Cuisses are a form of medieval armour worn to protect the thigh. The word is the plural of the French word cuisse meaning 'thigh'. Cuisses were commonly worn by knights by the 12th century.

The poleyn was a component of Medieval and Renaissance armour that protected the knee. During the transition from mail armour to plate armour, this was among the earliest plate components to develop. They first appeared in the mid-thirteenth century and during the fifteenth century poleyns developed an articulated construction that attached to the cuisses and schynbalds or greaves. A characteristic of late fifteenth century gothic armour was a projection that guarded the side of the knee.

Now includes leather edging around the top of the thigh (cuisse) and additional articulation plates on the poleyns. Perfect additional protection and gives somewhere to tie to the harness.