Vambraces (French: avant-bras, sometimes known as lower cannons in the Middle Ages) or forearm guards are tubular or gutter defences for the forearm worn as part of a suit of plate armour that were often connected to gauntlets.
Vambraces may be worn with or without separate couters in a full suit of medieval armour.
The term originates in the early 14th century.
Leather vambraces were sometimes reinforced with longitudinal strips of hardened hide or metal, creating splinted armour.
[1] Sometimes vambraces were decorated with extravagant designs as was customary for nobles during the late middle ages.