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Gorget
Gorgets are the plate armor piece that protects the throat and neck: one of the most exposed targets in combat and one of the most visually prominent gaps in any armor kit. A well-fitted gorget closes the space between chest piece and helmet, shields an area that experienced fighters know to look for, and frames the head and face in a way that transforms the overall silhouette of a kit.
Historically the gorget has more range than most people expect. It began as a functional steel collar in the 13th and 14th centuries, evolved into a sophisticated component of the full plate harness through the late medieval period, and later appeared as a ceremonial piece in military uniforms well into the 18th century, worn as a badge of officer rank long after it had ceased to be practical battlefield protection. Today it appears across LARP, reenactment, renfair, and fantasy costume in forms ranging from close historical reproductions to fully reimagined fantasy designs.
What a Gorget Does
A gorget wraps around the throat and typically extends to cover the upper chest and back of the neck, secured by straps or buckles at the side or back. A well-fitted gorget moves with the head and neck without restricting rotation: too rigid and it impedes combat mobility, too loose and it shifts and gaps under movement.
In a LARP context the neck is a valid target in most combat systems, and a gorget both protects against incidental strikes and signals to opponents that the area is armored. For reenactors it is simply a necessary component of any kit from the 14th century onward: a knight going to the field without neck protection would have been considered poorly equipped by any standard of the period.
From Steel Collars to Dark Fantasy: The Full Range
The Landsknecht Gorget and its premium counterpart, the Landsknecht Gorget in 1.6mm steel from the Yoremade line, reference the dramatic German mercenary tradition of the 16th century. The Yoremade version is built to a heavier gauge for reenactors prioritizing material authenticity and construction quality.
The Soldier Gorget and Captain Gorget are the most versatile pieces in the range: clean military silhouettes that work across the broadest range of character types and pair naturally with the corresponding chest pieces from the plate armor range.
The Neck Plate Warrior offers a more substantial and imposing profile, suited to heavily armored builds and fighters whose character reads as serious and battle-hardened.
The Raider Gorget and Renegade Choker sit at the rougher end of the aesthetic spectrum, suited to characters whose armor looks acquired rather than commissioned. The Renegade Choker has a distinctly different silhouette from the traditional gorget form, making it one of the more character-specific pieces in the range.
The Gothic Gorget and Shoulders pairs neck protection with shoulder coverage in a single assembly built around the angular Gothic plate tradition, worth considering for anyone who wants to address both areas with a shared aesthetic language.
At the fantasy end, the Eventide Gorget and Neck Plate Dark Drake each commit fully to their own visual logic: the Eventide suits dark fantasy and necromancer builds, while the Dark Drake carries scaled reptilian texture through to the neck.
Fitting and Pairing
Below, a gorget should sit comfortably over or against the top edge of the chest piece without creating a gap or significant overlap. Above, it should leave the jaw free while covering the throat fully. Most pieces secure via side or back straps and accommodate a reasonable range of neck sizes, but checking the size guide before ordering is worthwhile for pieces that extend further up the neck.
The natural companions are a chest piece below and pauldrons or shoulder plates above. A gorget worn with both creates a fully closed upper body harness with no exposed gaps, which is both the historically correct configuration and the most visually complete result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a gorget if I have a chest plate? A chest plate protects the torso but leaves the neck exposed. The gorget closes that gap, which matters both practically in LARP combat where the neck is a valid target, and visually as the most obvious gap in an otherwise complete upper body kit.
Can a gorget be worn without a helmet? Absolutely, and it commonly is. A gorget with a chest plate and shoulder armor creates a complete and convincing upper body harness without requiring a helmet above it.
What is the difference between a gorget and a bevor? A gorget protects the throat and neck. A bevor extends that protection upward to cover the lower face and chin, bridging the gap between gorget and helmet. The two are historically related and often worn together as part of a complete head and neck defense.