![]() ![]() This relative scarcity of metal medieval armor began to change during the High Medieval era (c. Medieval Warfare Comes of Age Section from the Bayeux Tapestry, 11th century, via the Bayeux Museum But even ordinary levies would have been equipped with helmets, which, for most of the early medieval period across most of Europe, followed the spangenhelm pattern: an iron-banded skullcap, with or without a simple nasal defense projecting from the brim. 800 – 828 CE) illustrate this wonderfully – the first Holy Roman Emperor’s proclamations placed a ban on the sale of fine brunia (chainmail armor) to foreigners, and the rolls of inheritance show that chainmail was frequently passed down from one generation to the next.Ĭonsequently, most Early Medieval levies would have been outfitted in stout local textiles (usually linen and wool) and equipped with a wooden shield - easily the most effective form of cheap medieval armor, that could defend its wielder from thigh to neck. Only the wealthiest lords would have been able to equip their retainers with suits of maille. Since every miner, metalworker, smith, and apprentice represented another pair of hands who could not be put to work in the fields, a suit of fine maille was an enormous statement: look ye upon my wealth and despair. In these fragmented post-Roman polities, metal armor represented an enormous investment of time, effort, and material wealth in societies that revolved around the payment of food rent. However, the Roman style, characterized by alternating round and flat rings remained dominant surviving early post-Roman chainmail was likely made outside of Roman influence, but it still bore clear Roman stylistic influences. With the fragmentation of the Roman Empire, the enormously interconnected networks of trade that permitted Roman plate armor to be made were replaced by the much more localized production of chainmail for early feudal elites. Maille and Status The Repton Stone, discovered in Derbyshire, the 9th century CE, via the East Midlands Virtual Viking Museum As the Roman Empire grew to its most overstretched extent, Roman military governors began employing “barbarian” foederati more and more as primary troops to police border regions, and thus chainmail more or less wholly eclipsed plate armor in the Late Roman Empire. Unlike Roman plate armor, which required the large-scale division of labor in slave-manned Imperial workshops, chainmail could be made on a relatively small scale by an armorer and a handful of apprentices. It was used mainly as armor for auxiliary troops, non-Roman levies called foederati, as well as for cavalry. The “Roman” (or, really, Celtic) pattern of chainmail became widespread across Europe: it consisted of alternating rows of round wire rings and stamped flat rings to save on labor. Early chainmail was likely made from bronze, and later iron –- and when the Republican Romans encountered chainmail-wearing Celts in the 3rd century BCE, like every good empire, they shamelessly stole the idea. We use a variety of fabrics including velvet, wool, linen, and canvas to mimic the material and feel of the textiles used in making a traditional cloak in the past.Medieval Armor: The Age of Chainmail Roman reenactor wearing mail, via Wikimedia CommonsĬhainmail emerged in Iron Age Central Europe in the first millennium BCE, the invention of cunning Celtic metalsmiths. Our items are suitable for most historical periods and characters.Įach and every Renaissance cloak and medieval hooded cape we offer are made of heavyweight, high-quality materials. Whether you need a cape or cloak for Renaissance festivals, LARP, weddings, theater, or any kind of fantasy event or occasion, we are the place to go to find the cloak or other outer garment you need. Our medieval cloaks and hoods are the perfect pieces of garb for winter, as a nice warm cloak will keep you toasty in cooler weather while still providing a period look. Medieval Collectibles has a full line of Medieval and fantasy styled cloaks, full-length robes, and period capes to choose from. ![]() Women’s Medieval & Renaissance Footwear. ![]()
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