the shoulders and did not turn with the head, that typically had a globose visor with a great number of breaths and vision slits. It appears to have been invented possibly as early as the very late 14th century for use in the tournament, and later was used in the field in the first half of the 15th century, after which it was entirely relegated to the tournament.

Grip
The handle of a sword.

Great Helm
The great helm of the High Middle Ages arose in the late 12th century in the context of the crusades and remained in use until well into the 14th century. They were used by knights and heavy infantry in most European armies.

Greave
A piece of armour that protects the leg below the knee. Derived from 12th century French "greve" which means "shin".