In this Tips & Tricks article, Angel Valsilev explains how to attach a chain mail aventail to a bascinet in the correct and comfortable way. A properly mounted aventail not only protects the neck and shoulders, but also prevents hair from getting caught between the chain mail rings and keeps the collar from shifting during battle.
What You'll Need
To attach an aventail to a bascinet, you'll need the following components:
A chain mail aventail with leather edging
A bascinet
Vervelles (helmet buttons)
A leather or waxed cord
Optionally a gambeson or gambeson collar
Historical Context: The Aventail
The aventail emerged around 1320 and was developed as flexible neck protection to go with the bascinet. Instead of a fixed helmet neck, the aventail offered a moveable chain mail collar that protected the neck, shoulders, and sometimes the upper chest.
Aventails were:
attached to the bottom edge of the bascinet
fitted with a leather strip at the top
worn until the middle of the 15th century
To improve wearing comfort, the aventail was often attached to a padded gambeson collar, which provided extra protection and distributed the weight more evenly.
Step 1: Check the Leather Edge of the Aventail
At the top of the aventail you'll find a leather strip. This strip is designed to attach the aventail to the helmet. Adjust it with leather tools so it fits the correct size of the helmet.
Step 2: Punch Holes in the Leather Edge
Use an awl or punch to make holes in the leather. These holes should be evenly spaced and correspond with the position of the vervelles on the bascinet.
Step 3: Attach the Aventail with a Leather Cord
Place the leather strip of the aventail over the vervelles and then thread a leather or waxed cord through the vervelle openings. Work your way around the helmet and pull the cord evenly. The aventail should be snug enough that it won't shift.
Step 4: Combine with a Gambeson or Gambeson Collar
For extra comfort and protection, you can combine the aventail with a gambeson or gambeson collar. Historically speaking, the chain mail was often partially attached to such a padded collar. This protects against impacts, provides extra neck protection, and ensures your hair doesn't get caught in the aventail.
