Iron Rings Trivia Quiz

Answer: redundant

The word "maille" actually means "to chain," so the "chain" in "chain mail" isn't really necessary, except where the word could be confused with postal mail.

Answer: a specific pattern the rings or links are fitted together in

Every civilisation that used maille developed its own unique weaves. From the tic-tac-toe like Japanese weaves to the scale-like European weaves, maille patterns are beautiful and practical in their own ways. I could spend an entire lifetime just studying them, but then I'm an admitted fanatic.

Answer: coiling long springs

A mandrel is a "U" made out of wood that has an iron or steel rod shot through the center of it. The rod has a handle on one end and a small hole of the other. The maille-maker will take one end of a long piece of wire and fit it into the hole, then crank the handle until the wire has been turned into a giant spring.

The spring is then cut with a chisel or wirecutters to form individual links.

Answer: China

Apparently, the Chineae people never made maille, but they did use it from time to time. They usually bought their maille from the Persians.

Answer: to hold metal or leather plates together

The Japanese made a tic-tac-toe like weave that was perfect for holding seperate plates together. Their armor was often very brightly painted and fierce-looking.

Answer: it had a specialised link

Persian maille was often highly decorated with swirling pattern and, in some cases, with Arabic charactors, but many other civilizations did the same thing. Almost every civilisation riveted their maille at one point or another, with the exception of Japan. What really made Persian maille unique was the invention of a special ring that had a metal bar through the middle of it. (Think of the NO sign, as in "no smoking").

This ring was called the "bar link" or "theta" maille because of its resemblance to the Greek theta.

Answer: for both of these reasons

"In comparing the armour of the East and West the differences of climate and the methods of fighting must be kept in mind. Anyone who has tried wearing European armour will say that the greater part of the inconvenience came from the heat and lack of ventilation. The weight was not more than a man in decent training could bear; but, especially in hot weather, the lack of ventilation incapacitated as much as wounds. Plate armour was made in the East but the lighter and cooler maille was preferred. The tactics of the West and East were also different. In the West dependence was placed upon weight and crushing power ... In the East the climate forbade very heavy armour and mobility was considered of much more advantage. All of the weapons used were lighter and much more manageable, the lances were shorter, lighter, and better balanced, the swords were of better quality and better adapted for use in close quarters."

*George Cameron Stone, A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor. (New York, The Southworth Press. 1934), p. 430.

Answer: Japan

Japanese maille was made out of a highly tempered metal that was often looped around several times so it looked like there were two or three links lying side-by-side. This made the maille incredibly thick and durable. Because of its unique construction, Japanese maille was much stronger that European maille, even though its ends were only butted up together and not rivited or welded.

Answer: very closely woven

Double maille is actually so closely woven that there is no visible space in-between the rings. In all other ways it looks and feels exactly like the regular or "international" maille.

Answer: maille made with very tiny rings

Micro maille is a new movement in the world of maille artisens and it is viewed with a certain amount of awe. The links are often so tiny that they have to be twisted shut using two pairs of tweezers. Any shirt of micro maille actually large enough to fit a human being would have thousands upon thousands of rings just in the tunic.

It would take a hundered quizzes like this one to even scratch the surface of the world of maille, but I hope that this one has wetted your appetite for more. If you want to learn more about Maille and other related subjects try visiting www.arador.com