11-03-2008, 07:55 AM
Leather and textile armor was in use until recent times. Ancient quotes often mention it's effectiveness rather than the opposite. Godwinson had his men, the Huscarls and the Select Fyrd leave their mail coats behind and depend on their leather jerkins for defense . In one campaign to more effectively pursue the lightly armed Welsh. The Vikings seemed to quote Leather Jerkins being as strong as mail. Although that might be something of an exaggeration.
But the suggestion is, the infamous Late Roman Leather cuirass. Simply was the undergarment for mail. The mail typically carried separately in cartage. The Roman infantry marching without the heavy mail and not donning it until battle was at hand. This may be one of the reasons mail made a comeback against the segmenta. Mail collapses more easily for storage and the exact fitting didn't matter as much. From a strategic veiwpoint, mail was the easier option.
But the suggestion is, the infamous Late Roman Leather cuirass. Simply was the undergarment for mail. The mail typically carried separately in cartage. The Roman infantry marching without the heavy mail and not donning it until battle was at hand. This may be one of the reasons mail made a comeback against the segmenta. Mail collapses more easily for storage and the exact fitting didn't matter as much. From a strategic veiwpoint, mail was the easier option.
Steven.
