In medieval times, a horse, an armor, and weapons were essential accoutrements of war for any fighting-age man who wanted to become a knight. Local lords gathered groups of knights to fend off rebellious vassals or conquering neighbors. These lords would also reward knights for their service with war booty and grants of lands from which income could be made. Thus, loyalty and service were the two basic qualities to be expected from a knight.

Ordinary medieval foot soldiers employed an assortment of weapons. Long pikes or spears were common defensive weapons intended to keep knights on horseback from riding into friendly positions. The sword and the battle ax were other common weapons, and medieval armor was designed to protect a knight from them.

The bow and the crossbow were two other important medieval weapons. Much of their significance lay in the fact that they were powerful and could be used to penetrate an enemy's armor from a far distance. This led both to the frequent use of these weapons in war and to the development of stronger and more sophisticated suits of medieval armor.

Examples of quality medieval armor and knight weapons are quite common in specialized museums. They are also popular among collectors and re-enactors, who are constantly searching for antique or fine reproduction arms and armor to add to their collections. Homes can also be decorated with real medieval armor, and this has recently become the trend in many regions. Whether original, embellished, or reproduced, medieval armor is a great addition to any public or private weapons collection.