Heavy Armor, Light Warriors — The Essays of Montaigne

Montaigne condemns gentlemen who buckle on armour only at the last moment, then shed it at the first lull, so men reach battle still fastening cuirasses while comrades rout.

Ancestors kept core pieces on through the fight; modern armour often loads more than it secures. Young Scipio rebuked caltrops as fear in attackers and told a soldier to trust his right hand over his shield.

Ariosto's warriors wore helm and cuirass day and night until practice made arms light as clothing; Marcellinus describes Parthians in flexible scale mail and iron plates that moved like living metal. Montaigne ends that French men-at-arms echo that ancient dread in plate, though Demetrius once ordered suits twice the ordinary weight.