1355. Pfalzgraf Ruprecht der Altere bei Rhein nimmt den Grafen Johann II von Katzenelnbogen und seine Erben als Erbburgmannen in seine Feste Sauerburg auf, deren sich Graf Johanmn gegen jedermann, ausgenommen gegen die Pfalz, bedienen darf

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ca. 1357-1370 - 'count Johann II von Katzenelnbogen (+1357)', Kloster Eberbach, Hattenheim, Eltville am Rhein, Hessen, Germany
Johann's leg-armour consists of mail chausses, thigh defences made from a soft fabric with riveted plates inside of it, greaves strapped over the chausses, and sollerets comprised of numerous metal plates to protect the feet.
This highlight of 14th century funeral art most probably portrays count Johann II of Katzenelnbogen, who died in 1357. In my opinion it was carved some years after his death, maybe around 1360.
Count Johann's armour is depicted in high detail, which makes this tomb effigy a perfect research example for 14th century military dress.
Johann II wears a high and globular bascinet with an aventail (or camail) with a leather lining at the upper edges, attached to the bascinet by a rope running through vervelles which are part of the helmet. His lifted "Klappvisier" probably has a rounded mouth instead of the slightly later "Hundsgugel"-visor (with a long pointed snout). There's no sign of carved breathing holes in it.
His body defences comprise 1. a mail hauberk with long sleeves and skirt worn over 2. a gambeson (protective clothing of softer fabrics, stuffed with hair, other textiles etc., very efficient against sword blows) (can't be seen in the effigy).
3. The coat-of-plates, worn over the hauberk, is a garment which consists of metal plates riveted inside of two cloth layers, the rivets can be seen all over it (as well as on his thigh-defences protruding from under his genouilleres or knie cups, made of a similar material). Around the torso there are less rivets since his breast is protected by a bigger plate (which would become the early, seperately worn breastplate some ten years later).
Johann's coat-of-plates is a coat-of-arms as well, since his arms are depicted on it instead of on a seperate surcoat.
The edge of the skirt of his coat-of-plates ends in leave-like decorations. The edges of the short sleeves are decorated with heart-shapes, a motif that can also be seen on the edges of his thigh defences. Two flowers are worn on his shoulders, probably made from brass or plate.
On his torso two crowns (stapled to his breast-plate) with two chains hanging from them are attached to his dagger and/or his great helm.
Early hourglass-gauntlets protect his hands; note how beautifully the knuckles get their own shaped plates!
The highly decorated hip-belt (fashionable from ca. 1350 to ca. 1430) is made from numerous brass or metal plaques.
Leg defences are 1. mail chausses, 2. thigh defences of a material comparable to the coat-of-plates, 3. genouilleres strapped over them, made of cuir-bouilli, metal or brass, 4. greaves strapped over the shins, and 5. sollerets or sabatons made of numerous metal plates. Rowel spurs are worn on the instep.
The arming sword is of the hand-and-a-half type with a flattened ogival pommel. Apparently its got its own belt folded around the scabbard, so it wasn't worn attached to the hip-belt (?). The dagger is a baselard (an H-shaped handle).
Johann's great helm shows a mantle and crest, and would have only been worn at the tournament, not in battle. It remained a popular item in effigies as a chivalrous symbol.
No inscription for this effigy has been preserved.
Johann's leg-armour consists of mail chausses, thigh defences made from a soft fabric with riveted plates inside of it, greaves strapped over the chausses, and sollerets comprised of numerous metal plates to protect the feet.