Greave (Knee and Shin Armour)

When worn the greave protects mainly the outer, front and back surfaces of the leg particularly the tibia bone which is very close to the skin. Greaves usually consisted of a metal exterior with an inner padding or felt. The felt padding was particularly important because, without it, any blow would transfer directly from the metal plating to the shin.   The small stamp which is placed on this piece of armour indicates that thearmour was once kept in The Byzantine church of Hagia Eirene (St. Irene), the former imperial Ottoman dyanisties arsenal. The stamp or (tamga mark) is the mark of the Sultan armouries and the Kayi tribe.