Chainmail

Overview:                                             

Chainmail played a very important role while in battle for the Europeans but also was used in other civilizations. Chainmail was adopted into Europe around the 5th to 15th century though it was developed around 500 B.C. (Beckett).

Development and Manufacturing:

To make a piece of chainmail there had to be certain steps to follow. The manufacturing of chainmail in medieval Europe included the coiling or bending of an iron wire firming them into links. They were put together using pliers and flattened into a mesh like material using a hammer. The color of the finished product was a metallic color as it was made from iron (Lee).

How was Protection was Provided?

Chainmail, also known as mail or maille, had a significant positive impact on medieval Europeans, primarily through its use as a form of protection. It was a defensive technology consisting of a unique flexible structure that would provide protection against cutting and piercing weapons. Chainmail was highly effective at protecting against slashing and cutting attacks from weapons like swords and axes as well as offering a degree of protection against a thrusting weapon. Though a thrusting weapon could possibly break the rings it was created out of (Mini Museum).

Conclusion

Although chainmail eventually fell downhill due to the creation of the firearm, it still played a protective, and defensive role for the medieval Europeans. A positive impact on the fall of chainmail was leading to a newer, more improved form of armor called plate armor. Overall chainmail was seen as a positive impact on the medieval Europeans and was used as a form of protection during battle (Tikkanen).