Chain mail facts for kids
Mail, also called chain mail, is a special type of armour. It is made from many small metal rings. These rings are linked together in a pattern to create a strong, flexible mesh. People believe the Celts, an ancient group of people, were the first to invent mail armour. Their mail was often shaped like a vest.
What is Mail Armour?
Mail armour is made by connecting tiny metal rings. These rings are woven together to form a strong fabric. This fabric protects the wearer from cuts and blows. It was a very important type of armour for many centuries.
Mail armour could cover different parts of the body. A mail shirt was called a hauberk. A shorter one was a haubergeon. Mail for the legs was called chausses. A mail hood that covered the head, neck, and shoulders was known as a coif.
History of Mail Armour
Many experts believe the ancient Celts invented mail armour around 300 years before Christ (3rd century BC). At that time, the Celts were very skilled at working with iron in Europe.
The Romans quickly started using mail for their own army. A mail shirt could weigh about 30 pounds (14 kg). After a battle, soldiers often took weapons and armour from those who had fallen. Viking warriors also wore mail armour when they could find it.
Making mail was expensive and took a lot of time. It also needed a steady supply of iron. As people got better at making and working with materials, mail armour became even more valuable. Mail armour was used in Europe until about the 15th century. After that, plate armour became more common.
Mail Armour Today
Even today, mail is still used in some ways! For example, gloves made of mail help prevent cuts for butchers and firefighters. Some divers wear mail suits when they are swimming near sharks, especially when feeding them. However, mail is heavy and can make it hard to move around easily.
Mail is also very popular with people who do history reenactments. These people dress up and act out historical events. It is also used in live action role playing games, where people create their own fantasy adventures.
Images for kids
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Historical mail shirts . -
A historical mail shirt . -
A woman wearing a haubergeon and coif . -
Shark-protective mail suit
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Modern cut resistant glove
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Riveted mail and plate coat zirah bagtar.
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The Vachères warrior, 1st century BC, wearing mail and a Celtic torc.
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Fresco of an ancient Macedonian soldier wearing mail armour.
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In early medieval Europe, "byrn(ie)" meant a "coat of mail".
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Mail armour of a Polish cavalryman, 17th century.
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Panel from the Bayeux Tapestry showing soldiers in mail armour.
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Tibetan warrior in mail reinforced by mirror armour.
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Edo period Japanese (samurai) chain armour or kusari gusoku.
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A manuscript from 1698 showing how mail was made.
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Roman soldier 175 A.D. (re-enactment).
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Major's shoulder chains.
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A modern example of mail used in a bracelet.
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Edo period 1800s Japanese (samurai) mail socks or kusari tabi.
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Japanese Edo period mail jacket, kusari katabira.
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Edo period Japanese (samurai) mail gauntlets kusari han kote.
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A rare example of Japanese riveted mail.
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Examples of Edo period Japanese (samurai) mail kusari.
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Close up of Mughal riveted mail and plate coat zirah Bagtar, 17th century.
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Close up detail of Mughal riveted mail hood kulah zirah, 17th century.
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Mughal riveted mail and plate coat zirah Bagtar, 17th century.
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Mughal riveted mail hood kulah zirah, 17th century.
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"David rejects the unaccustomed armour" (detail of fol. 28r of the 13th century Morgan Bible).
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Indian theta link mail (bar link mail), 17th century.
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Ottoman riveted mail, 16th century.
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European wedge riveted mail, 16th to 17th century.
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Man wearing mail in modern days.
See also
In Spanish: Malla (armadura) para niños
