Although most people don’t come into contact with much medieval armor, we think that it’s safe to say that most people recognize chainmail when they see it. It’s a type of armor that consists of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a protective mesh.

It was common between the 3rd century B.C. and the 16th century in Europe, but the invention of guns rendered it obsolete. Most people don’t see chainmail anywhere except in movies, museums, or at Renaissance fairs. It can also be seen by medieval armor enthusiasts, especially on Chainmail Day — a holiday that celebrates this armor and is celebrated on September 22nd every year.

The History of Chainmail Day

Most historians credit the Celts with the invention of chainmail, but there are examples of patterned mail that were created by the Etruscans as early as the 4th century B.C. It’s believed to have been inspired by an earlier type of armor known as scale mail — armor made of small armor plates of various shapes attached to a cloth or leather backing.

Examples of chainmail can be found in North Africa, West Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, India, Tibet, Japan, and Europe. Although medieval chainmail is no longer made (except by history enthusiasts and experts), there is a modern version of it that’s been incorporated into cut-resistant gloves, shark-resistant wetsuits, and stab-resistant body armor.

Chainmail Day was invented in the early 2000s by a group of medieval enthusiasts. They came together to celebrate their love of medieval armor and wanted to create a holiday that raised the public’s awareness of chainmail and its importance to the culture of the Middle Ages.

It has been observed by an ever-increasing group of armor enthusiasts, but the profile of this holiday is beginning to rise with the passing of each year.

Observing Chainmail Day

Learning more about chainmail, gathering with other chainmail enthusiasts, and seeing examples of chainmail in museums around the world are just some of the ways that Chainmail Day is observed nowadays.

People can also take the time to make their own chainmail, and it isn’t as difficult as many people would think. After all, all that’s required are a few basic tools, heavy gauge wire, and a little bit of patience. While people are enjoying all things chainmail on this day, they can also help spread the love of this armor far and wide through the World Wide Web by using the hashtag #ChainmailDay. Now, let’s all grab our mail, place a sword at our side, and head out for adventure!