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The 15th Century World

The 15th Century was the second half of the High Medieval Period. It saw the end of the 100 Years War and the Wars of the Roses in England. It also saw the end of the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the East.

This era is also known as the "Age of Plate Armour" as the art of making plate armour reached its peak and plate armour not only became more widespread, it also became works of art. There were several distintive styles of armour during this period - Gothic, Italian, etc.

Most knights and professional soldiers would have worn suits of full pate harness while men-at arms would have worn a simple breastplate or haubergeon with plate armour covering at least part of the limbs. 

Weapons became more specialised in order to defeat plate armour.

Social change saw the final demise of the feudal system and the rise of the porfessional solider and standing armies.