Banded mail
Encyclopedia
Banded mail is a neologism coined in the 19th century. It has become entrenched in the popular consciousness as a result of its inclusion in the armor list for the Dungeons and Dragons. Described as a type of composite armor formed by combining the concepts behind the Roman lorica segmentata
with splint mail
, its historicity is doubtful.
However, there exists substantial confusion because of the wide variety of terms/names by which similar armors are known. Banded Mail
has been described as "a form of mail
reinforced with bands of leather
", as"overlapping horizontal strips of laminated metal sewn over a backing of normal chain mail and soft leather backing" and as "many thin sheets of metal are hammered or riveted together".
The latter description more closely fits splinted mail, which consists of long metal splints connected by mail/leather used for arm and leg protection. The final description of metal plates riveted to a sub-strate describe a Coat of Plates
, Jack of Plates or brigandine
, all of which consist of metal plates riveted to a leather or cloth 'fronting'. Finally, armor constructed of historical rows of plates/platelets sewn or laced together (without backing/fronting would be considered laminar. The term that currently has currency for small metal plates joined together by chainmail seems to be plate mail or plated mail
.
Although considered real during the 19th century, later books on history claim that banded mail arose due to a misinterpretation of medieval manuscripts and tomb effigies.
While there have been some attempts at modern reconstruction of banded mail
, there are no known historic examples of banded mail, and existing manuscript/effigy representation seem to be a variety of methods for depicting chainmail
.
Lorica segmentata
The lōrīca segmentāta was a type of segmented armour almost exclusively used in the Roman Empire, but the Latin name was first used in the 16th century...
with splint mail
Plated mail
Plated mail is a type of mail with embedded plates. Armour of this type has been used in the Middle East, Japan, China, Korea, Central Asia, Greater Iran, India, Eastern Europe, and by the Moors.-Types of plated mail:In Russia there are three known varieties of this armour...
, its historicity is doubtful.
However, there exists substantial confusion because of the wide variety of terms/names by which similar armors are known. Banded Mail
Banded mail
Banded mail is a neologism coined in the 19th century. It has become entrenched in the popular consciousness as a result of its inclusion in the armor list for the Dungeons and Dragons...
has been described as "a form of mail
Mail (armour)
Mail is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.-History:Mail was a highly successful type of armour and was used by nearly every metalworking culture....
reinforced with bands of leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
", as"overlapping horizontal strips of laminated metal sewn over a backing of normal chain mail and soft leather backing" and as "many thin sheets of metal are hammered or riveted together".
The latter description more closely fits splinted mail, which consists of long metal splints connected by mail/leather used for arm and leg protection. The final description of metal plates riveted to a sub-strate describe a Coat of Plates
Coat of plates
A coat of plates is a form of torso armour consisting of metal plates sewn or riveted inside a cloth or leather garment. The coat of plates makes a fairly brief appearance in the history of European armour during the era of transitional armour, during a portion of the 14th century...
, Jack of Plates or brigandine
Brigandine
A brigandine is a form of body armour from the Middle Ages. It is a cloth garment, generally canvas or leather, lined with small oblong steel plates riveted to the fabric....
, all of which consist of metal plates riveted to a leather or cloth 'fronting'. Finally, armor constructed of historical rows of plates/platelets sewn or laced together (without backing/fronting would be considered laminar. The term that currently has currency for small metal plates joined together by chainmail seems to be plate mail or plated mail
Plated mail
Plated mail is a type of mail with embedded plates. Armour of this type has been used in the Middle East, Japan, China, Korea, Central Asia, Greater Iran, India, Eastern Europe, and by the Moors.-Types of plated mail:In Russia there are three known varieties of this armour...
.
Although considered real during the 19th century, later books on history claim that banded mail arose due to a misinterpretation of medieval manuscripts and tomb effigies.
While there have been some attempts at modern reconstruction of banded mail
Banded mail
Banded mail is a neologism coined in the 19th century. It has become entrenched in the popular consciousness as a result of its inclusion in the armor list for the Dungeons and Dragons...
, there are no known historic examples of banded mail, and existing manuscript/effigy representation seem to be a variety of methods for depicting chainmail
Chainmail
Mail is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.-History:Mail was a highly successful type of armour and was used by nearly every metalworking culture....
.
See also
- Laminar armourLaminar armourLaminar armour , sometimes confusingly referred to as "banded mail", is an armour made from horizontal overlapping rows of solid armour plates as opposed to lamellar armour which is made from individual armor scales laced together to form a solid looking strip of armor.Prominent examples of such...
/:ru:Ламинарный доспех - a historical armour from horizontal strips of plate