Bevor

A bevor (/ˈbiːvər/ BEE-vər) or beaver^[1][2] is a piece of plate armour designed to protect the neck, much like a gorget.

Armour of Maximilian I with bevor (c. 1485)

Etymology

The word “bevor” or “beaver” is derived from Old French baver, meaning ‘to dribble’. This is a reference to the effect on the wearer of the armour during battle.^[2]

Description

The bevor was a component of a medieval suit of armour. It was usually a single piece of plate armour protecting the chin and throat and filling the gap between the helmet and breastplate.^[1] The bevor could also extend over the knight’s left shoulder doubling the thickness of the armour.^[3]

The bevor was originally worn in conjunction with a type of helmet known as a sallet.^[4] With the close helm and burgonet, developments of the sallet in the late medieval and Renaissance period, the bevor became a hinged plate protecting the lower face and throat.^[5] In the 16th century, the bevor developed into the falling buffe. This was a composite piece made up of several lames protecting the lower face and throat, but which could be raised or lowered as the lames were articulated.^[6][7]