The myth of the knight in shining armour

This episode was recorded for my UK Column show.

Chris Dobson, a master armorer with extensive experience, offers insight into the real history of armour, dispelling common misconceptions like the myth of the knight in shining armour.

Contrary to popular belief, armour was not overly heavy or cumbersome, but carefully engineered for mobility and protection, often proofed against weapons to ensure it worked in battle. The craftsmanship involved was highly specialised, governed by strict guild regulations, and included techniques such as colouring metal for both aesthetic and protective purposes.

Behind the craft lies a murkier side to the armour trade, linked to organised crime and influential networks including Freemasonry. With a personal background shaped by his father’s role as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park during WWII, Chris has now retired from armour-making and turned his focus to art history, reflecting on a career rooted in skill, secrecy, and historical truth.

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