Chainmail is armor made of tens of thousands metal rings. This armor offers great flexibility to the wearer. It also offers good protection against cuts and slashes. The most people associate chainmail armor only with European medieval ages. Not everybody knows that chainmail armor was invented much sooner in antiquity and not only in Europe. It is assumed that chainmail armor was invented sometimes in half of first millennium BC in Europe and it may have been independently invented in Eastern Asia. Chainmail was probably invented by Germans or Celts. The oldest finds are from Germany and from Celtic chieftain's burial in Romania. Chainmail armor was also used by Gauls in Cisalpine Gaul (Northern Italy). However, mainly chieftains used it. The Roman army adopted this type of armor. But in the beginning, only richer soldiers could afford it. Later, it became available to every Roman soldier. Newer types of armor replaced Chainmail in the first century AD. However, in the middle of the third century, it was established as main roman armor once again and it was used after the fall of the Roman Empire throughout the medieval ages.
The chainmail was also known in Japan. It was known under the name kusari. However, it was used only a short period of time (app. 1336-1392). Also, there have been many differences between European chainmail armor and the Japanese one. Japanese didn't make complete chainmail sets. They were using it only to connect plates together and to cover vulnerable areas. Chainmail was always stitched onto cloth or leather backing. Also, the rings were made different. They consisted of two or more turns so they looked like something similar to rings on today's key chains.
Chainmail armor still has its uses. Today it serves mostly as protection for divers from sharks also for butchers and animal control officers. It is also widely used by re-enactors of medieval battles and living history. Many artisans have also adapted their craft to make jewelry.
The chainmail was also known in Japan. It was known under the name kusari. However, it was used only a short period of time (app. 1336-1392). Also, there have been many differences between European chainmail armor and the Japanese one. Japanese didn't make complete chainmail sets. They were using it only to connect plates together and to cover vulnerable areas. Chainmail was always stitched onto cloth or leather backing. Also, the rings were made different. They consisted of two or more turns so they looked like something similar to rings on today's key chains.
Chainmail armor still has its uses. Today it serves mostly as protection for divers from sharks also for butchers and animal control officers. It is also widely used by re-enactors of medieval battles and living history. Many artisans have also adapted their craft to make jewelry.