To define my question further, I am asking if Armored Codpieces were solely worn as an aesthetic 'fashion' item. Or there was some practical use, specifically whether it was to accommodate an 'enlargement' during battle as not to make the warrior untowardly uncomfortable.
I have searched google extensively but have not arrived at an answer (Perhaps that is answer enough), however I am hoping this community could shed some light on the matter?
"Contrary to popular belief (and as I'm sure you know) codpieces did not actually contain what they appeared to, and as such are a purely decorative fashion accessory, and therefore codpieces on armour (or brayettes) were only around as long as codpieces were in fashion in clothing (as fashions in armour reflected fashions in clothing at this time - 16thC). Prior to the adoption of brayettes, the most common protection was a skirt of mail."
Stolen shamelessly from another history forum: http://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.26597.html