Did vikings wear chain mail

The Viking Age, which lasted from the late 8th century to the early 11th century, is a fascinating period in history. While Vikings are often depicted wearing chain mail in popular culture, the answer is a bit more nuanced.

Chain mail, also known as chain armor or maille, is a type of armor made from interlocking iron rings. It was indeed used by some warriors during the Viking Age, but it was not as widespread as other types of armor.

There is evidence that some Viking warriors wore chain mail, particularly during the 10th and 11th centuries. For example, the Oseberg ship burial, which dates back to around 820 AD, contained a set of chain mail armor. Similarly, the Gokstad ship burial, which dates back to around 890 AD, also contained chain mail armor.

However, chain mail was not the most common type of armor worn by Vikings. Instead, they often wore other types of armor, such as:

1. Leather armor: Leather was a common material for armor during the Viking Age. It was lightweight, flexible, and provided some protection against slashing and piercing attacks.
2. Scale armor: Scale armor was made from overlapping scales or plates of metal, often attached to a leather or fabric backing. It was more common than chain mail and provided good protection against slashing and piercing attacks.
3. Lamellar armor: Lamellar armor was made from horizontal or vertical strips of metal, often attached to a leather or fabric backing. It was more common in Eastern Europe and the Middle East than in Scandinavia.
4. Brigandine armor: Brigandine armor was made from a fabric or leather backing with metal plates sewn onto it. It was a common type of armor during the Viking Age and provided good protection against slashing and piercing attacks.

It's worth noting that the Vikings were a seafaring people, and their armor was often designed for mobility and flexibility rather than heavy, cumbersome protection. Chain mail, while effective, was not always the best choice for Viking warriors, who needed to be able to move quickly and easily on land and sea.

In summary, while Vikings did wear chain mail, it was not the most common type of armor they used. Instead, they often wore other types of armor, such as leather, scale, lamellar, and brigandine armor, which were better suited to their needs and lifestyle.