Wearing armour is more than just strapping steel plates together. What you wear underneath determines not only your safety but also how effectively you can move on the battlefield. In this guide, we'll explore the essential undergarments and chainmail supplements that protected knights throughout the centuries.
Quick Facts: The Basics
The Gambeson: The indispensable padded underlayer that absorbs shock.
Lendeniers: Special straps to secure steel leg pieces around the waist.
Chainmail Supplements: Lightweight alternatives to the full chainmail shirt (such as voiders and skirts) to save weight.
Neck Protection: From the early maliënkap to the 15th-century bishop's mantle.
1. The Gambeson: Your Shock Absorber Against Trauma
Plate armour stops a thrust, but the impact of a blow is transmitted to your body. That's why the gambeson is crucial. This padded jacket of 12 to sometimes 24 layers of linen acts as a crumple zone.
Early Middle Ages: Probably simple, padded tunic worn under the chainmail shirt.
14th & 15th Centuries: The rise of the Arming Doublet as a replacement for the gambeson. These close-fitting jackets are often equipped with laces (aglets) that let you attach armour pieces like shoulder and arm protection directly to the arming doublet.
2. Chainmail Supplements: Maximum Protection, Minimal Weight
When plate armour became more complete in the 14th century, a heavy chainmail shirt under the armour became cumbersome. People first switched to the haubergeon (short chainmail shirt). Mid-15th century, chainmail supplements developed that only protected the openings in plate armour:
Voiders (Armpit Pieces): Chainmail pieces that protect the openings at the armpits and elbows. These are often sewn or laced directly to the gambeson or arming doublet.
Chainmail Skirt (Gousset): A short chainmail skirt that protects the groin and hips, where the cuirass ends and the leg pieces begin.
Haubergeon: A short, lightweight chainmail shirt for those who still wanted maximum torso protection, for example in the Italian tradition. These remained popular into the 16th century.
3. Neck and Head Protection
The neck is one of the most vulnerable points. The evolution of the helmet went hand in hand with the underclothing:
The Chainmail Coif: Worn from Norman times through the 15th century. A padded coif was always worn underneath to keep the steel off your hair and cushion blows to the head.
The Aventail (Camail): A chainmail collar attached to the lower rim of a helmet (such as the bascinet) with special staples.
The Standard (Bishop's Mantle): A loose chainmail collar that became popular from the 15th century. This protects the opening between the helmet and the cuirass and offers extra comfort under a steel bevor (bevor).
4. Lendeniers: Securing Leg Pieces Without Arming Points
Before the 15th-century arming doublet was developed, leg pieces were secured around the waist with a lendenier. The lendenier is a sturdy belt worn around the waist. Chainmail leg pieces (chausses) and later steel leg pieces were attached to it, so the weight rested on the hips rather than on the legs themselves.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chainmail shirt alone enough under my armour?
No. Without a gambeson, the impact from a weapon will still break bones or cause internal injuries through the chainmail rings. The combination of padding (gambeson) and steel (chainmail/plate) is what kept the knight safe.
Why are supplements "riveted"?
Just like full chainmail shirts, riveted rings offer much more resistance to thrusts. Historically, chainmail shirts and parts were always riveted.
Summary
Padding first: Always start with a gambeson or arming doublet that fits your period.
Choose your supplements: Use voiders and a chainmail skirt if you're wearing 15th-century plate armour; this saves kilos of weight.
Don't forget the neck: A good chainmail collar (standard) or aventail is essential for your safety.
Ensure proper fastening: Use lendeniers or arming points to keep your armour pieces in place.
Ready to complete your kit? Check out our selection of gambesons, arming doublets and chainmail voiders to make your armour perfectly fitting and historically accurate.
