could everyone afford to were armour in the middle ages?

Answer 1

The best armoured men were professional soldiers- usually mercenaries.
The knights wore as much armour as they could afford, but they were usually "weekend soldiers" so most of their armour was out dated or made for tournament purposes (and too heavy for real war)
same goes for the retainers (the "assistants" of the knight)

there are many types of armour possible- ranging from hardened leather, chain mail, iron scales, iron rings, bone/ hoof/ horn armour, iron plate

The peasant infantry were the least armoured, usually carrying only a shield and a helmet (made often from an iron cooking pot). Sometimes they acquired pieces of armour, usually worn centrally on the chest

Answer 2

NO - - - nor could everyone afford a Horse therefore Knights were among the wealthier souls during Medeival Times. A full suit of armor was expensive. Poorer folks made do with thick leather 'jerkins' and prayer.....
Actually the value of armour in combat has been greatly exagerated - - - cumbersome, stifling hot - - - that said the Japanesse made the best most practical armour.

Peace

Answer 3

As indicated above, there was better technology available in the middle ages. In addition, the Roman Armor was ideally suited for well trained armies whose lives were defined by the Pax Romana they enforced. The Medieval period was a lawless time when barons might attack each other for resources, though they both --aggressor and aggressed on -- owed their fealty to the same sovereign. A lot of the training happened in the battle field. Indeed, though I'm of both Germanic and Celtic stock, I might point out that it was a time dominated by the Germans in Western Europe (most royal families were German -- even moreso than today) and it was the Germans who inflicted on the Romans their most traumatizing defeat in Augustus's time. While I have no doubt some Roman armor would have been preserved, it would not have been wise to fight in it, and I doubt anyone was so foolish.

Answer 4

Usually only the knights were allowed full plate armor. This was usually provided either by the rents they received from their feudal properties or if they were the retainer of a rich lord. Most professional soldiers such as men at arms and mercanaries would wear chain mail or hard leather curaisses. The various commoners that were conscripted would be given no armor but if they could afford it they sometimes could provide padded armor for themselves. Most kings and feudal lords only called up these conscripts though when they absolutely had to. They usually preferred to stick with professional soldiers.

Answer 5

Another no. A full suit of armour would cost much more than a car today and there was no such thing as a payment plan for peasants- it was cash and carry.

Hell- a lot of our troops in Iraq can't afford armour and it costs less now than it did then.

Answer 6

I believe that during the middle ages the knights were usually well off because of the Feudal System and because the peasants doing all the work, the knights and people who needed the armor were usually able to afford it. Thus, not everyone one could afford it, only the knights, barons, and royalty etc...

Answer 7

Uhhhh, no.
Only the rich, and the well taken care of could.