Now only Archæol. Forms: α. 4 vaumbras, 4–6 vambras (-brase, 5 uambras, 6 Sc. wambraiss), 7 vambrasse (8 -brass). β. 4– vambrace (5 wam-, 7 van-), [var. of vaunt- VANTBRACE, through elision of t and change of nb to mb by assimilation.] Defensive armor for the (fore-) arm.

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  α.  c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 10030. Vaumbras & rerbras, wyþ coters of stel.

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1385–6.  Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 133. ij palets, j brestplat, vambras.

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1392.  Test. Ebor. (Surtees), I. 171. Unum bonum par cerotecarum de plate, cum vambrase et rerebrase.

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1461.  Will of Benney (Somerset Ho.). j salett garnisshed cum argento, legharnes, vambras, & rerebras.

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a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 12. One sorte had the vambrases, the pace gardes, the grandgardes … parted with golde and azure.

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1581.  Styward, Mart. Discipl., II. 165. To haue good … poldrones and vambrases for their shoulders & armes.

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1627.  Drayton, Agincourt, 8. [Whether] The Vambrasse, or the Pouldron, they should prize.

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  β.  1411.  E. E. Wills (1882), 19. A pare of vambrace and rerebrace.

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c. 1450.  Metham, Wks. (E.E.T.S.), 37. Thys knyghtys vambracys in coloure Alle depeyntyd with red were.

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1513.  MS. Papers 5 Hen. VIII., No. 4101 (P.R.O.). His vambraces, polvorines, ij Salettes [etc.].

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1581.  Styward, Mart. Discipl., I. 44. A fayre Corslet, with all the peeces appertaining to the same, that is the curats, ye collers, the poldrens with the Vambraces.

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1624.  Capt. Smith, Virginia, III. ii. 47. On his arme … an Otters skinne, or some such matter for his vambrace.

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1687.  A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., III. 44. They have likewise the Coat of Mail, the Cuirats, the Head-piece, and a Vambrace fastened to the Sword.

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1734.  trans. Rollin’s Rom. Hist. (1827), II. 379. The vambraces or greaves which covered the arms, thighs, and legs of the horsemen.

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1829.  Scott, Anne of G., xxxii. Among gauntlets, boots, vambraces, and such like gear.

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1850.  Boutell, in Gentl. Mag., CXX. II. 44. The arms are cased in brassarts and vambraces of plate.

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  transf.  1766.  Phil. Trans., LVI. 274. I supported the arm with a vambrace, or half-canal, made of one very thin piece of wood.

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