The most popular form of attachment of armour to a limb or another piece of armour was by buckle and strap or by lacing them to the
aketon or hauberk. During the 14th century these buckles were often cast in bronze, and we are fortunate that many large deposits of such buckles have been unearthed in European cities during urban renewal projects. They seem to have been discarded with
leather rubbish and preserved and are a reasonable artifact that can be inexpensively purchased by the amateur medievalist. Straps on armour were often finished with bronze caps that protected the end of the buckle and eased the arming process by providing a firm base that could be easily grasped. The other end of the strap was generally attached to the outside of the armour with a wide-headed
rivet piened over on the inside of the armour. Some straps were attached to the inside of the armour and secured with a rough washer on the inside and
piened on the outside, but this practice seems to have grown in popularity during the late 15th and early 16th century.
