Medieval knight on horseback, artwork. The knight is wearing a suit of plate armour over chain-mail, and is carrying a lance in one hand, and a flanged mace with a spike on the end in the other hand. Both weapons were designed to penetrate the plate armour being worn by opposing knights. The saddle has a high pommel (front) and cantle (rear), keeping the knight in place. The helmet has a pointed, hinged and moveable visor. Full plate armour was in use from around 1420, declining by the 17th century with the advent of firearms capable of penetrating armour.