What is maille?
Maille (also known as chainmail or chainmaille), is a flexible material composed of small interlocking metal rings or loops of chain. Maille was historically used as armour from the Roman era until the late middle ages, in both eastern and western cultures. It is used today for industrial armour, combat reenactment, jewelry, fashion design, and sculpture.
The term 'maille' comes from the French word for wire, although most sources claim it to be an invention of the Celts. It was used around the world as material-efficient armour for several centuries, until the introduction of plate armour around the 16th century.
Today it is still used as armour in medieval and renaissance re-enactment groups like the Society for Creative Anachronism and Amtgard, as well as in movies like Gladiator, The 13th Warrior, and The Messenger. It is also still being used today for its armouring benefits in such applications as shark suits and butchers' gloves.
Many people are discovering maille's potential for use in jewelry and clothing, as well as sculpture and functional pieces. Everything from inlaid chessboards and chandeliers to bikinis and bullwhips have been made from this versatile material. The Articles and Weaves sections show how to go from a spool of wire to the finished product, and examples of finished products can be found in the Gallery.