Chainmail Hauberk – Butted – Zinc Plated – 44″ Chest

Mail was thought to have been invented by the Celts. The earliest example was found in a Celtic Chieftain’s burial in Romania. It was a popular form of defence for the warrior elite of the Viking and Early Medieval periods. It is often (wrongly) referred to as chainmail but this terminology was first introduced by Sir Walter Scott in 1822 in his novel “The Fortunes of Nigel”. In the medieval period it was simply known as “Mail”. 

Hauberks are long sleeved chainmail shirts that often terminate at the knee, and have a split up the front and back to allow for riding horses. The name Hauberk comes from the Old Frankish word “halsberg” which originally described a small piece of mail that protected (“Bergen – to protect) the throat and neck (the “Hals”).  Hauberks were expensive to manufacture, both in materials and in the labour time and skill required to make them. As such they were usually only worn by nobles and professional soldiers. The Bayeux Tapestry features Norman Knights wearing knee-length hauberks with three quarter length sleeves. Their Saxon adversaries wore shirts of a similar design. Hauberks were in use in Europe until the 15^th century when the advent of plate armour and better firearms led to its decline.

Our Hauberk is handcrafted using butted mild steel rings. The rings are uncoated mild steel to provide an authentic finish and covered in a light layer of oil to prevent rust.

Size:  Chest measures 44”. Please remember to take your measurements when wearing your gambeson and undergarments.  

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