Early Middle Ages

The early Middle Ages were truly the age of maille. The Norman hauberk seen at Hastings grew to fully cover the arms and hand and the skirts sometimes extended beyond the knee toward the ankle. Helmets became more protective - often sacrificing vision for safety. The classic nasal helm evolved into helmets such as the chapel-de-fer and helmets with faceplates - eventually culminating in the great helm. The development of western armour in this period was heavily influenced by combat conditions against the Muslims in Iberia and the Holy Land.