| There is evidence of chainmail dating back to circa | | | | chainmail shirt or hauberk was worn underneath the |
| 400BC this took the form of rusty masses found in | | | | plate armor to protect against chaffing and possible |
| Celtic graves which seemed to be the remains of | | | | cutting into the skin also giving further protection as |
| chainmail dating back to around this period, also art | | | | for the head the coif was sometimes worn under |
| has been discovered to add to the evidence. | | | | the helmet for similar reasons and to give further |
| The Romans may have first seen it when fighting | | | | protection to the neck. Some was used to join the |
| the Celts in France and England and likely saw it's | | | | plate armor together in some cases. |
| benefits, chainmail armor is very flexible and easy to | | | | The word chainmail comes from the French 'maille' |
| repair after damage, repair kits could and most likely | | | | which is a certain type of 'knitting' and the Latin word |
| were taken into battle and used thereafter for | | | | 'macula' which means 'mesh' so this seems a |
| running repairs as needed. Chainmail armor although | | | | reasonable assumption made by many as to how this |
| labour intensive to make was quite easy to put | | | | armor got it's name, it is well known as this today |
| together and would fit many sizes of people, unlike | | | | but there is some controversy over what it should |
| plate armor, which was often made for the individual. | | | | be named! |
| Contrary to some beliefs chainmail would offer | | | | Chainmail whether it be Celtic, Roman or medieval has |
| reasonable protection against impact as it gives. Also | | | | a look and feel about it that is quite unique taken |
| beneath them were worn heavy quilted shirts, which | | | | from history and reproduced by us in modern times |
| would also help to absorb the impact. | | | | to reflect on our human past and how important it |
| Although the chainmail would mainly protect against | | | | was to the very lives of the people who wore it. |
| the slashing of sharp swords and knives, The | | | | |