Chain Mail for Sale. Information and history of Chainmail.
Chainmaille Shirt, Coif, links, Instructions.
How to make Chainmail.
"Mail (also maille, often given as chain mail or chain maille, though this is a modern usage) is a type of armour or jewelry
that consists of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. This construction can ward off a slashing blow by an
edged weapon, preventing it from cutting through to the skin. It was also reasonably effective against most arrowhead types but it
has several disadvantages. A well aimed lance or spear, or an arrow with a thin head called a bodkin may burst the rings apart, and
a heavy axe or sword blow may separate the chain links. The flexibility of mail meant that a particularly strong blow would often
transfer to the user, often causing fractures or serious bruising. It is to be considered however, that most Medieval physicians or
physicians of earlier time periods could usually set broken bones, but when it came to preventing infection they were woefully
inadequate. Thus the mail was weak in defending against wounds which could be more easily mended but strong against those to
which the soldier was most vulnerable. The word chainmail is of relatively recent coinage, having been in use only since the 1700s,
prior to this it was referred to simply as mail.
The word itself refers to the armour material, not the garment made from it. A shirt made from mail is a hauberk, if knee-length;
haubergeon if mid-thigh length, and byrnie if waist-length. Mail leggings are called chausses, mail hoods coif and mail mittens mitons.
A mail collar hanging from a helmet is camail or aventail. A mail collar worn strapped around the neck was called a pixane or standard.
Mail was invented some time in the mid 1st millennium BC, but it is unknown where and by whom it was first used. It may have
been invented independently in Japan and in Europe. The earliest finds are from a 5th century BC [citations needed] Celtic
chieftain's burial located in Ciumesti, Romania. The Greek term, cataphract, came to be associated with heavy cavalry
(as opposed to light mounted archers). The Roman Republic first came into contact with mail fighting the Gauls in Cisalpine
Gaul, now Northern Italy. The Roman army adopted the technology for their troops in the form of the lorica hamata which was
used as a primary form of armour, through the Imperial period where it was used alongside the lorica segmentata.
The use of mail was prominent throughout the High Middle Ages, and reached its apex in the 13th century, when full body suits of
mail armour were developed.
In the 14th century, plate armour began to supplement mail. Eventually mail was supplanted by plate for the most part. However,
mail was still widely used by many soldiers as well as brigandines and padded jacks. These three types of armour made up the bulk
of the equipment used by soldiers with mail being the most expensive. It was quite often more expensive than plate armour. A mail
shirt interwoven between two layers of fabric is called jazzeraint, and can be worn as protective clothing.
Extant mail is common, but it is not proportionately represented in museum collections.
The Japanese used mail (kusari) in a limited fashion in armor beginning during the Nambokucho period (1336-1392). Two primary
weave methods were used: a square 4-in-1 pattern (so gusari) and a hexagonal 6-in-1 pattern (hana gusari). Kusari was typically
made with rings that were much smaller than their European counterparts, and on a much smaller scale - rather than creating full
garments of mail, small sections were used to link together plates and to drape over vulnerable areas such as the underarm.
The rings were not welded shut, though some pieces were constructed of rings that consisted of two or more turns, similar
to the modern split ring commonly used on keychains. The rings were lacquered to prevent rusting, and was always stitched onto a
backing of cloth or leather. The kusari was sometimes concealed entirely between layers of cloth or leather."
Information found at:
Wikipedia
Find Instructions on making ChainMail, Supplies, Clothing, Armor and more...
Stainless Steel
Handmade
16 gauge Stainless Steel
42 Pounds
$750
Near La Crosse, WI
(608)486-4601 (Sunday through Thursday) susansdesign@yahoo.com
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Open Letter to ChainMail Fans :
Dear ChainMail Fans,
I am writing to you in behalf of your Heavenly Father. He is seeking you like a lost sheep. You remember the Bible story?
It is about a shepherd who has 100 sheep. But when he brings the sheep home one night, one is missing. He then leaves
the 99 sheep and goes out into the wilderness until he finds that lost sheep.
In this parable the shepherd goes out to search for the one lost sheep-the very least that can be numbered. So if there had been
but one lost soul, Christ would have died for that one. To read more click
Lost Sheep
Chain Mail for Sale. Information and history of Chainmail. Chainmaille Shirt, Coif, links, Instructions. How to make Chainmail.
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