Maille Chausses

[T. Finkas]

I am looking for a good solution for maille chausses to wear as part of a late 14th century harness. Has anybody solved this? How did you do it? How are the chausses fitted? Any details, photos or sources would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

[Konstantin the Red]

Aren't mail chausses more characteristic of the early fourteenth than the late? Or had you meant late thirteenth?

[T. Finkas]

I am just getting into what's what for late 14th century armour (late 1300's). I thought I had seen full maille legs as part of some harnesses of that period, which to the best of my knowledge are called "chausses".

Is this the wrong term? Is this not a form used in harness of that era?

[Stefan ap Llewelyn]

To be honest I am not sharp enough of my history to answer which part of the 14th they were worn but I do have a pair:

After the maille sections have been done they should be attached to leather patches under your foot to walk on.

Make sure that you leave an open section where your heel is to make getting them on easier, this can be thonged shut afterwards if desired.

A potential problem here is having too many links in the 'shoe' section. These will slide under your foot when you are walking and are very far from being comfortable.

The back does not need to be done with maille, there are several effergies (apparently) which have them laced up with leather. Mine are ringed shut most of the way and thonged at the top. It works for me.

The top of the chauses should attach to leather which is pointed to your waist, I have made shoulder straps for a belt and tie them through point holes in the belt.

I have no pics of my chausses, sorry.

Let me know if you need more info, or if you know better ways I could have done mine