Gambeson and mailing

A great topic for medieval enthusiasts!

Gambeson

A gambeson is a type of medieval armor that was worn under other armor, such as chainmail or plate armor, to provide additional protection. It was a quilted jacket made of layers of fabric, usually cotton or linen, stuffed with wool, hair, or other materials to provide insulation and protection.

Gambesons were popular in Europe during the 12th to 15th centuries and were worn by both knights and men-at-arms. They were designed to be worn under other armor to provide additional protection against slashing and piercing attacks. The quilted design helped to distribute the force of an impact, making it more difficult for an attacker to penetrate the armor.

Gambesons were often worn with a surcoat, which was a loose-fitting tunic that covered the gambeson and provided additional protection. The surcoat was often decorated with the coat of arms of the wearer's family or lord.

Mailing

Mailing, also known as chainmail, is a type of armor that consists of small metal rings linked together to form a mesh. The rings are typically made of iron or steel and are arranged in a specific pattern to provide maximum protection.

Chainmail was widely used in medieval Europe, particularly during the 11th to 15th centuries. It was worn by knights, men-at-arms, and even some foot soldiers. Chainmail was effective against slashing and piercing attacks, as the rings helped to distribute the force of an impact and prevented the blade from penetrating too deeply.

There are several types of chainmail, including:

Chainmail was often worn with a gambeson, as mentioned earlier, to provide additional protection. It was also often worn with a helmet, shield, and other types of armor to provide comprehensive protection on the battlefield.