Basic Armouring Workshop

Unleash your inner medieval warrior with a full-day armour-smithing experience led by armourer, Rob Hayes.

In the fifteenth century, medieval armour reached its pinnacle—knights and soldiers across Europe were protected by expertly crafted steel plate armour, both strong and flexible.

In this introductory workshop, you’ll dive into the core skills of traditional armour smithing, working with sheet metal to create your own pair of vambraces (forearm protection). Along the way, you’ll learn about design, tailoring, tool mastery, and the intricate process of shaping metal.

By the end of the day, you’ll take home your completed vambraces, forged by your own hands.

Held at Ballarat’s Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, a world-class facility dedicated to learning and preserving Australia’s rare arts and trades through a series of workshops, masterclasses, events, and residencies.