Vambraces (sometimes known as "lower cannons" in the Middle Ages) are tubular or gutter defenses for the forearm. They were developed first in the ancient world, mainly by the Romans, but only formally named during the early 14th century as part of a suit of plate armor. They were made of either leather, sometimes reinforced with longitudinal strips of hardened hide or metal (a crafting method named "splinted armor"), or from a single piece of worked steel and worn with other pieces of armor. Vambraces are generally called "forearm guards."