Armor Type:  Shoulder defense

Brief Description:  The ailette (French for "little wing") was used by knights primarily between 1290 and 1325. Shaped like small rectangular or quadrangular shields, they were worn over mail and typically made of boiled leather (cuir bouilli), wood, or thin metal. They were fastened to the shoulders using silk or leather laces. Because these small "wings" stood upright on the shoulders, their exact historical purpose is debated among medieval scholars.

Defensive Function: Some armor historians suggest they protected the neck and shoulders from heavy, downward sword strokes and helped deflect blows from the wearer's head.

Heraldic Purpose: Other experts argue their primary use was decorative. They were frequently painted with vibrant coat-of-arms designs, allowing knights to be easily identified in battle and serving as a massive display area during tournaments.