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Liao Heavy Cavalry Iron Armor

Type Object Region Northeast Asia Time c. 907–1125

The all-iron or iron-plated armor worn by the Liao's elite heavy cavalry (Tieyaozi) was famed for high protection and shock capability;…

Timeline

  1. c. 907–980Liao Upper Capital, Linhuang Prefecture · Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionAfter founding the state, Liao Taizu established the Tieyaozi heavy cavalry, with both soldiers and warhorses clad in iron armor, forming the core shock force of the Liao army; armor consisted mainly of laced iron plates or solid iron breastplates, suited to steppe horse archery and charge formations.
  2. c. 1004–1040Song-Liao border on the Hebei plain · Hebei ProvinceDuring the Song-Liao wars, the Tieyaozi repeatedly rode south; all-iron heavy cavalry charged Song infantry formations on the plains, and histories record man and horse alike armored and impregnable; iron armor protection standards were further regularized in this period.
  3. 1051–1060Liao Southern Capital, Xijin Prefecture · Beijing MunicipalityFrom the late Xingzong to early Daozong period, the Liao maintained Tieyaozi organization and iron armor supply; after Xingzong's death in 1055 and Daozong's accession, though the Song alliance was kept, heavy armored cavalry remained the deterrent against Western Xia in the northwest and Song along the southwestern border.

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