Chainmail was the earliest form of metal armor worn by the average soldier during the Middle Ages. It was a flexible armor which was made from interlinked metal rings. It is believed that the word 'chainmail' was an English combination of two words. 'Chain' meaning a series of metal rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament and 'mail' from the French word "maille" which is derived from the Latin "macula" meaning "mesh of a net". Chainmail is also referred to by derivatives of the word such as: Ringmail; Chain armor; Ring armor; Mail.
In the early feudal period of the Middle Ages a knight wore a cloth or leather tunic covered with iron rings or scales, and an iron cap with a nose guard. About the beginning of the twelfth century he adopted chainmail, with a hood, or coif, of the same material for the head. Making chainmail was undertaken by the blacksmith. Making chainmail armor involved the linking of iron or steel rings, the ends of which were either pressed together, welded or riveted. The rings were formed when they were stamped out of a sheet of iron and then used in alternate rows with riveted links.
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| Late 17th Century European |
It is
believed that chainmail was invented by the Celts. Chainmail history dates back
to antiquity and was adopted by the Romans after they realized its potential
after fighting the Celts. In the 14th century, plate armor began to replace the
chainmail worn by knights. However the chainmail was not completely discarded
by the knights who continued to wear a shirt of chainmail beneath plate armor
to protect the joints and the groin. Plate armor was extremely expensive and
the average soldier during the Middle Ages still used chainmail as their most
effective form of protection. The history of chainmail shows its decline and
use with the invention of the musket in 1520 and the subsequent use of
gunpowder in various weapons.
The use of chainmail spread to Scandinavia, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, India, Tibet, South East Asia, and Japan.
Mail continues to be used in the 21st century as a component of stab-resistant body armour, cut-resistant gloves for butchers and woodworkers, shark-resistant wetsuits for defense against shark bites, and a number of other applications.
The use of chainmail spread to Scandinavia, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, India, Tibet, South East Asia, and Japan.
Mail continues to be used in the 21st century as a component of stab-resistant body armour, cut-resistant gloves for butchers and woodworkers, shark-resistant wetsuits for defense against shark bites, and a number of other applications.
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| Modern safety glove |
You too can experience the fun of chainmail in any of Marilyn Gardiner’s
classes! You can also enjoy Marilyn’s interpretation of chainmail through the projects in her new book, Modern Chainmail Jewelry. 
Upcoming classes with Marilyn Gardiner:
Love Knot Crystal Bracelet
November 14
9:30am – 12:30pm
November 14
9:30am – 12:30pm
Viper Basket Bracelet
November 14
1:30 – 4:30pm
November 14
1:30 – 4:30pm
