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[Page 19]
mail the word which is the French word maille is applicable only to this kind of armor which Gray in his elegant verses calls (1) Hauberks Twisted mail, The figure of this Peice of armor exactly resembles that of a Linnen Shirt & from this circumstance we may be satisfied that the shirt of our ancestors worn as a habit in the days of Hen 7th was Simelar in form to the Shirt now worn & probably made of Linnen
1134 For a Shirt of mail see the Tomb of Robt Duke of Normandy Elder
1128 Brother of Hen 1st & that Earl of Flanders Sandford Genealogical history also has Plates of Seals P.54
our ancestors seem to have distinguishd Mail from bright armor The former tho [bright armor?] it warded of a Cut or a Push Could not resist the blow
1413 of a mace Bright armor was therefore Substituted in its Stead, Hen 5th is the First of our monarchs who appears on his Great Seal in Bright armor
Henry in his history of England Vol 3 page 584 says that Shirts of the people in general were made of Linnen in the Reign of Wm 1st. on what authority does not appear
1577 the Highland Sects wore Saffron Shirts under their mantle in the Irish Fashion Harrison p 5.8.
1580 Cote of mail Lorica ex annellis