Chainmail: Centuries Of Practical Appeal

The vision of a chainmail garment immediately brings to mind images of knights and fair ladies

, when chivalry was the law of the land. It is this aura of romance that has led to the immense popularity of Renaissance fairs and festivals held throughout the United States at varying times of the year. At these festivals, costumed actors and guests share a taste of medieval Renaissance culture, and a bit of fantasy to add to the fun, entertainment, and games. The rise of these festivals has led to a resurgence in the interest in, and market for, historical garments and costuming such as chainmail armor.

The word 'chainmail' has been used to describe the metal mesh armor material since the 1700s, previously referred to as simply 'mail.' The term comes from the French word 'maille' which refers to a type of knitted material, or mesh. During the Victorian period, it appeared to those interested in the period of the Middle Ages to be constructed of chains, thus it came to be called 'chainmail' as it still is today.

Chainmail refers to the metal mesh material, not to the protective garments from which they are made. A knee-length chainmail shirt is known as a hauberk, with a shorter mid-thigh length chainmail shirt called a haubergeon. Chainmail armor also includes chausses, or mail leggings, and mitons, or mail mittens to protect the hands in battle. To protect the neck, mail was often used hanging from the base of a metal helmet, with the collar known as aventail. A standard or pixane is a collar made of mail that is strapped around the neck.

Chainmail is still in use today for a number of practical applications. In addition to being used for costuming in historical re-enactments, it is used by butchers, worn under their white coats, to protect against injury from meat-packing equipment, as it effectively protects from blades. Chainmail gloves are also often worn by butchers and woodcarvers to protect their hands from cuts. British police use chainmail gloves to protect themselves when disarming knife-wielding criminals.

In 1979, shark expert Valerie Taylor developed a chainmail suit to protect from shark bite while diving with them. It is still used by divers in shark-rich waters. Animal control officers use chainmail pieces to protect from animal bites and scratches. With mail artifacts found that date back as far as 600 BC, it is still valued in use for protective garments in the 21st century with no signs of becoming obsolete.

by: Art Gib

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