Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

Although originally a term applied to a neck-covering, hauberk became a word for a mail coat of armour, a garment made of interlinked iron rings. They had sleeves and the knee-length skirt was divided to permit riding a horse. The same term was used for armour of other sorts such as scale and even for a padded protective coat or gambeson. In the 12th century such a padded garment was worn beneath the hauberk to cushion the blows of an enemy.

See also: gambeson; scale

Related Reading:

• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition) - The Fall of Saxon England
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• Norman Knight AD 950-1204
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