Mail Shirts
From The Viking Age Compendium
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Literature
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6 - 8mm alternating riveted & welded
| 800-899 | 900-979 | 980-1040 | 1041-1100 |
| Allowable | |||
Archaeology
- Gjermundbu, Norway, 980AD (TWEDDLE 1992) riveted & welded, internal ring size = approx. 5.5 - 7.3 mm.
- Gotland, Sweden, (TWEDDLE 1992) graves 14.7 & 14.8. Riveted & welded, internal ring size = approx. 7.4 – 7.6mm. Interestingly some copper alloy rings were in the Gotland finds.
- Sutton Hoo c.650AD (POLLINGTON 2006, p.152) - 8mm links, alternate riveted and butt-jointed, to mid thigh
- Dublin (HALPIN 2008, p.179)
Discussion
Most of the Viking Age finds seem to be in this size range.
6 - 8mm riveted
| 800-899 | 900-979 | 980-1040 | 1041-1100 |
| Optional | |||
Archaeology
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Discussion
Although we have no finds of 100% riveted shirts from 800-????, it was felt that they are better than ‘butted mail’ and are thus included under optional.
Butted / riveted links up to 10mm
| 800-899 | 900-979 | 980-1040 | 1041-1100 |
| Allowable | |||
Archaeology
- Tuna, Gotland (TWEDDLE 1992) has an internal link diameter up to approx.10mm in size
- Russia (D’AMATO 2012, p.34) some links measuring up to 25mm
Discussion
It appears that Eastern mail shirts could have even larger rings with some from Russia measuring up to 25mm. (D’AMATO 2012, p.34)
Copper alloy mail links used for decoration
A double row of copper alloy links used to edge mail shirts and aventails.
| 800-899 | 900-979 | 980-1040 | 1041-1100 |
| Allowable | |||
Archaeology
- York, England, C8th (TWEDDLE 1992, p.1003) Coppergate helmet,4 links.
- Gotland, Sweden, C9th-12th (TWEDDLE 1992, p.1185) Graves 14.7 & 8. This had two rows of copper alloy links at a possible vertical edge.
Discussion
The Coppergate helmet possibly had either a double row of copper alloy links edging the aventail or alternatively they could have been talismans. Copper alloy talismans and edges are frequently found on medieval mail shirts (TWEDDLE 1992, p.1003).
Edged with leather
A strip of leather sown over the edge of the mail shirt
| 800-899 | 900-979 | 980-1040 | 1041-1100 |
| Allowable | |||
