Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

The mail coat of armour, the hauberk, was worn by both Normans and Anglo-Saxons by the 11th century. Although it could prevent cuts and might protect the wearer from arrows, it was flexible and thus bones could be broken or flesh severely bruised by blows from swords or axes. This could be ameliorated by wearing a padded garment, a gambeson, beneath the hauberk. Similarly a padded cap could be worn under the mail hood.

See also: Anglo-Saxon; archer; hauberk; Norman

Related Reading:

• Norman Knight AD 950-1204
  (Warrior 1)