Gauntlets are simply gloves covered with articulated plate armor that allows the wearer to comfortably wield weapons and at the same time provide protection to the hands. Knights hands were very vulnerable in close combat situations. Gauntlets came in various styles ranging from mitten-like gloves to highly articulated gloves that were every single finger of the glove was covered in plate armor. With the introduction of firearms, gauntlets lost its value to the wearer. Knights used their gauntlets to issue challenges to their enemy or other knights by dropping one of their gauntlets to the ground (“throw down the gauntlet”). The other knight would pick up the gauntlet to accept the challenge.