When was chainmail invented

While it provided reliable protection against slashing weapons , it was not very effective against blunt force trauma unless there was an added protection by some other material such as padded gambeson.

Besides, there were small holes in the armor which arrows of certain types could penetrate. Chain mail armor usually covered the upper body while legs remained vulnerable to attack. Thus it was more effective in direct man to man combat but not very effective against arrows. Medieval chainmail could get seriously warmed up depending on the weather and this could result in a disadvantage. For instance, the Norwegian army that invaded England had to leave their amour on their ships because of warm weather which heated up the mail armor and this resulted in vastly increased losses of soldiers during the battle.

Medieval chainmail was popular clothing for protection during the battles. Chain mail had various types and designs which were prevalent in different parts of the world. It consisted of interlinked metal rings which would be arranged in various ways, although the most common way was an arrangement of rows and columns. Medieval chain mail provided reliable protection against sword attacks but remained vulnerable to arrows.

We hope you enjoyed this article on medieval chainmail. Chain mail was an important innovation in medieval armory and was commonly used by most medieval soldiers. Copyright - - - Medieval Chronicles. Share this:. More Info. Medieval Chain Mail was a flexible armor which was made from interlinked metal rings. The word 'Chain mail' was an English combination of two words.

Chain Mail is also referred to by derivatives of the word such as:. In the early Medieval feudal period a knight wore a cloth or leather tunic covered with iron rings or scales, and an iron cap with a nose guard. At the beginning of the 12th century he adopted chain mail, with a hood, or coif, of the same material for the head.

Chain Mail history dates back to antiquity and was adopted by the Romans after they realised its potential after fighting the Celts. A variety of materials were used to make Chain Mail including brass and iron. However, the most popular material was steel. In the 14th century, plate armor began to replace the Medieval Chain Mail worn by knights. However the Medieval Chain Mail was not completely discarded by the Knights who continued to wear a shirt of Chain Mail beneath plate armor to protect the joints and the groin.

Plate armor was extremely expensive and the average soldier during the times still used Chain Mail as their most effective form of protection. The history of Chain Mail declined with the invention of the musket in and the subsequent use of gunpowder in variuos weapons. Chain Mail Armor Chain Mail armor provided protection against being cut by the opponents blade. It was effective against the sharp points and blades of the spear, axe and sword.

Stone tools.. Controlled fire.. Built shelter.. Tally stick.. Sharp stone blade.. Bow and arrow.. Braided rope.. Lunar calendar..

Alcoholic drink.. Oil lamp.. Dugout canoe.. Dried brick.. Woven cloth.. Wattle and daub.. Scratch plow.. Tooth paste.. Log-laid road.. Wheel and axe.. Lubricating grease.. Investment casting.. Ice skate.. Arched bridge.. Brazing and soldering.. Sewage system.. Standard measures.. Wrought iron.. Enclosed harbor.. Water filter..