Here’s anouther good article on the origins and historical value of
chainmaille.
Although armor is still made using coats of maille there are many more modern uses of maille used for adornment instead of personal protection.
Check out the rest of this article at www.medievaltymes.com when you get a chance.
| An Introduction To Chainmaille |
Chainmail was the earliest form of metal armour and was probably invented before
the 5th century by the ancient Celts. The name mail comes from the French word
“maille” which is derived from the Latin “macula” meaning “mesh of a net”. The
armour itself involved the linking of iron or steel rings, the ends of which
were either pressed together, welded or riveted. Sometimes the rings were
stamped out of a sheet of iron and these were then used in alternate rows with
riveted links. The most common form of chainmail is the “four-in-one” pattern in
which each link has four others linked through it. A few shirts have been found
that appear to have been made of quilted fabric or leather to which were sewn
rings and scales, and these shirts are not considered “true” mail. |
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This article has good information on the historical beginings of chainmaille. This is the same method used in modern day chainmaille
jewelryThe historical signifigance gives a certain power to the modern chainmaille jewlry and makes it quite a powerful statement to any jewelry collection.
| Mail (also maille, often given as chain mail or chain maille) is a type of armour or jewellery that consists of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. Mail armour provided a highly effective defense against the weapons of the Medieval Period. Tests conducted by the Royal Armoury at Leeds concluded that, “it is almost impossible to penetrate using any conventional medieval weapon.”[1] This construction can ward off a slashing blow by an edged weapon and penetration by thrusting and piercing weapons, preventing the point from cutting through to the skin. |
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