What type of armor did Joan of Arc famously wear in battle?

Joan of Arc famously wore plate armor in battle.

Accounts describe Joan using protective armor appropriate for a mounted military leader of the fifteenth century. Plate armor consisted of shaped metal plates covering major parts of the body, often worn over padded garments and other layers. It offered stronger protection than ordinary clothing or simple leather defenses.

Joan’s armor became part of her public image because she entered military settings as a young woman who had not been a conventional professional soldier. Her clothing and armor were also discussed during the later trial, where opponents questioned her wearing of male clothing and military equipment.

Modern images sometimes portray Joan in highly stylized armor that combines details from different periods. The broad historical point is secure: she used armor during her campaigns, and descriptions commonly identify it as plate armor rather than chain mail alone.