A gauntlet (also spelled gantlet) is a type of glove that protects the hand and wrist of a fighter.

Gauntlets cover the hands, wrists, and sometimes the forearms. They are different from bracers, which cover the wrists and forearms but not the hands. Bracers are often used in medieval and fantasy cosplay.

Types

Beginning in the 11th century, European soldiers and knights wore chain mail to protect their bodies. Chain mail shirts had wide sleeves that reached the elbow and were commonly used. By the 12th century, chain mail shirts with longer and narrower sleeves became popular. Some of these shirts had chain mail mittens or "muffs" that looked like fingerless gloves and had a pocket for the thumb. Some muffs had full fingers. These attached to the bottom of the sleeves and protected the hands from cuts during battles but did not stop crushing blows. In the early 14th century, armorers began making fully articulated plate armor. At the same time, hand protection was developed using gauntlets made of overlapping steel plates. These gauntlets came in two styles: fingerless "mittens" that allowed fingers to share heat but limited movement, and fully fingered "gloves" that allowed full use of fingers but were less comfortable in cold weather.

A type of gauntlet called a "demi-gauntlet" or "demi-gaunt" also appeared around this time. A demi-gaunt protects only the back of the hand and the wrist. It is worn with gloves made of chain mail or padded leather. The advantage of a demi-gaunt is that it allows better hand movement and is lighter than a full gauntlet. However, it does not protect the fingers as well.

In 2021–2022, an archaeological dig near Kyburg Castle in Switzerland uncovered a well-preserved and nearly complete 14th-century gauntlet.

Today, modern protective gloves called "gauntlets" are used by metal workers and welders when handling hot or melted metals or in situations with sparks. These gauntlets do not have metal plates but are made to block heat. Automotive technicians wear similar gauntlets to protect their hands when working on car parts. Meat and fishery butchers often wear chain mail gauntlets to guard against knife cuts. Motorcyclists wear leather gauntlets to protect their hands from rubbing during accidents, and snowmobile drivers wear fingerless gauntlets made of nylon to keep their hands warm. Falconers wear leather gauntlets to avoid injuries from birds' claws, and fencing competitors, especially those using the épée, wear fingered gauntlets to prevent cuts and punctures from weapons.

In Western women's fashion, a "gauntlet" can refer to a long sleeve that covers only part of the hand. These are sometimes worn as parts of evening gowns or by brides at weddings.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the full-fingered gloves worn by the pope or bishops are also called gauntlets or episcopal gloves. However, their use has become less common since the time of Pope Paul VI.

"Throwing down the gauntlet"

The tradition of throwing a gauntlet to respond to a challenge began in ancient times. In Book 5 of the Aeneid, a character named Entelus throws his caestus (a type of boxing glove, also called a gauntlet) into a boxing ring after being challenged by another boxer named Dares.

To "throw down the gauntlet" means to issue a challenge. In medieval times, a knight might challenge another knight or an enemy to a duel by throwing one of his gauntlets onto the ground. The person being challenged would pick up the gauntlet to accept the fight. This phrase is especially linked to the role of the King's Champion, an official who, during medieval coronations, was prepared to defend the king’s claim to the throne if someone challenged it.