03-10-2006, 04:22 PM
The evidence that a subarmalis was worn under mail is anecdotal. There is pottery, an example of which is published in Peter Connolly's book, where an Etruscan warrior wears a quilted subarmalis in conjunction with scale armor. Medieval warriors definitely wore mail over a gambeson. Somewhere on the RAT is an excellent quote from an Arab historian sadly commenting on the impenetrability of Crusader mail + gambeson.
The other proof is our own experience. Mail worn by itself is uncomfortable and even dangerous. Sometimes, you just have to ask yourself the question: Will this work?
The other proof is our own experience. Mail worn by itself is uncomfortable and even dangerous. Sometimes, you just have to ask yourself the question: Will this work?
"In war as in loving, you must always keep shoving." George S. Patton, Jr.