Armor Type:  Chainmail

Brief Description:  A haubergeon is a medieval mail (chainmail) shirt, translating historically as a "little hauberk." It typically extends down to the hips and features shorter sleeves, offering lighter, more flexible protection than a full-length, knee-long hauberk, making it highly favored by foot soldiers and infantry.

Key Characteristics:

Construction: It is crafted from thousands of interlocking metal rings woven in a traditional European 4-in-1 pattern. Historical and premium replica pieces use riveted or wedge-closed rings to prevent the mesh from pulling apart under impact, while more affordable modern replicas use butted wire.

Coverage: Unlike a full hauberk that covers the thighs and often includes long or mitten sleeves, the haubergeon generally ends around the waist or hips and finishes with half or short sleeves.

Historical Origins: Chainmail was highly effective at dispersing the energy of slashes and cuts. The sleeveless or short-sleeved variants (like the Roman Lorica Hamata) saw centuries of use before being gradually replaced by plate armor in the later Middle Ages.

Layering: It was almost always worn over a padded fabric undergarment called a gambeson to prevent the metal from chafing and to help absorb blunt trauma.