Mail (also maille, often given as chain mail or chain maille, though this is a modern usage) is a type of armour or jewelry that consists of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. Mail can sometimes be punctured by a spear or shorn by the blow from a heavy axe or sword and its flexibility means that its wearer is still somewhat vulnerable to blunt weapons. Nevertheless, it was an effective and popular defense for its ability to stop cutting weapons from piercing the skin. Medieval physicians could usually set broken bones, but when it came to preventing infection they were woefully inadequate. Thus the mail was weak in defending against wounds which could be more easily mended but strong against those to which the soldier was most vulnerable. The word chainmail is of relatively recent coinage, having been in use only since the 1700s, prior to this it was referred to simply as mail *.
The word itself refers to the armour material, not the garment made from it. A shirt made from mail is a hauberk or byrnie, if knee-length; haubergeon if waist-length. Mail leggings are called chausses, mail hoods coif and mail mittens mitons. A mail collar hanging from a helmet is camail or aventail. A mail collar worn strapped around the neck was called a pixane or standard.
Armor :: Blacksmithing
Props and Costuming :: Live Action
Chain Mail :: Armor

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Dreamseeker Inlay Gallery - A collection of chain mail inlay designs made to offer ideas to mailers interested in making an inlay. Also allows for the submission of new inlays that you have designed.
Meta Description: [ A collection of chain mail inlay designs made to offer ideas to mailers interested in making an inlay. Also allows for the submission of new inlays that you have designed. ]
Maille Artisans International League - Dedicated to the art and industry of chainmail. Offers instructions, weaves, patterns, a gallery, rated links and chat groups.
Meta Description: [ Maille Artisans International League. An international group of artisans
dedicated to the advancement of maille art. Our aim is to create new techniques,
weaves, and patterns, expanding the knowledge of both novice and master,
and to increase public awareness of the ar... ]
Britt's Chainmail 101 - Basic instructions for making chain mail with a focus on materials and tools.
Butted Mail: A Mailmaker's Guide - The popular Third Edition of Lord Paul de Gorey's guide, with additional material by the author, has been combined into this new on-line Fourth Edition by Robert fitz John.
Meta Description: [ Guide to making mail ]
Chain Mail by John - Patterns and information for the do-it-yourself maker of Medieval style chain mail, suitable for Faires and similar reenactments, provided by an avid hobbyist; step by step instructions with photos, contact information.
Chainfire Maille and Armor Construction - A quick reference guide to chain mail makers of all types; hints and types, patterns, classified ads.
Chainmail - Chain mail and those who made and wore it throughout the years; James Dean (unconfirmed), various warriors, and your local butcher (validity may vary based on location). General information and methods.
ChainMaille: the LORD Randolph Method - This document is intended to assist the novice chain mailer in designing and producing his own suit of armor
Dave's Chainmail Construction Webpage - Designed to help people who are interested in pursuing the task of creating chain mail. Features beginning techniques, tools, a gallery, and patterns.
Meta Description: [ Chainmail Basket Dot Com ]
Derakon's Library - Library of 3D and illustration examples of chain maille weaves.
Meta Description: [ Learn to make many maille weaves. I have over two dozen sets of instructions, covering all of the common maille weaves with easily-understood 3D rendered graphics. In addition, I have tutorials for usingPOV-Ray, a free raytracing program. ]
Hand Crafted Chain Maille by Individual Sellers - The Maille Market is a community market, providing individual sellers a common place to sell their wares. If you are shopping for chain maille, you just might find it here.
Meta Description: [ The Maille Market offers quality chainmail armour and jewelry, hand crafted by some of the finest maille artisans in the world, with 100's of head pieces, necklaces, bracelets, armour, and much more. ]
Illustrated Handbook - A brief history of chain mail and detailed instructions on how to create chain mail and the tools to use.
Kusari Kahn's Lair - Dedicated to passing on and preserving knowledge of the ancient art of chain and chain armours, commonly known as maille, chainmaille, chainmail and mail. Galleries, patterns and articles about chain mail and ring armors.
Meta Description: [ Dylon Whyte's Art of Chainmail, a place of Amazing, Award Winning Fantasy, Mythical and Historical Chainmail, Chainmaille, Chainmaile, Maille, Mail, Maile, Costumes, Surreal Art, Jewelry, Armour, Blacksmithing and other Medieval and Renaissance Garb, For Sale and Custom Made for You! ]
Mail (Chainmail) Page - Short history of chain mail and information about the construction of chain mail in a home workshop; photos and links.
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Sara's Chainmail Connection - Covers construction techniques, lists of merchants and local mailers, and a bulletin board.
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