Chainmaille Origons

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.

clipped from www.medievaltymes.com 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.