Sometime in the 15th century, armor was worn just as much for appearance as the protection it offered in battle. A simple breastplate would no longer due; the worth of a soldier could be measured in the steel he wore. It was during this time that creations such as the German Gothic Pauldrons were designed to be fashionable and functional. The legendary War of the Roses is a good example of when one would have seen this type of sophisticated armor on display.