A metal guard or plate that protects a horse's face in medieval armor, used during battle or tournaments.
From French 'chanfrein,' possibly derived from Old French 'chanu' (white-haired or frost-covered) and 'frein' (bridle or restraint), suggesting it covered the face like frost. Used in Middle English for military horse equipment.
Knights didn't just protect themselves—they armored their horses from head to hoof, and these face guards were so important they had multiple spellings in medieval texts, showing how specialized military vocabulary spread across Europe as knights shared battle tactics.
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