Man-at-arms, as a noun, refers to a historical term that denotes a heavily armed and armored soldier or warrior during the medieval period. It originated in the Middle Ages and primarily refers to a professional soldier who fought on foot, as opposed to cavalry or archers. The term "man-at-arms" encompasses an individual who served as a combatant in the medieval armies, either as a hired professional or as a member of the nobility or landed gentry.
These soldiers were distinguished by their comprehensive armor, which typically included a steel helmet, a breastplate, gauntlets, greaves, and other protective gear. They wielded a variety of weapons, such as swords, battle axes, maces, and occasionally polearms, in order to engage in close-quarter combat. The main role of a man-at-arms was to serve as the backbone of the infantry, standing as a formidable force in the heat of battle.
Throughout the medieval period, man-at-arms gradually evolved, adapting to advances in weaponry and tactics. They formed the core of many European armies during the Late Middle Ages, and their importance extended into the Renaissance period. By the sixteenth century, however, the emergence of firearms and changes in military strategies led to the decline of the man-at-arms as an independent military role. Nevertheless, their influence and legacy continue to resonate in historical depictions of warfare from the medieval era.
