Prussian Protective Equipment

Archaeological and visual evidence reveals that the Prussians, initially lacking defensive equipment beyond shields, developed a rudimentary protective complex only during the height of crusading conflicts with Polish principalities. This complex, comprising shields, helmets, and armor, was inadequately mastered by the Prussians, as evidenced by scarce archaeological finds—with a single exception: the capital from the Marienburg/Malbork castle, which uniquely preserves the full range of this equipment. The study suggests that Prussian warriors primarily relied on dismounted combat with throwing darts, a tactic ill-suited for prolonged foot engagements against heavily armed adversaries like the Teutonic Order. This finding underscores the Prussians' eventual vulnerability to crusader aggression, marking their historical decline.

Kulakov, V. I. (2024). PRUSSIAN PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. Vestnik Bryanskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta, 08(04), 66–70. https://doi.org/10.22281/2413-9912-2024-08-04-66-70